Where glitz and glamour sparkle in the sun
French Riviera, France
Staying in the French Riviera combines culture with a slice of sand and sea, as well as a hefty dose of glitz and glamour. Why not hire a private yacht and sail from St Tropez in style? Or drive the Grand Corniche in a convertible? And, for a break from the shimmering harbours, supersized yachts and (serious) bling, simply head for the hills. Here you’ll find medieval villages with narrow winding streets of traditional stone houses. Oui, there are several sides to France’s favourite summer playground and Cosa can show you them all.
It’s twice as nice in Nice
‘If only I were in Nice, I’d get better,’ said Queen Victoria upon her deathbed. And for good reason. France’s fifth-largest city is also one of its most seductive. Stroll down the palm-tree-lined Promenade des Anglais, enjoy the colours of the flower market before getting lost in the labyrinth-like streets of a gorgeous old town.
The ancient village of Èze
Perched picturesquely on a rock 400m above sea level, the jewel in Èze’s crown is a 12th-century fortress that featured in Hitchcock’s film To Catch a Thief. We recommend wandering around the Jardin Exotique, where around 400 cacti surround the ruined fortress. But wherever you go, arresting views of the Côte d’Azur come as standard.
Live the high life in Cannes
Cannes has come a long way since its days as a tiny fishing village. Today the darling of the French Riviera is famed for its splendid Promenade de la Croisette and eponymous film festival. Star-spotting is a popular pastime but there’s more to this Riviera resort, so come with us to discover offshore islands and the old quarter of Le Suquet.
The fragrant town of Grasse
Sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, the town of Grasse has been synonymous with perfume since the 16th century when scent was used to mask the odors of the area’s leather products. Enjoy a private tour of celebrated perfume factories such as Parfumerie Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard to learn about the distillation process, before creating your own fragrance.
Essential French Riviera
The French Riviera is also known as Côte d’Azur, a phrase coined by Stephen Liegeard in his 1887 book, where he described the area as ‘a coast of light, of warm breezes, and mysterious balmy forests.’ Other writers and artists – from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Somerset Maugham to Monet and Matisse – followed suit and found inspiration in the Belle Époque architecture, the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and cypress-topped hills.
Where it is
Southern Europe
When to go
April to October
Why go there
Coastline
Cultural gems
Glitz and glamour
What to see
Nice
Cannes
Èze
