A region shaped by culture, cuisine and the Mediterranean way of life.

Côte d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera, stretches from east of Marseille to the Italian border beyond Menton. The region enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, crystal-clear waters, secluded beaches, picturesque villages, and a rich cultural heritage. Follow the winding coastal roads, just as Grace Kelly and Cary Grant once did in To Catch a Thief, through a landscape that unfolds towards the Mediterranean Sea.

It is easy to be captivated by the Côte d'Azur's timeless beauty and effortless elegance. With its shimmering azure sea, radiant sunshine, and lush landscapes, the region has attracted travellers, artists, and lovers of the good life for generations. From the refined glamour of Monaco to the hidden coves around Saint-Tropez, every corner of the Riviera invites you to experience its distinctive character and enduring appeal.

Cultural Legacy

The Côte d'Azur's cultural heritage was shaped by its climate. As early as the 19th century, British aristocrats came in search of milder winters, soon followed by Russian nobility, Queen Victoria, and much of Europe's upper class. Nice's Promenade des Anglais owes its name to the many British winter visitors, while grand hotels such as the Negresco and the Carlton were built to accommodate the era's elite. It was here that modern luxury tourism was born, and many who arrived for a single season chose to stay for a lifetime.

In the 20th century, the artists arrived. The region's extraordinary light, vibrant colours, and unhurried pace drew Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Renoir, and Cocteau to the coast, and many chose to stay. Matisse settled in Nice and Vence, Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer, Chagall in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, while Picasso worked in both Antibes and Mougins. Around the same time, American writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway discovered that the Riviera was every bit as captivating in summer as it was in winter.

The region's cultural legacy is still visible everywhere today. Visit the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the Musée Matisse and Musée Marc Chagall in Nice, or the Musée Picasso in Antibes, housed in the beautiful Château Grimaldi overlooking the Mediterranean. The Cannes Film Festival places the city at the centre of the world's attention every May, while the Jazz à Juan festival in Juan-les-Pins, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and the historic Le Suquet district in Cannes offer cultural experiences throughout the year. Don't miss the perfume capital of Grasse, or a stroll through the medieval villages of Èze, Mougins, Gourdon, and Tourrettes-sur-Loup—places that have inspired artists for generations and continue to do so today.

Flavours of the Riviera

Provençal cuisine is a celebration of fresh ingredients, olive oil, fragrant herbs, and sun-ripened seasonal produce. Along the coast, the day's catch is served straight from the boat: Try classic bouillabaisse, lightly fried local fish, and the simple elegance of a salade niçoise. Venture inland, and the cuisine becomes richer and more rustic. The small village of Aups, in Haut-Var, is regarded as the region's truffle capital, where, throughout the winter, farmers, chefs, and connoisseurs gather every Thursday morning for its renowned weekly truffle market.

The region is equally celebrated for its wines. Provence's rosés, particularly those from Bandol and Côtes de Provence, are synonymous with summer, while the smaller appellations of Bellet, near Nice, and Cassis offer discoveries well worth seeking out. Be sure to spend a morning at one of the region's daily markets - Forville in Cannes, the Marché Provençal in Antibes, or Cours Saleya in Nice - where local producers sell everything from lavender honey and socca to freshly baked fougasse and seasonal flowers.

The Active Riviera

With mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, and a mild climate throughout the year, the Côte d'Azur is an ideal destination for an active lifestyle. Cycle through the Esterel Massif, hike the coastal Sentier du Littoral around Cap d'Antibes or Cap Ferrat, or explore the turquoise coves of the Calanques de l'Estérel by kayak beneath their striking volcanic cliffs. Sailing, diving, water skiing, and windsurfing are available all along the coast, while in winter the Alps, with ski resorts such as Isola 2000, Auron, and Valberg, are little more than a 90 minutes drive away. Here you can spend the morning on the ski slopes and enjoy lunch by the sea on the same day.

The region is also a renowned golfing destination, home to acclaimed courses such as Royal Mougins Golf Club, Golf d'Opio Valbonne, and Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort. Beyond golf, there are endless opportunities for tennis, padel, and rock climbing in the spectacular Verdon Gorge, one of the world's premier climbing destinations.

Riviera Evenings

As the sun sets, the Riviera comes alive, and nowhere captures its atmosphere quite like the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Opened in 1863, the historic casino has become an enduring symbol of elegance and glamour, celebrated for its magnificent Belle Époque architecture, marble halls, and remarkable collection of paintings and sculptures. It is also where James Bond famously ascended the iconic steps in films including Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye. The casino occupies a prime position on the Place du Casino, surrounded by the legendary Hôtel de Paris, elegant terraces, and a steady procession of supercars. An evening here is an experience in itself, whether you take a seat at the roulette table or simply enjoy the spectacle with a drink in hand.

Saint-Tropez remains synonymous with iconic beach clubs such as Club 55, Nikki Beach, and Bagatelle, where leisurely afternoons drift into long dinners and dancing on the sand. Cannes, meanwhile, is home to elegant rooftop bars and legendary hotels such as the Carlton and the Martinez, where the glamour of the Riviera continues long after sunset.

For a more relaxed evening, Nice is an excellent choice. The narrow streets of Vieux Nice are home to intimate wine bars, traditional bistros, and live music, while Antibes and Juan-les-Pins offer a more understated international atmosphere. Wherever you find yourself along the coast, an evening that begins with an apéritif and a glass of Provençal rosé by the sea is an essential part of life on the Riviera.

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