Everything you need to know about the French Riviera — from the best hotels in Saint-Tropez and Cannes to hidden gems in Menton and Grasse, and the luxury experiences that make the Côte d’Azur worth every centime.
Few destinations balance old-world elegance and contemporary luxury quite like the French Riviera. Stretching along France’s sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline, the Côte d’Azur has long attracted artists, aristocrats, movie stars, and travellers drawn to its distinctive mix of natural beauty, culture, and effortless sophistication. From medieval hilltop villages and glamorous seaside promenades to yacht-filled harbours and lavender-scented landscapes, these are the experiences that define a Riviera escape.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez remains the Riviera’s most irresistible cliché — and one that earns its reputation with remarkable consistency. The harbour glitters with superyachts, beach clubs pulse with energy throughout the summer, and the town continues to attract a global cast of celebrities, artists and travellers seeking a taste of Mediterranean glamour. Yet beneath the jet-set mythology lies a surprisingly authentic Provençal town. Wander beyond the waterfront and you’ll discover shaded squares, bustling morning markets and narrow lanes lined with pastel-painted houses that long predate the arrival of luxury tourism. Food is central to the Saint-Tropez experience. Bouillabaisse remains essential, while the town’s famous Tarte Tropézienne — a cream-filled brioche created here in the 1950s — has become a culinary icon in its own right. The rhythm of life revolves around long lunches, afternoons by the sea and leisurely evenings that stretch deep into the night.
Where to Stay: Château de la Messardière, a restored 19th-century château overlooking Pampelonne Bay, combines grand scale with exceptional views, extensive spa facilities and beautifully landscaped grounds. Hôtel Lou Pinet captures the relaxed spirit of the Riviera’s golden age through vintage-inspired interiors and one of the coast’s most beautiful swimming pools. Byblos Saint-Tropez remains a social institution, famous for its village-style architecture and legendary Les Caves du Roy nightclub, while Villa Marie Saint-Tropez provides a quieter retreat surrounded by vineyards and umbrella pines.
Cannes
For many visitors, Cannes is synonymous with cinema. Every spring, the Cannes Film Festival transforms the city into one of the world’s most glamorous destinations. Yet beyond the red carpets lies a refined seaside town whose appeal extends well beyond festival season. The historic quarter of Le Suquet offers winding streets, panoramic viewpoints and a glimpse of old Cannes before celebrity culture arrived. Offshore, the Lérins Islands provide a welcome escape from the mainland, with monastery vineyards, pine forests and secluded coves surrounded by crystal-clear water. The city’s greatest pleasure, however, may simply be strolling along La Croisette — a palm-lined boulevard framed by luxury boutiques, grand hotels and uninterrupted Mediterranean views.
Where to Stay: The newly restored Carlton Cannes once again stands as the city’s defining hotel, combining Belle Époque grandeur with landscaped gardens and one of the largest infinity pools in Cannes. Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic occupies a prime waterfront position opposite the Palais des Festivals, while Five Seas Hotel Cannes offers a more intimate boutique experience with rooftop views and personalised service.
Èze
Few places along the Riviera possess the dramatic beauty of Èze. Perched nearly 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean, this medieval village appears suspended between sea and sky. Stone alleyways wind past centuries-old buildings before opening onto spectacular viewpoints overlooking the entire coastline. The village’s crown jewel is the Jardin Exotique, a remarkable collection of succulents and exotic plants perched atop the ruins of a medieval fortress. The views from here are among the finest on the entire Côte d’Azur. For active travellers, the Chemin de Nietzsche offers one of the Riviera’s most memorable walks, linking the coast to the village through dramatic Mediterranean scenery.
Where to Stay: Château Eza occupies a centuries-old residence built directly into the medieval village and offers some of the Riviera’s most extraordinary sea views. Nearby, Château de la Chèvre d’Or combines Michelin-starred dining, terraced gardens and panoramic vistas that stretch from Cap Ferrat to Saint-Tropez on clear days. Les Terrasses d’Eze provides a quieter hillside alternative with a strong focus on wellness and relaxation.
Antibes
Antibes wears its history differently from its Riviera neighbours. Less overtly glamorous than Cannes and less theatrical than Monaco, it rewards travellers who linger. The old town remains one of the most atmospheric on the Côte d’Azur, its cobbled lanes lined with cafés, artisan boutiques and weathered stone facades that seem largely unchanged by time. The artistic legacy runs deep here. Picasso lived and worked in the Château Grimaldi in 1946, and the Musée Picasso remains one of the Riviera’s cultural highlights. Beyond the old quarter, Cap d’Antibes unfolds in a series of secluded coves, pine-shaded paths and elegant villas hidden behind high walls. This is the Riviera at its most refined and understated.
Where to Stay: The legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc remains the gold standard, attracting royalty, artists and film stars with its iconic seawater pool, manicured gardens and exceptional service. For literary romance, Belles Rives occupies the former home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and retains much of its Jazz Age glamour. Hôtel Juana offers beautifully restored Art Deco elegance, while La Garoupe Gardiole provides a more secluded retreat among the pines of Cap d’Antibes.
Nice
If Saint-Tropez is the Riviera’s glamour capital, Nice is its cultural heart. The city balances Mediterranean ease with urban sophistication, creating a destination that feels lived-in rather than staged. The narrow lanes of the Vieille Ville (Old Town) spill into lively squares where market stalls, cafés and galleries compete for attention. The Promenade des Anglais remains one of Europe’s great waterfront boulevards, while the Colline du Château offers panoramic views across terracotta rooftops and the shimmering Baie des Anges. Nice rewards wandering. Some of its greatest pleasures are discovered without a plan: a hidden wine bar, a market stall overflowing with Provençal produce, or a terrace perfectly positioned for an afternoon apéritif. The city’s culinary scene revolves around the celebrated Cours Saleya Market, where local farmers, florists and food artisans create one of southern France’s most vibrant daily rituals.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Negresco remains the city’s most iconic address, its pink dome, extraordinary art collection and fiercely independent spirit making it a Riviera institution. Hôtel du Couvent offers a quieter, more contemporary experience inside a beautifully restored convent in the Old Town. Hôtel Suisse delivers some of Nice’s finest sea views, while the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée combines Art Deco grandeur with modern luxury on the Promenade des Anglais.
Menton
At the far eastern edge of the Riviera, almost touching Italy, Menton feels like a world apart. Often overlooked by visitors racing between Nice and Monaco, it remains one of the Côte d’Azur’s most rewarding discoveries. Pastel-coloured buildings cascade down hillsides towards the sea, citrus groves perfume the air and life unfolds at a gentler pace than elsewhere along the coast. Menton’s cuisine reflects its unique location, blending French refinement with Italian warmth. The town reaches its most spectacular expression during February’s Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival), when giant sculptures crafted entirely from citrus fruits transform the streets into one of Europe’s most unusual celebrations. The town’s beaches remain pleasantly uncrowded even during the height of summer, while its colourful old quarter rewards leisurely exploration.
Where to Stay: Hotel de Londres has welcomed travellers for more than 150 years and remains a charming base near the beach. Hôtel Napoléon offers boutique sophistication with rooftop views over the Mediterranean, while Aiglon Hotel & Spa occupies a Belle Époque villa surrounded by lush gardens and captures the relaxed elegance that defines Menton.
Grasse
While most visitors come to the Riviera for the sea, Grasse offers an entirely different seduction. Known worldwide as the Perfume Capital of the World, this medieval hill town is surrounded by lavender fields, jasmine plantations and rose gardens that have supplied the fragrance industry for generations. Historic perfume houses such as Fragonard provide fascinating insight into the craft of perfumery, while the surrounding countryside reveals a quieter, more authentic side of Provence. In August, the town comes alive during the celebrated Jasmine Festival, when streets fill with music, parades and the unmistakable fragrance of freshly harvested flowers. It is one of the Riviera’s most enchanting cultural experiences.
Where to Stay: La Bastide Saint-Antoine remains the definitive Grasse experience, occupying a 17th-century estate surrounded by olive groves and offering Michelin-starred dining with sweeping views towards Cannes. Le Mas du Naoc provides rustic Provençal charm amid lavender-scented hills, while Villa Garibondy combines elegant accommodation with fragrant gardens that perfectly embody the spirit of Grasse.
Monaco
Nowhere embodies Riviera glamour quite like Monaco. Within barely two square kilometres lies a concentration of wealth, luxury and spectacle unmatched anywhere else in Europe. The yacht-filled harbour alone is worth the journey, while the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to provide one of the world’s most iconic backdrops. Yet Monaco is more than a playground for the ultra-wealthy. The Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral and the winding streets of Monaco-Ville reveal a principality whose history stretches back more than seven centuries. Luxury shopping reaches its pinnacle in the celebrated Cercle d’Or, where flagship boutiques from Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada and Bvlgari occupy one of the most glamorous retail districts in Europe. Whether arriving for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, a weekend of fine dining or simply a sunset cocktail overlooking the harbour, Monaco delivers drama at every turn.
Where to Stay: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo remains the principality’s most prestigious address, overlooking the Place du Casino and offering some of Europe’s finest hospitality. Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo pairs Belle Époque elegance with a spectacular Eiffel-designed glass atrium, while Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a more relaxed resort atmosphere. The Fairmont Monte Carlo, positioned above the famous Formula One hairpin bend, provides some of the most enviable views in Monaco.
Marseille
Marseille is the Riviera’s great counterpoint. Rawer, louder and more complex than its glamorous neighbours, France’s second city rewards travellers looking for authenticity. The historic Vieux Port remains the city’s beating heart, while vibrant neighbourhoods, contemporary galleries and a flourishing food scene have transformed Marseille into one of Europe’s most exciting urban destinations. The nearby Calanques National Park — a dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters — offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in France. The city’s culinary reputation continues to grow, anchored by what many consider the definitive version of Bouillabaisse, the iconic Provençal seafood stew that originated here. Marseille’s creative energy is equally evident in its natural wine bars, independent boutiques and thriving arts scene.
Where to Stay: Hotel Le Quai provides an elegant base overlooking the Vieux Port, while Le Petit Nice Passedat combines luxury accommodation with one of France’s most celebrated seafood restaurants and three Michelin stars. The InterContinental Marseille – Hôtel Dieu occupies a magnificent historic building above the harbour, while Tuba Club offers one of the Mediterranean’s most stylish and unconventional boutique stays.
Experiences That Define the Riviera
Charter a Yacht Along the Côte d’Azur
There is perhaps no better way to understand the French Riviera than from the deck of a yacht. From the water, the coastline unfolds as a cinematic panorama of Belle Époque villas, dramatic cliffs, pine-covered headlands and hidden coves inaccessible by road. A full-day charter from Nice to Monaco allows travellers to explore the sheltered bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the grand villas of Cap Ferrat and the dramatic coastline of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Further west, routes between Cannes and Saint-Tropez reveal some of the Riviera’s most beautiful anchorages, including the pristine Lérins Islands and the striking red cliffs of the Esterel Massif. The most memorable charters include a private chef, onboard sommelier and sunset apéritifs served as the Mediterranean turns gold.
Dine at Michelin-Starred Tables Above the Sea
The Riviera’s culinary landscape is shaped by sunlight, seafood and exceptional Provençal produce. Few meals rival dinner at La Chèvre d’Or in Èze, where Michelin-starred cuisine is served against sweeping views of the Mediterranean. In Marseille, Le Petit Nice Passedat elevates local seafood into one of France’s most celebrated dining experiences. Yet some of the Riviera’s greatest pleasures are found away from tasting menus — at the food stalls of Nice’s Cours Saleya Market, over rosé-fuelled lunches in Saint-Tropez, or at family-run restaurants tucked into the colourful lanes of Menton.
Discover the Riviera’s Legendary Perfume Houses
In Grasse, perfume is not merely an industry but a cultural institution. Private experiences at Fragonard and other historic maisons de parfum offer behind-the-scenes access to flower harvesting, fragrance production and bespoke perfume creation. Visitors can even design and bottle a personal fragrance inspired by the scents of Provence, creating one of the Riviera’s most unique and memorable souvenirs.
Explore Hidden Villages Above the Coast
While most visitors remain near the sea, some of the Riviera’s greatest treasures sit high in the hills. Villages such as Èze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Gourdon and Mougins reveal a slower, more authentic side of southern France. Stone alleyways, artist studios, centuries-old chapels and panoramic terraces offer a welcome counterpoint to the glamour of the coastline. These hilltop communities preserve a timeless atmosphere that has long attracted painters, writers and dreamers seeking inspiration away from the crowds.
Shop the Riviera in Style
Luxury shopping reaches its most glamorous expression on the Côte d’Azur. From the designer boutiques of Monaco’s Cercle d’Or to Cannes’ Boulevard de la Croisette and Nice’s Avenue Jean Médecin, the Riviera offers one of Europe’s finest retail landscapes. The experience becomes even more memorable with a personal stylist, private chauffeur and exclusive appointments arranged at flagship boutiques, transforming a day of shopping into a curated luxury experience.
Experience the Riviera After Dark
As daylight fades, the Riviera transforms. Cocktails overlooking Monaco Harbour, jazz evenings in Antibes, beach clubs in Saint-Tropez and glamorous casino nights in Monte Carlo create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Europe. Evenings here are rarely rushed; they unfold slowly, accompanied by sea breezes, chilled champagne and the glow of the Mediterranean moonlight. Whether dining beneath the stars or watching superyachts drift across an illuminated harbour, the Riviera after dark possesses a magic entirely its own.
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