Driving the French Riviera in Style

James Bond always has the most phenomenal vehicles that he drives in some of the most amazing places on earth. One of the most distinguishable areas for 007’s famous jaunts – actually for many car chases and scenic drives chronicled on film – is the French Riviera. Warm, convertible-top-down weather along meandering roads tightly hug cliff sides bordering the magical Mediterranean Sea; sparkling blue water, towns tinged with color perched above and the sun in your shades.

For seaside drives, stick to route A8 from Cannes all the way to the Italian border. Or, head inland to discover narrow, hilly, curving roads taking you through old fishing villages. In Monaco, you can also drive most of the famous Grand Prix route.

We would like to take you on a road trip. Imagine driving one of your favorite cars, cruising along those winding roads. The sun is on your brow and you can’t imagine the breeze smelling any sweeter. For this leg of the journey you have chosen a most outstanding vehicle …

McLaren 720S Spider

With its curves and technology directly inspired by McLaren Formula 1, the 720S Spider has left nothing to chance to make your driving experience exhilarating. Its luxurious, hand-crafted interior and the panoramic view will allow you to enjoy the scenery of the French Riviera without leaving your car. To experience this technological marvel, we will reserve your McLaren 720S Spider as soon as you give us the green light.

The McLaren 720S Spider. [Source: supercars.net]

Make Cannes Your Holiday Home Base

If you can’t get enough road trips on your extended holiday in the French Riviera, you might consider choosing Cannes as your home base in which case we suggest Villa Julia with its serene ambiance. This unrivaled luxury Cannes home can accommodate 26 guests who will enjoy amenities such as a private tennis court, heated outdoor pool, sauna, gym, cinema room and elevator. Enjoy a delicious beverage on the terrace watching a midnight sky dancing with starlight.

Villa Julia, Cannes

Explore These Charming Towns

The quaint town of Antibes is a must stop on your road trip. You will marvel at the 16th century architecture (one example is the chateau once owned by Picasso). In between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is close enough to both for day trips if you want more than the Cours Masséna food market, stunning floral gardens, and the yachts in the Port Vauban.

Antibes is a picturesque village on the French Riviera worth visiting for its ambiance alone.

You traded in your Spider for a Bugatti Chiron

This car is undoubtedly the most luxurious car available for hire, and LVH will secure it for you. A true hyper-car with unmatched performance, the Chiron guarantees pleasure and thrills. If you are a thrill-seeker, with 1,500 horsepower and a speed exceeding 420 km/h, the engine and the muscular curves of this Bugatti will catapult you into a dimension where brutal power reigns supreme.

The powerfully sexy Bugatti Chiron. [Source: indiatimes.com]

On the Road to Cassis

Cassis is just a short 12-mile drive from Marseille, yet feels like it is a million miles. Famous for the Calanques National Park – a series of stunning rocky headlands full of hidden coves that bring the island of Capri to mind – the small fishing town is a hit with tourists and locals alike. Allowed to develop slowly, the historic town has kept its quaint pastel buildings and traditional soul. While the harbor is lined with restaurants and attracts a lot of tourists, the lure of the Calanques keeps things mellow. A 40-minute Cassis is just a short 12-mile drive from Marseille, yet feels like it is a million miles. Famous for the Calanques National Park – a series of stunning rocky headlands full of hidden coves that bring the island of Capri to mind – the small fishing town is a hit with tourists and locals alike. Allowed to develop slowly, the historic town has kept its quaint pastel buildings and traditional soul. While the harbor is lined with restaurants and attracts a lot of tourists, the lure of the Calanques keeps things mellow. A 40-minute hike from the town, the first of the picturesque coves awaits you for swimming and rock jumping.

Calanques National Park in the Cassis area. {Source: travelfrancebucketlist.com]

The Ancient Wonder that is Eze

Eze is perched eagle-like on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. If you visit in the high season you will see tourists filling the crumbling streets to catch a glimpse of one of the French Riviera’s most iconic sites. Eze is a must-see and while the town itself is busy during summer, the surrounding area is a serene place to escape to with its tropical plants, extensive hikes, and access to the Mediterranean. Visit Eze for the stillness of unexpected village squares, the 12th century castle, and to investigate the medieval mysteries held by these ancient structures and winding ascending roads.

One of the ancient walkways in Eze where you will feel like you are on the top of the world. [Source: dreamstime.com]

The Venerable Village of Vence

The hillside hamlet of Vence is circled by tropical trees and colossal rocks. Vence has residents who live in the village all year. If you want to combine the sun and the sea of the French Riviera with a taste of authentic Gallic living, this is the place. Explore the bustling food and antiques markets, eat soup de poisson anywhere you can get it, and visit the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence, a chapel designed and constructed by Henri Matisse and regarded as one of France’s greatest contemporary religious structures. Getting a little retail therapy in here could be relaxing and finding the perfect gallic gift for friends or family is easy.

Shops and art galleries line the narrow cobblestone roads in the medieval hilltop village of Vence.

Menton’s Italian Influences

Found between the mountains and the sea, Menton is the last stop on your French Riviera highway hiatus before France runs into Italy. It’s no wonder you will be finding a lot of Italian influences in Menton. What is truly unbelievable is that Menton gets 300 days of sunshine a year. No wonder luxury travelers have embraced the rustic charm of this village. Stay a while to explore the narrow streets of this medieval town. Charmingly, it doesn’t appear the town has changed much over the years. It’s easy-paced and relaxed, yet it does have its attractions like the bright homes in the older part of the village, the Musee Jean Cocteau and the Serra de la Madone gardens.

Houses in the old part of Menton sing with color.

When you trust LVH with your French Riviera luxury travel plans, we will go the extra mile to ensure all your vacation wishes are met or exceeded. In addition to luxury accommodations, we will also build a personal itinerary for you with all those things you would love to see and do during your time in the Cote d’Azur including taking road trips in fabulous vehicles. All you need to do is to share your vacation dreams with us and we will go to work on making them come true!