The Côte d’Azur – or French Riviera – runs from Saint-Tropez to the Italian border, taking in some of the Mediterranean’s most recognisable coastline. Golden beaches, rocky coves, Belle Époque architecture and hillside towns have drawn artists, writers and film stars here for more than a century.
Nice has a distinctly Mediterranean character, shaped by both French and Italian influences, with colourful markets, major museums and the Promenade des Anglais running along the seafront. Cannes pairs sandy beaches with designer boutiques and its famous film festival, while Monaco is defined by grand hotels, casinos and superyacht-filled harbours. Saint-Tropez still holds onto its old fishing-port character beyond the beach clubs and boutiques.
Inland, the Riviera takes on a different mood, with olive groves, wooded hills and medieval villages overlooking the coast. Grasse remains at the heart of the region’s perfume industry, while Saint-Paul-de-Vence is known for its galleries, modern art connections and stone-built old town.
Food is firmly Mediterranean, with fresh seafood, Provençal vegetables and local specialities such as socca and salade niçoise. Rosé from nearby vineyards is a fixture on menus, alongside the seafood and seasonal produce that define much of the Riviera’s cooking. A private villa offers something increasingly valuable here: space, privacy and a quieter base within easy reach of the coast’s restaurants, beaches and towns.
