Find out why the Côte d'Azur is an unimprovable honeymoon destination
The French Riviera is firmly established as one of the world’s leading honeymoon destinations. It’s been a playground for the rich since the 18th century, before tourism as we know it really took off.
It was the playground of luminaries like Coco Chanel and the Duke of Windsor. Its luxury status remains undimmed to this day, especially for romantic trips. The hotels on offer are world-class, from the perennial favorite Le Negresco to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. The Côte d’Azur is synonymous with luxury travel.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
This is where F. Scott Fitzgerald spent many evenings in the 1920s and used as the backdrop for “Tender is the Night.” Rita Hayworth met her real-life prince here during dinner in the 1940s, and Edward Windsor took refuge here after his abdication in 1936. If walls could talk, you’d have a major bestseller in no time.
The hotel covers nine hectares with villa after villa, five clay tennis courts, and many pools, restaurants and beach cabanas. The heated seawater infinity pool is carved into the rocks with 31 cabanas in the cliffs, ensuring absolute privacy.
The guest list reads like a who’s who of global high society, but somehow it never feels stuffy. Plus, they now have Villa La Guettière, a nine-bedroom property welcoming up to 18 guests – perfect if you want to extend the celebration with your chosen family.
Hotel Negresco, Nice
The terracotta dome of the Hotel Negresco forms an integral part of Nice’s cosmopolitan Promenade des Anglais, with views over the Mediterranean making it the ideal venue for a honeymoon. This isn’t just a hotel – it’s a living museum of French luxury and eccentricity.
Inside, the interiors are vivid and varied, with rooms ranging from modern chic to Louis XIII retro. The white and gold tones of La Rotonde brasserie were inspired by a fairground carousel, while The Chantecler restaurant serves Michelin-starred dishes with old-school French cuisine. Every corridor is lined with original art and antiques that put many museums to shame.
This is camp luxury at its finest – where else can you sleep surrounded by museum-quality art, dine under a carousel-inspired ceiling, and wake up to views of the Baie des Anges? It’s theatrical, romantic, and perfect for a gay honeymoon.
This Ultimate Luxury itinerary is the epitome of extravagance and elegance, designed for those who seek the finest experiences in one of the world’s most enchanting and welcoming destinations. Your extraordinary journey unveils the best of France and Monaco, blending...We Suggest...
Ultimate Luxury: France
Tailor-Made Vacation
Airelles Château de la Messardière, Saint-Tropez
This château commands a hilltop above Saint-Tropez with 360-degree views of the Mediterranean – from the Bay of Saint-Tropez to the Plage de Pampelonne. The château dates from the 19th century when a cognac merchant built it as a wedding gift for his daughter.
Steeped in high-octane glamour, the 99-room Château de la Messardière encompasses 32 acres studded with shimmering pools, tennis courts, a marble-clad Valmont spa, and jasmine-scented gardens. The property has been part of France’s ultra-luxe Airelles collection since 2021, so you know the service is impeccable.
Hôtel Byblos, Saint-Tropez
Initially designed to feel like a village-within-a-village, this boutique 87-room property feels like you’re tucked away in a charming town in Provence despite being near the heart of Saint-Tropez’s buzzy nightlife. Fun fact: Even Mick and Bianca Jagger celebrated their honeymoon in one of the suites here.
Book a romantic dinner on the terrace of Cucina under lantern-lit trees, dining on market- and farm-fresh fare. During the day, you can escape to nearby Byblos Beach in Ramatuelle, one of the best spots in Saint-Tropez to see and be seen while eyeing yachts from a beach bed.
Everything centers around the pool and the legendary nightclub Caves du Roy, with just under 100 rooms and suites all offering different levels of luxury, plus France’s first Sisley spa.
Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel
Redesigned by architect Bernard Dubois as a tribute to the geometric, streamlined houses of Palm Springs and Mediterranean villas, this hotel plays with light and shadow on white rendered walls. The minimalist yet luxurious design emphasizes openness and light, with each room including panoramic sea views and private terraces.
An absolute rarity on the French Riviera, the Beach Hotel has its own private beach where you can enjoy sweet idleness on sun loungers and sip cocktails. With 35 rooms and suites from 30m², some rooms have private gardens while others on upper floors have breathtaking views from their terraces. This hotel is a fine example of understated luxury.
Hôtel Belles Rives, Juan-les-Pins
This timeless waterfront hotel embodies the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age – and no wonder: this was once the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald! The literary connection adds an extra layer of romance for bookish couples.
Enjoy the piano bar along with the private beach, water sports, two restaurants and heart-stopping sea views. The historic hotel exudes old-world charm, just as you’d expect from its storied history that includes tales of Picasso and Hemingway.
There’s something especially romantic about sipping cocktails where literary legends once found inspiration, especially when those cocktails come with Mediterranean views.
Ready to experience the French Riviera and stay in one of its finest luxury hotels? Our travel specialists design bespoke journeys to the Côte d’Azur’s most exclusive hotels, from historic palaces to more boutique properties. Let us find the perfect setting for your French Riviera honeymoon.
