Michelin Stars and Rooftop Bars : 11 Things to do on a Cannes Yacht Charter

Superyachts in Cannes, France

The Mediterranean city of Cannes is a phenomenal place to charter a yacht. With a rich culture of gastronomy and art and a high-end scene fit for royalty, Cannes is one of the best places on earth to dine, shop, and party by the glittering sea. When it’s time to chill out, there are quiet islands, decadent day spas and flowery hill villages to explore, while adventure calls from the surrounding hills.

Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France

Here are 11 things to do on a Cannes yacht charter:

1. Live it up above the city at a Rooftop Bar

A rooftop terrace is the place to be at sunset in Cannes, the balmy air filled with music and the rising moon throwing its early silver on the far-below sea. Considered Cannes’ finest rooftop bar, 360 at the Radisson Blu is a gathering ground of the beautiful people, with a vast expanse of terrace space dotted with low lounges, and glass balustrades affording a magnificent view across the Bay of Cannes. Located at the port right next to the Palais des Festivals, Five Senses is a more intimate rooftop bar complete with restaurant and infinity pool, offering a gorgeous view over the old town. The infamous Baoili club also has a swanky rooftop bar, Cloud Nine, which overlooks the port.

Cloud Nine rooftop bar at Baoli, Cannes

2. Bliss out at a Cannes Day Spa

Cannes, unsurprisingly, has quite a few contenders in the ‘best spa’ category, and the very finest tend to be associated with the grand hotels along the Croisette.

Les Thermes Marins de Cannes is a 2700sqm day spa set right on the seafront at the Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel and specialises in thalassotherapy, with a dizzying range of sea mineral treatments and multiple pools, including a spectacular outdoor seawater pool overlooking the Mediterranean.

Massage in Spa Cannes, French Riviera

The Hotel Martinez is legendary for its art deco glamour and long history of hosting celebrity royalty (And real royalty, for that matter.) It’s unsurprising to find out that the hotel’s L.Raphael Spa is ultra-high-end, with 42 plush, low lit rooms and a menu featuring treatments such as diamond dust and caviar facials. 

3. Lunch surrounded by the masters in a Medieval Village

Dragging yourself away from your yacht for a few hours will be richly rewarded. The perched village of Saint Paul de Vence is considered one of the most beautiful in France, with its high walls sheltering stone laneways wreathed in ivy and bougainvillea. An artist’s colony since the 1920s drawing artists such as Picasso, this hill village has gone upscale in recent years, with gastronomic restaurants and art galleries aplenty. There are a number of excellent places to eat, but for atmosphere and art history, La Colombe d’Or is simply unmissable. Take a table in the dining room among a priceless collection of works by old customers such as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, who paid their restaurant bills here in paintings.

Saint Paul de Vence on the French Riviera

4. Dance like everybody’s watching at an A-list Nightclub

The nightlife in Cannes is famously good, with billionaires and supermodels gracing the dancefloor under the decks of some of the world’s biggest DJ acts. Expect VIP tables and champagne spraying mayhem in peak season. If you’re into super-clubs, upscale Gotha is for you with its 2500 person capacity and multiple areas including a sea terrace by the beach. But if you’re after a more intimate celebrity scene, Baoli is more your game, with Balinese daybeds under the waving palms and an indoor club that drips Hollywood glamour. For an epic night of cabaret, Medusa is hard to beat.

Gotha Club in Cannes, France

5. Play blackjack under the chandeliers at Casino Le Croisette

With a long 20th century history as Europe’s casino capital, Cannes has three casinos to choose from: Casino Le Croisette, Casino Les Princes, and Cannes 3.14.

Roulette at Cannes Casino

All are targeted at the high-end market, but if it’s grandeur you’re after, you’ll want a seat at the high-stakes table at the Casino Le Croisette, situated at the Festival de Palais—home of the Cannes Film Festival.

6. Float through the idyllic Cannes Islands

The perfect antidote to a night of indulgence is a day in the Cannes Islands. Situated just off the coast, this small, tranquil archipelago is a haven of rocky blue-green coves and sweet-smelling pine forest. Car-free and barely inhabited, these islands are a tantalising glimpse of a Mediterranean now almost lost to memory.

The Lerins Islands in Cannes, France

Swim, have a picnic, and roam the loamy forest paths, breathing in the heady scent of pine and salty air. On Saint Marguerite you can explore the fort where the real Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, while on Ile Saint Honorat you can explore the Lerins monastery and wander vineyards tended by monks. Return to the glitz and glamour of Cannes feeling sun-kissed and utterly refreshed.

7. Golf by the sea or in the forested hills

The French Riviera is a golfer’s paradise, offering a multitude of prestigious golf courses.

Golf de Cannes-Mougins on the French Riviera

On a yacht charter in Cannes you’re spoilt for choice, whether you want to stick close to the coast or head into the rolling foothills. Laid out right by the sea at neighbouring Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the enchantingly pretty Old Course, designed in 1891 by a Russian Grand Duke, where the course even includes a ferry ride over a river. Up in the hills away from the coast you’ll find the excellent Golf Country Club de Cannes Mougins as well as the spectacular Royal Mougins: a par 71 masterpiece designed by Robert Van Hagge.

8. Shop for Haute Couture

With its magnificent flagship couture stores along the Croisette and famous ‘Carre d’Or’ (golden square), there’s a reason Cannes is so famous for shopping. Spend a happy afternoon trying on Gucci and Dior, shop for jewellery in the Carre d’or, and fill your bags with fine chocolates and cheeses from the exquisite chocolatiers and delicatessens along Rue d’Antibes. For a bustling glimpse of local life and the wonderful produce and flowers of Provence, visit the covered market at Marche Forville.

Dior boutique in Cannes, France

9. Get the heart racing with some outdoor adventure

For all its glamour and gastronomy, the French Riviera is also an adventurer’s playground, its hills riddled with mountain-biking trails and deep limestone canyons. Your choices are near endless for active pursuits in this part of the world, whether you’re rock-climbing climbing high above your yacht up the cliffs of the Calanques, cycling world-class road routes into the Alps Maritimes, or bungee jumping above snow-melt rapids in the Gorge du Verdon. Some of these activities will take you on a day trip away from Cannes, but there are also plenty of adventures around Cannes itself, whether that’s kitesurfing or mountain-biking the red rock hills of the Esterel.

10. Beach Clubs

Passing a day in a Cannes beach club is one of life’s more indulgent moments, listening to the gentle lap of the water and the rustle of ice in a silver champagne bucket as the waiter pulls out a bottle of blush-pink rose. While the lunch scene is pretty chilled out, the energy rises as the summer afternoons wear on into the dusky night.

There’s a lengthy list of Cannes beach clubs, but here a few standouts for the yachting set.

The newly refurbished Barrière Le Majestic Beach has always been a favourite with the well-heeled but it’s even better since 3 Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco opened up Bfire in 2019, offering up Italian-Argentinian wood-fired deliciousness to its beach club clientele.

BFIRE at Majestic Barriere beach club in Cannes, France
Meanwhile, the ever-popular Barrière Le Gray d’Albion Beach has been overhauled to become the Mademoiselle Gray Plage Barriere, offering gourmet cuisine and a fun, bohemian vibe.

La Plage du Martinez is the quintessential blue and white Mediterranean dream, and continues to be the place to be seen year-on-year in Cannes. Charter guests with children will be warmly welcomed on weekends with the Family Beach Brunch.

La Mome Plage was a breakout newcomer to the Cannes beach club scene in 2015, proving they could go toe-to-toe with the established players.

11. Michelin Stars

Cannes rolls out the red carpet for gourmands, with an impressive list of fine dining restaurants. As with the city’s day spas, the very best are found in the grounds of Cannes’ most sumptuous hotels. The most sought-after table in town is at the 2 starred La Palme d’Or at Hotel Martinez, where creative gastronomy is served up in a spectacular art deco setting. Park 45 at the Grand Hotel is another gastronomic restaurant favoured by the Michelin Guide, with an elegant dining room and an enchanting garden terrace by the sea.

The Palme d'Or restaurant at the Martinez hotel in Cannes, France

This list represents only a small fraction of the fantastic things to do on a yacht charter in Cannes. The best luxury yacht charters are created with local knowledge, and Bespoke Yacht Charter has a wealth of experience in the Cannes charter scene.

Brunch in Monaco – A guide to the best brunches in Monaco

Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo

Brunch is a popular pastime in Monaco with both residents and visitors to the principality, offering the best of both breakfast and lunch. Indeed, a leisurely Monaco brunch is the ideal way to punctuate the day and enjoy downtime with friends and family. 

While the principality may be one of the smallest countries in the world, it has an incredible selection of world-class restaurants to choose from. 

Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, those enjoying Monaco brunch will need to adhere to the latest guidelines. At the time of publishing, a maximum of 12 people are allowed to dine together and reservations must be made in advance. Monegasques and residents must also present a valid Health Pass to eat inside a restaurant. A Health Pass is not required for dining outside. 

Here we highlight some of the best Monaco brunch destinations by the city state’s most elegant districts. Whether you live in Monaco, or are just visiting, the below Monaco brunch spots are guaranteed to become regular dining destinations.

Best brunches in Monaco : Monte Carlo

Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo

This elegant resort in world-famous Monte Carlo hosts a gourmet Champagne Monaco brunch every Sunday until April 17 2022. The refined affair is held on the hotel’s elegant Eiffel mezzanine and offers a hearty buffet and live cooking stations, all washed down with Champagne. One of the best brunches in Monaco, this dining destination is guaranteed to delight the most discerning gourmands.

Hermitage Hotel in Monaco

Café de Paris

The place to see and be seen! This legendary destination is located in the famed Carré d’Or, home to the most exquisite Monaco luxury real estate. This chic brasserie never fails to disappoint. While it doesn’t offer a set brunch menu, it still makes for one of the best brunch spots in Monaco. Service starts at 8 a.m. with an elegant breakfast menu, which then transforms to a dedicated lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner menu, with last orders at 11:30 p.m. No matter what time you want to enjoy brunch, Cafe de Paris offers an elegant dining experience.

Monaco Cafe de Paris

Mada One

Known for its snackonomy approach to dining, Mada One offers a leisurely breakfast menu that extends into the hours of brunch. Delicious brunch menu options include eggs benedict, freshly baked pastries, smoked salmon toast, and pancakes. Headed up by Michelin-starred chef Marcel Ravin, expect food at its very finest in a relaxed and informal setting that has come to personify Mada One.

Brunch at Mada One in Monaco

Best brunches in Monaco : Larvotto

Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort

Every Sunday, enjoy an elegant Champagne brunch party at this opulent resort until the end of May 2022 in the wonderful district of Larvotto. Created by Blue Bay’s Michelin starred chef Marcel Ravin, this best brunch in Monaco includes a sumptuous buffet full of sweet and savoury surprises served in a lively atmosphere, including a salad bar, an oyster bar, a show cooking station, and a waffle, crêpe and ice cream stand. The perfect Monaco brunch destination to enjoy a relaxing time enjoying good food with friends and family.

Brunch at Monte Carlo Bay

Best brunches in Monaco : Monaco-Ville

Cova

This iconic Monaco restaurant offers an extensive breakfast menu that easily covers brunch too. Choose from continental, American or a selection of healthy offerings, along with a wide selection of fresh juices and a personalised choice from the cafeteria. Once breakfast ends, it’s straight into the lunch menu, featuring refined Mediterranean-inspired dishes that showcase culinary excellence. The restaurant’s timeless atmosphere is ideal for enjoying a leisurely brunch with friends and family, all combined with impeccable service that is a hallmark of this famed eatery.

What other best brunches in Monaco would you suggest we add to our guide?

Best Affordable Restaurants on the Cote d’Azur

Nice Cote d'Azur

When you’re staying on the French Riviera, you’ll probably want to splurge on one or two excellent restaurants as a treat, but you’ll doubtless want to explore some of the best affordable restaurants on the Cote d’Azur too.

On its five stunning Caps, which are the best affordable restaurants on the Cote d’Azur? Here we’ll discover the hidden gems that serve up delicious food and a fun atmosphere, just with less of the formality and expense.

A look at the best affordable restaurants on the Cote d’Azur

Antibes Port Vauban

Cap d’Antibes  

La Joliette: This relaxed beachside club and restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, with plenty of fresh seafood and vegetarian options too.

La Joliette Cap d'Antibes
Photo courtesy of La Joliette

Le Cesar / Plage Keller: Its romantic beach setting in a small bay offers lovely views, with Mediterranean cuisine based on fresh fish and seafood.

https://www.plagekeller.com

Le Cap, Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel: On this beautiful terrace overlooking the sea, tuck into classics such as Caesar salad or steak tartare, Thai and Asian dishes, pasta, fish and meat. They also have a children’s menu.

https://www.ca-beachhotel.com

Cap de Nice  

Le Plongeoir: With its extraordinary setting, views and atmosphere, this may well be the best restaurant in Nice, and offers seafood, risottos and vegetarian choices.

https://www.leplongeoir.com/en/home/

Le Plongeoir restaurant in Nice, France
Photo courtesy of Le Plongeoir

Les Amoureux: Just around the Cap in Nice’s old port, this understated restaurant serves up great pizzas, artisan Neapolitan beers and delicious desserts. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is cosy.

https://www.facebook.com/people/Les-Amoureux-Nice/100060243082825/

Daki-Daia: While this understated establishment might not shout about itself being the best restaurant in Nice, the Moroccan and Lebanese local offers seasonal mezze dishes and house cocktails, with friendly service in a perfect location overlooking the port.

https://www.facebook.com/dakidaia/

Cap Ferrat

St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat  

Jasmine Grill & Lounge, Hotel Royal Riviera:  This eaterie is known for its wonderful ambiance and views, welcoming and professional staff and a wide choice of dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

https://www.royal-riviera.com/restaurants-et-bars/jasmin-grill-lounge/

Restaurant La Goelette on Cap Ferrat
Photo courtesy of La Goelette

La Goelette: At a great location overlooking the Port St Jean, this veggie-friendly restaurant also serves up big portions of seafood risotto, paella and pasta with an efficient and friendly service, while its own live DJ entertains.

https://www.lagoelette-saintjeancapferrat.fr/

Cap d'Ail

Cap d’Ail

A’Trego: In a modern waterfront setting, the menu here includes cocktails and finger food, set lunches, fresh seafood and caviar.

https://www.restaurantatrego.com

Le Lamparo: This low-key place has a fun vibe and offers great service, serving up pizzas and salads in a beautiful beach setting.

https://www.uvita-plage.com

Le Lamparo Cap d'Ail
Photo courtesy of Le Lamparo

La Cambuse: Overlooking the port, this unpretentious and dog-friendly restaurant serves fresh seasonal produce, including grilled seafood, fish stews and soups, burgers, charcuterie platters and omelettes.

https://www.facebook.com/Lacambuseportdedapdail/

Roquebrune Cap Martin

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Casarella: With its lovely outside terrace in the old town central square, here you can find delicious Italian food, with vegetarian and vegan options.

https://casarella.eatbu.com

La Grotte & L’Olivier: Located in a stunning cliffside setting in the old village, this restaurant serves great cocktails, salads, pizzas and fish, as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, all with an excellent service.

https://www.lagrotte-lolivier.fr/

Restaurant Madame Bleue
Photo courtesy of Restaurant Madame Bleue

Madame Bleue: For contemporary, waterfront dining, elegant presentation and a great location, this trendy, child-friendly restaurant serves up pizzas, seafood, risotto, pasta dishes and burgers.

https://www.madamebleue.fr/

To enjoy all that the French Riviera has to offer, why not rent a villa on the Cap de Nice, from where you can try the best restaurant in Nice, as well as some of the best affordable restaurants of the Cote d’Azur?

From the Water to the Vine : Vineyards to visit on a French Riviera Yacht Charter

Superyacht at anchor at Cap Taillat on the French Riviera

In the heavenly landscapes of the South of France, vineyards abound. The rolling landscapes of Provence are criss-crossed with vines, some of which run right down to the blue-green sea, while other wineries sit back from the coast in gently rolling countryside, or perch high in the steep hills behind Nice.

Vineyards in Provence

The South of France has been blessed with the perfect wine-growing jackpot. The region is drenched in sunshine, benefits from an environment largely free of pests, and has excellent soils for vines which vary across the different areas: in the west, soil rich in limestone from an ancient inland sea, while granitic and volcanic soil dominates the east. There are also wild-growing herbs throughout the region, which are said to gently permeate the soil – and ultimately, the flavour of the wine. This variety of soil and landscapes lead to a wide variety of grapes being grown, and while the pale-blush rosés of Provence still dominate the winemaking reputation of the region, there are a growing number of exceptional red, white, and sparkling wines being produced.

Grapes in the South of France

Wineries and Yacht Charter : A Match Made in Heaven

From visiting the tiniest local producer to sampling famous vintages that grace Michelin-star menus, a wine journey along the French Riviera and Provencal coastline is an exercise in the good life. A French Riviera yacht charter is the ideal way to experience the spectacular wineries of the South of France, whether you’re dropping anchor off the Cannes Islands or taking a tender to a clifftop winery in Cassis. Floating slowly down the stunning coastline from Monaco to Marseilles against a backdrop of mountains and beaches, you’ll enjoy all the yachting pleasures of life on board, before coming back to land for your next winery experience. A yacht charter effortlessly avoids the hassle of daily transfers to and from your hotel (or moving between hotels as you travel down the coast), making it the ultimate luxury wine tourism experience.

Port de Fontvieille in Monaco

You might even like to plan your South of France yacht charter for the fall, to coincide with grape harvest season and the local wine festivals of October – which is also a great time to take advantage of the reduced charter rates and blissfully quiet anchorages of the shoulder season.

Vineyards near St Tropez, France

Here are a few of the best vineyards to visit on a South of France wine-themed yacht charter. Our list predominantly features vineyards either on or in close proximity to the coast for effortless access; however, we have included a couple of show-stoppers that are well worth a gorgeous day trip into the Provencal interior.

Get your palates ready!

Chateau de Bellet, Nice

A day up at Chateau de Bellet is tinged with that ‘pinch yourself’ feeling a person gets sometimes on the French Riviera; that you have somehow fallen into a movie set; one where the expectation perfectly merges with the reality. Part of the appeal is the magnificent setting: elevated high above Nice with the vineyard terraces dropping away to distant views of the Mediterranean, Chateau de Bellet offers a glorious tasting room in a deconsecrated chapel, a brand new 8000m2 cellar, and tables on a sunny flagstone terrace overlooking the grand view of Alps and sea.

Bellet vineyards in Nice, France

This centuries-old vineyard produces only organic wines, including the prestigious white wines, Cuvee La Chapelle, and Cuvee Baron G. This is a genuinely lovely place to wander among the vines, and is easily accessible from your yacht in Nice.

Abbaye des Lerins, Ile de Saint Honorat, Cannes Islands

In the pine-scented isles just off Cannes, you’ll find a vineyard out of a dream. Tended by Cistercian monks from the island’s medieval abbey, this tiny vineyard produces award-winning wines and liqueurs that appear on fine restaurant tables across the Riviera and beyond. The 8.5 hectare property grows Clairette, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah, Mourvedre and Pinot Noir grapes, as well as making Limoncello and the herby 19th century liqueur, Lérina. The highlight is the Saint Pierre, a Chardonnay-Clairette blend with apple and honey notes and a delicate white fruit perfume.

The Lerins Islands in Cannes, France

With no cars on the island and an exquisite sense of peace, St Honorat is a lovely island to explore on foot, taking a walk along the coastal path to visit the 10th century fortified monastery and stroll among the sweet-smelling Aleppo pines and olive groves. You’ll want to stay on the island for lunch at La Tonelle restaurant, enjoying its glorious view back across the water to the neighbouring Ile Saint Marguerite.

The monks of the Abbey take a vow to live out their days on the island and never leave, and by the end of your day on Ile St Honorat, you may just think they’re onto something.

Chateau d’Esclans, Gorge de Pennafort

A bottle of Whispering Angel Rosé, frosted with condensation as it is pulled out of a solid silver ice bucket, is perhaps one of the signature sights of the superyacht world. Vast quantities of this pale pink rosé are quaffed on yachts each summer as guests drift down the French Riviera, partying in Cannes and dropping anchor off a beach club in St Tropez.

Chateau d’Esclans

25 kilometres inland of Frejus, you can come and taste it for yourself at Chateau d’Esclans, a breathtaking vineyard with a view back across the coast. The first glimpse of the 19th century chateau through the avenue of trees is enough to make you gasp.

With the property once used as a lookout to spot pirates entering the Gulf of Frejus, the winery’s cellar dates from the Dark Ages and is the oldest in the region. The vineyard is renowned for the age of its Grenache vines, some of which are 90 years old, lending a greater concentration of flavour to the wines.

Chateau Saint-Maur, Cogolin

Just outside glamorous St Tropez, this exceptional vineyard was snatched from obscurity in 2011, when celebrated wine maker Roger Zannier saw the potential of the 70-hectare estate. It was a gamble that paid off, with a number of their wines gaining rapid acclaim, including the Cuvee Excellence White and the superb Clos de Capelune Rosé for its white peach flavours, light perfume, and heavy-based signature bottle.

Their high-tech vineyard sits opposite the historic Grimaud Castle, surrounded by cork oak forest and the Maures hills. Chateau Saint-Maur is considered one of the standout wineries of the Provence region, and tours are by appointment only.

Chateau de Berne

An hour’s drive inland of St Tropez lies the spectacular Chateau de Berne. Located near the village of Lorgues, this five-star hotel and winery is ground zero for Provencal wine tourism. This sprawling Provencal chateau houses a Cinq de Mondes spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant, and is set in a hilly landscape of vines and forest. It is a vision.

Chateau de Berne swimming pool

And in case you’d thought we’d forgotten we were here to talk about wine, Chateau de Berne has plenty to remind us. 200 acres of this 1480-acre estate is dedicated to viniculture, resulting in some of most acclaimed rosés, whites and reds in Provence.

Chateau de Berne rose wine

Clos Sainte Magdeleine, Cassis

The final entry on our list has another jaw-dropping location, right on the cliffs of Cassis in the Calanques National Park. The vines grow right to the Mediterranean at Clos Sainte Magdeleine, making this winery extremely accessible from your yacht. Set on a private wooded headland, this limited-production vineyard benefits from limestone and clay soils, creating exquisite rosé and white wines.

Clos Sainte Magdeleine, Cassis

Four generations of the family have grown wine at this art deco-style chateau, stretching back to founder Jules Savon, who won the gold medal at the World Fair in 1900. It’s not hard to see why the generations continue to live out their years making wine here; it would be difficult to come up with a reason to leave this heavenly place.

The fishing harbour of Cassis, near Marseille, France

Making the Dream a Reality

This list is a mere fragment of the world-class vineyards you could visit on a week-long wine connoisseur’s yacht charter on the French Riviera. In fact, you may need longer than a week! To book a South of France yacht charter taking in the best wineries of the region, contact the French Riviera Yacht Charter experts at Bespoke Yacht Charter.

Portofino Yacht Charter Guide

Portofino panorama of the port

The Italian Riviera is north-western Italy’s coastal showcase, a place where the Ligurian Alps meet the Apennines with a dash of la dolce vita and a well-deserved reputation alluring yachts to one of the most popular yachting hotspots in the Mediterranean, Portofino.

Decades of tourism have ensured that the beauty of the Cinque Terre and Portofino rank highly on places you need to visit and the entire coastline has bewitched royalty, writers and celebrities who have been drawn to the Mediterranean climate, beautiful towns and the blend of old and new.

Waterfront villas in Portofino, Italy

There’s no denying the appeal of Portofino, tucked into a sheltered inlet surrounded by colourful buildings and olive-clad terraces it has been grabbing headlines and attracting the international jet set for decades.

In the height of peak season, the town morphs into Italy’s version of Saint-Tropez, however if you’re looking for Champagne-spraying nightclubs and hedonistic beach clubs you’ve come to the wrong place.

Superyachts in Portofino

Many visitors to Portofino don’t venture beyond the harbour and Piazzetta (small square), but renting a yacht on the Italian Riviera will introduce you to places of quiet beauty – especially in spring or autumn, ornate villas hidden amongst the trees and gorgeous scenery with romantic restaurants sandwiched between the mountains and sea.

Portofino is not off-the-beaten path, however it’s possible to escape the crowds of day trippers and celebrities who visit Portofino for one day.

Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy

Read this Guide to Yacht Charters in Portofino to discover the best things to see and do while on a Portofino yacht charter, where you can discover some of the celebrated highlights and the charter spots less visited amidst the surrounding attractions of the Gulf of Tigullio.

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A White, Icy and Sparkly Christmas

Glasses of champagne

Inspired by the beauty of the recent snowfalls, I started thinking of a white Christmas. With all the rich heavy food around, a crisp clean white wine is a refreshing tonic. Looking at three varieties in very different styles to give a harmonious theme to a meal and enough diversity to accompany a meal.

Starting off with a Blanquette de Limoux, traditionally held to be the oldest sparkling wine, created by the 16th century monks at the Abbey of St Hilaire in the Pyrenees. This gentle fizz, such as that from Domaine de Peyret, has crisp acidity from a blend of high altitude vineyards with three varieties: Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

Limoux sparkling wines

The crisp apple-fruit flavours of Mauzac can also be found further north in the vineyards of Gaillac. But looking for something that extra bit special, try the old vine, oak-fermented and aged Mauzac from Clos Rocailleux. Crisp, tart apple fruit with a hint of biscuit toastiness.

Chardonnay is a variety par excellence for the range of styles it can offer. To accompany any rich meat course, an oaked buttery and ripe fruit Burgundian Chardonnay has both the power and acidity to offer. The 2014 vintage has beautiful balance. Domaine Leflaive’s Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru is rich and intense while Domaine Raveneau’s Valmur Grand Cru has elegant minerality with floral hints for a slightly less rich meal. Both with great ageing potential.

Domaine Leflaive’s Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru

Champagne might not be everyone’s first choice to accompany the cheese course, but Stefanie Köhler of Cuvée magazine recently conducted a mammoth cheese and wine report for her latest Champagne edition (www.cuvee-magazine.com/shop). She suggested three blanc de blancs (100% Chardonnay): Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs with Cantal Entre-Deux, Champagne AR Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 1996 (recently released) Demi-Sec with an extra-old Mimolette or Champagne Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Brut with a Chaource.

Champagne Delamotte

To finish off with a dessert wine, a rich, botrytized wine made with Chenin Blanc has all the fresh acidity typical of the variety, much needed at the end of a rich festive meal. The Loire vineyards of Coteaux du Layon and Bonnezeaux, sloping down to the Layon river, produce high quality, elegant and luscious sweet wines. Domaine des Petits Quarts from Bonnezeaux, has rich baked quince, honey, ripe apricots and dried fruit.

Domaine des Petits Quarts Bonnezeaux

This article was written for French Riviera Luxury by Elizabeth Gabay MW – A long-time lover of the wines of southern France, and based in the hills behind Nice, Elizabeth is currently immersed in all things rosé for a forthcoming book on pink wines around the world. Other passions are the wines of Hungary, the Mediterranean, unusual grape varieties and history. She writes about for various journals and websites, including her own – www.elizabethgabay.com

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Winter Tipples on the French Riviera : Where to Enjoy Vin Chaud and Other Wintery Treats

Vin Chaud

Winter on the French Riviera is an absolute delight, as the summer crowds thin out, the snow gathers on the Alps behind the coast, and the landscape is covered in a vivid yellow carpet of mimosa flowers.

Whether it’s a crisp blue sky day with endless views of sparkling sea, or a blustery afternoon where the palm trees bend and wave along the seafront at Cannes, there’s nothing quite as lovely as warming up after a walk with a steaming cup of vin chaud, a mug of rich hot chocolate, or a paper cone full of roasted chestnuts.

Roasting chestnuts on open flame

And with the Cote d’Azur lighting up with Christmas markets, and the ski resorts within easy reach of the coast, the French Riviera offers a winter experience with just the right amount of joie de vivre.

Here are some delicious wintry drinks and treats to enjoy in France, as well as a few select places to enjoy them.

Vin Chaud

Whether you want to call it vin chaud, mulled wine, or gluhwein, the fact remains: the first sip of this warm red wine spiced with cloves and cinnamon is pure Christmas in a glass.

Mulled wine in the pan

And on the French Riviera, there are so many places to enjoy this wintery beverage!

Christmas Markets

Is there anything more festive than wandering around a brightly-lit Christmas market on a dark winter’s night, cold air on your face and a warm cup of mulled wine in your hand? We think not. Wonderful Christmas markets spring up all along the French Riviera in the wintertime, as well as in the pretty hill villages behind the coast. The Christmas markets at Nice and Antibes even have a giant Ferris wheel on site, giving dizzying views across the city, sea and mountains.

Christmas market in Valbonne on the French Riviera

All of these Christmas markets have pretty little Christmas stalls with pitched rooves dusted in fake snow, their stallholders wrapped up tight in scarves dishing out steaming cups of vin chaud—as well as other warming treats like roasted chestnuts wrapped in paper, gooey Nutella crepes, and unbelievably moreish slices of socca sprinkled with pepper and wrapped in tinfoil.

Making crepes

The Christmas markets (and the yummy food and drink to be found at them) is one of the best things about a winter holiday in the South of France. Every time you drink mulled wine in future, you’ll be instantly transported back to that holiday feeling of winter on the French Riviera.

Local Cafés and Bars

If you’re looking for vin chaud outside the Christmas market experience, our best tip is to go local. Find a café or bar displaying the sign ‘maison vin chaud’, which means they make the drink in house. Perhaps even more importantly, look for a bustling café full of locals, because you want a busy place where the vin chaud isn’t allowed to get old, as it becomes bitter when it’s reheated.

Vin Chaud in French cafe

Besides, the experience of walking into a warm, noisy French café on a cold winter’s day and taking a table to watch the comings and goings is so utterly French that you really can’t miss it when on holiday! Avoid the sophisticated bars aimed at tourists and go somewhere with a bit of local heart and colour if you can.

In Antibes, try one of the cheap and cheerful local bars up near the market, or Le Vieil Antibes café by the fountain on Rue Republique. In Cannes, you might like to enjoy the cosy atmosphere of 72 Croisette, sipping vin chaud as you look out across the boulevard to the superyachts in the port. In Nice, Bistrot Chaud Vin really ought to be a winner for mulled wine given the name, and in Monaco, try the unpretentious Monte Carlo Bar in La Condamine, any time of day or night.

Ski Resorts 

One of the most incredible aspects of a winter holiday on the French Riviera is the proximity to the ski-fields, with the closest ski resorts only an hour away. And vin chaud is an unmissable part of the French ski field experience!

You might like to stop at one of the mountain terraces for a steaming cup of the mulled wine between ski runs, or get into the spirit of things with an après ski session, with hot mugs of vin chaud, spiked hot chocolate, or shots of schnapps warming up the chill in your bones.

Panoramic Alpine Ski View

Of the ski resorts within 2 hours of Nice airport, Isola 2000 has the most bars and nightlife if you want to get into the après ski spirit after a brisk day on the slopes, but you’ll find that all the ski fields in the area offer vin chaud and a welcoming buzz in the evenings.

Again, the key is to look for a busy place that won’t let the vin chaud sit around for long enough to get bitter!

Hot Chocolate

The first question you must decide on: what is your perfect hot chocolate? Is it the powdered stuff you have at home, laden with marshmallows? Or is it French hot chocolate, with its dark and silken combination of real bitter chocolate and milk? Or perhaps your idea of perfect hot chocolate is Italian, which is so thick and gooey you can almost stand your spoon up in it?

Chocolat chaud in French hotel

You can find all three kinds of hot chocolate on the French Riviera, all coming under the title of ‘chocolat chaud’. You’ll generally find the powdered cocoa version at your cheaper cafes, but we urge you towards the decadent drinking chocolate experience to be found at the finer establishments of the Riviera.

Famous Luxury Hotels

Drinking top quality hot chocolate in one of the world’s most opulent hotels is not a bad way to spend a leisurely hour or two. A hot chocolate at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco is a memorable, refined affair, as is the hot chocolate served during high tea at the glamorous Hotel Carlton Intercontinental.

Casino Square in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Chocolatiers

Perhaps the very best hot chocolate, however, is to visit one the French chocolatiers along the Riviera, whose thick delicious concoctions are pure bliss on the tastebuds. Jean Luc Pele’ has flagship stores in both Cannes and Antibes, where you can sit in the little nook overlooking the street and drink your hot chocolate and feast on their heavenly pastries and artisan chocolates.

Cafés

As mentioned, many cafés now use cocoa powder in the American or British style, which results in a fairly thin, not particularly chocolatey drink. If you’re looking for thick, Italian style chocolate while on holiday, one very good option is Caffe Lalu in Cannes, which incidentally, also does very good coffee (not an easy thing to find in France!)

Hot Chocolate in French Cafe

Chocolate Festivals

If you’re visiting the coast in February, you’re guaranteed to get a superb hot chocolate at the Antibes Chocolate Festival, ‘Bread, Love, and Chocolate’, which begins, rather fittingly, on Valentine’s Day. Warm your hands with a hot chocolate and take a wander through the port, where you’ll see crew on deck of the beautiful yachts, beginning to ready them for the spring yacht charters.

Make your own spiked hot chocolate

If your accommodation is self-catering, you can experiment by buying top quality chocolate and milk, with pouring cream to add if you like.

If you’re looking to really get in the spirit, add a glug of alcohol into the mix for a spiked hot chocolate. Boozy hot chocolate is utterly, utterly Christmassy and very warming on a cold night. A splash of dark rum adds a wicked depth, while liquors like Kahlua, Baileys and Amaretto are huge crowd pleasers.

Hot Chocolate

People are getting ever more creative with their spiked hot chocolate creations, whether it’s the recent trend for red wine in hot chocolate, a dash of Guinness, or the magical combination of Nutella and Frangelico for the perfect hazelnut hot choccy.

Other Wintery Drinks to Enjoy in France

A glass of Armagnac, cognac, or calvados will light the fire in your belly, and are perfect tipples for a cold winter’s evening. Whatever your favourite liquor is, we suggest that you head to a bar with an atmosphere of French Riviera glamour, and preferably some classy live music. Think Bar Americain in Monaco, where live jazz and soft armchairs will put you in the mood, the historic bar at Nice’s stunning Hotel Negresco, or the piano bar at Bar l’Amiral at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes.

Bar at Hotel Negresco in Nice, France

If you fancy something a bit more lively and a good sight less salubrious, it’s hard to go past the famous Absinthe Bar in Antibes, where you head downstairs into a vaulted cellar bar festooned with art deco posters and silly hats. Once you take a seat, you’ll choose off a vast absinthe menu, and a glass absinthe fountain is delivered to your table, along with ornate spoons and cubes of sugar. The absinthe is beautifully warming…and very alcoholic. Be warned!

Absinthe Bar in Antibes, France

On some nights there’s a musician playing piano, and this often leads to rowdy sing a-longs and much hat swapping. It’s a fabulous night out, but check before heading there, as winter hours can be wildly undependable.

Of course, there’s also the option of heading to a local café and enjoying a laid back glass of pastis, diluted with just the right amount of water. This is best drunk in a café with a nice warming fug and lots of activity for people watching.

With these decadent warming drinks on the menu, winter on the French Riviera will warm the cockles of your heart. Happy indulging!

Europe’s Best Oysters & What to Drink with Them

Oysters with lemon and ice in France

Christmas is almost upon us, and villages and cities across France are preparing for the seasonal Gallic rush on oysters.

The French have a proud history of oyster growing, with cultivation stretching back to ancient Roman times, and world-beating rates of oyster consumption, eating an impressive 4.4 pounds per person per year—more than anywhere else in Europe.

Of those oysters, 50% are eaten in the single week between Christmas and New Year. Vive la France!

Closeup of oysters in their shells

The French are justifiably proud of their oysters; they are, after all, considered some of the finest on earth. With a shared language of ‘terroir’ and ‘cru’ and descriptive terms like ‘crisp’, ‘buttery’, or ‘fruity’, the French appreciation of oysters goes hand in hand with their appreciation of wine.

But the French are also far from alone in their love and pride of their home grown oysters, with many other countries across the world vying for the title of the world’s best oyster.

Tray of oysters on ice

For those of you celebrating the festive season in Europe, here are a selection of the finest oysters available in Europe this Christmas, as well as what to drink with them.

(N.B. There are many other deserving candidates further afield, such as in Australia, New Zealand and America, but as we know, the freshness of an oyster is paramount, so this list will concentrate on the best of European oyster growers.)

The Finest Oysters in Europe

France

SPECIALES GILLARDEAU

Possibly the most famous oyster of them all are the Speciales Gillardeau, grown by the Gillardeau family near La Rochelle in Western France. Meaty, nutty, firm and savoury, the oysters are grown and carefully tended for four years, and due to their cultivation process are less briny than many other varieties. Known as the ‘Royals Royce’ of oysters, these very fine oysters come at a premium.

Gillardeau Oyster

FINES DE CLAIRE

This sweet, fruity oyster grows in Marenne-Oleron on the west coast of France, the largest oyster growing region in Europe. The crisp fruitiness of the oyster is derived from the way they are cultivated, with a minimum ‘fattening’ period of two months spent in the nutrient-rich water of salty marsh beds. Prized by the Parisians, this delicate oyster is found in fine restaurants around the world.

Fines de Claires oysters

BOUZIGUES

For something deliciously salty and fleshy with a fruity aftertaste, try Bouzigues oysters, which are farmed in a saltwater lake called the Etang de Thau. With a salt water content higher than the sea and no tides to contend with, the oysters grow rapidly and are some of the fleshiest in France. There are both flat (native European) and creased (Pacific rock) varieties cultivated in the lake, some have an almost hazelnut aftertaste, while some are reminiscent of watermelon.

Bouzigues Oysters

Bouzigues may not be able to compete with the above two producers for notoriety, but their name is growing. Besides, oyster preference is an extremely personal thing, and one that does not always correspond with either fame or price tag. Let your tastebuds be your guide!

Spain

DELTA DE L’EBRE, CATALONIA

Located between Barcelona and Valencia in the pristine wetlands of the Delta de l’Ebre National Park, these delicious oysters benefit from the salt water of the Mediterranean and the fresh water of the River Ebro. The resulting oysters are silky in texture, with an addictive sweet-salty flavour.

(Don’t tell the French, but nearly 80% of the oysters here are exported to France and many are then sold in France and internationally under a French label. Tut, tut.)

Ireland

KELLY GALWAY

While most French oysters are now Pacific Oysters, the Kelly Galway native oyster is an extremely fine example of the native flat European oyster that used to be prevalent in France, before disease and overconsumption almost entirely wiped them out.

The Kelly Galway is a very large oyster grown in wild oyster fisheries along Ireland’s West Coast, before being moved to oyster beds to fatten and develop their flavour, giving them the flavour of the Atlantic and the fresh waters of the Clarinbridge and Kilcolgan rivers. Due to their unique taste, their longer maturation (up to 6 years), as well as their relative scarcity compared to the Pacific oyster, the native Kelly Galway oysters are prized by connoisseurs and chefs alike.

Scotland

LOCH RYAN

Julius Caesar claimed that Scotland’s Loch Ryan oysters were ‘the best in the world’, or so the story goes. Whether true or apocryphal, these are some mighty fine oysters, famed for their tangy, lingering flavour.

Like Kelly Galways, Loch Ryans are native oysters of the European variety, and they have been grown by the Wallace family since 1701, when King William II gave the family the rights to harvest the beds.

As the only oyster fishery still operating in Scotland, and a very slow maturation time of up to 8 years, the Loch Ryan oysters are a true delicacy to savour over Christmas and New Year.

What to Drink with Your Oysters

The general rule for oysters is the accompanying beverage must be crisp, and it must be dry. For white wines, they should be young rather than aged as complexity competes with the oyster flavour, and only the very bravest attempt red wine, although some spirits and stouts can be excellent choices.

A glass of white wine with some oysters

As mentioned above, there’s a language of ‘terroir’ and ‘crus’ that accompanies oysters, particularly in the French oyster industry, and some of the very best pairings are when an oyster is paired with a local wine, particularly in regions where the soil the vines are grown in was once seabed, and therefore rich in marine sediment.

Here are a few superb pairings for your oyster feast this Christmas:

Champagne and Sparkling Wine: Sparkles and Salt are a Match Made in Heaven.

The crisp, acidic flavour of dry sparkling wines- whether prosecco, cava, or any other iteration, work splendidly with oysters, cutting through the creaminess of the meat and singing with the salinity.

However, the reigning champion must always be true Champagne from the Champagne region, partly because it is grown in soil which is rich in marine sediments and chalky notes, creating a magnificent mineral, almost saline partnership with the salty oysters.

Billecart Salmon Brut Champagne bottle

Go for a Brut (dry), bright, citrusy, non-vintage champagne. This is an occasion where you don’t need to fork out hundreds for a bottle of Cristal- and in fact shouldn’t, as the complexity of a vintage champagne will only compete and clash with the oyster’s flavour profile.

A Brut Blanc de Blanc (100% chardonnay) is a very good choice, such as either Pierre Gimonnet Premier Cru Brut NV, or Chapuy Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

Outside the Champagne region, a bottle of Cremant de Limoux will go down very nicely.

White Wine: Chablis and Sancerre, if you please.

The best white wine pairings for oysters are cool-climate, high-acidity wines grown in mineral-rich soils. Make it a young wine, as you’ll again run into the pesky complexity clash with older vintages, and don’t overchill, or you’ll ruin the flavour.

Chablis is one of the finest choices, as its chardonnay grapes are grown in soil that was once the ocean floor, lending it a flinty, racy, palate cleansing acidity which complements the oysters of that region supremely. A bottle of Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee les Pargues could be just the drop.

Domaine Servin Chablis 1er Cru wine

Sancerre is another excellent pairing. Coming from the Loire Valley, this cool climate wine is grown on an ancient sea bed known as the Paris basin, and its bracing acidity, citrus notes, and mineral profile matches exceedingly well with oysters. The Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre does nicely here.

For other strong white wine accompaniments, a very dry Muscadet from the Loire Valley promises a clean and crisp flavour profile, while a dry German Riesling is outstanding with meatier, creamier oysters. You can very rarely go wrong with a Pouilly Fuisse when eating oysters, or a pale, crisp Provencal rose could also be considered.

Sherry: dry, dry sherry. 

Not sickly sweet stuff, but the desperately dry Manzanilla, which delivers acidity, crispness and salinity in droves.

Spirits: Gin Martini, up with a twist. 

Its lovely cucumber notes make Hendricks Gin a standout for oyster accompaniments, but any good gin will do. Whether you’re fancying a gin and tonic, or a shaken martini, the marriage between gin and oysters is a thing of beauty.

Hendrick's Gin is ideal with oysters

Bartenders are getting creative with their martini and oyster collaborations; some now make martinis with an actual oyster thrown in there to take place of the vermouth, while others pop the oyster’s own salty, delicious juice in there to take the traditional olive’s ‘dirty’ role.

Beer: Guinness is Good for…Eating Oysters

Some say a crisp, dry pilsner is just the ticket, but the Irish beg to differ. They’ve drunk malty, creamy stout with their oysters for generations, and it works surprisingly well with the salty hit of the oysters. The famous advertising slogan for Guinness ‘Guinness is good for you’ rings true in this case, but Murphy’s or your preferred Irish Stout will be just as good.

Guinness advert with oysters

So now that you know which oysters you want, and which drink to pair them with, it’s time to join the oyster rush in time for Christmas. Expect some competition, as for the French, getting the best oysters is somewhat of a national sport. Sharpen your elbows, grab your shucker, and join the fray!

Merry oyster season!

Your Finest Bottle: The Best Wines In and Around St Tropez

Vineyards near St Tropez, France

Less known for its wine production than the city of Bordeaux, the glamorous coastal town of St Tropez in the Cote d’Azur offers a delicious selection of celebrated wines. The region may be renowned for its refreshing range of rosé wines, which have become the de rigueur summer choice for discerning jetsetters over the past ten years. Yet, St Tropez also produces young, fruity, but full-bodied red wines, as well as light, crisp white wines.

Gassin and Ramatuelle road sign

Some of the favoured spots for wine production in the area include Gassin, Ramatuelle and Sainte Maxime. Here, a patchwork of vineyards and wineries veils the landscape, meaning real estate in Sainte Maxime, Gassin and Ramatuelle are in great demand. Some of the real estate in Grimaud even overlooks certain vineyards – such is the close proximity of the residential areas to winemaking territory. Residents and visitors to the vineyards enjoy tranquillity, sweeping vista views, and the finest local produce one could imagine.

Rose-Glass

We’ve handpicked the best wines of St Tropez – each of which is produced at wineries that offer unmissable tastings and tours of picturesque vineyards.

Château Minuty

The quintessential rosé of St Tropez, M de Minuty Rosé is made using the lesser known Tibouren grape – a variety almost exclusively grown in this part of the France. The wine provides the perfect accompaniment to a tomato and mozzarella salad or fresh shellfish dishes, with its citrusy notes and subtle floral hints.

M Minuty rose wine from Provence

Domaine La Tourraque

Meanwhile, the Domaine La Tourraque vineyard produces three wine labels: Cuvée Joseph Brun, Cuvée Classic, Cuvée Harmonie – each of which consists of a white, red and rosé and all offer a myriad of gustatory delights. The real showstopper of the collections, and a regular medal winner, is the vintage 2016 white Cuvée Classic, which wows critics with its fresh aroma and slow-revealing notes of white fruit and citrus. The vintage 2016 white Cuvée Classic is the perfect partner to rich-tasting tapas.

Domaine La Tourraque white wine

Domaine des Tournels

With its rose petal-infused hue, the Côtes de Provence Cuvée Speciale rosé vintage is the standout diamond in Domaine des Tournels’ crown. A two-time winner of the Concours Général Agricole in Paris, the wine boasts an expressive range of ripe and exotic fruits in a well-rounded palate. It is well partnered with grilled meats or a sweet, red fruit dessert.

Domaine Tournels wine selection

Château des Marres

Château des Marres refers to its Cuvée 1907 rosé as ‘an invitation to exceptional pleasures.’ And with its delicate balance of white flowers and fruits, it lives up to this promise from the first to last sip.

Château des Marres rose wines

Château Volterra

The exceptional level of care and dedication that goes into creating Château Volterra’s wines is second to none and is evident in every savoured mouthful. The winery produces two delicious, but very different white wines, yet it is the Château Volterra Red 2008 that steals the show with its silky, elegant taste, that is complemented by hints of spices and smoke. Partnered with spiced, red meat, this wine is pleasingly powerful as well as fresh.

Domaine Volterra, Ramatuelle

Organic Rosés

For the discerning, environmentally conscious oenophiles, there are also a number of organic rosé options available in the region, including Jas d’Esclans Cote de Provence and Alpilles Rosé Longchamp – both of which summon reveries of hazy summer days spent gazing over fields of fragrant lavender and sunflowers.

Jas d’Esclans Cote de Provence rose

With such a broad variety of grapes – reds range across syrah, grenache, cinsault, the lesser known tibouren, mourvedre, carignan, cabernet sauvignon, while whites include rolle, ugni blanc, clairette, and semillon – and such a rich selection of wines, you are guaranteed to find a tipple for every preference and taste in St Tropez.

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Luxury Shopping on a French Riviera Yacht Charter

Chanel boutique in St Tropez, France

You know the South of France summer is in full swing when celebrities and their bodyguards are popping in and out of boutiques, and charter guests speed back to their yachts, their tenders laden down with shopping bags full of designer gowns and swimwear from the world’s great fashion houses.

Louis Vuitton Damier travel bagIt’s far from unknown for superyacht guests to drop a cool €100,000 on a morning’s shopping trip in the glamorous boutiques of Saint Tropez, Cannes, or Monaco. But that’s not to say you need to have a spare hundred grand to enjoy the shopping experience during your South of France yacht charter.

Ferrari in the port of St Tropez, France

Our Riviera shopping guide takes you from the haute couture fashion houses and elite ready-to-wear designers, through to local boutique gems and colourful local markets. And as no-one fancies giving money to the tax-man unnecessarily, we’ve also included some information on how to shop duty-free on the French Riviera.

Shopping in Monaco 

If you begin your yacht charter in Monaco, there’s no better way to start than taking an afternoon stroll through the Principality to find a stunning designer outfit for your first evening on the yacht.

Casino Square in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

The Cercle d’Or & Summer Pavilions

The haute couture designers and luxury jewellers hang their shingles around the famous Cercle d’Or, where it’s just one prestigious fashion brand after another, including Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Cartier, Bvlgari, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, and Chanel.

Pavillons Monte Carlo luxury shopping in Monaco

During summer 2017, 40 ultra-luxe brands will be displaying in the ‘Promenade Monte Carlo Shopping’: an exclusive installation of summer pavilions near the Place du Casino. The ideal route for a Cercle d’Or shopping tour begins at the Pavilions before carrying along the famous Avenue de Monte Carlo and onto Allée Francois Blanc.

Chanel store in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

If you’re a bargain-hunter roaming this part of town, slip behind the casino and away from the Cercle d’Or to Avenue Saint Michel, where Stock Griffe boutique offers big name brands for up to 70% off.

Town Centre

In the town centre, Boulevard des Moulins, Boulevard d’Italie, and Avenue Princesse Grace showcase many high end boutiques, including local offerings such as Monegasque luxury brand, 209 Mare.

La Condamine

The Condamine area down by the marina has more than 200 boutiques of dazzling variety and budget – from fashion and homewares to gourmet stores. For those shoppers who love to explore, La Condamine holds many treasures, including Le Dressing: a vintage designer shop featuring second-hand beauties from designers like Chanel.

Rue Princess Caroline in Monaco
Shopping Malls

Monaco even does shopping malls with exceptional style. Galerie du Metropole is one of the most luxurious malls on the planet, with acres of marble, porters to help with your bags, and 80 luxury stores including Armani and Brunello Cucinelli.

Metropole shopping mall in Monaco

If you’re after a more low key or practical shopping experience, head to Fontvieille shopping mall, where you’ll find electronics, fashion stores, and a large Carrefour supermarket.

Markets

Finally, despite its high-end shopping reputation, Monaco also does a wonderful daily market in La Condamine featuring Mediterranean produce and local crafts, and a funky little flea market at Fontvieille on Saturdays.

Food market in Monaco

Things worth knowing

There’s a 20% VAT surcharge on goods you buy in Monaco: it may be known as a tax haven, but unfortunately that doesn’t apply to the shopping experience! However, if you’re a visitor from a country outside the EU, you will be eligible for a VAT refund on purchases over €175 made in a single store.

Shopping in Cannes

Cannes is one of the world’s ultimate shopping destinations, and you’ll feel the excitement in the air as you skip from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent to Dior, passing celebrities carrying little dogs in their Hermès handbags.

The Hotel Carlton in Cannes, France

The Croisette

Cannes Croisette is a byword for luxury shopping, with flagship haute couture boutiques lining the boulevard beneath the palm trees and ornate Belle Epoque hotels. As well as the big global names such as Dior and Chanel, there are also some very fine French boutiques worth knowing about, such as Paule Kar, Chacok, and Leonard Fashion.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a glamorous evening gown for your night out in Cannes but have a bit of an eye on your budget, try MyAnnika, a boutique specialising in evening dresses at affordable prices.

Dior boutique in Cannes, France

During the Cannes Film Festival, there’s even a red carpet laid out along the shopping strip, and the Croisette is largely pedestrianised on summer evenings as of 2017, making this prestigious shopping destination even more drop-dead gorgeous than ever. And if you’re in the mood to get a head-start on the summer crowds with a spring yacht charter, the Croisette hosts a shopping festival each April, with fashion shows and season previews. Be still, my beating heart.

Rue d’Antibes

If you must drag yourself away from the Croisette, Rue d’Antibes is the place to do it. This famous street just behind the Croisette is the other fashionable place to shop in Cannes, with a succession of luxury brands like Vilebrequin and famous high street brands like Zara, as well as sunglass stores and decadent chocolate shops for gifts to take home.

The Rue d'Antibes shopping street in Cannes

And as if it couldn’t get any better, the block between the Croisette and the Rue d’Antibes completes the famous Carré d’Or, where fine jewels are laid out in the window displays between chic bars and swimwear stores.

Rue des Etats-Unis

This recently-updated shopping street features high-end interior design shops to find that perfect French piece to ship home.

Rue Meynadier

On the other hand, if you’re looking to shop like a Cannois local, then Rue Meynadier is for you, with its eclectic mix of affordable fashion and artisan food stores.

Maison Bremond in rue Meynadier, Cannes

Shopping Malls

If you’re still hungry for more, the Galerie Gray d’Albion shopping mall is located just by the Croisette, featuring a range of high-end stores including La Perla. If you’re looking for more practical shopping, head to the neighbouring town of Cannes La Bocca.

Markets

To get the true Cannes experience on your yacht charter, a visit to the local markets is a must, and Marche Forville delights with its bustling atmosphere, and colourful stalls of fruit and flowers, cheese and fish.

Forville market in Cannes, France

Things worth knowing

Like Monaco, you can claim a VAT refund on purchases over €175 in a single store if you hail from a country outside the EU. If you’re planning a South of France shopping spree, apply for a Global Blue ‘shop tax free card’ so you can automatically be refunded at participating stores, or just ask in the store for a detaxe’ form to claim at the airport upon departure.

Shopping in Saint Tropez

Welcome to little boutique heaven, where the towering names of the fashion world sit on cobbled laneways next to unique Saint Tropez boutiques. The village of Saint Tropez isn’t big and all its boutiques are a leisurely stroll from each other, so just grab your credit card and explore to your heart’s content, with a focus on the luxury triangle between Place des Lices, Rue Gambetta, and Rue Allard.

View over St Tropez rooftops and superyachts in the bay of Saint-Tropez.

Global Fashion houses

You’ll find the instantly-recognisable names of Hermès, Armani, Dior, and Louis Vuitton emblazoned above the doorways of Saint Tropez’ pastel facades, as well as Zadig et Voltaire, Lanvin, Swarovksi and Eres, just to name a few. However, it’s worth noting that the luxury shopping scene is just as much about the local as the international in enchanting St Tropez.

Local Boutiques

Arguably the most famous item in a Saint Tropez wardrobe is the iconic Tropezienne sandal, which was established by the Rondini family in 1927, with stiff competition from the K.Jacques family who set up shop 5 years later.

As you might expect, swimwear is also a hot item in sunny Saint Tropez, where the local Vilebrequin and Kiwi St Tropez boutiques began their meteoric rise on the superyacht fashion scene.

Vilebrequin Rolling Stones album cover swimming shorts

For jewellery, Gas Bijoux delights with its chunky, colourful designs, while Au Soleil de Saint Tropez is the last word in boho chic (as worn by the stars.)

There’s something for everyone in fashionable St Tropez. If you’re feeling nautical, Blanc Blue is a local boutique full of sailor-style stripes and scarves, while those up for a spot of polo at the St Tropez polo club will find all the right attire at La Martina. Bla Blas is an absolute treasure trove of quirky labels, while Be Shorts— well, you can guess what they sell.

Markets and Cellars

One St Tropez shopping experience which is not to be missed is a Saturday morning at the Place des Lices market, where Provencal produce, gifts, and clothing are spread out in stalls underneath the shade of century-old plane trees.

Market in Place des Lices, St Tropez

And finally, if you’re wanting to take home some excellent Provencal wine for a gift or to cellar, head to La Cave de Saint Tropez or Terre de Mer.

Things to know

The same tax free opportunities exist in St Tropez as in Cannes, with a Global Blue card definitely the way to go if you’re planning on splashing some cash.

A yacht charter is the perfect way to make the most of a luxury shopping adventure along the French Riviera. Where land-locked tourists have to battle with summer traffic in the South of France, you just float along between the great shopping destinations of the Riviera, falling ever deeper in love as you go.

209 Mare Recommends: 3 Top Summer Hangouts in Cannes

209 Mare beach fashion in Cannes, France

The coolest label to join the international fashion market in recent months, 209 Mare is redefining men’s luxury beachwear in 2017. The company’s innovative and dynamic apparel can be spotted in the chicest beach destinations around the world, worn by discerning gentlemen who are not afraid to play by their own rules. Men’s beach club attire that brings the elegance of the art deco period to the in-vogue destinations of today, the 209 Beach Blazer and the 209 Swim Shorts merge style with functionality. As the fashion label is headquartered in the Principality of Monaco, the sophisticated blazers are increasingly popular on the Cote d’Azur. We sat down with Gabriel and Federico Uribe, the Owners of the brand, to find out which beachfront establishments they recommend in the town of Cannes – one of the South of France’s most glamorous summer hangouts.

Baoli Beach 

Baoli beach club in Cannes, France

The first words uttered from the Uribe brothers were . The sister venue of Cannes’ most exclusive nightclub of the same name, the beach club and restaurant encapsulates the glitz of Cannes and the Cote d’Azur. Serving fine sushi and Mediterranean cuisine, and an array of thirst-quenching cocktails, Baoli Beach is located between the Carlton and the Majestic hotels on Cannes’ Croisette. It benefits from the largest pontoon in the area – the perfect place to witness Cannes’ majestic sunsets.

What 209 Mare said: “Visiting Baoli Beach is a very unique experience. It is the best place to understand why 209 Mare was born on the Cote d’Azur.”

Riviera Beach

Set on a long stretch of Cannes’ golden sands, Riviera Beach offers the quintessential beach experience. Relaxation is the top priority at this pet-friendly, private beach club. From 9am until late, seven days a week, Riviera Beach caters for a distinguished clientele, serving fresh seafood dishes with an Italian twist. Once your food has digested, there is a swim platform out at sea, which offers the perfect spot to look back and admire Cannes. Recline on the club’s blue and white striped sunbeds and understand why so many likeminded travellers enjoy Cannes each year.

Salmon tartare at Riviera Beach in Cannes

What 209 Mare said: “The sunbeds at Riviera Beach are set roughly 2m from the water’s edge. Make the most of the impeccable service on offer by ordering a cocktail to be delivered to you, as you bronze under the warm summer sun.”

Gotha Club

A legendary venue on the Cap de la Croisette, Gotha enjoys the reputation of being among the best of Cannes’ nightclubs. It is surrounded by sea on three sides, meaning it is a magnificent sight to behold. With a line-up of celebrity performers that is consistently impressive, you are guaranteed a great time at Gotha. Noteworthy performers to grace the venue with their presence include David Guetta, French Montana, Martin Garrix, Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Akon, Bob Sinclair, and Paris Hilton, but the list goes on. This is the place to see and be seen in Cannes.

Gotha Club in Cannes, France

What 209 Mare said: “Gotha Nightclub needs no introduction. Its events regularly push the boundaries of entertainment, setting the standard for the international party scene. This is the ultimate place to break the rules in style in our 209 Beach Blazer.”

Gotha Club in Cannes, France

Food Markets of the French Riviera

Forville market in Cannes, France

One of the best ways to experience a yacht charter destination is immersing yourself into its gastronomic pleasures – regional food, good wine, harvest festivals and local markets. On the French Riviera, discovering the food markets ashore highlights a Provençal ritual and the link between farm, orchard, ocean and table. With a fabulous climate that sustains agriculture, to experience any French town or city at its core it’s worth being there on market day.

French Riviera Food Markets

Visit Marseille on your Luxury Yacht Charter

Girl enjoying panoramic view over Marseille, France

Let’s get what must be said out of the way early. Marseille—that maligned, magnificent port city—is rarely included on a French luxury yacht charter itinerary, with the majority of charter yachts floating down the coast as far as St Tropez, before turning back to cruise back up the French Riviera to glittering Cannes and Monaco.

Yet what are yacht charter guests missing by not venturing a little further down the Var coast to Marseille? A whole lot, as it happens. Marseille is located on one of the wildest, most magnificent stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean: a region of towering limestone cliffs and turquoise fjords, Caribbean-like islands, and ancient villages surrounded by rolling vineyards. With the appeal of pretty Cassis and Bandol, the astonishing Calanques National Park, and the exotic Islands of Gold off Hyeres, the Marseille coast is simply unmissable.

Experience the Renaissance of Marseille on Your French Yacht Charter

6 of The Best Restaurants on the French Riviera!

Restaurant La Vague d'Or in St Tropez

One of the highlights of a French Riviera luxury vacation is travelling slowly down the coast from Menton to Saint Tropez, revelling in the astonishing cuisine of the region and dining in some of the world’s finest restaurants.

A luxury yacht charter along the glittering Cote d’Azur is the ultimate foodie experience, as you dine at Michelin starred restaurants on garden terraces with dizzying sea views, and in opulent dining rooms of golden vaulted ceilings and dripping chandeliers.

6 top restaurants of the French Riviera

Luxury Yacht Charters in Corsica

Stunning beaches on the island of Corsica

If you’re seeking a luxury yacht charter that offers an entirely different experience than traditional Mediterranean hotspots such as the Amalfi Coast, French Riviera or the Balearic Islands, then head to Corsica where you’ll be charmed by an island of diverse landscapes, vast history and robust cuisine.

Located at a maritime triangle between the coasts of northwestern Italy, southeastern France and the neighbouring island of Sardinia, Corsica is underrated and largely unspoiled by commercialism – imagine an island where herders still shuffle their mountain goats through the scented maquis of rosemary and lavender, crumbling Genoese fortifications line the wild coastline instead of glitzy resorts and wind-bent pine trees border the shores of spectacular beaches.

Inland, you’ll find an even quieter Corsica with pigs and donkeys roaming the twisting mountain roads, artisans selling almond cookies and hazelnut oil roadside and tiny villages staunchly professing their Corsican identity.

Corsica Yacht Charters

A Guide to Luxury Yacht Charters in St Tropez

View over St Tropez rooftops and superyachts in the bay of Saint-Tropez.

Saint Tropez, originally a sleepy fishing village catapulted into the realm of the international jetset from the 1950’s and has remained the essential summertime playground for the famous and wealthy, where superyachts and sophistication bring savoir faire to the shores of the Mediterranean.

A must-visit stop for yacht charters on the glittering Côte d’Azur, the town has an unrivalled energy during busy months and a genteel charm of true Provençal ambience in the off-season.

Immerse yourself in our ‘Luxury Guide to Yacht Charter in St Tropez’ with practical advice on top places to dine, where to find the best shopping and useful tips about how to book a French Riviera luxury yacht charter.

Guide to Yacht Charter in St Tropez

The Islands of the French Riviera

Lerins-Islands

The French Riviera isn’t well-known for its islands, yet just a stone’s throw from the glitz and glamour of Cannes and Saint Tropez lie tranquil archipelagos of exceptional Mediterranean beauty, where you can stroll through pine forests and rolling vineyards, explore ancient forts and monasteries, and sunbathe on soft-sand beaches in clear turquoise coves.

Stepping ashore on the Cannes or Hyeres islands, you cannot help but feel like you’ve travelled back to a simpler time when Provence was still a sleepy place inhabited by monks and fishermen, ruled by the rhythms of sunny days and the summertime buzz of cicadas. No cars are allowed on the islands and there are few inhabitants, so if you’ve ever wondered what the Cote d’Azur was like before the grand hotels and apartment blocks sprung up along the coast, you simply must visit the enchanting islands of the French Riviera.

The Enchanting Islands of the French Riviera

Spend the weekend on a luxury yacht charter in St Tropez

Dusk over citradel and port of St Tropez

Sunshine, superyachts, and Saint Tropez: can there be a more wonderful combination? But for many, the dream of a Saint Tropez yacht charter hovers just out of reach. Until now.

We know that not everyone has the time or funds for a leisurely week-long superyacht charter along the French Riviera. But that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the best bit of all: a weekend superyacht charter in Saint Tropez. In Saint Tropez, you have a magical stretch of the Riviera which combines all that’s special about the Cote d’Azur: a rolling Mediterranean landscape, soft white sand beaches, picturesque Provencal villages, glamorous boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, hedonistic nightclubs — and a whole lot of celebrity sparkle.

So if you want to experience the best of the French Riviera by yacht, but only have a weekend to do it in, then a Saint Tropez weekend yacht charter is your dream solution.

A weekend on a superyacht in St Tropez

The best beach clubs for a French Riviera yacht charter

Glamorous, decadent, and dripping in celebrity history, the beach clubs of the Cote d’Azur have long been synonymous with the superyacht set. Yet of the hundred or so beach clubs along this stretch of storied coastline, which ones should you visit on your superyacht charter?

Garoupe beach clubs, Cap d'Antibes
Plage La Garoupe – Cap d’Antibes

The best beach clubs have a seductive magic about them, an allure that goes far past the sophisticated decor, the handsome charm of the waiters, or even the softness of the sand where white-cloth tables sit before the sparkling sea. At the top beach clubs—the ones that the A-list compete to get into in the long, languorous days of a Mediterranean Summer — there’s a lingering sense of summers past, of all the famous people who have mingled, dined and danced here, passing happy days diving off pontoons and basking in the sun.

So join us as we float from the towering cliffs of Monaco down to the Gulf of Saint Tropez, dropping anchor at the most glorious beach clubs along the French Riviera.

Monaco

Monte-Carlo Beach Club

This prestigious beach club at Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel offers the most impressive selection of options of any Monaco beach club, with a private beach with watersports and luxury tents; an Olympic sized saltwater swimming pool with diving tower, and a Michelin star restaurant on a deck overlooking the glittering sea. Laze back in your cool striped cabana with a hookah pipe, go parasailing high above the Mediterranean, or dine on fresh deliciousness at Elsa, the first all-organic restaurant to be lauded by the Michelin inspectors. Naturally, there’s also a spa onsite to take your pampering beach club experience to the next level.

Monte-Carlo Beach Club

Monte Carlo Beach
Monte-Carlo Beach

Nikki Beach Monaco

The global Nikki Beach franchise has extended its reach with a pop-up ‘beach’ club on top of the Fairmont Hotel, which will return for another bout of party madness in April 2017. All the action at Nikki Beach Monaco takes place around the pool, which is surrounded by luxurious white deckchairs, from which you can indulge in some quality people-watching or gaze out at the endless Mediterranean views. With chilled DJ beats ramping up as the day wears on, Nikki Beach Monaco feels very much like a daytime nightclub, so it attracts a young crowd bent on having a good time.

Nikki Beach Monaco

The pool of Nikki Beach at the Fairmont Hotel in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Nikki Beach Monaco

La Note Bleue

If the idea of loud DJ music and enthusiastic young things spraying Champagne makes you want to retreat with haste to a place of cool, calm exclusivity, there can be no better oasis than La Note Bleue in Monaco. This sophisticated beach club at Monaco’s Larvotto Beach offers a garden-like setting by the sea, with decadent daybeds with wispy curtains, soft white deckchairs by the water, and elegant dining tables shaded by graceful sweeps of canvas. At night, drink and dine by soft lantern-light as notable jazz musicians play to an appreciative crowd.

La Note Bleue

Cap Ferrat

Paloma Beach

For sheer celebrity history and Mediterranean charm, it would be hard to go past Paloma Beach, an iconic beach club nestled on a small cove in exclusive Cap Ferrat. Family-run since 1948 and named after Picasso’s daughter, the beach club at Paloma Beach offers heart-soaring views of cliffs and blue-green sea, with opulent villas climbing the steep slopes behind. Paloma Beach isn’t shiny and decadent— in fact it’s slightly rustic compared to its Monaco counterparts, with the same “shack” from 1948 serving up fresh-grilled seafood and family-style service to the dining tables scattered along the pretty pebbled beach.

Paloma Beach promises the French Riviera experience… as it used to be. After a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water, lie back on a deckchair with an icy glass of rose’ and listen to the cicadas buzzing in the nearby pines. A place of family tradition, celebrity patronage, and the bewitching nostalgia of summers past, Paloma each is the French Riviera, and it would be remiss not to stop here on your Cote d’Azur yacht charter.

Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat
Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat

Paloma Beach

Cap d’Antibes

Plage Keller

Return to where the French Riviera legend truly began, at the gloriously pretty Plage de la Garoupe. This stunning powder-white sand beach is where an American socialite couple called the Murphys launched the French Riviera as a summertime destination in the 1920s, clearing the beach of seaweed and fishing nets and inviting Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Picasso to sunbathe and swim in the crystal clear waters. Today, Plage Keller is the pick of the beach clubs along this pretty cove, offering excellent Mediterranean food in a sophisticated setting and beautiful views across the Bay of Angels to the distant Alps. Take a table on the silky soft sand or a deckchair on the long jetty, shaded by jaunty yellow umbrellas. Celebrity history is everywhere on the Riviera— if you only know where to look, and the refined Plage Keller beach club is the ideal beach club to celebrate the birthplace of the Riviera as we know it.

Plage Keller

Plage Keller - Cap d'Antibes
Plage Keller

Cannes

Z Plage

This designer-chic beach club is part of the Hotel Martinez, and is famous for its wide beach area and vast pontoon with teak decking and deliriously comfortable lounges. The most sought-after beach club experience in Cannes, Z Plage has an adjoining restaurant, a smoothie and cocktail bar, and a beach cabana offering Givenchy spa massages during July and August. Find your heaven under the shade of a white umbrella, or find an oasis of privacy between wisps of white curtains that wave gently in the afternoon breeze.

Z Plage at Martinez Hotel in Cannes
Z Plage

Baoli Beach

This glamorous beach club is a sister venue to the famous Baoli nightclub in Cannes’ Port Canto, and attracts the same A-list crowd of the young and genetically blessed. With a premier position by the majestic art deco façade of the Carlton Intercontinental hotel, Baoli Beach is the perfect venue to have an elegant lunch at a table on the sand or soak up the sun on the large jetty covered in plush deckchairs. The white and cream décor is set off perfectly against the blue sea and sky, and as the day heads into afternoon there’s a party vibe in the air that carries on long into the summer nights.

Baoli Beach in Cannes, French Riviera
Baoli Beach

Saint Tropez

Club 55

When talking of beach clubs in Saint Tropez, you simply must start with Club 55. In 1955 when filming And God Created Woman, Brigitte Bardot’s husband Vadim mistook a simple bungalow on the beach for a bistro, and asked the owner if the film crew could have something to eat. His wife kindly agreed to cook them a meal, and so history was made. That film would propel both Bardot and Saint Tropez to global stardom, and with it, the humble bungalow that would soon become the infamous Club 55 beach club.

Today, the bungalow still stands, surrounded by tall stands of bamboo and tamarisk trees that bend gently in the afternoon breezes which skip up off the water. Tables are shaded by swoops of white canvas, deckchairs are set up on the soft sand with stunning views, and as the day goes on and the inhibitions loosen, people begin to dance. Club 55 is beach club royalty, and the guest list shows it.

Club 55

Club 55 beach club in St Tropez
Club 55

Nikki Beach St Tropez

For a younger and wilder crowd, head to Nikki Beach St Tropez where beautiful young things dance on tables to big-name DJs, and as much Champagne seems to get sprayed as is drunk. This is hedonism at its most energetic.

In Summer, expect your A-list crowd of young celebrities and racing drivers to be tempered with a crowd of party-goers keen to brush shoulders with the superyacht set. Despite the name, Nikki Beach St Tropez isn’t actually right on the beach, so all the action centres around the pool, which is surrounded by the signature all-white lounges and daybeds of the Nikki Beach franchise.

Nikki Beach St Tropez

Nikki Beach in St Tropez, France
Nikki Beach St Tropez

Bagatelle Beach

Tradition is important in Saint Tropez, but it is not everything. Every once in a while, a newcomer announces its arrival with such success and fanfare that it immediately rockets to the top of the ‘must-visit’ list. Bagatelle Beach is one such venue, expanding to Saint Tropez after success in St Barts, Rio, and New York. After a fire destroyed the beach club in early 2016, Bagatelle Beach reopened and is going from strength to strength. The décor is coastal chic, with wicker chairs, white tablecloths, and flashes of bright blue — all reflecting that air of bright light and sparkling sea which makes the Riviera so entirely irresistible to anyone with a touch of romance in their soul.

Bagatelle Beach

Bagatelle beach club in St Tropez
Bagatelle Beach

Original article http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2017/01/31/the-best-beach-clubs-for-a-french-riviera-yacht-charter/