My most cinematic trip yet: a guide to the South of France
Every hotel, meal, and moment from our weeklong French Riviera road trip—plus what I’d do differently next time
This is From the Window Seat, a series of deeply researched, design-forward dispatches for people who believe in the art of traveling well. From immersive itineraries to standout hotel reviews, each one offers everything you need to experience a place—or a property—with intention and great taste.
Few locales are more seductive to me than the French Riviera. I feel called to France more so than any other place for reasons I haven’t totally figured out yet, so when I was planning my first-ever trip to Europe to celebrate turning 30 a couple of years ago, the South of France seemed like the obvious choice.
In the middle of May, we flew from New York’s JFK into Nice’s Côte d'Azur Airport for seven days in one of the world’s most luxurious regions. What followed were romantic coastline drives, cinematic hotel backdrops, awe-inspiring vistas, and a burgeoning (now full-blown) obsession with tarte tropézienne.
Read on for:
The exact hotels we stayed at—plus the one that inspired this whole trip
What to pack to blend in (and stand out) in the land of effortless chic
The best thing I ate, the biggest mistake we made, and the drink I’ll dream about forever
The apps, upgrades, and booking tips that made everything smoother
What I’d skip next time—and where I wish we’d stayed longer