A French Riviera Road Trip

84 Rooms Founder Sebastian Schoellgen reveals his secret guide to the Riviera, showcasing his favorite places to eat, sleep, and discover beyond the typical tourist hotspots of Cannes, Monte-Carlo, and St. Tropez.

One of the best-kept secrets on the Riviera - positioned on the Franco-Italian border with beautiful beaches - you can get both French & Italian cuisine. Visit in February for the Lemon Festival. If you fancy a luxurious gastronomic experience, book the triple-star restaurant Mirazur, which offers a changing seasonal tasting menu. We had the oysters with tapioca, shallot cream, and pear, which is their signature dish.

Next is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the super pretty village, famous for crystal-clear waters, lush gardens, picturesque coastal paths, and iconic places such as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Head to Paloma Beach, which was named after Paloma Picasso as the Painter used to spend time with his family and friends in this little paradise. The restaurant is open every day from easter to the end of September and specializes in delicious grilled fish.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a petit French town on the hills, is an essential stop on any Riviera itinerary. Explore the local art galleries, visit the new exhibits at the Maeght Foundation, France’s first independent art foundation; the CAB Foundation, which is housed in a superb 1950s building; Galerie Catherine Issert, a springboard for emerging contemporary artists since 1975; and the Biennale Internationale Saint-Paul de Vence, which includes open-air contemporary art exhibitions in the streets and squares of the village.

Where to Stay:

Toile Blanche - A contemporary Boutique Guest House with a wonderful pool, cuisine, and hosts.

Where to Dine:

La Colombe d’Or - A Riviera Institution. Make sure to reserve a table outside far in advance. It’s also a hotel with 25 rooms and probably the finest collection of art in the world.

Les Remparts - is the best hilltop restaurant in the village - small menu but excellent local fresh fish cuisine. Sit at the counter and enjoy the stunning views, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.

Apéritif:

Try Chez Andréas, a great spot for sunset drinks with stunning views over the valley. The menu features a choice of dishes for sharing, daily specials, homemade pasta and foie gras as well as a range of salads, quiches and desserts.

Every year during summer months, the village of Mougins organises an international festival entirely dedicated to gastronomy. For three days, the streets and squares of the old village welcome French and foreign chefs who come to share their skills and passion with the public.

Where to Dine:

Resto des Arts in the vieux village.

Where to Stay:

Le Mas Candille - features one of the best SPA at the Riviera. It was closed for renovations and reopened in June 2024. The hotel comes with an Instagrammable infinity pool and offers Southern French cuisine in a romantic setting.

Grasse is the world’s perfume capital and is located between Cannes and Nice. A quick stop is very much worth it to pick up a few bottles of perfume. Don't miss a visit to the International Perfume Museum.

The market (Marche Provencal) is the place for locally-grown produce of all shapes & sizes. It takes place every morning from 6 am to 1 pm. Just next door you find the Picasso Museum. For beach lovers, Plage Keller is a great spot for lunch and swimming.

Read our full Antibes Insider Guide here.

Set in Theoule-sur-Mer, the "Bubble Palace" was built in 1975 - taking 14 years to construct - by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, before it was bought in 1991 by French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, who passed in December 2020. The 13,000-square-foot home has 29 rooms, including 10 bedrooms and 11 baths, and the Palais has its own private outdoor auditorium that can seat 500 people.

Fondation Carmignac is a museum and sculpture park on the island of Porquerolles. This summer the Fondation Carmignac presents the exhibition 'Vertigo' at Villa Carmignac. The island is a 15-minute boat ride from Hyeres.

Stay at Sainte Anne, a charming hotel in the village. Ask for some of the newer rooms on the first or second floor.

The coastline around Marseille is garnering a lot of attention. This is largely thanks to the opening of Tuba Club in the Les Goudes neighborhood: the place to eat, drink, and swim off the rocks (French designer Simon Port Jacquemus is a fan) as well as try and bag one of the five stylish cabanas. You’ll be perfectly placed for exploring Marseille and the area’s feted calanques, limestone cliffs that tower above the glittering sea. Make the 45-minute drive to nearby Cassis, the idyllic old fishing port where in-the-know Parisians are snapping up houses.

Read our Marseille Insider's Guide here.

84 Rooms recommends: How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Marseille, and A Postcard From La Colombe d'Or.