Cote d’Azur Travel Guide – A Brief Guide to the French Riviera’s most sought after locations

As specialists on the Cote d’Azur Elegant Address travel the width and breadth of the stunning Cote d’Azur coastline on a regular basis and we know and love this diverse and very beautiful coastline. Within this week’s blog we share with you some of our expert advice and insights on where our client’s love to travel when visiting the South of France.

Beginning our journey far to the East of the coast just beyond Moncao, Cap d’Ail and Eze you reach the much sought after peninsular of St Jean Cap Ferrat.

Known as the Peninsula of Billionaires this magnificent cape is perfect for relaxing in a magnificent property with an amazing view. Many arrive in Cap Ferrat by boat as most of the properties are at the water’s edge and offer private boat decks.

There are several private beaches in Cap Ferrat with the most famous being Paloma and Passable.

Paloma Beach

Southeast of the port on the North side of the peninsula is this beautiful Private Beach, providing its guests with amazing scenery and a relaxed environment.

Passable Beach

West Facing across from the Rade de Villefranche is Passable arguably the most famous beach on the peninsula. Relax whilst enjoying the culinary genius of Passable Restaurant and Bar Lounge.

There are several other restaurants in Cap Ferrat offering gastronomic cuisine such as Le Cap – where Michelin starred chef Didier Anies provides the finest dining experience. Many other restaurants overlook the harbour including; Chevredor, Royal Riviera and Le Mayssa.

The Harbour in St Jean CapFerrat encompasses Old Style Riviera Glamour displaying many magnificent yachts and beautiful views of Nice. 

Travelling out of Cap Ferrat and into Villefranche one will see a change in colour as many of the buildings lining Villefranche bay are a mixture of pastel shades. The views from Villefranche are incredible, one can see Nice to the right and Cap Ferrat to their left. As an authentic fishing village there are several beautiful boats moored in the harbour with the carnival in February that sees fishermen celebrate with a battle of flowers.

The infusion of colour continues down the coast through Nice and into the town of Antibes. Antibes is the most family friendly of all towns in the South of France. There is plenty to do in Antibes with popular beaches such as Le Pavillon which is situated in Baie de Garoupe and is classed as one of the prettiest bays in the whole of the Cote d’Azur, private beach Plage Keller situated in Garoupe and offering its visitors plenty of food and beverage from the surrounding restaurants.

Many visitors of Antibes choose to take the charming walk from Baie de la Garoupe other attractions within Antibes include the famous market in the Old Town where one will find local food, crafts, clothing and antiques. 

Grimaldi Castle in Antibes showcases Pablo Picasso’s artwork in a museum dedicated to him. 

Close to Cap d’Antibes is Juan Les Pins known for its nightlife and fine beaches it is a popular place with Parisians and the French during the summer. Pam Pam is perhaps the most famous bar in the area attracting people staying in Cap d’Antibes and Cannes.

Barely 15 minutes further along the coast brings us to the vibrant, picturesque city of Cannes with its stylish and modern properties. Cannes is home to Palais de Festivals where the Film Festival and Lions Festival are held every year. The events attracts A List celebrities and industry professionals every year who travel to the city to experience its glitz and glamour, the festivals take place in May and June during which time it is a fantastic place to people watch and experience the culture of the rich and famous.

Cannes is also home to the stunning La Croisette, popular amongst the younger generation one can relax on the beautiful beaches, experience the splendid cuisine or shop in the design boutiques.

Further West along the Cote d’Azur after passing La Napoule and Sainte-Maxime is the lavish and much requested town of St Tropez with its extreme fashion styles and personalities the town oozes designer. As well as the designer shops St Tropez is also home to a sublime market ‘Place des Lices’ held every Tuesday and Saturday from 08:00-13:00pm one can experience the delights of this open air market.

The harbour of St Tropez gives visitors the opportunity to view the rich and sometimes famous enjoying the sun’s rays from their magnificent yachts.

Away from the centre of StTropez are the beaches; two of the most familiar are Plage de la Mouette and Plage des Salins which offer delightful culinary cuisine whilst enjoying the beautiful views of St Tropez.  For those who like to party in the sun, and to see and be seen, there are the famous beaches of Pampelonne with club 55 and Nikki beaches just to name a few…

ElegantAddress are Property Search Consultants specialising on the Cote d’Azur, having over 10 years’ experience in the area we know the South of France and are delighted to put our knowledge and experience into finding our clients the perfect villa for their holiday rental or purchase ensuring you experience on the French Riviera is unforgettably fabulous! 

Juan Les Pins

Situated to the West side of Antibes Juan Les Pins is a popular destination with the international jet-setters. Known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches and casino Juan Les Pins attracts many of visitors from Antibes.

Many of the attractions in Juan Les Pins are crossed with those of Antibes with The Jardin Botanique de le Villa Thurent stemming across both Antibes and Juan Les Pins. The Jardin Botanique are 3.5 hectares of wonderful gardens located on the grounds of Villa Thurent. 

Other attractions in Juan Les Pins include bays and beaches allowing visitors to escape from the vibrant town. From Port Gallice to Vallauris- Golf Juan there are many private and public beaches and bays to be enjoyed one such beach is Les Pecheurs part of the Juana Hotel it offers palm trees, fine sand and beautiful gardens.

On the Promenade du Soleil one can enjoy an evening stroll browsing the market stalls selling unique gifts. There are also many boules parks around the region for anyone to enjoy whether partaking in a match or just spectating it is a splendid place to enjoy the sunshine.

The nightlife in Juan Les Pins is not to be missed with the famous Pam Pam nightclub and many beach side restaurants there is plenty to do. There is also a fantastic casino in Juan Les Pins where one can try their hand in many traditional games such as Roulette and poker. 

As well as nightclubs Juan Les Pins is also home to the oldest European Jazz Festival which is held every summer in the Gould Pine Grove, where the greatest artists and jazz musicians perform, in 2014 Stevie Wonder was the headline act.

Juan Les Pins is one of the most popular villages on the Cote d’Azur after the Famous Hotel ‘Le Provencal’ opened its doors in 1926 and received iconic guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Lilian Harvey, Juan Les Pins was on the map due to its prominent location and fabulous atmosphere. Today this magnificent building is to be modified to create luxurious apartments. 

Elegant Address have many fabulous villas throughout Juan Les Pins and Antibes, whether you require a luxurious property close to any of the fantastic facilities or something a little quieter we will search to locate the right property for you.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The daughter of a wealthy European banker, Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild  led a privileged life, and inheriting a vast fortune from her late father and unable to conceive children of her own she dedicated her life to building the magnificent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

Construction began in 1907, prior to this Beatrice dismissed many of Frances fine architects including the architect of the famous Petit Palais and New Sorbonne to name a few. The now prestigious Jacques Marcel Auburtin has the privilege oppu7rtunity of designing and overseeing the construction until 1912 when it was finally completed. 

Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild

This beautiful Villa constructed in the luxurious town of Cap Ferrat during the early 1900’s is one of the most iconic attractions on the Cote d’Azur. 

The Villa is set within nine magnificent gardens redesigned in 1934 by Louis Marchand. When the gardens were first created in 1907 it took a daunting 7 years due to the inconvenient land formation chosen to construct the villa. Since 1934 the nine gardens have been themed which compliance with the villa as it has been created using a miss match of architectural styles and interior design. This perhaps in keeping with the modern and eccentric characteristics of Beatrice.    

French Garden

Spanish Garden

In 1933, one year before her death Beatrice gave her villa and sought after collection of porcelains, paintings and furniture to the Académie des Beaux-Arts. In the 21^st Century the collections are still on display within Villa Rothschild and are referred to as the Rothschild style.

There are many events and wedding ceremonies held at the villa each year such as the Roses and Plants Festival, A day with the Baroness.

As Property Consultants specialising in the South of France we appreciate the architectural beauty of Villa Rothschild along with its phenomenal picturesque gardens. We are very familiar with the villa’s beauty having properties situated close by.

Reasons we LOVE the Cote d'Azur

The South of France,

A Millionaires playground…

The air of Jazz Age Glamour…

Simplicity is the Ultimate Form of Elegance and the Cote d’Azur is the Epitome of Elegance…

Just a few phrases that capture the essence of the FrenchRiviera; the towns and villages that line the Cote d’Azur between Monaco and St Tropez are home to some of the world’s most expensive, luxurious and iconic properties.

At Elegant Address™ we have long been in love with the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera, and we would like to share with you just a few of the reasons why……

The Coastline from St Tropez to Monaco named the Golden Coast- Cote d’Azur is breathtakingly stunning

Each town lining the Cote d’Azur is unique in style but comparable in experience and thrilling to explore

The Glitz and glamour for Celeb spotting, The French Riviera is the place to celeb spotting 

People watching is a pastime on the French Riviera, but not only are the glamorous outfits worthy of attention, but watching  out for the world’s most prestigious cars as they cruise along the Croisette and Riviera roads!  The vintage or ultra-modern elite automobiles can be spotted parked alongside the best restaurants and cruise slowly along the most glamorous destinations in the South of France.

Art is Inspired, The realist, modern and abstract art that can be found in the Grimaldi Castle, Cap d’Antibes or the Foundation Maeght in St Paul de Vence. Famous artists such as Picasso gained much inspiration from the Cote d'Azur and now many of his paintings are displayed here.

The fabulous architecture of the luxurious properties displaying Bellle Epoque or ultra-modern styles, something for every taste.

The Mediterranean sunshine that makes the place even more romantic and shows off the Golden Coast in its best light.

The iconic bays of St. Tropez and Villefranche are home to the most extravagant, luxurious yachts displaying their glamorous owners relaxing on the decks and enjoying a bottle of champagne beneath the splendid sunset.

Michelin style Restaurants  overlook the bays whilst serving mouth-watering cuisine.

Festival de Canneswhich draws in the celebrity’s year on year with sophistication, elegance and jazz music dazzling the coast, the stars cannot resist the glamour of being photographed in Cannes.

The French lifestyle where life is laid-back and all matter of freshly baked goods can be purchased from the local Boulangerie.

Glitz and glamour can be seen by the designer apparel draped around the chic ladies.

The designer apparel that can be experienced in the luscious Chanel, Louis Vuitton stores to name but a few (our consultants Tarrah and Natalie checking out the shops in Saint Tropez….)

The history and heritage that the Coast so proudly displayed through local markets and architecture.

The timeless pristine land, sands and sea that appear as though time has stood still….

And it is here at Elegant Address™ that such properties become a reality,

Elegant Address South of France are the largest UK  independent property consultancy for the South of France, Our experience consultants work only in this region and know their properties and area well and are able to find you the most prestigious of properties, assisting you in creating your very own unique Riviera experience.