19 JAN - 2024
French wine, mind blowing sunsets, pastel buildings and unlimited beach: what more can you ask for?
Paris
Paris had failed to captivate me during my first visit. It felt crowded, and the city's energy seemed underwhelming, gloomy and in all honesty, dirty. Fast forward 11 years, I decided to give the City of Lights another chance. What awaited me was a Paris that had evolved, pulsating with life, culture, and a warmth that I hadn't expected. The people, once perceived as reserved and stand-offish, now exuded a new type of friendliness. The atmosphere was not only charming but also genuinely inviting. I can easily say that watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle (on the hour every hour after sunset) was such a unique experience. In all honesty I don’t find the Eiffel Tower all that impressive (I mean, it is made out of wrought iron), but something about the way it glistened was beautiful. We cruised across the Seine river to watch it sparkle, and even secured a last minute dinner spot at Girafe (one of the most exclusive restaurants in Paris frequented by the likes of the Kardashians and Victoria Secret angels) to ensure that we had a prime view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling whilst enjoying champagne and lobster tagliatelle. My friends also got engaged while we were all in Paris together, really cementing that it is the city of love filled with cheese and patisserie.
French Riviera
Yet, it was my journey to the south of France that truly ignited the flame of love. The French Riviera, with its azure skies, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque landscapes, provided a stark contrast to the bustling streets of Paris. I loved the South of France so much that I’ve decided to give you a play by play of what I did and where I went. Now, this travel diary isn’t as raunchy as the others, because at this point of my trip I wasn’t quite on the go go go wavelength. Also, in the true vibe of the South of France (bougie and laid back), I decided to take a more relaxed and sophisticated approach to travel and spent long days drinking wine, exploring towns and eating very indulgently.
Nice
We were based in Nice, which is a great central place on the French Riviera to locate yourself due to how close it is to all cities and communes on either side of the Riviera. Walking around Nice is in and of itself an exciting experience. Despite getting consistently harassed by men of all ages, I did feel safe for the most part as it was quite busy. There’s also so much to offer with the beautiful Promenade des Anglais being a main attraction. As you walk around the promenade, there are so many beach clubs, and we enjoyed parking up at a location and simply relaxing. In addition, there’s the colourful Old Town, which is right opposite the promenade in the city walls which really makes Nice a perfect blend of city life and coastal beauty. There are so many divine restaurants here, and we did a set menu at Bocca Nissa which is a tapas restaurant on a rooftop deck. You also have Wayne’s bar which is unmissable in Nice. I can only describe Wayne’s as being a French version of Danny Doolans because it's rowdy and dark but it also houses a live band, making it such a different night out to most of my other night time adventures.
Eze & Menton
Day trips are such a great way to explore the coast without moving around too much. Our first stop was the village of Eze, which is perched high on a hill. This village offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean and has such a unique design. As it’s small, you can visit this village relatively quickly and it’s perfect to do in the morning before you visit Menton. Its mediaeval architecture and lush botanical gardens provided a contrast to the beach fronts and stood out from the other old towns. My only complaint is that if you’re a bit of a travel speedrunner like me, you’ll run out of things to do quickly so make sure you know what time the bus is heading out.
That same afternoon, we visited Menton, a hidden gem nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, which immediately became a favourite. Known for its lemon festival and pastel-coloured buildings, Menton was stunning. I loved the hues of pinks and yellows. The buildings were so picturesque that I inevitably stopped to take pictures with almost every building. Wandering through its narrow, cobblestone streets, I couldn't help but be mesmerised by the fusion of French and Italian influences that painted a unique cultural tapestry. This is a spot that you shouldn’t miss because the old town here was by far my favourite on the coast.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
A spot that is so close to Nice and perfect for a day trip over the afternoon and to catch the sunset is Villefranche-sur-Mer. Again, with its charming harbour and pastel-coloured houses, this place really is the example of the French Riviera's easy going way of life. You can walk around the old town relatively quickly, then head to the waterfront where there is a plethora of dining and drinking options. As we were living the highlife by sitting in a waterfront café, sipping on a glass of local french rose, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of contentment.
Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez was a true peak for me. As I said before, I was feeling extremely indulgent by this point of the trip and Saint Tropez really helped deliver on this. Ever since Brigitte Bardot started cavorting on its beaches in the 1950s, Saint-Tropez has been better known as a place to catch a glimpse of a celebrity and where the ultra rich go to holiday; so I had high hopes. I was not disappointed as it is gorgeous from the moment you arrive. Overcast by a hue of pink throughout, it looks almost painted and is filled with shops and cafes in all the alleyways. We visited the Dior De Leches cafe and had Dior coffees whilst surrounded by Christian Dior branding throughout. We walked through the stores such as Celine, Miu Miu, and so on until we no longer wanted to shop.
Cannes
No trip to the South of France is complete without a trip to Cannes, famous for its world-renowned film festival (which unfortunately was not on while we were there). However, it has such a sophisticated new town that feels modern and is filled with well known shops. Crossing a few streets over is another charming old town that has so much to offer in terms of cobblestoned streets and unique shops. There’s also a large market where we tried all the different cheeses from and a lovely lady made me what is maybe the best juice I’ve had in my life (she used like 7-8 roots of ginger and mixed it with so many fruits to provide the perfect sweet yet sharp juice). What really topped it for me though was the sandy beaches that were positioned right opposite the upscale boutiques (Celine right opposite the beach club? Ok pop off). Much of the French Riviera has pebbled beaches, so the sand was welcomed with open arms. It was here that I realised the French Riviera wasn't just a destination; it was a lifestyle. We parked up at a beach club for the afternoon sipping cocktails and really feeling like we’d immersed ourselves in this lifestyle.
Monaco
Last, but certainly not least (and one of the fanciest destinations from the list) was Monaco. Now technically, Monaco isn’t even in France despite the fact that it is in the middle of the French Riviera and surrounded by French cities and communes. It is actually a small sovereign city-state. It is known for its luxurious lifestyle, upscale casinos, and the Formula One Grand Prix held annually on the Circuit de Monaco. Monaco is famous for being a tax haven and a playground for the wealthy and is shrouded by a number of luxurious yachts. We loved visiting the casino and seeing the incredible cars that were way out of my tax bracket parked up front. The juxtaposition of wealth against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea was a sight to behold, making me appreciate the diversity that the French Riviera had to offer.
My love letter:
The French Riviera, with its diverse landscapes and cultural nuances, unveiled a side of France that Paris had concealed from me on my first visit. It wasn't just about the places; it was about the people, the history, the sophistication and the relaxed way of life that defined this coastal haven. I felt like we really immersed ourselves in the lifestyle of sipping on wines all afternoon and enjoying the sunshine.
As a 27-year-old with a renewed sense of appreciation for the world, I can confidently say that France, and especially the French Riviera, has stolen my heart. The memories of Menton's lemon-scented streets, Eze's mediaeval charm, Cannes' glitz and glamour, Monte Carlo's luxury, Saint Tropez’s price tags, Nice's vibrant energy, and Villefranche-sur-Mer's coastal tranquillity will forever be etched in my mind. France, you've not only won me over but have become an unforgettable chapter in my travel adventures.
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