959km (596 miles) S of Paris; 63km (39 miles) NE of Cannes; 8km (5 miles) E of Monaco

Pack your shades, for the Belle Époque resort of Menton is the sunniest place in all France. It’s no surprise that this balmy locale hosts both a winter lemon festival and the finest botanical gardens in the country. Liberal sprinklings of sun, sand, and citrus also attracted artists by the dozens, among them Picasso, Matisse, and Jean Cocteau. The Musée Cocteau makes the town worth visiting alone.

The aptly named Promenade du Soleil runs in front of Menton’s Old City, port, and casino. Game guests may follow this seaside boulevard all the way into Monaco—provided they have a spare 90 minutes and a sturdy set of legs.