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SOUTH OF FRANCE SUMMERS: GLAMOUR, TRADITION, AND TIMELESS ESCAPE
From Cannes, we’ d always make time for Antibes— a quieter, art-soaked town full of character. Its old town is a maze of cobblestone lanes, market squares, and artists sketching in sundappled corners. Walk along the ramparts at sunset and you’ ll understand why so many painters, from Picasso to Monet, fell in love with this place. Just around the bend is Cap d’ Antibes, one of the most exclusive stretches of coastline in France. Hidden villas, discreet beach clubs, and that soft golden light— it’ s Riviera perfection.
For as long as I can remember, summer has meant one thing: the South of France. Year after year, our family would escape to the glittering coastline of the Côte d’ Azur— a place where the scent of salt, sunscreen, and fresh baguettes still feels like home.
Cannes was always our first stop. It’ s a city that doesn’ t just wear glamour— it radiates it. From the designer boutiques that line La Croisette to the cobbled backstreets of Le Suquet, Cannes is a masterclass in contrasts. You can sip espresso in a tucked-away café at breakfast, and by lunch, be lounging at a private beach club where white parasols line the shore and chilled rosé flows endlessly. And then there’ s the harbor— a catwalk of superyachts where the world’ s elite come to see and be seen.
The 5-star Carlton Hotel is the grand dame of Cannes, standing proudly along the boulevard like something out of a vintage postcard. Its private beach club is a front-row seat to Riviera luxury— a place where you can almost hear the echoes of old Hollywood and feel the romance of a bygone era.
No summer felt complete without a day trip to St. Tropez. The drive itself is a feast for the eyes— hilltop villages, fields of lavender, vineyards rolling toward the sea. St. Tropez is all about contradiction: its fishing village roots wrapped in luxury labels and mega-yachts. Whether you’ re browsing the open-air market in Place des Lices or lounging at Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach, the town somehow manages to feel both exclusive and effortlessly relaxed.
For a taste of royalty and roulette, Monaco is a must. From the grandeur of the Prince’ s Palace to the marble floors of the Monte Carlo Casino, the city is pure opulence. Spend a few hours here, and you’ ll understand why it’ s a playground for billionaires. Finally, take the winding drive to Èze Village— a medieval hilltop town with cobbled alleys, cliffside gardens, and panoramic views that stretch all the way to Italy. It’ s the perfect final note— romantic, timeless, and just a little surreal.
Summer in the South of France isn’ t just a holiday. It’ s a ritual. One I never plan to give up.
Just the two of you? Enjoy a seven night stay at 5-star Hotel Martinez in a Junior Suite with Sea View on 28 August 2025 including direct flights from Liverpool Airport from £ 1,050 per person.
46 wirrallife. com