Stunning Venues on the French Riviera: A Personal Tour

I have produced hundreds of events across the French Riviera, and I still get goose-pimples walking into some of these places. So let me take you on a personal tour of some of the coast's most stunning venues, and tell you exactly why each one is special to me. Every venue has its own character, its own magic, and its own perfect kind of celebration. This is only a selection of my personal favourites, and Riviera Organisation is an official events partner of several of them. We can advise on plenty more venues across the coast, so if you have somewhere in mind that is not here, do ask.

Planning something of your own? Skip to “Let’s talk” at the end for a recommendation tailored to your event.

VILLA EPHRUSSI DE ROTHSCHILD

For first impressions, nothing beats the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Most private parties begin with a saunter through the Spanish and Florentine gardens, then open onto a view over the Bay of Villefranche that TripAdvisor once rated the most beautiful on the planet. From there it only gets better. The first sight of the French gardens and the magnificent Italian-styled palace is lifted to another level by the villa's own dancing fountains. Add some live music, and I defy anyone not to feel a shiver.

The villa has a serene yet sophisticated energy, and as the sun goes down the whole setting comes alive with the most beautiful lighting. It lends itself to spectacular shows. Some personal favourites are the bespoke video-mapping and the mesmerising “flying moon” heliosphere. Better even than the shows themselves is watching the faces of guests experiencing them for the first time.

Tip:

Take your time over dinner in the French gardens. Some clients want to rush it and get on with the party, but it is one of the most beautiful settings in the world, so savour every moment.

Fact:

Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild was an eccentric lover of art who filled the mansion with antique furniture, old master paintings, sculptures and an extensive collection of rare porcelain. Among her treasures are a games table that once belonged to Marie-Antoinette and a rug commissioned by Louis XIV.

Visit our dedicated Villa Ephrussi events website.

CHATEAU DE LA NAPOULE

This is a magnificent castle right on the water's edge near Cannes, and it has a completely different vibe to the Villa Ephrussi, even though both make the shortlist for many of my clients. Its main purpose is as an arts foundation, so the feel is more cultured and relaxed.

It makes sense to discover the castle zone by zone. For wedding ceremonies, there is a hidden garden around the back, then a long walk round to take in the full splendour of the setting. The back terrace looks out over the Bay of Cannes and is at its best at sunset, before dinner in the courtyard in full view of the towers.

The castle suits all sorts of corporate themes, from a Taste of Provence to a Medieval Tale. A personal favourite of mine is when we bring in opera singers disguised as the castle's most famous owners, Marie and Henry Clews. They welcome guests with fun facts about the venue, then reveal themselves later during dinner as superb singers.

Tip:

For corporate events and glamorous weddings alike, we can project a logo or emblem onto one of the towers.

Fact:

The castle was originally built in the 14th century but has been rebuilt several times. In the 19th century it was actually a glass factory, before the American couple Henry and Marie Clews purchased it and restored it to how we know it today.

CHATEAU DE CASTELLARAS

If I were to choose a venue for my own celebration on the French Riviera, it would be here at the Château de Castellaras. Yes, it is close to my home and office, but there are many more reasons it has always been my favourite. It has an intimate, personal feel compared to some of its more illustrious rivals, and events flow seamlessly from one zone to the next. On national bank holidays you can watch the fireworks displays going off simultaneously right across the Riviera, including the thirty-minute extravaganza in Cannes. The view stretches along the entire Côte d'Azur, with the perched village of Mougins in the foreground.

It is popular for both private and corporate events. The Lord of the Rings launch party was held here during the Cannes Film Festival. For weddings, there is even a small chapel on site for the ceremony, and eighteen charming rooms where guests can stay.

Tip:

There are some stylish marquees from local companies that complement the castle perfectly. It is like having one stunning venue inside another.

Fact:

The château was built in under a year in the 1920s. The architect, Jacques Couëlle, drew on assembled architectural elements from the 12th, 15th and 16th centuries.

LE BEAUVALLON

I have seen my fair share of stunning venues, but Le Beauvallon blew me away on my very first visit. It is the last remaining Belle Époque building in the SaintTropez area, now completely renovated with impeccable taste and attention to detail. The owner has assembled an incredible art collection, and a theme of contemporary beauty against a backdrop of timeless elegance runs through the whole venue. I also really appreciate the owner's commitment to eco-friendly events, so everything that happens at Beauvallon is done with our wider responsibility to the environment in mind.

The venue sleeps up to 88 guests across 44 suites and rooms, so it is ideal for celebrations where privacy and discretion are paramount, and each day can have its own style: a welcome drink on the north terrace, a gala dinner in the ballroom, brunch by the pool, and dancing in the famous Ito Pavilion, itself a work of art. On site there is a gym, a cinema and even a dedicated karaoke room with real instruments. It is impossible to get bored, but if you do, Saint-Tropez with all its beaches, watersports and glitzy nightlife is just a short drive away.

Tip:

You will not regret arranging a fireworks display. There is a perfect viewing point down at the beach club, where the fireworks light up the skies above the Bay of Saint-Tropez with the iconic village twinkling in the background.

Fact:

The summer pavilion was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Toyo Ito, with Cecil Balmond.

BELLES RIVES

For me this is the true French Riviera experience, and the perfect setting to party in style. The Hôtel Belles Rives is an art-deco hotel in the classic Belle Époque Riviera style, perched right on the water's edge. It is ideal for a ceremony, a drinks reception by the sea, dining under the stars and dancing in the moonlight.

It takes great pride in its illustrious past, including its association with F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby. I have lost count of how many Belle Époque and Gatsby-themed parties I have seen here. It is always a challenge getting everything set up in time, because by day the hotel is busy with suntanners and water-skiers, but I cannot think of a better place to party in style right by the sea.

Tip:

Check the dates of the Juan-les-Pins jazz festival. Even if it complicates the deliveries and logistics, it is worth savouring the music from the stage of La Pinède, which over the years has hosted some of music's most illustrious stars and uncovered some unknown gems.

Fact:

F. Scott Fitzgerald made the Belles Rives his home in the 1920s, and it was here that he found inspiration for many of his masterpieces. He hosted lavish parties, inviting celebrities from around the world for nights of champagne and extravagance. He is credited with helping turn Juan-les-Pins, and in some ways the whole French Riviera, into such a fashionable destination during the Belle Époque.

CHEVRE D’OR

The phrase “spectacular views” gets over-used when talking about Riviera venues, but it is hard to find a superlative that does justice to the breath-taking setting of La Chèvre d'Or.

The village of Èze is itself a jewel of the Riviera, a beautiful perched village a stone's throw from Monaco, and what a contrast. The venue is a refined luxury hotel with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, lush fragrant gardens and, I have to say it again, the most amazing views. It would be almost criminal not to visit

La Chèvre d'Or at some point during your stay. For events, it is hard to think of a better setting for a wedding ceremony anywhere, followed by drinks on the panoramic terrace, then dinner in the gastronomic restaurant or on the Les Remparts terrace. Take your pick.

Tip:

For musical entertainment, we recommend one of our acoustic strolling bands. They have the repertoire and the vibe to complement each stage of the event without interfering with the hotel's strict music policy.

Fact:

The view stretches to the Italian Riviera in the east and to the peninsulas just past Saint-Tropez in the west. On a clear day, you can see as far as Corsica.

SALLE EMPIRE

The recent renovations of the celebrated Hôtel de Paris are stunning, and the famous old building now stands immaculate over the restyled Casino Square. And that is just the outside. Inside, the Salle Empire is the most ornately decorated room on the Riviera, finished with such precision and detail that it feels like sitting inside a work of art.

Many of Monaco's most glamorous events are held here, in the presence of Monégasque dignitaries and celebrities, and it is the first choice for corporate gala dinners in the Principality. You can even host your own private casino here as a taster before visiting the most famous casino in Europe next door.

Tip:

For something truly exceptional, we can propose an exquisite indoor mapping show that highlights all the beauty of the venue and traces every detail.

Fact:

Several James Bond films have been shot here, so it is a natural choice for Bond-themed events and all the drama that comes with them.

CAP ESTEL

Cap Estel is a five-star hotel ten minutes from both Monaco and Nice. Hidden away on the water's edge, it has an exclusive, luxurious feel. It is the only venue I know where you can get married on a chessboard. How symbolic is that?

It sits on a beautiful mini-peninsula with water on three sides and lush botanical gardens. Family-owned, it keeps a homely feel, so an event here is like hosting in your own billion-dollar mansion. Cap Estel is a genuinely unique experience, and it is hard to imagine this level of luxury and privacy right on the water so close to Monaco.

Tip:

If you can privatise the whole venue, your event will be transformed. There is far more you can do with it, and, more importantly, it feels like inviting guests into your own home.

Fact:

The Beatles often resided at Cap Estel. Paul McCartney used to play his acoustic guitar by the pool. Inspired by the magical surroundings, they wrote one of their most famous songs “Michelle” during one of their stays at Cap Estel.

CHATEAU DITER

There is no guarantee that Château Diter will still be hosting events by the time you read this, but for now it is defiantly staging the most illustrious parties, despite a high-profile court case ordering its demolition.

The venue is a spectacular Tuscan Renaissance-style villa, reportedly worth around €57M. It was built up from nothing by the French architect Patrick Diter, inspired by the grandest Italian palaces. Hidden away on the outskirts of Grasse, it is quite a trek to reach, but the journey is well worth it.

For events, you are spoilt for choice with so many splendid zones. The real challenge is guiding guests through all of them. There are several Renaissanceinspired gardens and a permanent Orangerie marquee for dining. Loud music has to stay indoors to avoid disturbing the neighbours, but that is the case with most venues these days.

Tip:

Get in there quickly while you still can. It might not be around for much longer.

Fact:

Some of the settings may feel familiar from the Sky TV series Riviera, which told some of the darker sides of the region. It fits, in a way, because like the venue, many of the parties here have been decadent and ostentatious.

MONT LEUZE

When I first worked at the site now known as Mont Leuze, it was still the Canadian University. Today it has been restyled as an immaculate venue perched high on the Grande Corniche, so you feel on top of the world looking down over the beautiful Bay of Villefranche and beyond. There are three terraces, each with its own charm, so it is worth weaving all of them into the experience. The Vista terrace is ideal for a wedding ceremony, the Terrazzita suits welcome drinks and cocktails, and the aptly named “Roof of the World” seats up to 400 guests for dinner. Mont Leuze has kept a homely feel, so somehow you feel like you are inviting friends to your own property, even if only for a weekend.

Tip:

You will want to add some lighting if you are dining outside on the terrace, and our festoon lights work a treat.

Fact: 

From the “Roof of the World” terrace, the view sweeps across the Bay of Villefranche, one of the most photographed stretches of the entire Côte d'Azur.

SALLE DES ETOILES

The iconic Salle des Étoiles is, without doubt, the most prestigious event venue in Monaco and on the French Riviera. The “room of the stars” has hosted most of the world's most famous celebrities in one capacity or another. For many years it was home to the World Music Awards, and now it hosts the Sporting Summer Festival each year, with an impressive line-up spanning many genres over two months. It is also the venue for Monaco's most extravagant fundraisers, such as the Bal de la Rose and the Monaco Red Cross Ball.

Its defining feature is its roof, which can open in minutes, so all of a sudden you are literally dining under the stars or watching the sky light up with a huge fireworks display. The stars on stage mingle with the stars in the sky.

Tip:

Monaco's most famous nightclub, Jimmy'z, is in the same building, so the party can carry on until the following morning, but be sure to book your table in advance.

Fact:

The first celebrity to perform at the Salle des Étoiles was Josephine Baker in 1974. The line-up continues to draw legendary names year after year.

NEGRESCO

The Negresco is, for many, the defining symbol of the Côte d'Azur, an iconic Belle Époque building that captures the golden age of the French Riviera. It was also the setting for one of my favourite events among the hundreds I have been involved in, when we brought over one of my childhood heroes, Roger Daltrey, to perform at a private birthday party.

The hotel has the most beautiful ballroom, said by some to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel himself, and several adjoining function rooms, so it adapts to all sorts of needs. It also houses an impressive art collection built up by its late owner, Jeanne Augier. As one of my clients said recently, “it is like dining in an art gallery.”

The creator of this iconic landmark, Henri Negresco, was actually Romanian. He built the hotel in 1912 to attract the wealthiest clients to the nearby casino.

Tip:

The main ballroom, with its huge glass dome, is beautiful, but the acoustics are challenging. You will need a multi-diffusion sound system to spread the sound evenly around the room.

Fact:

It was at the Negresco that Louis Armstrong first heard the French song “C'est Si Bon.” He was so inspired that he recorded his own version, turning the song into a worldwide success.

CHATEAU DE LA CROIX DES GARDES

Nestled on a picturesque hillside above Cannes, the Château de la Croix des Gardes is more than a luxury destination. This Florentine-style masterpiece was built in 1911 by the Swiss industrialist Paul Girod, and it commands attention from its vantage point amid lush woodlands and manicured gardens, a jewel within the esteemed Quartier des Anglais. Its corridors carry more than a century of history, having welcomed an illustrious mix of family, friends, celebrities and royalty over the years. It is one of those venues where the sense of occasion is built into the walls.

We produced a week-long project here during the last Cannes Lions festival, and one of the features was the unveiling of the region's first electric air taxi, situated in front of the château so it had that magnificent façade as its backdrop. It is a little aircraft that could one day connect Nice airport with Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez in minutes, and it looked rather good against a hundred years of history. A good reminder of why this venue works so well for a launch.

Tip:

The setting is breath-taking, but bear in mind that production costs here tend to be on the higher side, so plan your budget accordingly.

Fact:

Legend has it that Hitchcock first discovered the château as a guest at one of its early parties, held to mark the start of the Cannes Film Festival.

Let's talk

Every one of these venues is special, but the perfect choice depends entirely on you, your guests and the kind of moment you want to create. That is where I come in. As official events partner to several of the region's most iconic venues, and with the knowledge to advise on many more, I can help you find the setting, and the experience, that will give your guests goose-pimples too.

Tell me about your event and I’ll recommend the perfect venue.

Email peter@rivieraorganisation.com or call +33 (0)6 20 26 20 88