The Cote d'Azur is one of the most beautiful regions of Europe and there are few better ways to see it than as part of luxurious Mediterranean cruises.

An area of the south coast of France running from Menton to Cassis, the Cote d'Azur is home to some stunning beaches and mountain scenery, as well as world-famous resorts like Cannes, Nice and Antibes.

Sailing along the coast will present you with the best place from which to admire the views, while booking a Mediterranean cruise that calls at Toulon will give you the opportunity to head ashore and explore some of the area's towns.

Toulon is typical of the combination of traditional French architecture and stylish modern resort you will discover in the area. Visit the port's old town and you will see plenty of old-fashioned buildings, a spectacular cathedral and squares complete with historic fountains.

Closer to the centre of Toulon you will find the imposing buildings erected during Baron Haussmann's 19th-century redevelopment project, while on the outskirts of the town you will be able to see the remains of its 17th-century fortifications.

Toulon is also typical of the Cote d'Azur in that it is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. On one side of the town is Mont Faron and on the other are beautiful sea views - take a trip down the coast and you will see that this kind of setting is the norm, with Mediterranean beaches overlooked by tree-lined hills.

Dotted among the natural attractions are a number of fascinating towns, including St Tropez, which is just a short journey from Toulon.

Renowned as a playground for France's rich and famous, St Tropez was once a favourite holiday destination for Brigitte Bardot and Coco Chanel, and is now a stylish upmarket resort where you will see super yachts, luxury boutiques and art galleries alongside streets of traditional houses painted in bright colours.

It is far from the only place you could choose to visit as your cruise liner stops at Toulon, as the resort of Port Grimaud, the beautiful port town of Le Lavandou and the historic city of Aix-en-Provence are all great destinations for excursions.