Every May, the Côte d’Azur slips into its most glamorous guise. As the Cannes Film Festival returns from 12–24 May 2026, the French Riviera becomes a magnet for Hollywood stars, superyachts, rooftop parties, and travellers chasing that unmistakable South of France energy.
But beyond the red carpet, Cannes is also the perfect gateway to discover the Riviera at its most seductive – sun-drenched beach clubs, hilltop villages, designer hotels, and hidden coastal gems stretching from Saint-Tropez to Èze.
Whether you’re planning a glamorous long weekend or a full Riviera escape, RASK Travel can curate every detail – from luxury villa stays and private yacht charters to Michelin-star dining reservations and bespoke itineraries along the coast.
Where to Eat on the Côte d’Azur
From iconic beach clubs and legendary fine dining to relaxed seaside restaurants, the Riviera is made for long lunches, sunset dinners, and lingering over rosé.
La Guérite, Cannes
Set on the idyllic Île Sainte-Marguerite just off the Cannes coastline, La Guérite is the Riviera at its most cinematic. Part beach club, part restaurant, it’s one of the hottest spots during Cannes Film Festival season. Arrive by boat, settle beneath the pine trees, and expect Mediterranean sharing plates, DJs and live music throughout the day, dancing on tables by sunset, and a glamorous crowd soaking up the Côte d’Azur atmosphere.
Chez Vincent et Nicolas, Cannes
A more laid-back Cannes favourite tucked away from the buzz of La Croisette, Chez Vincent et Nicolas is the kind of charming local spot visitors dream of stumbling across. The intimate bistro serves beautifully simple Provençal dishes with a strong focus on fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, and warm hospitality. It’s ideal for a slower evening away from the Film Festival crowds, offering an authentic taste of the Riviera without the scene-driven atmosphere.
Le Plongeoir, Nice
Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop above the Mediterranean, Le Plongeoir is one of the Côte d’Azur’s most iconic dining settings. Reached via a small walkway suspended above the sea, the restaurant pairs panoramic coastal views with elegant Mediterranean cuisine centred around fresh seafood and local produce. Whether you visit for a long lunch or sunset dinner, the atmosphere feels effortlessly Riviera – relaxed, scenic, and impossibly photogenic.
Boulangerie Veziano, Antibes
For something simple, local, and authentically French, Boulangerie Veziano is a beloved stop in Antibes for freshly baked pastries, artisan breads, and picnic essentials. Pick up warm croissants, sandwiches, and sweet treats before spending the day exploring the old town or relaxing by the coastline.
Where to Sleep on the Côte d’Azur
The Riviera’s hotel scene is legendary – from grand Belle Époque icons to modern coastal hideaways and wellness newcomers. Whether you want to be in the heart of Cannes Film Festival glamour or tucked away in a quieter corner of the coastline, these are some of the Côte d’Azur’s most unforgettable places to stay.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
Arguably the most iconic hotel on the French Riviera, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc has defined Côte d’Azur glamour for more than a century. Hidden among pine trees at the tip of Cap d’Antibes, the legendary property blends old Hollywood elegance with timeless Riviera luxury – think white cabanas perched above the rocks, rose-filled suites, impeccable service, and the famous saltwater infinity pool carved directly into the coastline.
The hotel became synonymous with Riviera chic during the Jazz Age, famously inspiring F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night, and today it remains one of the most sought-after stays during Cannes Film Festival season. Despite its star-studded reputation, there’s an effortless charm to life here – long lunches overlooking the Mediterranean, sunset cocktails beneath the pines, and an atmosphere that feels entirely removed from the outside world.
Hôtel Belles Rives, Antibes
Set along the Cap d’Antibes coastline, Hôtel Belles Rives remains one of the Riviera’s great Art Deco icons. Once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald during the Jazz Age, the hotel still carries much of that old Riviera glamour – elegant terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, polished wood interiors, and a setting that feels almost suspended in time.
This summer, the hotel’s legendary beach club has become one of the Riviera’s most talked-about arrivals of the season, with Burberry taking over the waterfront for the summer. The collaboration brings the fashion house’s signature striped aesthetic to one of the Côte d’Azur’s most cinematic stretches of coastline, complete with elegant loungers, impeccably dressed beach staff, chilled rosé arriving by the sea, and the sort of atmosphere that feels inseparable from Riviera summer itself.
Hôtel Martinez – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Cannes
Perfectly positioned along Cannes’ famous Boulevard de la Croisette, Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt captures the excitement and glamour of the Film Festival better than almost anywhere else. The Art Deco landmark has been welcoming Hollywood stars and Riviera travellers since the 1920s, combining classic French luxury with a more contemporary feel following its recent renovations. Expect sea-view suites, a private beach club, vibrant nightlife nearby, and front-row access to the Cannes atmosphere.
As a proud partner of Hyatt Privé, RASK Travel can also offer guests additional exclusive privileges when booking Hôtel Martinez, including VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority upgrades (subject to availability).
Lily of the Valley, Saint-Tropez
Set in the hills above Gigaro Beach, Lily of the Valley offers a more relaxed and wellness-focused Riviera escape. Designed by Philippe Starck, the hotel blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape with earthy interiors, panoramic sea views, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing. As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – one of RASK Travel’s trusted luxury partners – the property delivers an elevated yet understated Riviera experience, perfect for travellers wanting to balance the glamour of the Côte d’Azur with slower mornings, spa treatments, beach days, and long Mediterranean lunches away from the crowds.
Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Dramatically perched on the cliffs between Monaco and Menton, Maybourne Riviera feels sleek, modern, and unmistakably cinematic. The striking white architecture appears to float above the Mediterranean, with floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive terraces, and uninterrupted views stretching from Cap Martin to Monte Carlo. Inside, the hotel blends contemporary design with museum-worthy artwork, while the infinity pool appears to dissolve straight into the sea and sky beyond.
Unlike the Riviera’s grand historic palace hotels, Maybourne Riviera brings a fresher, more playful energy to the Côte d’Azur. Guests can spend afternoons at the Riviera Playa beach club hidden below the cliffs, enjoy Michelin-starred dining overlooking the coastline, or watch the sunset over Monaco with a Bellini in hand. Stylish yet unpretentious, it’s become one of the French Riviera’s most exciting modern luxury openings.
Private Villas with RASK Travel
For travellers looking for something more private and personalised, RASK Travel can curate exceptional villa stays across the Côte d’Azur. From contemporary cliffside homes in Cannes to sprawling estates near Saint-Tropez complete with infinity pools, private chefs, concierge teams, and yacht charters, villa living offers a more exclusive way to experience the Riviera. Whether travelling with friends, family, or for a special celebration during Film Festival season, RASK Travel can tailor every detail.
Where to Explore on the Côte d’Azur
Beyond the red carpets and beach clubs, the Côte d’Azur is filled with hilltop villages, hidden coves, glamorous marinas, and cinematic coastal drives. Whether you want culture, coastline, or classic Riviera glamour, these are the places worth exploring during Cannes Film Festival season.
La Croisette, Cannes
During Film Festival season, Cannes buzzes with unmatched energy. Walk along the famous Boulevard de la Croisette to soak up the atmosphere surrounding the Palais des Festivals, where photographers, film premieres, luxury boutiques, and superyachts transform the seafront into the centre of the Riviera social scene. Designer storefronts line the promenade, beach clubs spill onto the sand, and luxury cars glide between hotel entrances late into the evening. Even outside the festival itself, La Croisette remains one of the Côte d’Azur’s most iconic stretches for people-watching, shopping, and sunset walks along the Mediterranean.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
One of the Riviera’s most beautiful hilltop villages, Saint-Paul-de-Vence has long attracted artists, writers, and creatives seeking inspiration away from the coastline. The medieval village is filled with winding cobbled streets, ivy-covered stone buildings, independent galleries, and quiet courtyards that feel almost frozen in time. Artists, including Picasso and Matisse, spent time here, and the village still carries that creative spirit today. Spend an afternoon wandering between boutiques and galleries before settling into a shaded terrace for a long Provençal lunch overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Monaco
Just along the coastline from Cannes, Monaco offers a different kind of Riviera glamour. Spend the day exploring the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, browsing designer boutiques around Carré d’Or, or admiring the superyachts moored inside Port Hercule. Despite its compact size, Monaco feels endlessly cinematic – from the winding Formula 1 streets to grand Belle Époque architecture overlooking the sea. By evening, the principality comes alive with rooftop cocktails, Michelin-starred dining, and some of the Riviera’s most glamorous nightlife.
Èze
Perched high above the Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco, Èze is one of the Riviera’s most dramatic villages. Narrow medieval streets wind through stone archways and artisan boutiques before opening onto panoramic views across the coastline below. The exotic gardens at the top of the village offer some of the best scenery on the Côte d’Azur, while nearby hotels and restaurants make Èze an ideal stop for a long lunch or sunset aperitif. Its timeless beauty has made it a favourite backdrop for films, photographers, and Riviera travellers for decades.
Saint-Tropez
Although best known for its glamorous beach clubs and celebrity-filled summer scene, Saint-Tropez still retains traces of its former life as a sleepy fishing village. Wander through the pastel-coloured old town, browse the bustling market at Place des Lices, or spend the afternoon hopping between beach clubs along Pampelonne Beach. During festival season, it’s the perfect extension to a Cannes itinerary for travellers wanting to experience another side of Riviera glamour.
Experience the Côte d’Azur with RASK Travel
There’s nowhere quite like the French Riviera during Cannes Film Festival season. For two weeks each May, the coastline transforms into a glamorous mix of film premieres, luxury yachts, beach clubs, and long Mediterranean lunches – all set against the backdrop of some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery.
But beyond the red carpets, the Côte d’Azur is ultimately about lifestyle. It’s mornings spent wandering local markets in Antibes, afternoons cruising between hidden coves by boat, sunset cocktails overlooking Monaco, and dinners that stretch late into the evening beneath the pines. Whether you’re drawn to the energy of Cannes, the understated elegance of Cap Ferrat, or the slower pace of Saint-Tropez, the Riviera offers countless ways to experience the South of France.
At RASK Travel, we specialise in creating tailor-made luxury journeys across the Côte d’Azur, designed entirely around how you want to travel. From securing exclusive hotel benefits through partners such as Hyatt Privé and The Leading Hotels of the World, to arranging private villas, yacht charters, beach club reservations, private drivers, and bespoke itineraries, our team handles every detail seamlessly.
Planning your own Côte d’Azur escape? Get in touch with RASK Travel to start designing your perfect Riviera itinerary.
