The Secret French Riviera

84 Rooms Founder Sebastian Schoellgen shares his secret address book of favourite places to eat, sleep and discover. Most people only travel to Cannes, Monte-Carlo & St Tropez, but the real beauty can be found somewhere else.

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.

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.

The petit French village on the hills of the Côte d'Azur might not be an insider's tip, but it's certainly a must-stop for every Riviera road trip. Check out the local art galleries, visit the Fondation Maeght, and book the following far in advance:

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 collections of art in the world.

Les Remparts - The best hilltop restaurant in the village - small menu but excellent local fresh fish cuisine. Sit at the counter.

Apéritif:

Chez Andréas - Great spot for sunset drinks.

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. Currently closed for renovations, will reopen in June 2024.

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 lnfinite Woman' exhibition 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: Where To Stay, Eat, And Play In Saint Tropez, and A Postcard From La Colombe d'Or.