Côte d’Azur
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Côte d’Azur, (French: “Coast of Azure,” or “Azure Coast”), culturalregion in southeasternFranceencompassing the FrenchRiviera betweenMenton andCannes in Alpes-Maritimesdépartement and extending into southern Vardépartement. The population is predominantly urban. Traditional inland towns in Alpes-Maritimes includeGourdon,Èze,Utelle, andPeille; many such towns are perched on cliffs. Their streets are narrow and paved with flagstones or cobbles; houses are built of stone and roofed with rounded tiles. The doors of larger houses feature elaborate bronze knockers and hinges of wroughtiron. Themas is the traditional farmstead of the plains and houses living quarters and sheds under one roof; windows are narrow to admit little summer heat. Farmsteads in the plains tend to be dispersed. Retirees have immigrated to thecoast of Alpes-Maritimes, with the result that the population of thedépartement is aging. Repatriates from former French colonies are concentrated aroundNice. Tourism is the dominant activity, and the “sunbelt” image which it accords to this coastal belt has become a powerful factor in attracting bigtechnology firms to the area.
Roman Catholicism predominates.Signes, in Var,commemorates St. Eligius during the fourth week in June, and the sailors ofAntibes honour St. Peter in late June.Menton hosts a festival of lemons in February; floats are decked with lemons and oranges.
The region’s cuisine relies heavily ongarlic andolive oil.Aioli is a condiment made with olive oil and garlic.Pissaladiera, an onion flan made with anchovies and black olives, comes from Nice.Ratatouia (ratatouille), a vegetable stew of tomatoes, eggplant, and green peppers, also comes from Nice.