Its heritage is defined by glamorous personalities such as Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren, and its calendar is buzzing with events like Monaco’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Cannes International Film Festival. The Côte d’Azur remains the spiritual home of the superyacht, and the world’s most indulgent A-list playground.
Monaco might be the world’s second smallest country, but it fully warrants its reputation as the wealthiest and most glamorous place on earth. Ignore the beaches and head for the old town with its royal palace, luxury boutiques and beautiful urbanites. The Café de Paris is great for people-watching, the internationally acclaimed Louis XV restaurant is a memorable gastronomic adventure, and the beguiling Casino de Monte Carlo is a thrilling distillation of what makes Monaco so special.
The sheltered natural yacht harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer makes a fine anchorage for watersports against the backdrop of the 14th century citadel and port. Nearby St Jean Cap Ferrat, with its white sandy beaches, verdant hillsides and enviable peninsula setting, is home to some of the most expensive residential properties in the world. The Rothschild Villa Ephrussi Gardens and the Reserve de Beaulieu restaurant are particular highlights.
Just west of St Tropez, Porquerolles is a tranquil chain of islands and a protected nature reserve, with ravishing white beaches and elegant coves. Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write ‘Treasure Island’ here, so if the French Riviera’s high-octane entertainments become a bit much, the modest serenity of Porquerolles will prove the perfect tonic.
St. Tropez is notorious for its hedonistic lifestyle, and nearby Pampelonne Beach is an intoxicating exponent of that ethos. This legendary social hotspot has been fuelling the riotous reputation of the town since the 1950s when it achieved infamy through the patronage of seductive superstars like Brigitte Bardot and Juliette Greco. Today, the town’s old port is a great place for superyacht cocktails, and St Tropez itself is full of fabled bars and nightclubs. The star-studded Caves du Roy is not to be missed.