The Weekly Edit: Our South of France Summer
We’ve just returned from the South of France, where we had the chance to tag along on one of Sarah’s holidays (which, if you ask us, is a pretty good excuse for a work trip!). We spent our time visiting some of our favourite hotels and villas, trying out the best restaurants and beach clubs, and catching up with some of our amazing clients along the way.
We LOVE the South of France, and we love getting out there to experience these amazing properties, restaurants and beach clubs for ourselves so we can recommend only the very best to you. That way, when we suggest somewhere, we’ve actually been there and know it inside out - from which room we’d choose, to where we’d book dinner and which beach club is really worth a visit!
Is August the new June or September?
There’s a lot of talk about avoiding the South of France in August because it’s “too busy”. And yes, it is busy. But we actually think August was an amazing time to visit. It’s certainly more family-focused than June or September and the atmosphere is lively, but with the right planning (and a few insider tips), it doesn’t have to feel chaotic at all.
The secret is knowing where to stay, where to go and what to book ahead.
If you’re thinking about a villa or one of the most sought-after hotels for next summer, now is the time to start planning. Some of the best villas and hotels are already being booked up for 2027, particularly in July and August!
THE BEST VILLA'S IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
OUR FAVOURITE VILLA PARTNERS
One of our favourite ways to experience the South of France is from a villa, particularly for families and groups. We work with some fantastic villa partners who know the region incredibly well, and we were able to visit and experience some of their properties during our trip.
And while you can book directly with these companies, it doesn’t cost you any more to book through us. Instead, you get our insider knowledge, our favourite restaurants and experiences, a beautifully planned itinerary and, of course, your very own travel fairies on hand to arrange those extra-special touches we’re known for.
For our own trip, Sarah was staying in a gorgeous villa in Valbonne. The town was gorgeous, and close enough to Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez when you fancy a change of scene!
Here are some of our favourite villa partners we love working with!
Sur Mesure
A brilliant collection of beautiful villas, with a real focus on finding the right property for each client. We love the personal service and the fact that they know the region so well.
Côte d’Azur Villas
Another favourite of ours for the Côte d’Azur, with plenty of gorgeous options for families and groups looking for their own space!
Red Savannah
If interiors and beautiful design are high on your list, Red Savannah is definitely one to know. Their villas have plenty of personality and feel more like beautiful homes than holiday rentals!
CV Villas
Another brilliant option for a villa holiday, with a fantastic range of properties across the region.
FROM RIVIERA ICONS TO MORE BOUTIQUE STAYS
THE HOTELS WE KEEP COMING BACK TO
Of course, we couldn’t do a trip to the South of France without visiting some of our favourite hotels (And some of our favourite people at these hotels!)
Airelles Château De La Messardière
Perched above Saint-Tropez, Airelles Château De La Messardière is one of our favourite spots for a truly special stay. The setting is beautiful, with incredible views, gorgeous gardens and plenty of space to unwind. It has all the glamour of Saint-Tropez, but still feels relaxed and easy, especially for families.
Reminder - when you book through us, you get our amazing Virtuoso amenities!
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the hotel restaurant or via in-room dining
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez
If this one is on your list for 2027, book now.
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez is incredibly popular and tends to fill up well ahead of summer. It’s chic, intimate and right on the water, with that effortless Cheval Blanc style we love.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
An absolute icon of the French Riviera.
The setting alone is incredible, but what we love is that timeless feeling. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc has been doing summer on the Riviera for generations, and it still feels every bit as special.
Reminder - we are part of the Oetker Collection Pearl Partner programme.
AND FOR SOME MORE BOUTIQUE CHOICES TO ADD TO YOUR LIST
Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel
Perfectly located for exploring the best of Cap d’Antibes, with easy access to the centre of Antibes and all the charm of a Relais & Châteaux stay. Plus, we can’t resist the cutest pink sun-loungers, the perfect Riviera touch!
Carlton Cannes
Home to one of the Riviera’s most iconic beach clubs. We love the chic beach loungers, with those instantly recognisable blue and white stripes - it doesn’t get much more Côte d’Azur than this!
Hôtel du Couvent, Nice
For something a little different, we love Hôtel du Couvent. It has a much more understated, relaxed feel and is a great choice if you want to explore Nice rather than simply use the city as a base for the coast. It’s full of character and feels refreshingly different from some of the more traditional Riviera hotels.
Airelles Pan Dei Palais
This is one of Sarah’s favourite hotels!
A beautiful boutique escape that combines two of our favourite things: a small, intimate setting and the wonderful Airelles collection, all while offering our amazing VIP perks. Tucked away in the heart of Saint-Tropez, Pan Dei Palais is colourful, eclectic and wonderfully intimate. It feels more like a beautiful private residence than a traditional hotel, and we love that.
Reminder - when you book through us, you get our amazing Virtuoso amenities!
Royal-Riviera
One of our favourite choices for a chic Riviera escape, with beautiful views across the water towards the castle. And they have one of the best concierge teams in the South of France!
We have been receiving some of the best feedback from our clients this summer about Royal-Riviera.
AND ONE FOR THE JOURNEY DOWN...
Airelles Gordes
Before heading down to the Côte d’Azur, Sarah made a special stop at Airelles Gordes.
Set in the Luberon, it’s the perfect place to break up a journey south, with beautiful surroundings, great food and plenty to do.
The kids’ club was a particular highlight. It’s really well done, with lots to keep little ones busy, while parents can enjoy some proper time to relax. And the food is a big part of the experience too. With five restaurants to choose from, there’s plenty of variety, including the new pop up Chinese restaurant on the terrace, which is such a fun addition.
If you’re driving down from the UK or Paris, it’s a wonderful place to stop for a few nights before continuing on to the Côte d’Azur.
Reminder - when you book through us, you get our amazing Virtuoso amenities!
WHAT WE GOT UP TO ON OUR TRIP
OUR SOUTH OF FRANCE ITINERARY
Here is a little sneak peak on what we got up to during our time in the South of France.
Bagatelle
Obviously, no trip to the South of France would be complete without an afternoon at a beach club in Saint- Tropez. Bagatelle is glamorous, fun and exactly the sort of place you want to spend a long, lazy lunch (and maybe a couple of glasses of wine and dancing on the table!)
La Guérite
Another one we absolutely loved! You hop on a boat to get to La Guérite, so the fun starts before you’ve even arrived. The restaurant is right on the water, with that perfect South of France setting.
What we loved most is that it starts off quite relaxed - you can actually enjoy your lunch and have a conversation without shouting across the table! Then, once lunch is over, the atmosphere completely changes. The music goes up, everyone gets up and the party really begins. It’s one of those places where you definitely don’t want to book anything straight afterwards… you’ll be there for the afternoon!
Morning in Èze & Perfume Making
We spent a lovely morning in Èze, starting with a wander around the market, which is so cute and full of gorgeous little shops, clothes and local finds. We then headed to Galimard to make our very own perfumes which was such a fun experience and definitely something a little different to add to your itinerary. We each got to create our own personalised scent and take it home with us, so we had a little piece of the South of France to bring back!
Saint-Tropez Market
We also spent a morning wandering around the Saint-Tropez market. There are so many gorgeous little stalls and shops, with everything from clothes and jewellery to local food and bits and pieces you’ll definitely want to take home.
It’s easy to just think of Saint-Tropez as beach clubs and big yachts, but the market is a lovely way to see a more local side of it. We could have spent hours wandering around!
Dinner at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
There are some hotels that you visit simply because they’re iconic, and then there are others where you arrive and instantly see why everyone raves about them. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is definitely the latter.
The setting is just incredible, and even if you’re not staying at the hotel, we think it’s absolutely worth booking dinner. It’s such a special place and the perfect way to experience a little taste of this Riviera icon.
Beach Day
And of course, you can’t go to the South of France without having a proper beach day! Find a gorgeous pair of sun loungers, order something cold, have a swim and settle in for the day.
One of our favourite spots for this is Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, where you can spend the day on their iconic pink sun loungers right by the water.
LET US PLAN YOUR PERFECT TRIP
So, where should you stay? It really depends on what you’re looking for!
A big family villa with your own pool? We know exactly where to look.
A glamorous few days in Saint-Tropez? We have plenty of favourites.
Something a little quieter and more under-the-radar? We know those too.
If you’re thinking about the South of France for 2027, now is the time to start planning. The most popular villas and hotels book up quickly, especially for July and August.
So, let your travel fairies do the hard work for you! We’ll help you find the right place to stay, plan the best experiences and take care of all those little details that make a holiday feel completely effortless.
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