By Giovanna Ragsdale
Special to The Times Kuwait
The French Riviera, or Cote d’Azur, has long been a playground for the rich and famous. It is a stunning stretch of Mediterranean coastline renowned for its opulent resorts, azure waters, and glamorous lifestyle. With beachside hotels, exotic restaurants, and various cultural endeavors to indulge in, the South of France offers it all. Each year, 11 million visitors travel across the world to dip their toes in the Azuréen waters.
The best place to start your journey is in Nice, the capital of the Riviera — a city that perfectly encapsulates the region’s charm. As the plane descends over the sparkling Mediterranean, make sure to take in the breathtaking views of never-ending miles of pristine beaches framed by the verdant hills of the Alpes-Maritimes.
Regarding accommodation, some great places to stay include the iconic Hotel Negresco, a Belle Époque masterpiece overlooking the Promenade des Anglais. The hotel’s eclectic art collection and lavish interiors set the tone for our luxurious getaway. Another great choice is the Belle Rives Hôtel, a five-star hotel in the heart of Juan les Pins (a town on the Riviera near Antibes). It offers a trip through the pages of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel Tender Is the Night, written in its own piano bar.
Yet another grand hotel accommodation is at the Oetker Collection Hotel. Built in 1870 and located on the furthest tip of Cap d’Antibes, in a park of 22,5 acres of trees facing the Mediterranean,the hotel’s rich history offers visitors an ideal cultural learning experience while enjoying the peaceful grandeur of the French Riviera at its best.
If you love sightseeing, the best place to start would be Vieux Nice, the historic old town full of narrow, winding streets, bustling markets, colorful buildings, and charming squares. The Cours Saleya market is a sensory delight, with stalls brimming with fresh produce, flowers, and local delicacies.
Another historic place to visit is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, which combines historic prestige and aristocracy with four hectares of beautiful gardens. Strolling through the French garden towards the Japanese and Spanish gardens, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild’s gardens offer a cross-cultural journey through its botanic worlds.
‘Villa Ephrussi offers a wide variety of historical pieces scattered around the villa; visitors are offered an insight into the 18th century through the baroness’ ‘remarkable collections and must-see works, such as the table that belonged to Marie Antoinette, drawings by Fragonard, canvases by François Boucher and Jean-Frédéric Schall, hangings from the Royal Manufacture of the Gobelins and magnificent carpets from the Savonnerie, the grandiose painted ceiling of Tiepolo in the Grand Salon and its magnificent recently restored Zephyr,” says Nathalie Savignard, Administrator, Villa Ephrussi.
The villa also holds special evening events during the summer that pay tribute to the sense of celebration and the love of artists—two values carried by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild herself. For this second edition, Muriel Mayette Holtz and the Academy of Fine Arts invite visitors to enjoy classic, pop, or lyrical music planned across 14 unique sessions.
Art lovers will also be delighted to travel through Turner’s paint strokes at this summer’s Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. This year’s forum focuses on J.M.W Turner, an English romantic painter of the 18th century, explicitly emphasizing his representation of the world through his landscapes and use of light. This exhibition will hold the most extensive collection of Turner paintings for visitors interested in art, offering art connoisseurs the luxury of immersing themselves entirely into the streams of his water-colored mind.
The French Riviera is a destination that lives up to its reputation, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and luxurious indulgence. The enchanting region provides a delightful mix of luxury, culture, and comfort, captivating the hearts of millions of tourists each year. Whether you’re looking to relax on the glamorous beaches, explore the charming villages, or indulge in your hotel spa, the South of France promises an unforgettable summer for visitors from all corners of the globe.
