Stretching from Marseille to Menton and Monaco, the French Riviera offers a blend of relaxation and vibrant entertainment: renowned beach clubs, live music, stunning natural beauty, a laid-back vibe, and delicious seafood dishes.
When exploring Nice and the French Riviera, it’s advisable to learn a few French words, dress appropriately for dining and visiting churches, and stay away from both pickpockets and jellyfish stings. Make sure to embrace local experiences and visit authentic eateries, offering pastis, and rosé.
For a summer vacation, a minimalist and versatile wardrobe with elevated basics like linen, stripes, and monochromatic colors is recommended, including white maxi dresses, linen shirts paired with shorts, timeless black swimsuits, and linen outfits in neutral colors like white and black.
The best time to visit is in spring or late summer, especially in September, to avoid crowds and enjoy perfect weather.
Nice, the charming queen of the French Riviera, is known for its picturesque promenade, and vibrant foodie scene. It is also an ideal base for day trips.
Nearby destinations like Menton, Antibes, Eze, Cannes, Monaco, Grasse, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Biot, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Villefranche-sur-Mer offer unique experiences accessible from Nice. From medieval charm and Italianate architecture to perfume attractions and hilltop villages. Destinations like Gorges du Verdon and Marseille provide opportunities for exploring natural wonders and ancient port cities.
Le Negresco, an iconic 1913 Belle Epoque art hotel in Nice, combines classic and contemporary elements, featuring a vast art collection of over 6,000 artworks amassed by former owner Jeanne Augier, and a rich history attracting the international jet set, and royals. It is located on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, featuring an iconic pink cupola. Nearby attractions include Old Nice, and flower markets.
Monaco and Saint-Tropez are a step up in chic and luxury. Monaco is best for shopping, glitzy hotels, beach clubs, casinos, and for its F1 racetrack. Recommended dining spots in Monaco include Amazonicó, Club la Vigie, and Blue Bay.
St Tropez exudes a glamorous vibe with high-end villas, cobblestoned streets, yacht trips, beach clubs, and excellent restaurants, remaining a popular destination for its beaches and buzzing nightlife. It is considered one of the most exclusive and perfect holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, attracting the jet-set crowd, including celebrities, and yacht owners every summer.
Of movie festival renown, Cannes is a glamorous beach resort with luxe hotels, designer stores, and unbeatable beaches, blending modern luxury with historic charm in its old town, Le Suquet.
Hôtel Martinez, an Art Deco icon overlooking Cannes’ legendary Croisette, offers stunning architecture, spacious suites, dining options, a spa, a chic private beach club, and a prime location, attracting film stars and travelers with its relaxed vibe and contemporary interiors and outdoor spaces. Built in the 1800s as a palace and converted into a hotel in the 1920s by Emmanuel Martinez, it is now part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
Hôtel Belles Rives in Juan-Les-Pins on Cap d’Antibes, formerly the home of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, relives the literary history and glamour of the Roaring Twenties, when Cap d’Antibes was a glamorous summer destination for famous writers and artists, with luxe guest rooms, a beach club, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Sources: Observer, Who What Wear, Time Out, Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Lonely Planet, Solo Sophie, Page Six, Vogue, Yahoo Lifestyle, Forbes, and Crikey.
This article was written in collaboration with [Generative AI news company Alchemiq](www.alchemiq.ai).
