STREETS OF GOLD: WHAT TO SEE ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Call us biased, but the French Riviera really does have some of the best views you’ll ever lay eyes on.
From cobbled streets to hilltop paradises and art sanctuaries, Vilebrequin has rounded up the best places to refuel your soul (and your sugar levels!).
Want a wearable postcard?
Revisit the South whenever you like with our Sunny Streets print.
SAINT-PAUL DE VENCE - CULTURAL IMMERSION AT THE FONDATION MAEGHT
Cool off and refuel your imagination at another of the region’s cultural landmarks: the Fondation Maeght. From Braque to Miró and Giacometti, the biggest sculptors of the 20th century helped create this unique indoor-outdoor space. Meander through the park with its larger-than-life installations. A rare moment of communion with art, nature, and architecture.
ÈZE - HIGHER LOVE: THE EXOTIC BOTANICAL GARDENS
There’s nowhere else like it on the French Riviera for gaining some perspective. At 429m altitude, the exotic gardens in Èze are home to many species of cactus and rare Mediterranean plants. The perfect spot for a late-afternoon walk, your senses lost somewhere between land and sea.
SAINT-TROPEZ - PLUNGE INTO A GOOD BOOK AT HOTEL LA PONCHE
Take a break from the heat and the crowded streets and cozy up for the afternoon with a novel. There’s a deep armchair waiting for you at the legendary Hotel La Ponche. A favorite hideaway with the literary set, the Hotel recently launched its own book prize.
SAINT-PAUL DE VENCE - SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY: GODET PARFUMEUR
Hiding on a quiet street of Saint-Paul de Vence you’ll discover Godet perfumery, a stunning little old-world boutique full of quirky stone features and flower petals. Don’t leave without treating yourself to a bottle of the same perfume worn by one of Matisse’s muses.
MOUGINS - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
A few kilometers inland from Cannes lies the hilltop village of Mougins. Every street corner is more charming than the next, so have your cameras ready. Jasmin-lined patios and old stone fountains are the perfect excuses for a selfie. Hardcore photographers will love the Photography Center of Mougins, which regularly exhibits contemporary artists.
ON THE WAY TO CANNES - ADMIRE THE VIEW AT THE PALAIS BULLES
As you make your way from Saint-Tropez to Cannes, we recommend a pit stop at the Corniche d’Or. You won’t regret the view. Spend the afternoon tanning on the secluded beach at the Calanque des Deux Frères, armed with a fruit and burnt caramel tart from the pâtisserie of the same name. Look up and you’ll see the UFO-like architecture of the Palais Bulles. Unreal.
SAINT-TROPEZ - SUNSET AND NOUGAT FROM SÉNÉQUIER
Never tried the nougat from Sénéquier? Go grab yourself a bar (or three) immediately. Not too soft, not too chewy: their recipe is the best in Saint-Tropez. Now you’re properly equipped, head out to the lighthouse at the end of the Môle d’Estienne d’Orves. Climb over the little wall, settle down on the rocks, and enjoy your nougat at sunset. If this isn’t paradise…
NICE - SPLASH OUT ON SOME LOCAL TREASURES
A must-visit in Nice’s Old Town, Trésors Publics drugstore takes you back in time. The smell of wax and wood and the countless curiosities on display are simply intoxicating. We love that the owners have taken a conscious approach, collaborating with exclusively regional or French-made brands.
NICE - WALKING ON SUNSHINE: NICE’S BEST PROMENADES
The walk from the Colline du Château down to the Vieux Port will take your breath away for all the right reasons. Home to the ruins of an 11th-century castle, the Colline du Château provides an unbeatable panorama of Nissa la bella. The castle’s lush green grounds are great for seeking a few hours of shade from the Mediterranean sun.
On your way down, head east toward Nice’s other great jewel: le Vieux Port. Its pastel-colored façades and small boats are at their best when illuminated by the sun’s rays in the mid-to-late afternoon. The only thing missing: a glass of rosé. After all that walking, you’ve earned it.
