aris may be the undisputed most popular destination for travelers to France, but those who venture outside the nation’s capital are in for a real treat. Whether you set out in search of the best beaches in France or you’re just headed straight for the French Riviera, you really can’t go wrong.

Two of the more popular destinations along the Mediterranean coast are Cannes and Nice – so it’s not surprising that both towns have hotels lining the beachfront. In fact, hotels near the Promenade des Anglais in Nice or hotels near La Croisette in Cannes, especially hotels which overlook the grand boulevards which meander along the water in each city, are some of the most sought-after places to stay. They’re also often some of the most expensive rooms.

There are some good deals for hotels in Nice right now, despite the ordinarily high prices of hotels in this part of France, due to the overall economic downturn. People are still going to be taking up lots of beach space – it’s not like you’re going to have Nice to yourself this summer – but the crowds are likely to be smaller than in recent years. So it’s an ideal time to go.

Some of the best hotel deals are for hotels located a short walk from the beach in Nice – places like this one, the Residence Nice Fleurs, which is 400 meters from the beach and has rooms starting at $102 per night. At $105 per night, the Artemis Hotel is 300 meters from the beach but not located right in Nice.

Wherever you decide to stay, your best bet to save money on a hotel on the French Riviera is to sacrifice a sea view and pick a place that requires a short walk to get to the beach. You’ll definitely get a better deal on your hotel room that way, and besides – you’re going to be at the beach all the time, not in your hotel!