France 2025

The Easiest Travel Day: Charleston to the Côte d'Azur

Our journey to the French Riviera began surprisingly smoothly, proving that even a trip across the Atlantic can be stress-free.

The first leg was a quick hop from Charleston into Philadelphia around 5:00 PM. After an hour-long layover, we boarded our overnight flight for Nice, and this is where the real vacation began.

We splurged on American Airlines Flagship Business Class for the first time, and it was absolutely worth it. We were able to enjoy a fantastic, relaxing dinner service, catch a movie, and then settle into our lay-flat seats, allowing us to sleep almost the entire evening. We arrived in France feeling refreshed and ready to go, not wiped out!

The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) was incredibly easy to navigate. We had no issues with our luggage, and the signs made it simple to find our way to the rental car desk. We picked up a chic little BMW X5 to use as our ride for scooting around the glamorous coastal roads—the perfect stylish start to our Riviera adventure!

☀️ Nice: Our Elegant Base on the Côte d'Azur

After our dream flight, our arrival in Nice was just as effortless. Within a speedy 15-minute drive from the airport in our new wheels, we arrived at our home base for the next three days: the beautiful Anantara Plaza Hotel.

Day 1: An Instant Immersion

Since we arrived early, our room wasn't quite ready—the perfect excuse to step right into the Riviera sunshine! We dropped our bags and walked just a few blocks until the stunning Promenade des Anglais and the electric-blue Mediterranean came into view.

To immediately soak up the atmosphere, we opted for an impromptu "petty cab" tour. This was an unexpected highlight! Our driver, Oliver, was incredibly nice and spoke wonderful English, which was a huge bonus. He gave us a fantastic introduction to the city, pointing out key landmarks and local spots as we took in the fresh sea air. It was a relaxed, authentic way to get our bearings and fall in love with Nice right away.

Oliver dropped us back at the Anantara, where we checked into our room to settle in and freshen up. For an easy first dinner, we didn't have to go far. We made our way up to the hotel's rooftop restaurant, "SEEN" by Olivier, which offered an incredible, sweeping view of the waterfront as the sun set. It was the perfect, effortless close to a perfect travel day, setting an elegant standard for the days of short trips and exploration to come.

🏎️ Day Trip: Monaco Grand Prix—A Bucket List Day!

If our first day was about settling into the Riviera's charm, our second was about plunging headfirst into its legendary glamour and thrilling energy.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we hopped in a cab and headed straight for the Principality of Monaco, aiming for the outer edge of the city where the buzz of the Monaco Grand Prix was already electric.

The Grand Prix Glamour

Before the race even began, we had a wonderful surprise: we ran into our good friend, Whit, who also happened to be in Monaco! We made our way to his flat overlooking the area for some celebratory champagne with him and his friend. It was a perfectly unexpected, casual moment of luxury before the main event.

Taylor and I then grabbed a quick, lively lunch at a corner restaurant to soak up the atmosphere before finding our seats. And what seats they were! We chose Grand Stand K and couldn't have been happier with the vantage point. We were positioned directly beside the race track, with a stunning backdrop of the harbor packed with every kind of mega-yacht imaginable.

The race itself was a spectacle, but honestly, the people-watching was a show all its own. From the incredible race day fashion to the sheer extravagance surrounding the track, it was truly mesmerizing. Watching Lando Norris take the win from those incredible seats, with the world's most glamorous harbor laid out before us, made this a genuine bucket list day that we will never forget!

🎶 From High-Speed Thrills to Old-School Glamour

As the roar of the engines faded, the atmosphere in Monaco shifted from high-speed spectacle to celebratory festivity. We reconnected with Whit and his friend and were enjoying a few cocktails when we heard it: a band had begun to play in the square below us.

We threw open the windows and watched an incredible, spontaneous street party unfold. People were singing and dancing in the square, and even faces in windows from buildings across the way joined in. It felt less like a modern European capital and more like stepping back in time—a truly magical, cinematic moment.

We knew we had to join the fun. We headed downstairs, listened to the band, grabbed a quick slice of pizza from a street vendor, and just immersed ourselves in the joyous energy.

Finally, we left the lively square to complete our classic Monaco circuit. We took a relaxed evening walk around the harbor, admiring the dazzling array of mega-yachts up close, and finished with a final pilgrimage to the iconic Monte Carlo Casino. Seeing the legendary structure lit up at night, circled by luxury cars, was the perfect way to cap off our ultimate bucket list day on the Côte d'Azur before heading back to Nice with a quick train ride.

🎨 Day 3: Cliffside Dining and Cap-Ferrat Elegance

Day 3 was dedicated to stepping away from the rush and easing back into the relaxed pace of the Riviera, combining stylish dining with two very different day-trip experiences.

Brunch with a View: La Plongeoir

We started with a much-anticipated brunch reservation at La Plongeoir, a truly iconic Nice landmark. This unique restaurant is perched right on a small cliff, famous for its historic diving board that once tempted swimmers to plunge into the Mediterranean below.

We snagged the perfect table on the terrace, giving us an unobstructed view of the water. The food and service were excellent, providing the ideal relaxed transition after our action-packed day in Monaco. It was a moment of sheer coastal beauty and calm—a must-do purely for the setting.

The Mixed Review of Èze

Next, we drove toward the medieval hilltop village of Èze, known for its breathtaking views. While the drive up and down the winding roads was scenic, the village itself presented a few challenges. We found it to be overcrowded, and finding parking was a surprisingly difficult ordeal.

We eventually made our way into the small village and walked aimlessly, searching for the famous exotic gardens at the summit. Unfortunately, the gardens were closed, prompting us to cut our visit short. While the stone pathways and the view from the road were still picturesque, we have to admit: in retrospect, we probably would have skipped Èze this time around. A helpful tip for readers: research opening times and go very early to avoid the crowds!

A Romantic Finale at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

To round out the day, we made our way to the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the epitome of quiet Riviera luxury. We loved walking along the marina, popping into the nautical and well-curated shops for some relaxed browsing.

We had planned for an early dinner at one of the region's most famous hotels: the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons property. We dined at their elegant restaurant, La Véranda, which is set beautifully overlooking the lush hotel gardens. This was easily one of the most romantic spots of the trip—impeccable food, service, and atmosphere. We finished with a short, peaceful walk through the illuminated gardens before taking an easy drive back to Nice for the evening.

🇫🇷 The Drive: Cannes Glamour and a Wine Detour

Our scenic drive to Saint-Tropez was peppered with two memorable stops that turned the travel day into a part of the adventure itself.

Cannes: Post-Festival Vibe

Our first stop was the eternally glamorous city of Cannes. We settled in for brunch at Café Crème, a beautiful spot right on the port where we could watch the morning activity.

After fueling up, we took a walk, and the timing couldn't have been more interesting: we saw the crews actively taking down the elaborate setup for the Cannes Film Festival that had just concluded. It was fun to witness the transition from world-class red carpet to quiet coastal town! We also popped into some lovely local shops and found a perfect, personalized French souvenir: an embroidery shop where we had custom bibs made for Baby Blair and Baby Miles.

An Unexpected Detour to Clos du Bois

We then hit the road again, but an unexpected detour turned into a highlight. Taylor needed quiet and good service for an important business call. We stumbled upon the famous Clos du Bois winery—the perfect spot for an emergency quiet zone!

We quickly booked a self-guided tour which, thankfully, came with a glorious glass of wine and gave us free rein to explore the grounds. Taylor was able to have his focused call while I got to enjoy my rosé and the sweeping vineyard views. It was such a fun, memorable stop that perfectly illustrates the beautiful, spontaneous nature of a road trip.

✨ Arriving in Ramatuelle: Checking into a French Dream

From the spontaneous fun of the winery, we made the final leg of our drive to the Saint-Tropez area, pulling up to our accommodation: Muse Saint-Tropez.

Stepping onto the property felt exactly like walking into a French dream. Located in Ramatuelle, just outside the bustle of Saint-Tropez proper, the Muse is a chic and peaceful sanctuary—a world away from the busy port.

This is a rare retreat defined by architectural simplicity and pure lines, surrounded by stunning terraced gardens that weave their way around an elegant swimming pool. With only fifteen luxurious suites, the feeling is intimate and exclusive. Each suite is dedicated to a famous muse, and we loved the characteristic, individual décor. Our suite felt like its own private haven, opening onto a private garden.

After the non-stop travel and sightseeing of the last few days, arriving here was a moment of true calm and luxury. It was the perfect, stylish introduction to the legendary Saint-Tropez lifestyle, and our new base for exploring the area's iconic beaches and villages.

🌸 Day 5: St. Tropez Glamour and Hidden Streets

We started our first full day in Ramatuelle with absolute tranquility. We took advantage of the incredible setting and ordered lattes and croissants via room service, enjoying a quiet breakfast outside our suite.

A Scent of Home

My favorite sensory memory of the Muse was the magnificent wall of confederate jasmine surrounding us. The scent was absolutely intoxicating, and surprisingly, it reminded me so much of being back home in Charleston! It was a beautiful, unexpected connection between this glamorous French retreat and our life across the ocean.

Exploring the Village Center

Feeling refreshed, we took the convenient hotel transfer into the city center of Saint-Tropez. The port instantly confirms the town's reputation: yachts line the water, and the vibe is charming and undeniably glamorous.

But my favorite part of the village was wandering away from the marina and diving into the tiny, tucked-away streets. Here, we found beautiful cobblestone alleys, spotted classic vintage cars, and genuinely felt like locals. This quieter side of Saint-Tropez offers a glimpse into its historic charm, far removed from the celebrity buzz.

Lunch on the Sand: La Réserve à la Plage

After exploring the town, we hopped in a taxi and headed for a true Tropezienne beach experience: lunch at La Réserve à la Plage. This is the quintessential spot for dining with your toes (almost) in the sand, combining delicious food with the laid-back, yet chic, atmosphere that the Pampelonne beach strip is famous for.

Southern Riviera

Lake Annecy

Paris