The ultimate luxury trip to the French Riviera starts with a suite at Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, adds dinner at a three-star Michelin table, and finishes with time on the water. This is our plan for a few days on the Côte d’Azur between Monaco, Menton and Cannes, using places we have checked are open in October 2026.
| Stop | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo | Stay in a Diamond Suite with a sea view |
| Le Louis XV, Monaco | Three Michelin stars, Alain Ducasse |
| Mirazur, Menton | Three Michelin stars, Mauro Colagreco |
| La Vague d’Or, Saint-Tropez | Three Michelin stars, Arnaud Donckele |
| Shopping | Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo, the streets of Cannes and Monte Carlo |
| Events | Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival |
The ultimate luxury trip to the French Riviera
When you want to treat yourself properly, you should not settle for anything but the best. The French Riviera is lively, glamorous and full of charming sights, a long history, great restaurants and nightlife. It is a place loved by Queen Victoria, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, and a place where Elton John, Johnny Depp and other celebrities have homes.
Where to stay: Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Start with a check-in at Monte Carlo‘s Hotel Hermitage. The hotel overlooks the sea and the Rock and bills its Diamond Suites as the finest collection of suites in Monaco. Options include a sea-view Diamond Suite, versions with a jacuzzi, a duplex, a penthouse and two-bedroom Presidential and Princely suites. The hotel does not list prices on that page, so ask for a quote for your dates.
Where to eat: three Michelin stars, three ways
Our earlier pick here, L’Hostellerie de Jérôme in La Turbie, has reportedly closed and its cellar has been auctioned, so it comes off the list. The Riviera still has three-star options:
- Le Louis XV, Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris, Monaco. Three Michelin stars, Mediterranean cuisine, on Place du Casino. It opens for dinner most days and for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan around it and book directly.
- Mirazur, Menton. Three Michelin stars, chef Mauro Colagreco, near the Italian border with views of the Mediterranean. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
- La Vague d’Or, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez. Three Michelin stars, chef Arnaud Donckele, set among pines on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
Out on the water
Because the sea is so close, spend a few hours yachting. Our earlier suggestion was a crewed motor yacht named Rhino, but the listing we checked puts it in Greece, so it is no use for a Riviera day. Ask a charter broker for a crewed boat out of Monaco, Cannes or Antibes. For the other end of the market, see our look at yachting and where docking costs the most.
Shopping
Because you are in such a glamorous place, go shopping. In Monte Carlo, Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo sits beneath the Hôtel Métropole in the Carré d’Or, and its brand mix has included labels such as Gucci, Max Mara and Missoni (check current boutiques before you go). Or wander the streets of Cannes and Monte Carlo.
The big events
If you are lucky, you will visit while the Monaco Grand Prix or the Cannes International Film Festival takes place. The whole area becomes livelier and more glamorous than usual, and hotels sell out well ahead.
Keep reading
- The most expensive places to dock your yacht: the Riviera ports are on the map
- The world’s most expensive yachts: if a day charter is not enough
FAQ
What is the best luxury hotel in Monte Carlo for this trip?
Our pick is Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, which overlooks the sea and the Rock and offers a collection of Diamond Suites, several with sea views and jacuzzis. Rates are published on the hotel’s booking pages, not in this article.
Which Michelin three-star restaurants are on the French Riviera?
Mirazur in Menton (chef Mauro Colagreco), Le Louis XV by Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, and La Vague d’Or at Cheval Blanc St-Tropez (chef Arnaud Donckele) each hold three Michelin stars.
What happened to L’Hostellerie de Jérôme?
The two-star restaurant in La Turbie is reported to have closed, and its wine cellar has been sold at auction, so we no longer recommend it.
When is the best time to visit for the big events?
The Cannes Film Festival is held in May and the Monaco Grand Prix in late spring. Both fill hotels far ahead and push rates up, so book early.
Do I need to charter a yacht for the full trip?
No. A crewed charter for a day or a week is an add-on, and prices vary widely by boat and season. Ask a charter broker for a quote for the dates you want.
Last updated: October 2026.
