 Top 10 smartphone apps to install before you leave for your French Rivera Holiday.
Riviera Rental Guide have rounded up 10 holiday inspired smartphone and tablet apps to help you sail through your French Riviera holiday hassle free. So whether you’re a culture vulture, want to master the French language, need a WiFi hotspot or want to put together a fab Riviera outfit, there's an app for that.
1. XE Currency Converter
This pocket currency converter provides real-time conversion rates, so you can make sure you're getting the right rate when exchanging cash. Most importantly you can use this app to calculate how much of your home currency you're spending as you shop in Euro in the artist boutiques of Old Nice or Cannes, and the designer outlets of St. Tropez.
Cost: Free
Compatible with: Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7
2. WiFi Finder
You are supposed to be on holiday, but in this day and age, we all want to be seen to be checking into the office. If you can’t help yourself and need a good place to set up your laptop and get some work done, use Wi-Fi Finder to locate nearby hotspots. You can even apply a filter to target only FREE results. The app features more than 650,000 locations in more than 144 countries and works both online and offline.
Nice city centre now has free WiFi for all, registration on the Orange network required.
Cost: Free
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad and Android
3. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an Internet-based texting service, which lets you send word, picture or voice messages to any smartphone user with the same App for free. WhatsApp is also a great group messenger, when you're trying to text people who have different types of smartphones.
Cost: Free
Compatibility with: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows phone, Blackberry, Nokia S30, Symbian
4. TripIt
Do you frequently find yourself scrambling through your inbox, searching for travel confirmation emails? This is super clever - TripIt can make travelling a lot less painful by organizing all your reservations into clean itineraries - your flights, car rental, villa rental confirmations, you name it... The App recognises confirmation emails from more than 3,000 services including Riviera Rental Guide, all you need to do is forward your messages. Easy peasy.
Cost: Free.
Compatible with: Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, iPad,Windows Phone 7 & Windows 8
5. Monument Tracker
Have you ever admired a monument without knowing its history? Do you always bring a guide in your pocket? Stimulate your curiosity and improve your general knowledge with this very easy to use App.
In France most monuments, facades, statues, fountains, streets, art works, cultural events have a QR barcode that carries all the info. Just open the app, point your camera at the barcode-like symbol and you will get all the info. From the Promenade des Anglais, Nice to Pampelonne Beach, St Tropez... along the seaside, on mountains and in towns, this App alerts you and informs you. Clever!
Cost: Free
Compatible with: Android, iPhone.
HOT TIP: Download the offline version from the internet for your travels abroad to avoid roaming costs. Your GPS will alert you of nearby monuments.
6. Nice Cote d’Azur Airport App
This App gives you real-time flight information in your pocket whenever you need it. Crucial for checking delays in real time. You can access all arrivals and departures, there is a flight search facility and useful telephone numbers like Police and Taxis, all at your fingertips.
This App is only available in French but is very easy to understand given the simple layout.
Cost: Free
Compatible with: Android, iPhone and iPad
7. Postagram
Do you ever take a photograph and think that would make a gorgeous postcard? Well, here is a fun App that allows you to turn your photo artwork into a postcard, have it printed with your personalised message and sent anywhere in the world. It can take between 2 and 5 days to deliver too. Snap away against the backdrop of the bright blue Azure, the high-life of St Tropez, or cocktails at dusk from Cannes.
Cost: Free, sending cards costs 99 cents (US).
Compatible with: iPhone, ipod touch or Android phone
8. SNCF Direct (French Rail system)
With SNCF DIRECT you can:
See your local station's arrivals and departures board from your smartphone or Blackberry.
Locate the closest station, find out how to get there, and view a list of its services and shops.
Track your train’s journey in real time.
Receive updates as soon as your platform is assigned or a delay is announced.
Listen to train service updates, broadcast every 15 minutes on SNCF La Radio - this very cool.
And if that’s not enough - share your train information with friends via Facebook and Twitter.
Cost: Free
Compatible with: Android, iPhone and iPad
9. Monaco Travel Guide
Impressive app that guides you around the famous Principality of Monaco. It has a lot of information and lists most of the best beaches, bars, restaurants and attractions. There is a quite good GPS based section that will guide you based on your current location. Some restaurants and bars may be slightly out of date.
Cost: Free.
Compatible with: Android and iPhone.
10. Stylebook
This is definitely our favourite fashion app - bringing your wardrobe to life. Stylebook is designed to help you carefully curate your wardrobe so you can look effortlessly chic everyday of your French Riviera holiday. We want you to get the most out of what you already have in your closet and to choose new pieces that will integrate well into your wardrobe. Helping you style your beach day wear to evening sophistication as you sip cocktails in Monaco or relax on the bow of the Riviera Party Boat.
Cost: £2.49 (UK)
Compatible with: iPhone and iPod Touch
Lastly here are some apps that didn't make the Top 10 but are absolutely worthy of a mention.
NDrive for Android, full offline GPS, France maps pack is 14.99 (Euro). Cheaper than a Tom Tom and works while walking around too.
Google Maps you can now download map sections of 10 miles square, so that you don't need an internet connection to use your GPS with Google Maps in your immediate location. Free.
La Chaine Meteo The French Weather Channel. A comprehensive weather app with alerts and a usually accurate 10 day forecast. Free.
Google Translate Voice just type in English or any other language and get an instant translation to French. Then hear how to say it. Free.
AudioGalaxy Listen to your home music collection while abroad, needs WiFi or 3G. Free.
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