French Riviera 
& Provence

Its story reads like a fairytale: a small fishing village transformed into the world’s cinema capital, thanks to a festival that became the second most-publicized event on the planet, after the Olympics. For ten days, they’re draped in a red carpet, lit by flashing cameras as the world’s biggest stars ascend them.

For over 75 years, the Cannes Film Festival has discovered talent, created legends, and immortalized those who’ve graced the famous Croisette. With beaches and luxury hotels on one side, and designer boutiques on the other, the Croisette is Cannes’ glamorous heartbeat. And even when the festival lights fade, with the Lérins Islands in view and the old town of Le Suquet nearby, Cannes stays forever in the spotlight.

1955: a film, an actress, a small fishing village, and a phenomenal success. The film was And God Created Woman, the actress Brigitte Bardot, and the village, Saint-Tropez. BB became a myth, and Saint-Tropez, a legend. Royals, actors, writers, painters, and sculptors all flocked to its shores. "Saint-Trop'," as insiders call it, became the epicenter of laid-back chic.

People adore it for its beaches—of which there are many (Pampelonne, La Ponche, Les Canoubiers…)—and their restaurants; its old port, ; its narrow streets and ochre-colored facades; the Place des Lices, alive with endless pétanque games; the Voiles regatta, showcasing the most magnificent sailboats. Time, seasons, and trends may come and go, but Saint-Tropez remains: a way of life.

Among the forty-two towns in France named Saint-Cyr, only Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer enjoys the Mediterranean’s gentle touch.

Which beach will you choose? Lecques, with its two kilometers of soft sand, perfect for long strolls? La Madrague? Reinettes, where you’ll feel like the only person in the world? Or perhaps you’ll venture to the Calanque of Port d’Alon? It hardly matters—the sea is everywhere, reflecting rocky cliffs and maritime pines.

In Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, discover the massive, submarine-shaped rock at Calanque de La Galère, and be pleasantly surprised by a Statue of Liberty in Portalis Square—a Bartholdi-signed replica of New York’s iconic statue. Here, in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, you may find it remarkably easy to simply let yourself enjoy life.

Cassis is a tranquil paradise resting beneath the golden cliffs of Cap Canaille. As charming as its surroundings, Cassis invites you to embrace the art of idleness. Along its picturesque harbor, colorful houses stand beside inviting terraces, where you’ll feel drawn to savor sea bass or scorpionfish paired with wine from one of the twelve local vineyards, no matter the hour. Wander through the narrow streets and calades*, pausing in quaint squares adorned with bubbling fountains.

At Bestouan Beach, crystal-clear waters invite you to swim or simply bask in their beauty. Meanwhile, at the Calanque of Port Miou, you’ll marvel at rocky peaks and umbrella pines framed by the turquoise sea. As Frédéric Mistral said, "He who has seen Paris but not Cassis has seen nothing." *Steep, cobbled streets

Often described as bold and full of life, Marseille embraces its vibrant spirit and unapologetic energy. As France’s oldest; it doesn’t just belong to the South—it is the South: a vibrant mix of aioli, pastis, and navettes, carried by the mistral, and watched over by the iconic Bonne Mère*. In its neighborhoods—people discuss a bit of politics, a lot of rap, and are an undeniable passionate about football.

Yet to truly feel its pulse, you must soak in the salty air of La Canebière and the Old Port, stroll down Le Prado, marvel at the MuCEM by the sea. Look out to Château d’If, imagining The Count of Monte Cristo. Explore the Calanques, be inspired by Le Corbusier’s Radiant City. Marseille is an ancient ever-changing mosaic of cultures, revealing itself only to those who follow its rhythm. *Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica