Itinerario de ultralujo: Antibes, Cannes y el Esterel

About this Guide

This guide is for those who demand the ultimate in luxury. It was written by a UHNW Monte-Carlo resident who personally frequents everything mentioned below, and continues to edit and update the guide regularly.

Two fun cities, a red rock mountain range, and a couple of islands.

Donde quedarse

Stay at the spectacularly-situated seaside Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on Cap d’Antibes. Since it first opened its grand doors in 1870, this hotel has welcomed a sophisticated parade of creatives, royalty, and glamorous jet-setters. A jewel of la Riviera francesa, the palatial resort attracted such visitors as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, among many others, and for decades it has been the favorite playground of movie stars in town for the Festival de cine de cannes.

If you have more time, spend a couple of nights in the Esterel at the newly-opened Château de Théoule (here’s a detailed review) o el Roches Rouges hotel (here’s a detailed review). There’s not a lot to do in this area aside from explore the Esterel, go paddleboarding, explore the towns of the Esterel, or go for a hike in the red rocks, but it’s such a unique spot that it warrants a couple of nights stay.

Dónde comer

cannes

• The many beach restaurants along La Croisette are also open (and crowded) all year round, and a fun place to have lunch or dinner.
• The charming Villa Archange is a 10-minute drive inland. Housed in a Provencal-style villa, there’s a gastronomic restaurant with 2 Michelin stars, and in an adjoining villa they have a casual bistro with terraces that will make you feel like you’re in Provence.
• At the end of Pointe Croisette, La Petite Maison is known for its Sunday Brunch with live music.

Esterel

• El Roches Rouges hotel has a bar and two restaurants: a Michelin-star restaurant called The Reef (open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner), and La Plage, an elegantly casual poolside restaurant with live music every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evening.
• Closer to Antibes, La Marea is a friendly, family-owned gastronomic restaurant with a terrace and a view.
• Another charming boutique hotel in the town of Saint Raphael in the Esterel, La Villa Mauresque , also has a gourmet restaurant.

Antibes

• Hotel Belle Rives’ La Passagère has a Michelin-star and a chic seaside terrace.
• Maison de Bacon has a modern, seaside feel.
• The Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel has a casual seaside bar and restaurant, Les Pêcheurs , with a Michelin star.
• Restaurantes le 44 y le Vauban are local favorites.

What to Do

• Antibes: Spend half a day checking out the old town. Visit the Picasso museum .
• Cap d’Antibes: Do the Cap Antibes coastal path walk.
• Islas Lérins: Charter a yacht for the day and see the islands. Scuba or snorkel and see the underwater museum. Make a reservation at La Guerite for brunch on the island.
• cannes: Spend a full day in Cannes and go shopping, check out the old area on the hill, hang at a beach club. Here’s an itinerary.
• Esterel: Spend a full day or two in el Esterel, go hiking using the All Trails mobile app. Drive along the coast one way, then through the forest. Have lunch at Roches Rouges hotel , or La Marea . Tour the seaside castle in Theoule sur Mer.
• On the water: Go paddleboarding around Cap d’Antibes or in the Esterel.
• Golfing: This area is one of the best in the world for golfing. Here are the best courses.