MONACO
The tiny principality of Monaco is the world's second smallest country after Vatican, run by Grimaldi Family since the 13th century, when it became an independent state. It started to attract the attention of the world, when the film star Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in 1956. The Monte Carlo district of the principality earned a reputation as a city of gambling, yachting and car races. It has been the site of many James Bond episodes as well. The principality's "no income tax" policy made it the second address of many royals, business tycoons and celebrities from around the world. While you are there, make sure to pay a visit to the Prince's Palace of Monaco and its exotic gardens, Musée Océanographique de Monaco and Casino de Monte Carlo.
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Hôtel Miramar
A cosy small hotel offering sea views, a little bit outside Monaco.
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Metropole
An elegant hotel with a nice for afternoon tea, a chic poolside restaurant called Oddysey and a Joel Robuchon signature restaurant.
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Monte Carlo Beach
Monte Carlo Beach An renovated luxury hotel from the 1930s, right on the sea with a nice pool.
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Brasserie de Monaco
A Monaco classic active since 1905, serving special beers at an easygoing atmosphere on Port Hercule.
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Avenue 31
Good italian food on the Avenue Princesse Grace.
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Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo
A trendy and exceptional place offering Asian fine-dining on former site of Monte Carlo’s old Cabaret.
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Maya Jah
Popular Indian restaurant with a bit of European twist.
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Sass Cafe
That's the fun and popular "place to be". It turns to into a club after the dinner.
MENTON
This little town on the Italian border is the French Riviera's unknown and almost forgotten corner, with an Italian influence. It started to be called “the Pearl of France" at the start of 1900s for its old-fashioned charm and mild climate, which is ideal for growing orange, lemon and palm trees. Ever year a Lemon Festival is held here. Its museum dedicated to Jean Cocteau also worths a visit, to see the works of the famous artist, writer and film-maker, who spent his years here.
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Napoleon Menton
A small hotel with 44 rooms, a private beach and a nice garden.
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Mirazur
3 Michelin-starred restaurant, producing its own vegetables and attracting people with its spectacular views.
ÈZE
Situated between Nice and Monaco, Èze is perhaps the most famous one of the 16 clifftop villages, or "villages perchés" of Côte d’Azur like Peillon, Saorge, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Sainte-Agnès. During its long history, the town changed hands frequently (Moors and Ottomans captured the city for a while too) and has been torn down and rebuilt many times. Its name is thought to have come from a temple dedicated to Isis, the Egyptian goddess worshipped by the Phonecians who once colonized the area. The town started to become popular after the 1920’s again, when new roads and water systems started to be built. Today it is one of the most prestigious villages of the Riviera with its hotels and restaurants offering great tastes and spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
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La Chevre d’Or
A hotel offering luxury suites, magnificent terraced gardens, a 2 Michelin star restaurant and several other dining options with a view.
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Château Eza
14 intimate rooms in the 400 year old former residence to a Swedish Prince and a restaurant with magnificent views.
BEAULIEU-SUR-MER
Just next to Monte Carlo, Beaulieu is one of the most delightful seaside villages on Côte d’Azur. With its lush countryside and beaches bordered by palm trees, Beaulieu-sur-Mer deserves its name, which translates as "the beautiful place on the sea". While you are there, Villa Kerylos also worths a visit with its architectural style modeling the nobles' villas and palaces on the Greek island of Delos, dating back to the 2nd century BC.
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African Queen
Hiper famous restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean fare and amazing pastries.
SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT
Sitting on a small peninsula between Èze and Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is lined up with elegant houses and villas built for the international jetsetters. Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most famous and spectacular private residences that are open to the public. This hilltop Belle Epoque style villa was commissioned by Beatrice Ephrussie in 1905 to host her beloved art collections. Her love of flowers resulted in magnificent gardens offering 9 different styles, together with spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
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Royal Riviera
A luxury palace hotel that was rewamped by Grace Leo, the famous art director and decorator.
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La Veranda
The lovely restaurant of Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, where you can enjoy Mediterranean tastes under its well manicured pine trees.
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SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE
The Riviera would never be complete without a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence! This medieval village 30 kilometers away from Nice is famous for its artisanal shops and galleries. It became a source of inspiration and a playground for many artists, intellectuals and film stars like Orson Welles and Yves Montand in the 50s.
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La Mas de Pierre
A Relais & Châteaux hotel with 54 rooms, suites and apartments in a nice garden, overlooking the hills and valleys.
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La Colombe d’Or
A legendary restaurant nestled in a small inn, whose walls are ornated works by artists like Picasso and Matisse that once frequented here.
ANTIBES & JUAN-LE-PINS
Antibes and the neighbouring Juan-Les-Pins have some of the best natural sand beaches on the French Riviera. In 1920s, Antibes became one of the earliest summer playgrounds of the French, when the Grand Hôtel du Cap (now the Hôtel du Cap Eden-Roc) decided to open its gates all year round. Antibes is famous for having been home to Picasso, so visiting Picasso Museum here is a must. The Grimaldi Chateau, where Picasso lived and worked for some time, is known to be the first museum dedicated to the artist. As Antibes also has the largest yachting port of Europe, its bars and restaurants are always full of an energetic yachting crowd. Wander around the pretty streets of its pedestrianized Vieux Ville (Old City), which is separated from the sea by an old fortification and take a romantic walk along its Promenade Amiral de Grasse. Juan-Les-Pins, on the other hand, is famous for its Art Deco summer villas and Jazz à Juan, one of the oldest jazz festivals of Europe.
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Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
This landmark hotel is “the place” to be during the Cannes Film Festival. It has fantastic rose gardens that are open to the public.
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La Passagère, Juan-Le-Pins
One Michelin star restaurant in Hotel Belles Rives, offering magnificent Mediterranean cuisine and an elegant artistic athmosphere. Don't leave before stopping by at Fitzgerald Piano Bar.
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CANNES
Coco Chanel was one of the first French celebrities who got a suntan in Cannes, but bronzed bodies were not "à la mode" back then. Today, the beaches along the famous coastal street of La Croisette are full of them. Although the city becomes a celebrity magnet during May for International Cannes Film Festival, it is a year-round destination with its whitewashed Art Deco and Belle Epoque hotels lined up along La Croisette and its Old Town called "Suquet" that offers magnificent seaviews and authentic restaurants.
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Grand Hôtel Cannes
A few minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals, a luxury hotel with a fashionable beach restaurant called La Plage 45.
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Le Canberra
A 4-star boutique on the chic Rue d’Antibe, near to luxury boutiques.
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Le Grey d’Albion
A trendy hotel located between La Croisette and the shopping street of Rue d’Antibes.
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Koh Sushi
A great place to savor the best sushi in the town.
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La Guérite
A must-visit restaurant and beach club on Sainte-Marguerite Island, which is the ideal place to swim during the summer.
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La Libera
A cosy Italian restaurant, always busy.
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Le Bâoli
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays, a great restaurant and club to party with a beautiful crowd.
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The best pizza in the town and a Cannes Classic.
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MOUGINS
This medieval hilltop village on the periphery of Cannes is immersed in a super-lush landscape, covered with olive trees. This is the place where Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life, before passing away in 1973. The Mougins Museum, founded by the British art lover Christian Levett, is also very exceptional. It offers an eclectic collection of antique Roman, Greek and Egyptian sculpture, vases, coins, and jewellery, as well as contemporary art pieces, displaying the connections between the two! The village is also famous for its restaurants, and has an annual festival of gastronomy.
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Le Mas de Candille
A stunning 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, offering a Michelin star restaurant.
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Paloma
Serves local gourmet food.
GRASSE
30 kilometers away from Cannes, this town is one the biggest producers of perfume essences all around the world. Naturally, it is regarded as the capital of French perfume industry. The famous perfume producer Fragonard offers guided tours to its factory, to show how their "noses", or perfume makers work.
SAINT-TROPEZ
This old fisherman's village was put on the map, when Brigitte Bardot classic And God Created Woman was released in 1955. Its port area is always fun and lively, but apart from that, one could also pay a visit to hilltop village Ramatuelle, the Bay of Pampelonne that offers the area's longest and most popular beach, as well as the surrounding lush landscape and vineyards. Here are some of the beach clubs, where you could enjoy the sea, sand and sun: Bagatelle, Le Club 55, Les Palmiers, Nikki Beach and Nioulargo Ramatuelle.
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Chateau Valmer
An elegant setting among the vineyards near Ramatuelle.
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Hôtel Byblos
Repeating clients makes this legendary hotel so special.
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Le Patio
Refined Italian cuisine in hotel Le Yaca, also an oasis in the busy village center.
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Le Sube
Right at the centre of the promenade on Saint-Tropez port, it offers superb location and views.
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Le Yaca
A cosy hotel in the Old Town.
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Villa Belrose
An elegant Relais & Châteaux hotel set on the hills of Saint-Tropez.
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L’Opera
An ultra-chic restaurant and club with a charming terrace overlooking the port.
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Senequier
A place to enjoy the food, while gazing at the boats in the port. Its pastry shop is the best place to taste Tarte Tropezienne.