From its cliff-top vistas to film festivals and Mediterranean climate, the Côte d’Azur is home to some of the prettiest and most exclusive towns in France. From Nice to Marseille, the French Riviera is a seductive destination of unrivaled luxury. 5-star beach hotels overlooking Cannes’ harbor will give you exceptional views of the expensive yachts and cruise ships as they wind in and out of the bay, while a hotel in Nice has access to an abundance of golden beaches for days relaxing on the shore.

Beach Hotels on the Côte d’Azur: Our picks for blissful retreats on the French Riviera

Nice: Matisse & Ocean Promenades

Basking on the Baie des Anges, Nice’s many attractive qualities make it the ideal spot for an action-packed vacation on the Côte d’Azur. Beach hotels place you right on the shore overlooking the bustling Promenade des Anglais and gorgeous turquoise water beyond. From public to private beaches all along the coastline, you can choose exactly how exclusive you want your beach vacation to be. If you want to explore the city, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Art enthusiasts should not miss the Musée Matisse. French painter Henri Matisse called Nice home in the latter half of his life and this museum displays the legacy he left behind. Take a stroll and admire the beautiful baroque architecture of the old town, known locally as Le Vieux Nice. Here you’ll find winding 17th century alleyways and rich markets selling local produce, flowers and souvenirs. Beach hotels in the Côte d’Azur’s unofficial capital situate you among the unique atmosphere only found in the South of France, and its beaches are perfect for families and couples looking to enjoy the good year-round weather.

Cannes & Saint-Tropez: Luxury on the French Riviera

Further west along the Côte d’Azur are two towns famed for Hollywood A-listers, luxurious boats and expensive taste. In Cannes, you can live the high life set to a backdrop of pastel-colored buildings and palm trees. If you head into town during the world-famous Cannes Film Festival, you might catch some of your favorite Hollywood movie stars walking along the gorgeous Promenade de la Croisette. However, you can also can also catch a glimpse of Hollywood at the Path of the Stars in front of Palais des Festivals – Cannes’ answer to the Chinese Theater. When it comes to beaches, Cannes delivers. Beach hotels in Cannes will sometimes offer private deckchairs in secluded areas, but you can find exceptional stretches of sand at Plage de la Bocca and Plage du Midi. The next stop on your Côte d’Azur adventure should be Saint-Tropez — a small town which packs a punch. A famous hangout for both artists and high-flyers, beach hotels near Saint-Tropez offer both and elegant and exciting vacation. This is the place to come for exceptionally exclusive nightlife, mainly concentrated around the town’s port.

Marseille: History & Nature

Home to an enormous port on France’s glorious Côte d’Azur, beach hotels in Marseille place you within easy reach of white sandy beaches and intriguing historic points of interest. Upon arrival at your beach hotel, discover Marseille’s most iconic landmark – Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde. This impressive Neo-Byzantine basilica overlooks the Old Port of Marseille and is the perfect spot from which to see the city and catch the sunset. For a slice of historic Marseille spend an afternoon in the city’s Le Panier district. Once the site of a Greek marketplace, the quarter is now woven with trendy artisan stores and alfresco cafes tucked away in hidden squares. Furthermore, head to the Vieux-Port district for its bustling daytime markets and stylish bar scene right on the water. Marseille’s most stunning natural attractions can be found to the south in the Calanques National Park. Cascading chalk cliffs plunge into turquoise water, creating a wonderland of for travelers seeking gorgeous beaches and thrilling hiking opportunities. From your beach hotel on this revitalized city on the Côte d’Azur you can catch a cruise which bypasses Chateau d’If – an island fortress and former prison which literary fans will recognize as the setting for 1844 novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.’