Sensual Saint Tropez for connoisseurs, fancy Cannes and Bohemian Nice—this trio forms the primary axis of the Côte d’Azur and they are linked by highways that will take your breath away and replace it with experiences.
The French Riviera, however, officially starts in Menton, a town of sun, sea and … lemons. They are literally crazy about the fruit here. The local produce is known throughout the world and does not offer a lot of room for upward qualitative comparison. Crowds of tourists come here every year to the local lemon festival, but the primary aim in Menton for genuine connoisseurs of savoir de vivre is Mirazur, a three-star Michelin restaurant. The extremely talented Argentinian Mauro Colagreco is behind the extraordinary creative gastronomy concept here. His style can be defined as an unprecedented mix of French seaside tradition with an Italian influence and inventive touch from his remote home.
What to have at Mirazur? Oysters with pearls of tapioca and cream of shallots with pears!
High Up the Sky
The thirty-kilometre-long curve of the route from Menton to Nice, the next stop on France’s Côte d’Azur trail, leads through medieval Èze, a stone village set on a steep cliff high above the waves, about ten minutes’ drive from the port of Monaco. We are in France, so not even here has Michelin forgotten to classify Èze’s culinary arts with stars. Leaving its stone lanes without stopping at the two-star Le Chèvre d’Or would be tantamount to crime in itself. Chef Arnaud Faye mesmerises his guests, who are already impressed with the romance of Èze, with his Mediterranean menu, which follows the French school of precision technique in every aspect.
Chagall’s Weakness
Yes, Èze is a village, but only 11 kilometres away from Nice, capital of the. Here, we recommend exchanging the winding lanes of the middle ages for the Champs-Elysees of the Mediterranean, the five-kilometre-long Promenade des Anglaise. You can spend the whole day here at a very slow pace without getting tired of swapping one boutique with leading brands or a bar with excellent champagne for another for many hours. If you feel sinfully wonderful here, you can be calmed by the fact that this avenue surrounded by beaches and palms was one of Marc Chagall’s favourite places. Artists simply know how to make the phrase carpe diem come to life.
If you prefer staying on the shore, you should not forget to enjoy a drink at the famous Pampelonne beach by Ramatuelle, made famous by the film And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot.
Promenade des Anglaise is one of Nice’s traditional hotspots, but a much more prestigious position in this field is held by the Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, part of the Four Seasons portfolio. Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill slept here before you, as did many connoisseurs who preferred privacy to fame. And this is what guests receive to the highest extent. Probably the best-known yet certainly the most prestigious hotel in Nice is soaked in private decadent gardens full of flowers and noble pine trees. The pomp of the exterior is fully matched by its interior—a night in one of the rooms at the Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat is simply a night in France at its best.
Cannes, Dior & Co.
Only a half-hour’s pleasant trip, mostly along the coast—and ideally with the top down—separates Nice from Cannes. Cannes means the La Croisette promenade, and La Croisette means the Barrière Le Majestic hotel. During the annual film festival, which has been held in Cannes since 1946, it becomes a mecca for the most in-demand celebrities, who prepare for their red-carpet appearances in its unique apartments. On the sixth floor, you can find the Christian Dior Suite with a design based on the form of the brand’s flagship boutique at 30, Avenue Montaigne in Paris. If you didn’t love this brand for any reason, now there is no way back, excuse-moi.
The Waves of Saint Tropez
A fishing village. Probably zero people would call Saint Tropez this, but the history of the last main stop on the Côte d’Azur route is uncompromising. More than fishermen, the waters around the town, whose name has become a certain established symbol, are cruised by yachts, such as those which compete in one of the most impressive yacht races in Europe, the Giraglia Rolex Cup. The pride of the eight-day regatta from San Remo, Italy, to Genoa are three-day races in the bay here.
All you have to do is drive a couple of kilometres from the Côte d’Azur and you’ll find yourself in a genuine paradise for lovers of driving.
If you prefer staying on shore, you should not forget to enjoy a drink at the famous Pampelonne beach by Ramatuelle, made famous by the film And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot. The very best starting point for this plan is the boutique hotel La Réserve Ramatuelle. The almost thirty rooms and apartments, together with private villas, are an argument in themselves for visiting Saint Tropez. Another seductive reason is the two-star Michelin restaurant, Le Voile, operated by chef Eric Canin. By the way, you can enjoy Pampelonne beach here in maximum style thanks to the hotel beach club, which was designed by Philippe Starck.
A Short Way to a Driver’s Paradise
Simply drive a couple of kilometres from the Côte d’Azur and you’ll find yourself in a genuine paradise for lovers of driving. The Maritime Alps have two wonderful driving regions: the Grand Canyon du Verdon and the famous Col de Turini, a pass where the famous Monte Carlo Rally takes place every year. Don’t hesitate to explore these regions onboard of supercar by your choice within the privately designed self-driving tour. Or join a group of similarly-minded enthusiasts, and over two days at the Maritime Alps Magic event, you can travel both regions and try out five super cars!
