Few destinations are as synonymous with luxury as the South of France. The Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, has earned its glamorous reputation with world-renowned cuisine, high fashion, and breathtaking natural beauty, from its golden-sand beaches lined with swaying palms to its azure waters sprinkled with yachts.
Not to mention Monaco, home to one of the most lavish sporting events in the world. With countless extravagant attractions and activities on offer, it’s no wonder so many dream of a luxury holiday in the South of France.
If you are keen to experience this lavish utopia for yourself, you may be wondering where to start. After all, you’ll want to ensure you have the best possible experience when visiting such a prestigious destination.
We’ve put together a list of the most unmissable luxurious experiences to tick off during your glamorous getaway. Consider it your ultimate South of France travel guide, featuring everything from private yachts to helicopter rides.
1. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Take to the skies on a hot air balloon to soak up the beauty of the South of France’s countryside in all of its glory. In fact, soaring above the lavender fields or snow-capped mountains of the Pyrenees is one of the most enchanting luxury experiences to be had on your European getaway.
Whether you seek an adrenaline-fuelled adventure or a romantic escapade, a hot air balloon journey promises a magical affair. France Montgolfiere Balloons offers a diverse range of flights all over the country, including journeys over the Pyrenees and Provence in the south.
If you are tempted by the idea of going on a hot air balloon ride during your trip to the South of France, we can organise this through our concierge service. This way, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride without having to worry about the logistics.
2. Sample Some of the World’s Best Caviar
Luxury holidays in the south of France are never complete without an exquisite foodie experience and could there be a more fitting delicacy to sample during your trip than caviar? This part of the country, particularly the regions of Aquitaine and Sologne, is renowned for producing some of the best caviar in the world.
Sturia Caviar, crafted in Aquitaine, offers traditional caviar of exceptional quality. Whether enjoyed on a canapé or paired with top-class vodka, this local delicacy promises an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Visitors can even tour the caviar farms to learn about the meticulous process of caviar production, making the experience both educational and indulgent. Tasting this world-renowned caviar is a must for any budding connoisseur on a luxury holiday in southern France.
3. Go Truffle-Hunting in Provence!
You can’t mention extravagant eating without mentioning the truffle. The elusive fungus has a rich heritage and history in the South of France, with the prized black truffle even being named after the historic region of Périgord.
As well as enjoying them in a variety of stunning dishes, why not take the experience to the next level and go truffle hunting yourself? Our friends at Winerist offer amazing truffle-hunting experiences. Based in Provence, you can visit and learn all of the secrets behind truffle hunting, sampling a few varieties and even trying your hand at hunting down some nuggets of ‘black gold’ yourself.
Offering a feast for the taste buds and an outdoor adventure all in one, this unique gastronomic heritage is not to be missed during your holiday to the south of France.
4. Visit The Most Expensive Restaurant in the South of France
As we’ve mentioned before, and undoubtedly will again, France boasts exemplary cuisine. If you really want to treat yourself and your special someone to a luxury treat during your getaway, why not visit one of the most expensive restaurants in the South of France?
Anne-Sophie Pic is France’s first female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. Her restaurants offer unparalleled, once-in-a-lifetime foodie experiences for those lucky enough to visit.
Combining traditional French cooking techniques with exciting botanical touches and subversive flavour combinations, the dishes on offer at her lavish eateries are sure to take your breath away.
Pic’s signature dish makes the very best of the region’s offerings – sea bass with caviar, which was created by her father in the 70s. If you’re seeking luxury experiences in the south of France, it’s hard to beat a visit to her exceptional eateries.
5. Go Wine Tasting
Another of the top luxury experiences to enjoy during your escape to the south of France is a wine tasting. After all, you need to brush up on your knowledge of wine to accompany your new-found love of gourmet cuisine.
Luckily, the South of France is home to some of the best vintages and vineyards in the world. Domaine Les Cascades in Languedoc is one of our favourites. The organic winery is small, comprising only six acres and is kindly fertilised by its resident donkeys and sheep.
Domaine Treloar is another wonderful vineyard to visit on luxury holidays in the south of France. Located in Roussillon, ‘in the know’ foodies will recognise many of the bottles found in this establishment as they can be found on the tables of many Michelin-star restaurants all over the world.
As an area so highly regarded for its grape juice, a wine tasting is a must on any luxury South of France itinerary.
6. Live it Up on a Yacht
Experience the epitome of luxury by renting a yacht and joining society’s highest flyers in soaring the Mediterranean Sea. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the super and mega yachts on offer can accommodate 20 to 200 guests, providing the perfect setting for a glamorous cocktail tour of the Côte d’Azur, from Cannes to St. Tropez.
Aqua Cruise has a great range of options and you can even organise a quayside charter if you’re worried about seasickness ruining your fun. Glide across the electric-blue waters of the Mediterranean, enjoying first-class service from the dedicated onboard team and taking in breathtaking views of the French Riviera.
7. Rent a Luxury Car
Speaking of transport, travelling around in style isn’t solely for the seafaring sort. Rental agencies such as AAA Rental Cars give you the opportunity to belt up and skirt around the stunning countryside of Nice and Montpellier in an Aston Martin, a Lamborghini, a Maserati or a Rolls Royce.
A flashy four-wheeler can quickly turn driving to the beach into a classy excursion. Who wouldn’t want a rude that turns a few heads, as you ride around in the sunshine?
A plush rental car also gives you the freedom to go off the beaten track and visit quaint little villages and hamlets that you would otherwise miss out on during your holiday in the South of France.
8. Go Flightseeing in a Helicopter over the Riviera
If your lifestyle is already the epitome of luxury, sports cars and yachts might seem a bit passé. The next step, naturally, is to move on to helicopters!
While a private helicopter to whisk you to the nearest club’s rooftop helipad might be a bit over-the-top, an aerial tour of the Côte d’Azur is much more affordable. This fantastic experience from Viator offers a breathtaking view of the entire region from the air.
Be sure to bring your camera to snap some sensational pictures of the incredible views of the turquoise Mediterranean waters, the colourful cityscapes and the dramatic peaks of the Pyrenees. Serving up an adrenaline rush and awe-inspiring views, helicopter rides are the perfect addition to any luxury South of France itinerary.
9. Try your luck in Monte Carlo
While there are so many luxury experiences on offer in the South of France, you simply cannot talk about a lavish trip to this destination without mentioning the legendary casinos of Monaco. The region’s most famous district, Monte Carlo, is world-renowned for its grand establishments.
A picture of opulence and excitement, the casinos are a playground for the crème de la crème of society. Paying a visit to these venues offers a quintessential taste of Monaco’s ritzy, glitzy glamour. With casinos dotted all over the region, from town centres to beachfronts, you’ll have your pick of establishments to choose from.
If you are planning to tap into your inner risk-taker and visit the casinos, be sure to dress the part. Many venues, especially those in Monte Carlo, enforce a dress code, which often requires you to wear elegant attire such as a stylish tuxedo or a classic LBD.
As such a staple of the south coast, no luxury French Riviera itinerary is complete without a trip to the roulette table. With a little luck on your side, you could just end up financing your luxury cravings for a good few years to come!
10. Go for the Ultimate Package at the Monaco Grand Prix Lounge!
Considering touring the south of France in the lap of luxury? You may wish to time your visit carefully so you can experience one of the world’s most exclusive events: The Monaco Grand Prix. The multi-million dollar sporting event is hosted by one of the richest independent principalities in the world.
Expect decadence galore, as you rub shoulders with Hollywood’s biggest names and business moguls while watching one of the most prestigious and glamorous events on the Formula One calendar. The Grand Prix promises an electric atmosphere, with the fastest drivers in the world skirting around amidst the stunning backdrop of Monte Carlo.
You can take full advantage of everything luxurious on offer during this exhilarating event on the stunning French coast by opting for one of the Grand Prix packages by Amber Lounge.
You can watch the qualifications and races from a yacht, enjoy top-notch dining and clubbing and even meet some of the drivers themselves. As far as luxury experiences in the South of France go, you can’t get much more extravagant than that.
As you can see, there are so many magnificent experiences to be enjoyed during luxury holidays in the South of France. From riding a helicopter above breathtaking fields of lavender to catching one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and yachting along the Côte d’Azur to one of France’s most expensive restaurants, you will not find yourself short of things to get up to during your trip.
Thinking of booking a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway to the South of France? Take a look at our luxury holiday villas in the South of France and start planning your escape to this lavish corner of the world. If you want some advice, get in touch with our concierge team who will be happy to help you book your dream holiday to the South of France and any activities you wish to do during your time there.
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