It's the second most visited city in France after Paris with over 5 million visitors per year but as anyone who has holidayed in Nice and elsewhere along the French Riviera, living the high life can come at a cost.

Two of the largest upcoming events on the French Riviera, for example, Cannes Film Festival (11th - 22nd May) and Monaco Grand Prix (26th - 29th May) can see hotel rates quadruple, with many hotels having booked out between a year and three months in advance.

However, conveniently located half way between Cannes and Monaco and a mere thirty minute drive away, Nice, the largest city on the Cote D'Azur, is the ideal location for catching them both.

 According to Simon Walker, co-founder of Your Nice Apartment, the boutique self-catering holiday accommodation specialist, holidaying in Nice and the French Riviera doesn't have to break the bank and, as the company's consistent 5 * Excellent rating on Trip Advisor demonstrates, savvy holiday makers are forgoing expensive hotels for a more flexible, wallet-friendly alternative.

 "Customers have not only changed the way they book accommodation, bypassing the big, expensive corporate hotels and booking direct with holiday owners instead, but also the type of accommodation they want to book.

 "Not only are our apartments hundreds of pounds cheaper than the hotel-room equivalent, but they offer guests maximum flexibility, privacy, and provide the 'quintessential Nice experience'," he adds.

 It's also worth noting that hotels are not allowed in the Old Town or 'Vieux Nice' so, apart from a backpackers hostel, renting an apartment is the only way to stay in that area of Nice.

 Founded in Founded in 2009 by ex TV Directors / Producers, Simon and Amanda Walker, YourNiceApartment.com has become a 'word of mouth' phenomenon amongst holiday makers wanting to make the most of their money, and stay, in the French Riviera and beyond.

Divided into seven different 'collections', every property advertised on the site has to have something special about it - from high end luxury apartments with air con, wi-fi and a balcony with Oscar-winning views, to a cute budget boutique hideaway, to frescos on the ceiling, to three bathrooms in a three bedroom apartment.

Properties range from Lily a picturesque and atmospheric one bedroom apartment sleeping four tucked in the heart of the Old Town priced from £36 per night to Villa Estelle, historic villa in Haut de Cagnes. sleeping 20 from £486 per night.

For bookings, call YNA on +44 (0)203 397 7903 or visit yourniceapartment.com

Nice and French Riviera Fact File

• Number one tourist destination after Paris. • Around 5 million visitors per year, • 40% of the tourist flow on the French Riviera, worth 1.5 billion in economic benefits, • 1 visitor in 100 in Europe stays at least one night in Nice, • Second airport in France after the Parisian airports with almost 12 million passengers, 57 airlines and 103 destinations in 30 countries. direct links with european capitals, as well as with new-york, dubai, Moscow... • Number one airport in France in terms of low-cost traffic with around twenty airlines carrying 30% of the passengers, coming to 3 million people, • Leading conference city in France after Paris, • One of the highest number of hotel rooms, and the best quality accommodation after Paris, accounting for a third of french riviera stays, with a capacity approaching 200 establishments and 10 000 rooms, • One of the top French cruise ports: Nice/Villefranche-sur-Mer with 487 440 passengers and over 300 ships mooring in the port each year. • Highest concentration of museums after Paris, with 19 museums and art galleries • 1st city in France with vineyards within the city limits

Your Nice Apartment's Top Ten Picks

Best for couples

Belle Nuage Romantic Collection Belle Nuage (Beautiful Cloud) is the perfect mix of style, functionality and location, with a cosy boutique feel and oozing with charm and comfort. Views are second to none in the VIeux Nice. Sit side by side on the balcony overlooking the famous Place Rosetti and the glittering dome of Cathedral Sainte Reparate, sipping rose and people watching.. Priced from £58 per night.

Best for families

Le Dome, Unique Collection: Boasting rare, untouched features, with high ceilings, wooden beams, traditional Nicoise red tommasse floor and the piece de resistance, a ceiling fresco, this building is authentically Nicoise, a 17th century palace hosting royalty. Located in the heart of the Old town, a couple of minute's walk to the promenade, beach and market. Priced from £79 per night.

Best for budget

Portobello Traditional Collection: A little gem for holiday makers who don't want to break the bank but want every box ticked in terms of comfort: balcony overlooking rooftops and the sea, air-con and a lift combine to make this a lovely stay. The Port and Old Town is a 20-25 minute walk away (although trams run close by) which means this area is quite local, ideal for immersing yourself in French charm. 1 bedroom but sleeps four. Priced from £36 per night.

Best for luxury

Azur Fleur Deluxe Collection: An exclusive 2 bed (sleeps four) apartment in a fashionable area with a truly penthouse feel. Guests can relax with a glass of bubbly in your own private jacuzzi or on the comfy terrace lounge, surrounded by lemon trees, jasmine plants and bamboo bushes. Just four blocks away from the main promenade means the beach is practically on the doorstep, with cafes, restaurants and bakeries a few minutes away. Priced from £115 per night.

Best for large groups

Villa Estelle, Prepare to be enchanted by Villa Estelle, a magical 8-bedroom villa in the medieval village of Haut de Cagnes.  Exquisitely furnished with air conditioning and heating throughout to give optimum comfort while still conserving its historical legacy, this is a villa of real quality.  Ideal for family events or celebrations with friends, the charm of both the house with its Florentine courtyard and the neighbourhood will appeal to art and architecture lovers and those looking for authenticity on the Riviera.Prepare to be enchanted with this magical 8 bedroom villa (sleeps 20) in the medieval village of Haut de Cagnes. Exquisitely furnished, this is a villa of real quality with history oozing from its pores. The house and its Florentine courtyard are charming, the neighbourhood appealing to art and architecture lovers. Price from £486 per night.

Best beach

Azur View Classic Collection: Beachfront properties can be hard to find, but this 2 bedroom (sleeps 4) apartment has a balcony overlooking the Med and a promenade right on the doorstep. Designed by an Englishman for when Queen Victoria stayed here, the Promenade Anglais (better than a home from home) is less busy than other areas which means you can enjoy beach life without the crowds. Price from £97 per night.

Best for celebrity spotting

Villa Boron, Luxury Collection: The whole of this two-storey, 5 bedroom villa screams, 'luxury', with three terraces, heated swimming pool, BBQ area and more, yet it's the 'Elvis' suite which comes with a marble jacuzzi that makes this the best bedroom in the entire YNA collection. Located in Mont Boron, the 'Beverley Hills' of Nice, prepare to rub shoulders with its famous locals, such as Elton John and Sean Connery. Fantastic value for those wanting Riviera glamour. There are steps down to rocks and the Med where you can sunbathe and swim. Price from £366 per night.

Best outside space

Matisse, With its 25 m swimming pool and tennis court in the grounds, Matisse (sleeps 4) will tick all the boxes for families and couples alike. Situated in Cimiiez, this super stylish mezzanine apartment is found in The Regina Palace, a Belle Epoque masterpiece where Queen Victoria used to stay. Price from £41 per night.                                                                                                                             

Most private

Dolce Vita Deluxe Collection: 'Dolce Vita' really does offer guests a slice of the good life. This slick, contemporary one-bedroom apartment with high quality furniture and fittings is set in the picturesque fishing village of Villefranche sur Mer. With its sandy beaches and waterside restaurants, the apartment is the perfect getaway for those wanting to splash out on a luxurious break in one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Price from £72 per night.

Best kitchen

Mezzo Deluxe Collection: Mezzo will open your eyes to apartment living on the Cote D'Azur. Cotemporary, sleek and stylish boasting a picturesque balcony at the rear, bordered by colourful Provencal flora, two chic double bedrooms, a spacious open plan living area, Air Con, WiFi and a location on the sought after pedestrian zone only 1 block from the Promenade des Anglais, it looks like Mezzo really does have it all!Contemporary, slick and stylish - and that's just the kitchen, where you, the chef, can cook up a storm. Centrally located in the Carré d'Or, just a block away from the Promenade de Anglais, this 2 bed apartment (sleeps 6) boasts a picturesque balcony to the rear, bordered by colourful, Provencal flora. Inside, 2 chic double bedrooms and a spacious open plan living area make it a wonderful place to relax, whilst outside, you're in the sought after pedestrian zone. Price from £97 per night.