The Côte d’Azur, translating to ‘Azure Coast’, is easily one of the most glamorous destinations in the world. Sweeping across southeastern France from Menton to Cannes, this slice of the Mediterranean coastline has long been a playground for the rich and famous, from Brigette Bardot putting Saint-Tropez on the map in the 1950s and Grace Kelly marrying into the House of Grimaldi in Monaco, to well-heeled yachties swanning around Cap d’Antibes and Cannes. But what makes the French Riviera so attractive? With pristine beaches, guaranteed sunshine, rosé wine on tap and ice-cold seafood in spades, it’s hard not to see the appeal. If you’re looking to holiday in serious style, you’ve come to the right place. Discover our guide to the French Riviera – bon voyage. 

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is where it all started. Having gained traction after serving as a backdrop for the 1956 Brigitte Bardot film, And God Created Woman, this formerly sleepy fishing village launched onto the world map in the 1960s. It became a haven for creatives, namely artists of French New Wave cinema and the Yé-yé movement in music, and is now a hotspot for the international social set. Must-see spots include the famous Pampelonne Beach, Annonciade Museum (home to works by some of the best artists of the 20^th century), and a plethora of designer boutiques, smart restaurants and yachts to marvel at. 

Where to stay: Arev St Tropez

Having officially opened last year, Arev is the only five-star property open year-round in Saint-Tropez, situated a short five minute walk from the village. Designed to feel like a private home, the hotel’s 50 guest rooms and suites, many with private gardens, have all been individually designed by world-renowned Madrileño designer, Luis Bustamante, who chose bright, Tropezien colours and nautical stripes to represent old-world glamour.  

The opening also marked the return of the legendary and much loved Strand Restaurant and Champagne Lounge, once the oldest restaurant in Saint-Tropez, now reborn at Arev. At the heart of the property is the pool, surrounded by flowering trees and peaceful lounge areas, while the Arev Spa offers a wellness haven using local Maison ST products. 

From £540 per night. 

Cannes

Renowned the world over as a Hollywood hotspot, thanks to its annual film festival in May, walking around Cannes is like walking around a filmset. Wander down Rue d’Antibes – coined the French Rodeo Drive – and weave your way to La Croisette’s three-kilometre strip, where you can celeb-spot, shop or enjoy a pitstop at the many beach clubs. Venture to the Old Port and Le Suquet for a taste of Cannes Old Town, before hiking through the La Croix-des-Gardes natural park, home to Villa Perrier, where Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief was filmed. Top beaches include Palm Beach and Plage du Midi, but it would be remiss to visit Cannes and not sail to the idyllic islands of Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat, both of which you can explore on foot. 

Where to stay: Hôtel Martinez

Isabelle Huppert apartment at Hôtel Martinez. Image: Michel Figuet

Image: Ylenia Cuellar

As the host of the annual jury dinner at Cannes Film Festival, Hôtel Martinez has been an art-deco beacon on La Croisette for more than 90 years. It takes its cinematic spirit seriously, with the property being home to two of the largest penthouse apartments in Europe, each named after and designed in collaboration with French cinematic icons Isabelle Huppert and Thierry Frémaux. 

Last year, chef Jean Imbert took the culinary helm and has since launched restaurants La Palme d’Or and La Plage du Martinez. The latter is located on Hôtel Martinez’s private beach and underwent an extensive transformation in 2023, with the menus completely redesigned with strong influences from the Mediterranean and the French Riviera, while the decor by renowned designer Rémi Tessier features director’s chairs adorned with the names of famous actors and directors. Also don’t miss the first flagship Carita spa outside Paris in its expansive L’Oasis du Martinez garden area – voila!

From £886 per night.

Èze

You may not have heard of Èze – but you’ve definitely seen it on your Instagram. The mountaintop village straddles peaks bridging Nice and Monaco, and offers a classic taste of the French Riviera compared to the glitz and glamour of Cannes and Saint-Tropez, with charming cobbled streets laced with period cottages and traditional restaurants. Spend a morning in the Jardin Exotique, full of vibrant colours and unique flora, before sunset drinks and snails at Château Eza (see below), and don’t miss the weekly Sunday morning market showcasing an array of local produce and crafts. Perched at 427 metres above sea level, Èze has quite rightly earned the nickname the ‘eagle’s nest’ – just remember to pack your trainers. 

Where to stay: Château Eza

Situated on one of the most prominent hilltops above the Mediterranean Sea, overlooking the famous enclave of Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, Château Eza was created by Prince William of Sweden, who fell in love with Èze during his first visit in 1920. He acquired and incorporated a series of individual homes into Château Eza, which served as his private winter residence until 1953. His estate went through many iterations until it officially became a hotel in 1987 and has drawn an international crowd ever since. 

Inside, expect 14 rooms – the smallest open onto the medieval village, while the larger Presidential Suite takes in a wide panorama from its terrace hot tub – and a Michelin-starred restaurant offering refined French and Mediterranean cuisine. Guest experiences include helicopter tours over the French Riviera, with a bird’s eye view of the world-famous Monaco Casino and Formula One circuit, as well as the cliffs and beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat and Villefranche-Sur-Mer, champagne tasting in the wine cave, and a private guided tour of the Côte d’Azur villages by limousine. 

From £320 per night. 

Monaco

Yes, it’s not technically in France, but Monaco is certainly a huge draw of the French Riviera. A microstate synonymous with casinos, F1 and some of the most opulent superyachts in the world, Monaco is a bit like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. Busy, interesting and unique, the principality has been ruled by the Monegasque royal family (which Grace Kelly famously married into in the 1950s), also known as the House of Grimaldi, since 1297. It’s well worth exploring their official residence, witnessing the changing of the guard at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, and following the famously twisty F1 circuit which, being composed of normal roads and highways, can be driven year-round. Marvel at the luxury yachts at Port Hercule and try your hand at blackjack at the Monte Carlo Casino – a beacon of Monaco’s old-school opulence. 

Where to stay: Monte-Carlo Beach

A 1930s icon reimagined by architect-designer India Mahdavi, Monte-Carlo Beach blends timeless Riviera glamour with modern elegance. A Relais and Châteaux property tucked between sea and pine forest, the hotel’s original terracotta façade and frescoes (inspired by Matisse and Cocteau) set the tone, while the art-led interiors of the 40 rooms and suites open up to sea-view balconies. Elsewhere, guests can unwind by the Olympic-sized seawater pool, retreat to private cabanas at the water’s edge, indulge at the Monte-Carlo Beach spa, or dine at Elsa: the hotel’s nature-led, sustainability-driven restaurant.

From £456 per night. 

Saint-Raphaël

A popular choice for well-heeled travellers throughout the year, Saint-Raphaël is certainly a destination to clock up your steps. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town to discover the San Rafeu Tower and the neo-Byzantine Basilica of Our Lady before hiking Esterel Massif to take in the ochre-hued mountain range fringing the sea. If that seems a bit much, pick up easier trails and coastal walks from the centre of the town, such as the 12km stretch from Port Saint-Lucia to Agay. Of course, it wouldn’t be the French Riviera without being home to an abundance of beaches, and we recommend Veillat and Baumette Beach. 

Where to stay: Les Roches Rouges

Fringing the L’Esterel National Park in Saint-Raphaël, Les Roches Rouges is an uber-modern bolthole that actually dates back to the 1950s. Boasting an Instagrammable contemporary, minimalist style, walls are peppered with hand-painted murals in a natural palette, celebrating the soft sunlight and radiant blue ocean beyond. Head to the terrace to while away the hours on sandy-hued sunbeds next to a fresh seawater pool, before freshening up in one of the 44 rooms featuring vintage Provençal objet d’arts and Diptyque bath products. As the sun sets, enjoy an ice-cold rosé under the pines at La Chicoula and dine at Michelin-starred Récif, where head chef Alexandre Baule whips up delectable six-course tasting menus. 

From £340 per night. 

Nice

Dubbed the capital of the French Riviera, Nice is more contemporary than other towns along the coast. Bear in mind that it is first and foremost a student city but, in more recent years, has seen a facelift transform its abandoned warehouses into art galleries, restaurants and bars overlooking the Mediterranean. A renowned gateway to the Côte d'Azur, many simply pass through, but linger a little longer to discover its picture-postcard architecture, which appealed to notable painters such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Arman, and works can be spotted in Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse and Musée des Beaux-Arts. Combined with its history and gastronomy, Nice’s world-class reputation was solidified further in 2021 when it was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Where to stay: Mama Shelter Nice

Mama Shelter Nice opened its doors last autumn with 102 rooms, bringing the 11^th Mama Shelter location to France and totalling 18 worldwide. Located close to the Old Port in the vibrant Riquier district, the hotel spans three townhouses – divided by a verdant patio and flowered alleyway covered by a retractable glass roof – all designed by interiors guru Benjamin El Doghaïli. Don’t miss the rooftop, home to a mosaic swimming pool and grill restaurant cooking up a storm on a series of Big Green Egg barbecues, and the ground floor restaurant for laidback Mediterranean fare. 

From £170 per night. 

Antibes

Images: Shutterstock

A heady mix of culture, gastronomy and history, Antibes is quintessential Côte d'Azur: think superyachts, cobblestone streets and a relaxed beachy feel. Once the home of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, Antibes is instantly recognisable from the Med thanks to its skyline of old townhouses with high cliff-hugging ramparts and the tower of the Picasso Museum. Its beating heart is a rabbit warren of quaint cafes, wine bars, Provençal restaurants and fashion boutiques, while the daily market at the top of the town is a must for fresh fruit and vegetables (perfect for snacking on the Juan les Pins beach just outside the town’s walls). Venture to the famous Cap d'Antibes to discover palatial villas and Billionaires Bay: an azure cove peppered with paved sunbathing spots and pine trees. Here’s where to make a splash in style.  

Where to stay: Villa La Guettière at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Images: Sordello

Since opening its doors in 1887, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has become something of a celebrity magnet, welcoming a roster of royalty, aristocrats and the crème de la crème of society. New for this year is Villa La Guettière: the latest jewel in the crown of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc’s exclusive villa collection. Only steps away from the hotel and the picturesque Port de l’Olivette, this exceptional estate comprises a main house and guesthouse, together offering nine en suite bedrooms, many with private terraces. A heated infinity pool, pool house with summer kitchen, fitness suite, private cinema, and spa with sauna and hammam complete the offering – as does an extensive wine cellar stocked with the finest French wines from across the region. 

From £53,905 per night. 

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Just west of the French-Italian border you’ll find the colourful coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. One of the few medieval enclaves that still relies on fishing as its primary trade (swiftly followed by tourism), travellers traverse the length of the French Riviera to enjoy its sandy beach and take in its perfectly-preserved architecture. Must-see sights include the 16^th century Citadelle Saint-Elme fortress, the unique covered hidden passageway of Rue Obscure, and the Fort du Mont Alban (trust us, it’s worth the hike). 

Where to stay: Villa Ema

Perched above Villefranche-sur-Mer, Villa Ema offers 425 square metres of sleek design and serene comfort with uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean sea at every turn. Sleeping 10 guests, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, it features a heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, and massage room designed with Casenera – a Corsican brand celebrated for natural, sensory wellness rituals inspired by the island’s traditions. While away the hours under the sun on the manicured green gardens before cooking up a storm in the marble kitchen – or, if you really fancy pushing the boat out, perhaps enlist a private chef to do it for you. Bon appetit. 

From £66,000 per week. 

Read more: The Luxury London guide to summer holiday etiquette