Enjoy the Monaco Formula 1 race from May 13 -May 16 2010, the Cannes film festival from May 12 – 23 2010 and the 6th annual Iron Man triathlon competition on June 27 2010. The magnificent national park « Parc du Mercantour » (Vallée des Merveilles – Fontanalba valley of wonders, etc) is only 1 hour’s drive from Nice – great for hiking and mountain sports. In the winter the ski areas (downhill skiing/cross-country skiing) are also only 1 hour drive away (Auron, Isola 2000, Valberg…).