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.

Like any fairytale, it has a palace. The Palais des Festivals may have only 24 steps, but what steps they are! 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 (Le Martinez, Le Majestic, Le Carlton…) 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, 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, where yachts and fishing boats intermingle; its narrow streets and ochre-colored facades; the Place des Lices, alive with endless pétanque games; the Voiles regatta, showcasing the most magnificent sailboats; and its “institutions”: morning coffee at Sénéquier and sandals crafted here and nowhere else.

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.

Often called unruly and chaotic, Marseille proudly flaunts its vibrant spirit and defiant charm. As France’s oldest and second-largest city, it embodies the essence of the South—a lively melting pot infused with aioli, pastis, and navettes, swept by the mistral, and guarded by the iconic Bonne Mère.*

In its neighborhoods—from Le Panier to Mazargues, La Pointe Rouge to La Castellane—conversations flow with politics, rap music, and a deep love for football. To feel its true rhythm, breathe in the salty air of La Canebière and the Old Port, stroll down Le Prado, and admire the MuCEM’s seaside architecture. Gaze at Château d’If and imagine The Count of Monte Cristo… Wander the Calanques, marvel at Le Corbusier’s Radiant City, or explore Vauban’s grand fortifications.

Marseille is an ancient, ever-evolving mosaic of cultures, revealing its spirit to those who embrace its unique pace.

*The Virgin of Notre-Dame de la Garde