A land of contrasts

In The Talented Mr Ripley, the French Riviera is described as stretching from Toulon at its western extreme to Monaco in the east. Between the two, a string of A-list towns and charming fishing villages link arms to create the Mediterranean’s most vibrant mix of cultures – as much a safe haven for tradition as for the liner-sized yachts that are drawn to these shores.

While there are no official boundaries for this iconic coast, Hollywood’s definition is a fair one – and holds true the popular theory that the stretch of France turned to face Italy is either looking for style tips from its neighbours or perhaps showing them how the seamless pairing of glamour and tradition should really be done.

Where the famous come to play

Drawn here by a seductively warm climate, the aristocracy established the Côte d’Azur as ‘a destination’ in the late 19th century. They were soon outnumbered though, by artists and actors who made the Riviera as much a place to be seen in as to see.

Names like Cannes, St-Tropez and St-Raphaël – now immortalised in celluloid themselves – are as legendary as the stars who continue to flock here. But the area’s penchant for showiness is surely most apparent in Monaco – the tiny principality nestled snuggly into the coast where a third of the population are millionaires.

A state of unbridled extravagance

Second only to the Vatican City in diminutive size, Monaco somehow squeezes all the world’s showiness and glamour into just 200 hectares. Enclosed by France, this is a sovereign state in its own right, as an immaculate royal palace and pin-sharp daily changing of the guard serve to remind.

The five-storey yachts. The exclusive boutiques. The money. Nowhere does it quite like Monaco and embracing the principality’s unashamed passion for the spectacle can be mesmerising. But don’t even dream of leaving without first taking a peek inside Monte Carlo’s legendary casino.

Off the beaten promenade

When the impact of eye-wateringly expensive cars and impossibly beautiful people begins to fade, drama can instead be found in some of the Mediterranean’s most inspiring scenery.

From the picturesque fishing village of Cassis, you can strike out along the coast towards Marseille to admire France’s highest sea cliffs and the spectacular views around the hiking trails of the Calanques. The lovely little seaside town of Agay – memorable for its views over the mountains and red cliffs of the surrounding Massif de l’Esterel – provides another unforgettable stop along one of the most scenic coast roads in France.

Away from the sea

The Azure Coast this may be, but the countryside it touches is every bit as special as the glamorous seafront. Venture inland and you’ll find that most desirable of old French provinces, Provence; a granite-flecked landscape dotted with lavender fields where medieval villages cling to cliff sides and where famous artists – Picasso, Van Gogh, Cézanne – stayed for the views.

The rustic appeal of Provence is a timeless one and a morning spent wandering through a cool forest of truffle oaks before enjoying a glass of something rosé in an ancient village square is enough to remind you why. It’s a place to recharge before heading back to the luxurious buzz of the coast.