` tag. No placeholders.
* **Date Paragraph:** Immediately after H1, add a paragraph with “Last updated: April 2026”.
* **Heading Structure (CRITICAL):**
* Exactly 5 to 8 `

` headings.
* Each `

` must be a COMPLETE, full question (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/Is/Does/Which/Can).
* NO truncation, NO “…” at the end, NO generic labels like “FAQ…” or “Question…”.
* Each `

` section must have at least 2 paragraphs of content before the next `

`.
* **Content Requirements:**
* Minimum 1800 words total.
* Personal experience phrases (“I tested”, “In my experience”, “After comparing”, “During our review”).
* 3-5 internal links using descriptive anchor text.
* 2+ external citations to authoritative sources (gov, edu, WHO, NIH, official brand pages).
* FAQ section at the end: 5 questions as `

` tags with paragraph answers.
* Schema: JSON-LD script block with FAQPage schema after the FAQ section.
* **Banned Phrases:** “in todays digital field”, “explore into”, “shift”, “its important to note”, “as an AI”, “change”, “in the ever-evolving”, “look no further”, “dive in”, “unlock the secrets”, “supercharge”, “seamlessly”, “cutting-edge”, “leverage”, “harness the power”, “navigate the complexities”, “comprehensive guide”, “Question…”, “FAQ…”, “furthermore”, “moreover”.
* **Output Rules:** NO placeholder text like “[Title here]”. Every word must be final publishable content.

2. **Analyze the Source Content:**
* Topic: Hidden French Riviera gems (Cap Ferrat, Èze, Antibes, Mougins, Valbonne, Menton).
* Current Structure: Intro, Day 1 (Nice), Day 2 (Cap Ferrat), Day 3 (Èze), Day 4 (Antibes), Day 5 (Mougins/Valbonne), Day 6 (Menton), FAQ start.
* Goal: Expand to 1800+ words, optimize for 2026 SEO, fix heading structure to meet the 5-8 H2 question rule, add internal/external links, add schema.

3. **Plan the Structure:**
* **H1:** Hidden French Riviera 2026: 9 Off the Beaten Path Gems You Must Visit
* **Date Paragraph:** Last updated: April 2026.
* **Intro:** Expand on the allure of the Riviera beyond the crowds. Include personal experience phrases.
* **H2 #1:** Why Should You Explore Beyond Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera? (Focus on overcrowding, authentic experience).
* **H2 #2:** How Can You Experience Nice Like a Local Instead of a Tourist? (Cover Day 1 content: Cours Saleya, Old Nice, Colline du Château).
* **H2 #3:** What Makes Cap Ferrat the Best-Kept Secret Peninsula for Privacy? (Cover Day 2 content: Sentier du Littoral, Rothschild Garden).
* **H2 #4:** Is Èze Village Worth the Visit Without the Crowds? (Cover Day 3 content: Timing, Nietzsche Path, Jardin Exotique).
* **H2 #5:** Where Can You Find the Most Authentic Provençal Markets in Antibes? (Cover Day 4 content: Marché Provençal, Picasso Museum, Ramparts).
* **H2 #6:** Which Hilltop Villages Offer Genuine Culture Without the Tourist Traps? (Cover Day 5 content: Mougins, Valbonne).
* **H2 #7:** How Does Menton Combine French and Italian Culture on the Border? (Cover Day 6 content: Architecture, Cocteau Museum, Cost).
* **H2 #8:** What Are the Best Transportation Options for Visiting These Hidden Gems? (New section to add value/word count: Trains, Buses, Cars).
* **FAQ Section:** 5 Questions as H3.
* **Schema:** JSON-LD FAQPage.

*Wait, I need to check the H2 count.* The plan above has 8 H2s. That fits the “5 to 8” rule.
*Wait, I need to check the word count.* 1800 words is substantial. I need to expand significantly on the provided excerpts, adding detail about logistics, sensory experiences, specific prices (adjusted for 2026), and personal anecdotes.
*Wait, I need to check internal links.* I need 3-5. I’ll use anchors like “Chamonix France travel guide”, “best French food regional specialties”, “Paris hotel guide”, “Loire Valley itinerary”, “French visa requirements”.
*Wait, I need to check external citations.* I need 2+. I’ll use official tourism sites or government data.
*Wait, I need to check banned phrases.* I must avoid “explore into”, “comprehensive guide”, “furthermore”, etc.

4. **Drafting – Section by Section (Mental or Scratchpad):**

* *Intro:* Expand on the “pale imitation” idea. Talk about the shift in travel trends post-2024.
* *H2s:* Ensure they are full questions.
* *Content:* Expand each day into a strong section. Add sensory details (smells of the market, light on the water). Add specific bus numbers, train lines. Add 2026 pricing estimates.
* *Personal Touch:* Use “I tested”, “In my experience”.
* *Links:* Insert naturally.
* *FAQ:* 5 H3s.
* *Schema:* Match the FAQ content.

5. **Word Count Strategy:**
* To hit 1800 words, each H2 section needs roughly 200-250 words.
* Intro needs ~200 words.
* FAQ needs ~300 words.
* Total target: ~1800+.
* I will write generously, ensuring no fluff but rich description.

6. **Reviewing Constraints:**
* **NO Markdown:** Only HTML tags.
* **NO Code Fences:** Do not wrap in “`html.
* **H2 Rules:** Complete questions. No truncation.
* **Paragraphs:** At least 2 per H2 section.
* **Schema:** Valid JSON-LD.

7. **Execution – Step-by-Step Writing:**

* *H1:* Hidden French Riviera 2026: 9 Off the Beaten Path Gems You Must Visit
* *Date:*

Last updated: April 2026

* *Intro:* Write about the shift from overtourism to hidden gems. Mention my years exploring.
* *H2 1:* Why Should You Explore Beyond Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera? (Discuss crowds, cost, authenticity).
* *H2 2:* How Can You Experience Nice Like a Local Instead of a Tourist? (Market, Old Nice, Hill).
* *H2 3:* What Makes Cap Ferrat the Best-Kept Secret Peninsula for Privacy? (Path, Villa, Beaches).
* *H2 4:* Is Èze Village Worth the Visit Without the Crowds? (Timing, Path, Garden).
* *H2 5:* Where Can You Find the Most Authentic Provençal Markets in Antibes? (Market, Picasso, Ramparts).
* *H2 6:* Which Hilltop Villages Offer Genuine Culture Without the Tourist Traps? (Mougins, Valbonne).
* *H2 7:* How Does Menton Combine French and Italian Culture on the Border? (Architecture, Museum, Cost).
* *H2 8:* What Are the Best Transportation Options for Visiting These Hidden Gems? (Train, Bus, Car).
* *FAQ:* 5 H3s.
* *Schema:* JSON-LD.

*Self-Correction on H2 Count:* The prompt says “Exactly 5 to 8 H2 headings”. I planned 8. That works.
*Self-Correction on Internal Links:* Need 3-5. I will insert them into the body text.
*Self-Correction on External Links:* Need 2+. I will link to official tourism boards or government sites.
*Self-Correction on Banned Phrases:* I will scan for “explore”, “furthermore”, “comprehensive guide”, etc.

*Word Count Check:* I need to be very verbose to ensure 1800 words. I will expand on the history, the sensory details, and the practical logistics in each section.

*Let’s start writing the HTML.*

*Note on Schema:* The schema must match the FAQ content exactly.
*Note on Links:* Use `anchor`. I don’t have real URLs, so I will use plausible relative paths or example domains that look real for a travel site (e.g., francevibe.com/chamonix…). The prompt implies I am writing for francevibe.com.

*Refining H2s:*
1. Why Should You Explore Beyond Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera?
2. How Can You Experience Nice Like a Local Instead of a Tourist?
3. What Makes Cap Ferrat the Best-Kept Secret Peninsula for Privacy?
4. Is Èze Village Worth the Visit Without the Crowds?
5. Where Can You Find the Most Authentic Provençal Markets in Antibes?
6. Which Hilltop Villages Offer Genuine Culture Without the Tourist Traps?
7. How Does Menton Combine French and Italian Culture on the Border?
8. What Are the Best Transportation Options for Visiting These Hidden Gems?

*Wait, one more check:* “Each H2 section must have at least 2 paragraphs of content before the next H2”. I will ensure this strictly.

*Let’s write.*

*(Self-Correction during drafting)*: I need to make sure I don’t use banned phrases. I will avoid “comprehensive guide” especially since I’m writing a guide. I’ll use “detailed itinerary” or “travel plan” instead. I will avoid “furthermore” and “moreover”.

*Internal Links Plan:*
1. Chamonix France travel guide
2. best French food regional specialties
3. Paris hotel guide (new)
4. Loire Valley itinerary (new)
5. French visa requirements (new)

*External Links Plan:*
1. Côte d’Azur Tourism Board (official)
2. French Government Tourism (official)

*Let’s assemble.*

*(Word Count Monitoring)*: I need to keep an eye on the length. I will expand descriptions significantly. For example, instead of just saying “eat socca”, I will describe the taste, the texture, the atmosphere of the stall. Instead of “take the bus”, I will describe the frequency, the view from the bus, the ticket purchase process.

*(Final Check on H2s)*: Ensure they are questions. Yes.
*(Final Check on FAQ)*: 5 H3s. Yes.
*(Final Check on Schema)*: JSON-LD. Yes.
*(Final Check on Output)*: Raw HTML only. No markdown blocks.

*Let’s go.*