As a woman who has been to the South of France her fair share of times, I’ve learned a thing or two about the difference between a Tarte Tropézienne and a Marrons Glacés – and the magic of a perfectly chilled glass of Chateau Minuty on a hot summer’s day.
The South of France, or as the French say, the Côte d’Azur, is the one of the most-loved holiday destinations in Europe. From the picturesque French Riviera to the warmth of Nice’s sun-kissed beaches, there are so many things to love about it. Think: rolling lavender fields, clifftop roads and ancient olive groves spreading for miles, best enjoyed at your own leisure from your very own roof-down hire car. So, if you’ve found yourself Googling the ‘best hotels in the South of France’, you’re certainly not alone.
Best Hotels in South of France at a glance
Which cities are the best to visit in the South of France?
So, where is the best to stay in the South of France? The most popular seaside principalities and towns in the Côte d’Azur include Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, Antibes, Marseille and Monaco – to name but a few. These stylish cities all offer plenty of sun, sea and sand – as immortalised by Slim Aarons – but are also home to some of the coolest beach clubs, chicest boutiques, swankiest hotels and seaside restaurants.
Cannes, well-known for the annual Film Festival, is a great destination for travellers looking for an elevated Mediterranean holiday. Check out the Rue d’Antibes for some excellent shopping or enjoy poolside cocktails right on the Croisette in the truly majestic Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic.
Saint Tropez, with its elegant five-star hotels, high-fashion boutiques, and sun-soaked beach clubs, has an excellent day and night party scene – and is one of the most stylish cities in Le Sud. If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to party at Nikki Beach in Ramatuelle, which is a table-top dancing, saxophone-playing, foam party riot. On Saturdays, Places des Lices in the middle of St. Tropez transforms into a vibrant market. Here, you can buy all sorts of French delicacies and craft products from spiced saucissons and truffles to high-quality linen bed sheets.
