Curator’s statement
The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d'Azur, is a sun-soaked stretch of coastline that skirts the Mediterranean Sea in the southeast corner of France. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, glamorous resorts, and luxurious yachts. It is also home to some of the most iconic cities in the world, including Nice, Cannes and Monaco. The French Riviera is a popular tourist destination year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. If you are looking for a luxurious vacation, you can stay in one of the many five-star hotels along the coast.
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Where to stay in South of France
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Things to do in South of France
While you can easily stay in Cannes or Nice and take day trips around the Côte d'Azur, we decided to stay in several spots over the course of six days.
Saint Tropez
A chic beach town that was once a haven for artists and writers, Saint-Tropez is now a popular destination for celebrities and fashionistas. It's known for its beach clubs and nightlife, although the old town has charming streets, shopping and the marina is full of beautiful yachts. Four and five-star properties welcome visitors from all over the world. Our stay brought us to La Bastide de Saint Tropez, which was a good choice, as it is up on a hill above town, with easy access to the beaches of Ramatuelle, and coming down the hill to enter town you can avoid the traffic.
Cannes
A glamorous resort town known for its annual film festival, Cannes is also home to beautiful beaches and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Promenade de la Croisette is the most famous street in Cannes, and it is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants and shops. It is a great place to people-watch or take a stroll along the Mediterranean Sea.
Les Baux de Provence
Our travel plans took us to Les Baux de Provence, perhaps one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. We drove ourselves in a rental car and it was a lovely ride through the country, as we could stop along the way for sightseeing and a bite to eat. I'm told it's an easy helicopter ride from Saint Tropez or Monaco and guests often fly in just for dinner to L'Oustou de Baumaniere, a 3-starred Michelin restaurant.
Places to eat & drink in South of France
Cannes
Bâoli: This Asian fusion restaurant has a beautiful setting on the beach.
La Palme d'Or: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers fine dining with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Saint Tropez
Les Palmiers: An elegant but relaxed beach club restaurant where the food is as good as the people watching.
L'Opera: This place is a scene! The menu at L'Opera features a variety of dishes from around the world, including French, Italian, and Asian cuisine. The food is delicious and the presentation is always stunning. L'Opera is also known for its nightly shows. These shows feature dancers, acrobats and musicians. Book the late dinner seating and become part of the show, dancing on table tops!
Les Baux de Provence
La Cabro d'Or: This restaurant is in a superb location with a lime tree-shaded terrace offering peerless views over the peaks that make this region famous. As does its olive oil, used to great effect in the cuisine here – an ode to the flavors of Provence.
Restaurant de la Reine Jeanne: Located at the entrance to the village, Reine Jeanne offers Mediterranean food with incredible views.
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Teresa Fox
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out Fora's guide, 7 Days of Arts & Culture Along the French Riviera.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to France.