The French Riviera continues to attract attention and ambition. New establishments, bold concepts, prominent chefs, and creative challenges: this summer season promises to be rich in new developments and inspiration. Here is an overview of a coastline that is always on the move.

Beach & more at Le Méridien Beach Plaza

The only hotel in Monaco with a private beach, in the sought-after Larvotto district, it offers the best of the Riviera: swimming pools, kids club, bars, culinary experiences (four restaurants, including the new Muse), water sports, spa... and 398 rooms. Open every day until September 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. €85 per person (July & August), €75 in September.

Monaco's new restaurants

The new ultra-luxurious Mareterra district overlooking the sea attracts some very fine gourmet establishments. Let's start with Marlow, the latest addition to the SBM, an “all-day dining” concept (open every day from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. Breakfast, roll bar: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., lunch, tea time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. / Dinner. Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays), the Monegasque interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon club spirit...

Another elegant evening can be spent at 99 Sushi Bar, an exceptional establishment already present in Barcelona, Marbella, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. The decor is superb, the cuisine perfect, and the service excellent. You can also visit the renowned Robuchon Monte Carlo, located a little further up, which consists of a chic bistro (Le Petit Café Robuchon) and a gourmet restaurant, Robuchon Monaco, located opposite each other.

Les Roches***** in Le Lavandou

This legendary establishment is reopening its doors rather late, too late for us to discover it. We owe this renaissance to Delphine André, already owner of Les Armes de l'Ours in Val d'Isère, a place we love. It would be difficult to be closer to the sea, with the waves lapping against the walls of this magnificent building, whose masterful transformation was orchestrated by the firm Pietri Architectes. With its 40 rooms opening onto the open sea and its restaurants suspended between sky and sea, Les Roches is once again making its mark.

It is Antoine Gras, Michelin-starred chef at Les Barmes, who is taking charge of the kitchens. He has created a menu with Mediterranean flavors at the gourmet restaurant L'Oursin, while on the hotel's rooftop, a communal table offers simply prepared fish and meat cooked over charcoal. The Sisley l'Oiseau Bleu spa, offering breathtaking views of the Levant Islands, adds to the appeal: three treatment rooms, an indoor pool, sensory showers, a jacuzzi, a sauna, yoga and fitness rooms, a hair salon, and more.

Saint-Tropez and its legendary peninsula

You are no doubt familiar with the city's legendary addresses, its palaces and luxury hotels, Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez, Les Airelles Messardière, Byblos, Sezz, Bastide de Saint-Tropez, Hôtel de Paris, Lou Pinet and Arev, which opened last year. You also know the places to go for pleasant lunches, festive dinners, or gourmet dining. They are often in these same hotels, starting with Arnaud Donckèle's restaurant (La Vague d'Or, 3 Michelin stars), or are concentrated in the town (Le Vieux Port, Place des Lices).

Two groups stand out: Indie Group, founded by Tobias Chaix, Vincent Luftman, and Raphaël Blanc, who want “a healthier, more grounded party, bucking the Tropezian standards.” You can discover this version at the Café des Ormeaux, on the village square in Ramatuelle, at the festive restaurant La Sauvageonne in a cabin nestled in the heart of a bamboo forest in Ramatuelle, for a piano bar dinner under the stars, at Indie Beach-Jacquemus, associated this summer with the Californian fashion brand James Perse, and its famous Thursday evening dinners, at the ultra-festive Pablo club restaurant on Place des Lices, “for elegant, lively and wildly desirable nights,” at the “Playamigos” beach, a cabana-style hangout for friends in Pampelonne, and finally at the Cherry restaurant, the newcomer of the year, nestled at the end of the port of Saint-Tropez.

And, of course, the Annie Famose group, whose establishments are benchmarks. Glamour and extravagance at L'Opéra on the port, cosmopolitan-inspired Mediterranean cuisine at Le Quai just opposite, more Mediterranean influences from Éric Frechon at La Petite Plage next door, the scent of holidays, DJ sets, and Mediterranean cuisine at Plage Les Palmiers, fusion menu (Japanese-Mediterranean) at NAŌ, place des Lices, DJ sets included, and also a new addition: NÜSA (allée du Quai de l'Épi) to immerse yourself in the heart of a sensual and wild Latin America with cuisine cooked over an open fire by Béatriz Gonzalez, spicy cocktails and a music program inspired by the tribal energy of Quintana.

From Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Saint Tropez: African Queen

Created in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the restaurant has established itself as one of the most popular places on the Riviera. Far from passing fads, it has built its reputation on simple values: generous cuisine, unpretentious service, and a joyful atmosphere, carried by the Mediterranean and its exceptional products. A true art of living that has stood the test of time.

After being taken over by Riccardo Giraudi, Philippe Schriqui, and Patrick Gioannini in 2023, the three partners joined forces with Christophe Coutal (Moorea Plage) and Adrien Serra (La Pomme de Pin) for this new addition to Saint-Tropez, which is setting up shop on Place des Lices after expanding to Dubai. The cuisine remains at the heart of the experience, with classic dishes that will delight long-time fans and newcomers alike. The menu includes thin and crispy pizzas, including the unmissable truffle pizza, giant camarones in parsley sauce, traditional Niçoise salad, fresh pasta cooked to order, and a selection of grilled fish and meat that celebrates the simplicity of well-prepared ingredients.

Cybèle Beach in Ramatuelle

We discovered it last year. This beach, affiliated with the Kube Saint-Tropez hotel, is not new, having been designed on the site of the former “Neptune” which existed since 1978 (4363 route des Plages Rd 93). Neptune, the Roman god of the seas and aquatic realm, has given way to Cybèle, a goddess of Phrygian origin who embodies “wild nature.” There is nothing wild about this establishment, however, but rather refinement, with décor by Cordelia de Castellane, artistic director of Dior Maison.

The menu features fresh, local produce such as Greek-style melon, zucchini stuffed with spider crab, whole lobster with basil butter, and Wagyu ribeye steak, complemented by a judicious selection of wines. For those who want to recover from a night of heavy drinking, or simply by choice, Le Hangover Bar offers detox fruit juices. To each their own!

Coya Beach in Ramatuelle, on Pampelonne Beach

This will be one of the new additions this season! After Marbella, Mykonos, Monaco, and Dubai, Coya continues its expansion and celebrates the seaside lifestyle by infusing the vibrant spirit of Latin America onto the beaches of Ramatuelle (Route de Bonne Terrasse, Pampelonne Beach). The DNA of this festive group is evident, particularly in the Pisco Bar, with its sophisticated mixology and art of sharing, which showcases the bold flavors of Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) cuisine enhanced with a Mediterranean touch.

The green oasis in Gassin

It is in the vineyards, in the heart of those of Minuty, that you will find this long-standing address (my favorite!), known to all food lovers. There, on the beautiful terrace facing the bay, in absolute calm, you can experience traditional Provence at lunchtime and in the evening, in the company of Bérénice, who welcomes you with charm and a smile, and Laurent (Mouret), her chef husband who has worked in the finest Michelin-starred restaurants. Carefully selected ingredients, perfect presentation, ideal cooking, reasonable prices (three-course menu: €65, or à la carte). Confit aubergines, pepper and tomato coulis with pistou, Provençal saussoun, sea bass, mashed potatoes with olives, saffron emulsion, lavender crème brûlée, caramelized pine nuts...

866 chemin de Coste Brigade (04 94 56 16 23)

La Villa Belrose in Gassin

With undoubtedly the most beautiful view of the bay and village of Saint-Tropez, this five-star hotel, located on the heights at the gateway to Saint-Tropez, has it all with its 39 refined rooms and suites, all recently renovated, its private villas, its vast terrace, and its magnificent swimming pool. The icing on the cake is the cuisine, which has changed this year and, with chef Jimmy Coutel, has taken on a more “lively” style, with signature Mediterranean dishes that showcase beautiful local seasonal produce, perfectly in harmony with the grandiose setting, with two exceptional menus: “Farigoule” (four courses, €135) and “Signature” (five courses, €160).

Lily of the Valley and its enchanting beach in La Croix-Valmer

Below the hotel, on the long Gigaro beach with its 6 kilometers of fine sand, Lily of the Valley***** has set up its beach, La Brigantine. Just behind it, opening onto a vast private garden with a swimming pool, are 8 pool suites, ranging from 80 to 230 m², as many private villas in an exceptional setting surrounded by Mediterranean nature, benefiting from exemplary service. Restaurants, with Vincent Maillard's sunny cuisine, bars and sunbathing from dawn to dusk at any time with friends, family or loved ones.

Article written by Bernard Van de Kerckhove, featured in issue no. 12 of OniriQ magazine.
Translated by Bethszabee Garner