With the impact that Covid-19 has had on the entire world, many special moments have been put on hold, including travel. There is beauty in sharing beauty to look forward to. One of my favorite places is the French Riviera. It was Nice that we traveled to after Clay had proposed to me in the Loire Valley of France, so I have some really special memories of celebrating here. A thought that makes me feel really nostalgic and happy during a time of great distress. I hope this brings a smile to your face and gives you inspiration for what to look forward to with recommendations for a memorable and chic honeymoon, including my favorite pieces you’ll be sure to pack.

Rebecca de Ravanel Earrings // Saint Laurent Sunglasses // Innika Choo Dress // Agua by Agua Bendita Bikini Top // Agua by Agua Bendita Bikini Bottom // Charlotte Tillbury Lipstick // Castaner Esparadrilles

Home of glamorous beach towns like Saint-Tropez, Nice, and Cannes, the French Riviera is a hot spot for chic French girls and tourists alike. Old Hollywood adored the South of France, and set beloved movies like To Catch a Thief (one of my favorites films) on its pristine white beaches. Enjoy the shade of palm trees and the bright French sun, while also immersing yourself in one of Europe’s most celebrated and romantic coastal cultures.

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Where to Stay

InterContinental Carlton Cannes: Over the past century, the impossibly glamorous InterContinental Carlton Cannes on the Boulevard de la Croisette has been the backdrop for movie moments captured both on and off camera and has put the Belle in Belle Époque-style. Hitchcock shot his romantic thriller To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly and Carry Grant in suite 623 — which still exists today — and a year later during the Cannes Film Festival, the actress met Prince Rainier of Monaco in the hotel’s Grand Salon.

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: If you prefer to stay in the middle of the action, you can’t get much more central than the decadent Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. After you leave, stop for a drink at one of the many beach clubs at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and take some time to walk around the winding streets, peeking over hedges at the old money estates.

Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel: If you can swing it, a night at the Grand Hôtel Du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, known for its extraordinary service and world-class wine collection, will be worth every penny.

Hotel Belles Rives: It’s here at the Hotel Belles Rives that F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed while writing Tender Is the Night.

Monte-Carlo Beach Monaco: A seaside respite away from all the hubbub of downtown.

Grand Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc: Every movie star doing the Cannes film festival lodges at the nearby Grand Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and it also serves as one of the most beautiful wedding venues.

AirBnB: It’s always wonderful to feel like a local by staying at an AirBnB during your stay.

Where to Eat

 Volupté: They do an amazing cup of coffee for breakfast and late lunch. It’s in Cannes, and it’s the perfect place at any point of the day. 

Chez Josy: Chez Josy makes some of the best pan-bagnat, a sandwich that’s essentially a Niçoise salad, with hard boiled eggs, anchovies, and olive oil, socca paired with rosé, and of course, pissaladière, which is a classic Southern French dish made of thick dough topped with caramelized onions, garlic, and anchovies. 

Plage Keller: A beach restaurant with a breathtaking view that allows you can see the beautiful cliffs all around.

Boulangerie Veziano: It’s an authentic bakery and is three-generations strong. The owner has a small house behind the shop where he bakes the bread.

What To Do

Visit Rocher de Monaco: This is where you’ll find historical highlights such as Place du Palais, which is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Each day, at 11:55 AM, you can enjoy the Changing of the Guard ceremony for free. Nearby, the Roman-Byzantine Saint Nicholas Cathedral was constructed in the 19th-century and is the burial place of Princess Grace of Monaco

Layout on the Beach in Cannes: Beaches in Cannes are situated mostly along the Croisette and Boulevard du Midi and divided into two types: private and public. Sprawl out at the most popular swimming spots like the Plage du Palais des Festivals or book a beach bed at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez’s Zplage beach club, the largest private beach on the Croisette.

Follow the Painters Trail in Nice: Travelers who want to get deeper into the history of artists who called this region home can follow the Painters Trail, a route marked by 90 lecterns featuring replicas of artwork placed in the same spot they were painted.

Cruise the Capes: Between Monaco and Cannes you’ll come across a few scenic stretches of coastal paths, such as Cap d’Ail’s hour-long walk past the Belle Époque villas between the beaches of Mala and Marquet. One of the more popular excursions, the Cap Ferrat peninsula (also known as the millionaires’ peninsula) shows off views over the French coastline all the way up to Italy throughout nine miles of pedestrian paths.