South of France Destination Guide

Well-known for its star-studded film festival, Cannes has a glitzy reputation with a year-round sunny, buzzy seaside and a great choice of luxury hotels, fine dining, and pretty beaches. It can get busy in the peak months, but out of season, you’ll get the best sun loungers and tables at restaurants without reservations. Ideal for a long weekend, you could spend three or four nights in Cannes soaking up its magic in the majestic Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel. This hotel has hosted film stars and celebrities since the 50s, and you’ll be greeted by lobby ambassadors dressed in Grace Kelly-style uniforms. Alternatively, check into its neighbour the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez, with its own two-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Palme d'Or. This Art Deco grand dame of Cannes sits on the Croisette, the long beach promenade, which runs along the town. A little bit further inland is the dreamy Chateau Saint Martin, surrounded by countryside and with views of the Mediterranean.

Known for its combination of opulence and natural beauty, Nice is the gateway to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur offering visitors the perfect base from which to discover the beauty of the French Riviera. You could easily spend a week or more exploring the charming villages surrounding Nice, like Saint-Paul de Vence, Grasse and Eze, and beach hopping between the mix of bustling and peaceful spots along the coast. Meanwhile, its old town is filled with pretty, colourful buildings, and cobbled streets lined with cafes, restaurants, and museums.

When it comes to accommodation in this part of the South of France, you have a beautiful selection of boutique hotels to choose from, with enviable interior design and top-notch service. The likes include the iconic Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, famous for its cliff-side swimming pool captured by Slim Aarons and filled with Jazz Age glamour. For a city break in Nice, opt for the Anantara Plaza, which is located on the palm-fringed Promenade des Anglais and close to the old town.

Inland, in the mediaeval village of Eze, is the glorious Chevre d'Or where paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Dufy line the walls of this hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, in lieu of payment during their leaner years.

Put on the map by Brigitte Bardot in the fifties, St Tropez is the place to go in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to see beautiful things. From the people to the scenery and the food, everything looks its best, particularly under the summer sun. It’s a fantastic destination for a holiday whatever your age, and while the summer brings in the yachts and the glitterati, out of the peak season you’ll be promised quiet beaches, gorgeous hiking trails and plenty of peaceful spots.

Hotels in St Tropez are just as beautiful as its visitors. There’s the Riviera-chic Hotel EPI 1959 Baie de Pampelonne, an iconic beachfront hotel in St Tropez, or La Réserve Ramatuelle, a strikingly stylish hotel with a fabulous spa and Philippe Stark-designed beach club on the famous Pampelonne beach. While nearby, Lou Pinet feels more like a Provençal country house than a hotel. Sheltered by tall pines and swathes of lavender fields, there’s a wonderful sense of escape at Lou Pinet, even though the centre of St Tropez is just 5-minutes away.

Strewn with tiny towns, vineyards, olive groves, and iconic lavender fields, Provence is where to go in the South of France to switch off and sink into the slow way of life. Holidays here are all about relaxing, whether for a long weekend or a seven-day break. Hotels in Provence blend perfectly into their surroundings, often converted out of ancient buildings and perched on hilltops. Hotel Crillon Le Brave dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, its rooms are spread over nine former village houses, and it’s well-suited for exploring or a fly-and-flop retreat. Villa Gallici, a stunning 18th-century mansion in Aix-en-Provence, boasts a sophisticated baroque design. Part of Relais & Châteaux, it offers decadent interiors and top-notch service, perfect for delving into the city's charm. Families will love La Bastide de Gordes, which retains a classical 18th-century theme, while having all the facilities you could need, from a kids’ club to a spa.

In Nice, French and Mediterranean culinary traditions intertwine to create unforgettable dining experiences. For Michelin-star finery try Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s intimate 20-seater restaurant JAN, or Le Chantecler at the iconic hotel Le Negresco for exquisite contemporary cuisine. For a more casual option, Christian Plumail in Vieux Nice, very close to the market at Cours Saleya, is the perfect choice. Try the saddle of lamb in olive-flavoured pastry. Or for some truly haute cuisine and an amazing view of the Promenade des Anglais, La Terrasse, ten floors up on the top of Le Méridien hotel serves elegant but simple dishes. While La Petite Maison is a celebrity hotspot renowned for its Provençal menu – like Niçoise salad – and jolly atmosphere.

Summertime in the south of France is when St Tropez’s markets are at their best, bursting with plump colourful Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur food, and the Mediterranean Sea’s fresh seafood. Add to that the crisp local wines and you have the recipe for delectable meals, ranging from low-key to Michelin-star heavy weights. One of which being the fabulously lavish Résidence de la Pinède, which has three Michelin stars and a gorgeous terrace overlooking the beach – definitely worth booking for a special occasion. Equally special is the La Vague d'Or, also with three Michelin stars, dining here is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience (or more if you’re lucky).

La Petite Plage is a must on the port of St Tropez, where an elegant setting and a warm welcome await you. The menu has been designed by Eric Frechon who has created fresh, summery dishes inspired by the Mediterranean. For market trawling, the Place des Lices Market is held every Tuesday and Saturday, where you can stock up on cheeses, olive oils and sausages while also hunting for antiques and knickknacks.

If you’re wondering where to go in the South of France for glamour, you should head for the Z’Plage Beach Restaurant in Cannes – the best place to people-watch. Nearby, just off the Croisette Beach, is Le Fouquet’s, where Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire serves reimagined brasserie classics. Or try the Palme d’Or directly opposite in Martinez Hotel. The food is sensational, the art deco surroundings are amazing - little wonder it has two Michelin stars. You’ll also love the descriptions on the menu – worth going there for those alone!

For a more relaxed meal, head to La Guerite on Ile Sainte-Marguerite. An institution since 1902, the rustic restaurant is surrounded by Aleppo pine and eucalyptus trees, with wooden tables and coco net shades. On Athens-born chef Yiannis Kioroglou’s menu is the likes of thinly sliced octopus carpaccio and zucchini fritters, grilled prawns, spicy lobster, and homemade gnocchi. As the feasts ensue, a DJ spins the decks, and the party atmosphere arrives.

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur food is a serious highlight in this particular area of the region. Whether that's in a rustic hidden gem, the colourful market, or an immaculate restaurant. Market wandering is practically a must when you’re in Provence, and Lubéron has a weekly one with delicious food stalls and is worth a visit for the atmosphere and entertainment alone. Stock up on chocolates, honey, oils, and candied fruits. From Wednesday to Sunday, Le Thor, near Avignon, fills its huge car park with pots of herbs, tomatoes, olives, fruit, artisan breads, and an iconic paella. Restauranteurs and gourmands come from far and wide for Le Thor’s market.

Mitch in Aix-en-Provence is a favourite amongst those in the know, with little digital presence, this unassuming, romantic restaurant is family-run and serves up creative dishes made with ingredients from Provence and Languedoc. Perched on the top of Gordes village, L’Orangerie is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the area, with a fabulous view of the Luberon Valley below. In Avignon, there’s the classic La Mirande with a Michelin star, which serves typical French fine dining on crisp white tablecloths, surrounded by pristine interiors. Or for something a little more avant-garde, try Sevin, where a modern menu with incredible wines is served in a Mediaeval setting.