Have you ever had the chance to experience the magical light, heavenly beaches and picturesque back country sights of France’s Côte d’Azur? There was a good reason why artists like Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Pierre Bonnard came here for their inspiration. This is just the right time to discover the „Blue Coast“, now that the bumper-to-bumper traffic jams between Cannes and St. Tropez have migrated to the north and the beaches are practically yours alone to relax. With temperatures ranging around 20 degrees, the autumn in Southern France can be a gorgeous time of year and the Mediterranean is still warm enough to take a dip in. Best off, the flights and the hotel rooms are markedly cheaper than during the peak season.

The French Riviera is diverse and now in the fall, when not too terribly hot, it is also an inviting place for visitors to explore, some of the popular locations being the many wineries and chateaus in the interior. Starting out in St. Tropez, the world’s chicest fishing village, you can stroll through the inviting market places of Gassin, Ramatuelle or La Garde-Freinet and discover the region’s many local products. For those who might be looking for a stylish location to tie the knot, the chapel located at the Château Minuty winery is a wedding locale most certainly to be recommended. As for the wedding night that might follow, don’t hesitate to try the wonderful Villa Belrose which is romantically located up upon the hills near St. Tropez. A stunning place with a heavenly view to the Mediterranean, it is the perfect location for newly enamored couples to enjoy their first few luxurious days and nights together.

No less romantic, boasting considerable historical charm, Le St. Paul sparkles in the artist haven of St. Paul de Vence just beyond Nizza. Whoever makes the effort of climbing up these quaint village steps will be rewarded with a fantastic view out across the provincial hills to the beautiful back country surrounding Nice. And it is definitely worth taking the time to enjoy a meal at the restaurant terrace located here. Not only is the setting among the old walls of the courtyard fantastic, the food is too.

Right in the middle of Nice’s city center stands Hotel Windsor, a sophisticated design hotel which is part of an historical Nineteenth Century building. Modern art, a luscious garden and a clear, well-lighted interior, not to mention optimally priced rooms starting at around 120 euros a night a night, make this hotel an ideal starting point for extensive shopping tours in the city center or for further discoveries along the Côte d’Azur.