Even though many of us long for the sun, it can get too hot here in Nice. Palais Lascaris is a perfect escape from the heat. This baroque-style aristocratic residence now houses a museum dedicated to the art and music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The palace, built for the Lascaris Vintimille family in the mid-17th century, features a monumental staircase, frescoes, and luxuriously decorated salons. Visitors can explore the reception apartments, which boast frescoes depicting mythological themes, stucco work from the late 17th century, and a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, objets d'art, and tapestries. The palace also houses a remarkable collection of antique musical instruments, including a prestigious deposit from the Institut de France.

Seven generations saw to the Tan Ky house remaining in the excellent condition it welcomes visitors in today, as it continues to stand as an excellent example of the confluence of cultural influences that define Hoi An. This 18th century merchant home combines elements of Chinese and Japanese design, and even features elements of European influence (such as the grape leaves carved into the courtyard balcony). The house comes furbished with original period pieces and contains a small gift shop; there is an open courtyard at its centre which brings in light and air, creating an organic link to nature and preventing the structure from flooding (although this isn't a remedy in extremely high water).

The islands of L’île Sainte-Marguerite and L’île Saint-Honorat are two beautiful getaways from the city of Cannes. Just a boat ride away from the harbour, behind the palatial cinema, you can travel to these islands which are fifteen and thirty minutes respectively away from Cannes. L’île Sainte-Marguerite used to be a prison island, where a mysterious, masked prisoner was held in the 17th-century. The peaceful, flower-decked island of Saint-Honorat houses a monastery.

Villa Arson, also referred to as the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts à la Villa Arson, is a centre for modern art in Nice. It combines a French art museum, an elite school and a research institution for contemporary art, frequently featuring performances by current and former students.