Cannes to Nice: An Incredible Journey on the Côte d'Azur

A few weeks ago I spent seven days on the Cote d'Azur — Cannes, Mougins, and Nice — and I came back with a lot to share.

If you have been hesitating about France this summer, let me put your mind at ease. The Cote d'Azur is gorgeous, warm, and very much open for American visitors. Whatever you may have read about European travel right now — I was just there, and it was as magical as ever. The people, the pace, the light on the water. There is simply nothing like it.

Cannes

We stayed at the legendary Hotel Le Majestic right on La Croisette and toured the newly renovated Carlton — both extraordinary five-star properties. The Carlton's renovation manages to feel fresh and modern while keeping all the old glamour intact.

The dining was memorable at every turn. One evening we had dinner at Da Bouttau — the oldest restaurant in Cannes, rustic and intimate, the kind of place that feels like it belongs to another, slower era. Another night we were treated to Il Grande at the Palm Beach Casino, with sweeping views over the Mediterranean that were simply stunning. Two completely different experiences, both unforgettable — and both very much the essence of Cannes.

Mougins

We drove to the hilltop village of Mougins in vintage convertibles — tops down, the Mediterranean sparkling below, under a perfectly blue Riviera sky. Mougins is the kind of village that stops you in your tracks. Wandering its narrow cobblestone streets, I came across an artist in his small studio and left with an original oil painting of the lavender fields. The best souvenirs are never planned.

Grasse and Fragonard

The highlight for me was a perfume creation workshop at Fragonard — one of the great historic perfume houses of France. It was fascinating, learning how a master perfumer builds a scent from scratch. And in Grasse — the perfume capital of the world, just above Cannes — during growing season you can do this workshop surrounded by actual lavender, rose, and jasmine fields, with a private tour led by the gardeners who tend the blooms. It is extraordinary and not something you find on your own. This is exactly the kind of experience I can arrange for my clients.

Nice

My last day ended perfectly at Nice's famous Cours Saleya — one of the great open air markets of France. Flowers, paintings, fragrant spices, and scented soaps fill the stalls, and vendors bake socca fresh right in front of you. Socca is a beloved Nicoise specialty — a thin crispy flatbread made from chickpea flour that has been a staple of Nice street food for generations. On Mondays the market transforms into an antique fair, well worth planning around if you can.

And just beyond the market, Old Nice spills over with outdoor restaurants where you can linger for hours. The beach restaurants along the Promenade are another world entirely — casual, sun-drenched, and completely irresistible. It is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and stay forever.

Beyond the Cities

What people don't always realize is how easy the Cote d'Azur is to explore. From a base in Cannes or Nice, you are just a short drive from some of the most beautiful places in the world. Eze, perched dramatically above the sea. Monaco, glamorous and compact. Saint-Tropez, as chic as ever. Menton, quiet and luminous on the Italian border. Each one completely different, all of them unforgettable.

And this July, Juan-les-Pins hosts the legendary Jazz à Juan festival — one of the great outdoor music events in Europe, right on the waterfront under the pine trees. Tickets can be arranged — ask me. It is the kind of trip where every day feels like a discovery and nothing feels rushed.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

If France — and specifically the Cote d'Azur — has been on your mind, let's talk. Summer availability is filling up and I would love to help you put something together that goes well beyond the guidebook.