USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRENCH RIVIERA Flight

IFAERO
Flight Training Center
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRENCH RIVIERA
…Preface
This guide is designed to help you to plan your trip and your stay on the French Riviera where IFAERO
Flight Training Center is located. The information provided is valid for 1st of January 2013. Links to
other sites in the document should help you to learn more about the topics listed below. All our team
members are at your disposal to help you to arrange every detail of your training and your stay on
the French Riviera.
We are happy to be able to propose you our training programs tailored according to your needs, and
to participate in this way in your professional project accomplishment.
…Content
Access to IFAERO Flight Training Center…………………………………………………….………………………3
Full contact details….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
The French Riviera - an exceptional place for your training ....................................................... 5
…key figures .......................................................................................................................... 5
…infrastructure ....................................................................................................................... 6
…major international events ................................................................................................... 11
…economy ............................................................................................................................... 15
Usefull information .................................................................................................................... 16
Get around the French Riviera .................................................................................................. 19
Accomodation options.................................................................................................................... 22
Places to visit in Cannes ............................................................................................................ 23
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…Access to IFAERO Flight Training Center
IFAERO Flight Training Center benefits from its exceptional location, at the Mediterranean sea edge,
on the crossroads between Europe and Africa, in one of the most well-known places – the French
Riviera.
Monaco
Nice
IFTC
IFAERO has its tree offices located in two major French Riviera cities – Nice and Cannes, whilst FAERO
Flight Training Center is located at Cannes- Mandelieu business airport, just next to runways.
… Full contact details:
IFAERO Flight Training Center
H14, Pôle Aéronautique
Aéroport Cannes-Mandelieu
BP 15, 06150 CANNES-LA -BOCCA, France
Phone : +334 92 29 48 32 Fax : +334 93 13 21 22
Web site : www.ifaero.com
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Coming from the International Airport Nice Côte d'Azur, you can access IFAERO Flight Training Center
by the A8 motorway, taking « Cannes » direction. Exit N° 41 « Cannes-Mandelieu Airport ». Turn left
at the first roundabout then straight ahead at the second roundabout. The entrance to the airport
will be on your right hand side just after the third roundabout. A plane mock-up indicates the entry
of the Airport. Stay on the right hand side for about 200 m, and follow the « Pôle Aéronautique » H14
direction. You will then pass large white gates to enter IFAERO Flight training Center.
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… The French Riviera - an exceptional place for your training
The French Riviera is an exceptional location the history and heritage of which are equaled only by its
rich landscapes. Here we work and study in a unique natural setting between the Mediterranean and
the peaks of the Alps in an exceptional climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year. It is a Riviera
true playground, 365 days a year! 20 golf courses,15 ski resorts, watersports activities available all
year round, an unending architectural and artistic heritage, a lively cultural environment (130
museums), two operas, theatres, art galleries, gardens, archaeological sites, encounters with artists,
and more. The French Riviera is bursting with resources
Supported by the image of the world-famous Cannes International Film Festival, the Monaco F1
Grand Prix and dozens of professional conventions and trade shows which are held on the French
Riviera, the region is no longer seeking fame. It has been identified and recognized as famous for
over fifty years, and for more than 150 years has welcomed decision-makers from all over the world,
now due in no small part to its international airport which every year caters for 19% of international
tourists.
The French Riviera’s illustrious past has created a strong Mediterranean identity while its
architecture, streets and sun-filled cuisine combine to provide the French Riviera with its typically
southern culture.
Formerly known as the "Little Winter Paris ", the French Riviera is not the European Capital of Hyper
luxury that attracts Kings, Princes, Film Stars, Men and Women in Business international Heads of
State from all over the world.
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… key figures
The French Riviera it is:

7 Conference and exhibition centres

4,990 restaurants (outside Monaco).

20 golf clubs and courses including 10 “18-hole”
courses

17 casinos (including Monaco).

1 International racecourse at Cagnes-sur-Mer

14 spas and thalassotherapy centres

15 ski resorts, 3 of which are international

660 km of ski slopes

645 peaks over 2000 m

4 snowparks

Over 130 museums, monuments and sites open to
the public.

33 marinas

5 cruise ports

24 5-star hotels.

100 parks and gardens open to the public

120 km of coastline with 40 km of sandy beaches and
pebble

150 private beaches.

4 capes

2 islands

7 museums dedicated to the Sea

30,000 rooms, including 10,500 classified 4 and 5
stars, which is over 1/3 of the hotel capacity in 4 and
5 star hotels

6000 km of hiking trails

65 biking routes

30 climbing sites
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…infrastructure

Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport – second French airport after Paris
Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport is France’s leading national airport after Paris. Nice is linked to
over 100 destinations by 55 airlines with direct flights to United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and Qatar
(Doha) with connections to the Middle East, Asia or Australia.
Nice Côte d’Azur is the only French airport, after Paris to provide direct, daily flights to New York.
With almost 10 million passengers annually, it is a strategic hub serving around thirty countries
including twenty European capitals.
The presence of many low-cost airlines, representing a third of the airport’s traffic, is a significant
benefit for conferences.
For more information, please visit : www.nice.aeroport.fr
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
Aéroport Cannes-Mandelieu
Complementary to the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport which is the regional airport dedicated to
commercial aviation, Cannes-Mandelieu Airport is dedicated to business and tourism aviation.
Region’s economy as well as its tourist sector has made the Cannes-Mandelieu Airport a second
largest business airport after Paris-Le Bourget.
This specialization meets the needs expressed by the French Riviera economy to have a platform
which could handle high-end tourism and major events (International Film Festival, MIPIM, Living Tax
Free ...) giving its best quality service. The activity of the Cannes-Mandelieu Airport has indeed
become essential to provide means of access to the upscale events.
Located one hour away from Monaco and five minutes only from the center of Cannes and from the
famous Palais des Festivals, the Airport an ideal way to connect Cannes and biggest European
metropolises.
For more information, please visit: www.cannes.aeroport.fr
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
Large helicopter network
The French Riviera has a large network of helicopters which allows to reach Sophia-Antipolis, Cannes,
Monaco and Saint-Tropez in just few minutes. With nearly 70 rotations per day, Nice to Monaco
helicopter path remains the world's busiest.
For flight reservation, please visit:
Réservation de vol :
www.azurhelico.com
www.heliairmonaco.com
www.nicehelicopteres.com
www.helicopter-saint-tropez.com

Réseau autoroutier et ferroviaire
The French Riviera is accessible by direct and fast motorways (A8, Paris, Lyon, Barcelona). In addition,
a well-developed national rail connections link the French Riviera to all other French regions and to
all biggest European cities ( (rapid and express trains (TGV and Corail trains)).
For more information, please visit:
www.autoroutes.fr
www.ter-sncf.com

Numerous conference and exhibition centers
Multi-purpose and versatile, the French Riviera’s conference centers can be adapted to suit all types
of event, including conferences, conventions, company events or professional trade shows. To do so,
they have the latest technological facilities and some of the most experienced technicians.
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145 conference hotels provide over a thousand fully equipped rooms that can be configured as
required. Located in cities and the famous villages inland from the coast, they can also be found near
golf courses so you can combine work and relaxation.

Specially tailored hotels’ offer
The hotel offer boasts over 30,000 hotel rooms across all categories. Their services are of
international standard and meet the expectations of the widest range of clienteles.
All the international chains are represented in the region such as Intercontinental, SAS Radisson,
Accor, Concorde, Starwood, Méridien, Barrière or Partouche… Not forgetting the members of Small
Luxury Hotels of the World, Relais & Châteaux, The leading Hotels of the World...
Out of 700 classified establishments, 30% are listed as four or five stars, not including the traditional
luxury hotels that everyone imagines (Carlton, Majestic, Négresco, Martinez, Palais de la
Méditerranée…).
Many hotels also feature spas, fitness centers, swimming pools, gourmet restaurants, casinos and
night clubs. The diversity of the hotel offer and the wide range of prices provide solutions for
delegates and exhibitors alike, whatever the budget.
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…major international events on the French Riviera

Cannes Film Festival
Founded in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival, which runs for 12 days each year in May, aims to reveal
and highlight movies that served to the evolution of cinema, encouraging the development of film
industry in the world and celebrate the 7th art internationally.
Since its inception, Cannes has become one of the most talked about festivals in the world. The
highest honor of the festival is the famous « Palme d'Or », to which is added the equally prestigious
« Grand Prix et Prix du Jury ». Today, under the chairmanship of Gilles Jacob and with the initiate of
his general delegate Thierry Fremaux, the official selection is a reflection of the international cinema
production even if the competition usually tends to point out the auteur cinematography.
Center of glamor, Cannes Film Festival features French and international stars, simply sublime on the
famous Red Carpet. In this regard, the selection « hors compétition », particularly the opening film,
often affects the whole cinematographic year, while « Un Certain Regard » highlights original works
from the esthetic and vocabulary used point of view.
The Cannes Film Festival is above all a true springboard for innovations, revealing each year the great
filmmakers of tomorrow.
For more information, please visit : www.festival-cannes.com
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
The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco
The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco exists since 1997. It is organized 2 weeks before the F1 Grand Prix
of Monaco.
It takes place on the same circuit as the Formula 1 Grand Prix with the charming old cars that
propose a travel back in time.
Organized every two years by the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM), it's a success for the spectators
that come more and more each year.
For the 7th edition of the Grand Prix Historique, Formula Junior cars (1958 - 1963) have been
replaced by Formula 3, 1000cc, 1600cc and 2000cc, built and raced prior to 31/12/1984.
For more information, please visit :
www.grand-prix-monaco.com

Festival international de Jazz
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Today, jazz has become part of the Nice identity, thanks to the Great Parade. But far from becoming
a cliché, it has become an integral and deep part of local culture. From the beginning of their
common history, some Nice youth, seduced by the new beats, embraced jazz.
Over the years, many artists, such as Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald,
Helen Humes, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis, regularly appeared at the festival. After 1994, it saw
a change of emphasis, with more world music and pop. But the festival's newest organizer, Vivian
Sicnasi, has reinstated an eclectic mix of traditional and modern sounds with an international line-up;
it remains "one of the Riviera's biggest annual events."
Maintaining the simultaneous concerts on many stages and the festive character of the Great
Parade, what has become the Nice Jazz Festival in 1994 has announced its intention to “shake up
tradition to better express its spirit” and opened itself to new and diverse musical trends.
For more information, please visit :
www.nicejazzfestival.fr

Nice Carnaval
The Nice Carnival is the largest carnival in France and one of the world's most famous. It is held every
winter in Nice in February for two weeks, including three weekends, and attracts hundreds of
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thousands of spectators. It is the iconic event of Nice’s celebrations calendar that counts some 850
cultural, festive and sport events that take place each year.
For more information, please visit :
www.nicecarnaval.com

Fête du Citron - The Lemon Festival
The Lemon Festival is a traditional festive event organized by the Tourist Office which is held every
year at the end of winter in the city of Menton. It is the second major public event of French Riviera
after Nice Carnaval.
On the Promenade du Soleil, a parade of floats with citrus, confetti, bands, dancers and folk groups
takes place every Sunday.
There are also some Thursday evening parades, which takes place in addition to traditional Sunday
parades.
For more information, please visit :
www.fete-du-citron.com
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…economy
In addition to its tourist attractions, the French Riviera has everything needed to successfully settle
and develop a new business.
Today, the French Riviera counts 66 000 companies that represents 438 000 jobs, and it is the leading
French region in the R&D field.
Moreover, 10 international schools are located on the French Riviera, without mentioning 11 higher
education establishments establishments that teach 27 000 students, 18% of which come from
abroad. Finally, the Sophia Antipolis technology park is the leading technology park in Europe.
The IT sector features more than 1,200 companies with over 20,000 ICT engineers and researchers
(leading European technology park, Sophia-Antipolis), including world leaders in microelectronics,
telecommunications, software engineering and multi-media content (Texas Instrument, IBM, Ask,
Intel..) who works closely with a numerous array of SMEs and startups.
The environment cluster is central to all key sectors on the French Riviera, focusing on advanced
technologies to develop new energy solutions and protect the environment. Many applications are
developed in the region in fields such as earth observation, the study and protection of the
environment, satellite navigation or natural risk management.
The French Riviera has a recognized expertise in the field of the environment with institutes such as
the Ecole des Mines and many specialist research laboratories.
The Riviera based aerospace cluster unites a very healthy base of around 200 sub-contractors and
specialist companies working closely with the large research laboratories and specialist training
institutes, around major international contractors (EADS, Orolia, Temex…).
The French Riviera has a dense network of international companies for equipment and services
involved in the maritime industry, sailing, yachting and the sea and particularly companies
specializing in maintenance and repairs, sails, motors, superstructure armament, crew management,
training, recruitment companies, ship chandlers, yacht design and on-board electronics (Transas
Mediterranean, Rodriguez, Frazer…).
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Usefull information

To enter French territory
France is one of the constituent countries of the European Union and it is part of the Schengen area.
Anyone wishing to study in France should contact the Embassy of France in his country whether a
visa is required.
To learn more : http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/

Timezone
The French Riviera is a part of metropolitan France, its timezone is UTC +1.

Currency
Euro is the French official currency. Many currency exchange offices are available in the main cities of
the French Riviera. As for credit cards - MasterCard and Visa are accepted in most hotels, restaurants
and shops on the French Riviera.

Language
The French Riviera is the only French region where live more than 163 nationalities. Visitors enjoy a
multicultural environment synonymous of hospitality and openness. On the French Riviera, the
mixture of cultures and languages has become a style of life.
12% of the population is of foreign origin, 1 person out of 8 is English-speaking. French is the official
language commonly spoken, but English is required and the mix of languages is quite common.

Electronic standards
Voltage cycle in France is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. Depending on your country of residence, an
adapter may be necessary to use imported appliances.
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
Proof of identity
It is important to have your passport or other proof of identity with you all the time during your stay
on the French Riviera.

Weather conditions
The climate of the French Riviera is the Mediterranean climate; the gels are generally rare and brief.
Winters are mild and wet; summers are hot and generally dry. Rainfalls are rare during summer.
Autumn is a time subjected to heavy rainfall with 89 mm monthly average from September to
November and sometimes violent storms due to the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea that
stays still very worm during this season (20 ° C - 24 ° C).
The average temperature in summer is 24 ° C and in winter is 9 ° C.

Tips
A bill usually includes all services. However, on the French Riviera tipping is customary. In
restaurants, it is customary to round up the price if the service was on a high level. In hotels, it is also
customary to give a tip at a particular request, room service, porters and valet if the service quality is
on a high level.

Internet
The territory of the French Riviera is covered by ADSL Internet connexion. You will find cyber cafes in
the main French Riviera cities, where you can surf and send emails. Many hotels, restaurants, cafes
and shopping centers as well as airports offer hotspots to connect your laptop to Wi-Fi.

Telephone
There are telephone booths in the most cities of the French Riviera. They all work with phone cards
(calling cards) and banking cards with a chip. Some also accept credit cards without a chip.
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Most cities of the French Riviera are covered by the standard GSM (GSM900/GSM1800) as well as 3G
(UMTS).

Emergency Numbers
17: Police
18: Firefighters
15: Emergency Medical Service
112: International Emergency Number. Operators speak different languages and will be able to refer
your call depending on your language, and problem. The ambulance, firefigters and police are
interconnected. No need to call then 15 or 18. 112 can be composed from a both or a landlin as well
as from a mobile phone anywhere in Europe.
These emergency numbers are free.
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Get around the French Riviera

By taxi
Taxi ranks are reported in town by a blue sign. For a reservation, taxi call central are available in
major cities of the French Riviera. A taxi call center: Allo Taxi Riviera Nice : +33 (0) 4 93 13 78 78.
Taxi vehicles are equipped with an external signal "taxi" on the roof of the vehicle indicating that
they are free or not. When the light is on, the taxi is free when the light is off, the taxi is busy. If the
light is obscured (black) the taxi is not in service.
The rates are defined by the State, through prefectures. Taxi charges a fixed rate and a flexible rate
depending on a couple of factors, such as distance, time of service (night or day service) and type of
service (one way / two ways).

By car
Upon your arrival, you can rent a car with rental companies with offices in major airports and train
stations of the French Riviera. Rent formulas fit your needs (daily or weekly rentals).
If you decide to rent a vehicle yourself, it is advisable to be have your international driving license
with you.
Speed limits are as follows:
• Highways: 130 km / h (110km / h in a bad weather and on the French Riviera)
• Double-lane road separated by a median: 110 km / h (100km / h in a bad weather)
• Two-way undivided roads: 90 km / h (80 km / h in a bad weather)
• Cities: 50 km / h, but attention: more and more cities put a speed limit at 30 km / h in all streets
except national and departmental roads.
The parking charges from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 14 pm to 19 pm. Many
car parks and parking meters are available on the French Riviera day or night so you can visit on your
own sites and monuments. Average hourly rate: € 1.
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Highways are paid. A Nice-Cannes trip will cost you: 2,90 €.
Speed controls are frequent in urban areas, on road and highways. Many cameras are placed along
the roads to encourage drivers to obey to highways code. The radar detection systems are
prohibited.
The reflective jacket and triangle pre-signaling are required in all vehicles.
Except markings (and panels in some cases), the priority is on the right.
To book your car rental, you can visit:
https://www.avis.com/car-rental/reservation/time-place.ac
http://www.hertz.com/
http://www.europcar.com/

By helicopter
The French Riviera has three main heliports: Nice airport, Cannes and Monaco. Regular connections
between these three cities as well as Saint Tropez and the Isola 2000 Ski resort are provided by
specialized companies.
To book a flight, you can visit:
www.azurhelico.com
www.heliairmonaco.com
www.nicehelicopteres.com
www.helicopter-saint-tropez.com
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• By public transport
-
By bus:
The bus network is well developed on the French Riviera, within and outsides major cities. Buses run
from the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to the city center, and major French Riviera (Nice, Antibes, Cannes,
Grasse, Menton & Monaco).
For more information, please visit:
http://www.info-ler.fr/ (Lignes Express Régionales)
-
By train :
Les TER (Trains Express Régionaux) relient rapidement toutes les villes principales de la French
Riviera entre Cannes et Vintimille. A certaines périodes de la journée, -un train toutes les demiheures.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers
-
By boat :
Regular connections to the Lérins Islands from Cannes (a ferry) but also from and to Juan-Les-Pins,
Golfe Juan, Mandelieu-La Napoule, Nice, Théoule-sur-Mer. You will find more information in a local
Touris Office.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.trans-cote-azur.co.uk/
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Accomodation options
IIFAERO Flight Training Center has partnerships with several
hotels locates close to the center of Cannes, offering
preferential rates for IFAERO’s customers.

PARK & SUITES Appart-Hôtel
Contact : Cécile Coutton-Jean at +33(0)6 28 41 07 60, or
+33(0)4 93 93 35 13 / mandelieu@parkandsuites.com
To book : www.parkandsuites.com

Hotels close to the Cannes Airport:
- Kyriad Cannes la Bocca Hotel - Phone: +33(0)4 93 48 21 00
- Grill Campanile Hotel - Phone: +33(0)4 93 48 69 41
- Hôtel Balladins - Phone: +33(0)4 92 19 64 64
- Citadines Apart’hotel - Phone: +33(0)4 97 06 92 00
- Pierre & Vacances Cannes La Bocca - Phone: +33(0)4 93 90
72 00
- Hôtel des Chasseurs à La Roquette-Sur-Siagne - Phone:
+33(0)4 92 19 19 61
- Bed & Breakfast à Mandelieu La Napoule - Phone: +33(0)6
12 78 59 73 / +33(0)4 93 49 02 91

Long term rentals
An IFAERO Flight Training Center partner, CITY APART'HOTEL offers studios for rent in Cannes Citadines
Croisettes from 54 euros / night.
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Contact : Nicolas Fournet au +33(0)6 75 56 46 97 nicolas.fournet@the-ascott.com To book :
www.citadines.com
To visit in Cannes
The world-renowned city of Cannes, a jewel of the Côte d'Azur, never disappoints its visitors. It is on
a par with its reputation: chic, dazzling, magnificent like its festivals and great events (such as the
Film Festival).
But it can also be surprising in the simple authenticity of its neighborhoods (Le Suquet) and bustling
markets, ever-effervescent yachting wharves. The sandy beaches and establishments along La
Croisette contemplate one of the most splendid natural heritage sites of the French Riviera: the Isles
of Lérins.
Mandelieu-La Napoule and Théoule-sur-Mer in the Bay of Cannes are ideal, resourceful resorts with
many activities. The charm and elegance of Mougins and Old Cannet, where Bonnard settled, are
most engaging.
We wish you a pleasant stay for your training on the French Riviera!
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All hypertext links in this guide to web sites or web resources are offered for informational purposes only. IFAERO Nice Côte d'Azur
cannot be held responsible for their use, their content or their modifications.
Sources :
Photo credits :
www.allocine.fr
fr.calameo.com/read/0004860632426598ab4c2
www.cotedazur-cb.com
www.grand-prix-monaco.com
www.handitourismepaca.fr/grands-evenements.asp
www.levoyageur.net/
pro.cotedazur-tourisme.com/presse
voyage.gc.ca
wikipédia
wikitravel.org/en/French_Riviera
Photothèque CRT Riviera Côte d'Azur
Park & Suites Appart-Hôtel
CITADINES –APART'HOTEL
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