Driving Along the French Riviera

From the Riviera Maya in Mexico to the Chinese Rivera of Zhuhai, many destinations boast their own rivieras now, but the stretch of sun-kissed Mediterranean bliss straddling the French-Italian border is the granddaddy of them all. The French part, aptly named Côte d'Azur (Azure Coast) starts at Saint Tropez and passes through Cannes and Nice on its way to Italy. A glorious stretch of coves, beaches, golden cliffs, and hairpin bends, it offers one of the world's most delicious collection of sights. Now let’s go on a little road trip.

There is no way around St Tropez. Its name evokes visions of French supermodels and superyachts, but all that is just a backdrop to the legendary Château de la Messarière. Imagine waking up at this historic estate that has been destined for aristocratic visitors from Paris since 1904.

For a lazy breakfast, roll down Route de Tahiti in the hotel's Rolls Royce for breakfast at Jardin Tropézina, the hotel's private beach. Alternatively, just pack up and head there in your own car. Then, follow the scenic coastal route towards Cannes and Antibes, stopping by for a lunch of terrine, pâté, and fresh seafood from the bay at brasserie Le Carillon in Sainte Maxime. Between the towns of Frejus and Mandelieu, the golden-hued cliffs of Estérel have given a magnificent stretch of road its nickname Corniche d'Or, the Golden Ledge.

In Antibes, it's Picasso time. The famous painter spent most of 1946 at the seaside Chateau Grimaldi, producing some of his most famous works using only the 12 colors of paint the local hardware store stocked for the upkeep of fishing boats. Nowadays, the chateau houses a much-loved museum devoted to the artist and, while you’re at it, you may just pass by the Picasso War and Peace Museum in nearby Vallauris, devoted to a monumental artwork that the artist crafted on panels of hardboard.

With a head full of abstract art, add a dose of olfactory bliss at the world-famous perfumeries of Grasse. Now you are ready for a finale in Nice, where restaurant Le Plongeoir awaits, perched just above the waves. It is located inside a fishing boat that has been bolted to a rock since the Belle Epoque. Anywhere else or any other time, this would be tacky, not but here. A sunset menu of zucchini flower fritters, oven-roasted sea bream, and fresh goat's cheese with candied violet will do nicely, très chique.

Chat with an Origin travel curator today and they can help to personalize your own trip through the French Riviera.