Exceptional Duo Villa EstateN°001
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
Private poolSea view
From $9,000 per night
Lavender hills, Riviera glamour and the bluest of seas
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur sweeps from the lavender plateaux and hilltop villages of Provence to the glittering resorts of the French Riviera and the peaks of the Southern Alps. A private villa here, whether above the bays of Antibes or among the vines near Aix-en-Provence, brings pools, gardens and concierge ease to France's most seductive corner.
- The Riviera coastline from Saint-Tropez to Antibes, Cannes and Nice
- Aix-en-Provence's fountains, markets and Cézanne country
- Hilltop villages such as Èze, Gordes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence
- Bandol's vineyards and the wild coves of the Var coast
- Private-pool villas with concierge service, from sea-view estates to Provençal mas
Known forThe Côte d'Azur's beaches and yacht harbours, lavender fields, hilltop villages, Provençal markets and world-class art and festivals
Best time to visitMay, June and September for warm weather without peak crowds; July and August for full Riviera season
Nearest airportNice Côte d'Azur (NCE) for the Riviera; Marseille Provence (MRS) for western Provence
Ideal forCouples, families and groups who want beaches, culture, food and effortless glamour in one region
Fresh Grape Farmhouse in a Perfect LocationN°002
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
Private pool
From $9,000 per night
Stunning Luxurious Villa with outdoor poolN°003
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
From $8,750 per night
Waterfront Escape With Private HarborN°004
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
Private pool
From $7,756 per night
Sunset Aperitifs on Rooftop TerraceN°005
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
Private pool
From $7,477 per night
Luxury Villa with Pool in AntibesN°006
Provence Alpes Cote Dazur, France
From $7,384 per night
44homes available
1–12bedrooms
up to 24guests
17with a pool
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in pictures
Events not to miss in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- February
Nice Carnival
One of the world's great carnivals fills Nice with illuminated floats, flower battles and parades along the Promenade du Paillon for two weeks. It is the Riviera at its most exuberant, in the gentlest weather of the winter.
- May
Cannes Film Festival
The world's most famous film festival brings red carpets, yachts and star-watching to the Croisette. Even without festival accreditation, Cannes in May is a spectacle worth planning a stay around.
- Late June to July
Festival d'Aix-en-Provence
Aix's renowned opera festival stages productions in courtyards and historic theatres across the old town. Pair evening performances with long villa lunches in the surrounding countryside.
- July
Festival d'Avignon
One of the world's oldest and largest theatre festivals takes over Avignon, on the region's western edge, with hundreds of performances inside and around the Palais des Papes. An easy cultural day trip from western Provence.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Markets, blossom and quiet coast roads
Provence wakes up with wildflowers, asparagus and cherry blossom in the markets, and the corniche drives and hilltop villages are blissfully uncrowded before summer.
- Summer (June – August)
Lavender bloom and full Riviera season
The Valensole plateau turns violet from late June while the coast runs at full tilt: beach clubs, festivals, yacht days and warm evening swims in the villa pool.
- Autumn (September – October)
Harvest time and the warmest sea
The vendange fills the Bandol and Côtes de Provence vineyards, the light softens and the Mediterranean stays warm enough for daily swims well into October.
- Winter (November – February)
Truffles, carnival and Alpine snow
Truffle markets and slow bistro lunches suit the mild coast, Nice stages its February carnival, and the Southern Alps offer skiing within a couple of hours of the sea.
The Area and Where to Stay
This is France's sun-drawn southeast, stretching from the Rhône to the Italian border. On the coast, Antibes and Cap d'Antibes offer sandy beaches, a lively old town and quick access to Cannes and Nice, while the Var coast around Bandol and Saint-Tropez trades in beach clubs, pines and vineyard views. Biot, the glassmakers' village in the hills above the coast, keeps a quieter, artistic feel. Inland, Aix-en-Provence anchors classic Provence with plane-tree boulevards, daily markets and countryside scattered with stone farmhouses, the Luberon's hilltop villages a short drive beyond. Villa travellers choose between contemporary sea-view residences on the Riviera and restored mas with olive groves, lavender and pools in the countryside. Distances are manageable, so the whole region works as one stage for beach mornings, village lunches and long villa evenings, with concierge support to stitch it all together.
Things to Do
The Riviera invites slow indulgence: mornings on the sand at Antibes or Pampelonne, boat trips to the Îles de Lérins off Cannes or the island of Porquerolles, and corniche drives to the perched village of Èze. Art is everywhere, from the Picasso Museum in Antibes to the Fondation Maeght above Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the Matisse and Chagall collections in Nice. Inland, browse the markets of Aix-en-Provence, walk Cézanne's Montagne Sainte-Victoire, kayak the turquoise Gorges du Verdon or follow the lavender routes across the Valensole plateau in early summer. Golfers, sailors and hikers are equally well served, and Monaco makes an easy day out. Your concierge can arrange yacht charters, private guides, vineyard visits and restaurant tables along the coast.
Food and Local Flavour
Provençal cooking is sunshine on a plate: ratatouille, tapenade, courgette flowers, chilled rosé and fish pulled from the Mediterranean that morning. Bandol produces some of France's most respected reds and rosés, while the Côtes de Provence vineyards spread across the hinterland. In Nice, try socca and salade niçoise in the old town; in Marseille, bouillabaisse remains a ritual. Aix-en-Provence's markets pile up melons, olives, goat's cheese and calissons, and in winter the region turns to truffles and daubes. The coast holds a remarkable concentration of Michelin-starred dining, and a private chef at your villa is the most relaxed way to enjoy it all.
When to Visit
May, June and September are the sweet spots: hot enough for the beach, calm enough to enjoy the villages, with the sea warmest in early autumn. July and August bring full Riviera season, beach clubs at their liveliest and the lavender in bloom on the Valensole plateau, so book villas well ahead. Spring is fresh and floral, ideal for markets, gardens and walking. Winter stays mild on the coast, with the Nice Carnival lighting up February and reliable skiing a couple of hours north in the Southern Alps at resorts such as Isola 2000 and Serre Chevalier. A private villa makes every season feel unhurried.
Getting There
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) is the main gateway, one of France's busiest airports with direct flights from across Europe, North America and the Gulf, and it sits within an hour of most Riviera villas. Marseille Provence (MRS) serves Aix-en-Provence, Bandol and western Provence, while the TGV links Paris with Aix and Marseille in around three hours. A car is the key to the region's villages, vineyards and beaches, and your concierge can arrange private transfers, drivers or helicopter connections, including the short hop from Nice towards Saint-Tropez.