Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 500 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.
In all our properties, each maître de maison draws upon his unique experience and passion to share the authentic culture and tastes of his region with every guest.
Magical places and memories of a lifetime: whether it be a romantic weekend or to celebrate the important moments of life such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon or family reunions.
Established in France more than 50 years ago, Relais & Châteaux has become a renowned reference of excellence in the hotel and restaurant world. The Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.
Contemporary artist My Culture itinerary from Cap d’Antibes to Monaco
The Côte d’Azur is an amazing region. I settled here for family reasons as my mother is from Nice but what is incredible about the place is its sheer number of artists! Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, the Nice Art School, of which I was a member…, a veritable melting pot for creative types like us. Another incredible thing about it which I adore – its geography. Where else can you, in the course of a single day, take a dip in the azure waters of the Mediterranean and breathe in the gentle mountain air? In the summer it is a delight to be able to get away from the coast and recharge your batteries in Valberg. I escape to this resort for its coolness and peacefulness and to explore the countryside and listen to birdsong. With Italy a stone’s throw away and lots of opportunity at Nice airport to disappear for a break, it’s somewhere that gives you a real sense of freedom. It is a land shaped by the hand of History. The Greeks brought the grape which I have grown for many years now in my vineyard on the hills of Bellet, the area where I returned to my roots. Then the Romans arrived, and later still the tourists - Russians, English… Its cosmopolitan atmosphere is invigorating, inspiring and truly delightful.
Relais & Châteaux proposes its Routes du Bonheur for your inspiration: they are suggestions of itineraries that you can adapt to your preferences and desired experiences. Our advisors are at your disposal to individualise your routes and help you make reservations at our properties.
Example for a three-night stay from 699€* * Minimum indicative rate per person, subject to availability, on the basis of a double room with double occupancy, including accommodation, breakfast and dinner (menu, without beverages) in the properties suggested for the itinerary.
Activities on site and nearby must be reserved by you.
A tranquil sanctuary just a few minutes from the famous Croisette
The first stage of this tour is the perfect combination of relaxation and pleasure. Le Mas Candille, with its three pools, its 4 hectares of wooded grounds, its 18th century Mas architecture, its Shiseido spa and the village of Mougins with its exceptional surroundings, is one of the top hotels and restaurants on the Côte d’Azur. You will enjoy the sophisticated gourmet atmosphere of the Candille restaurant for lunch in the shade of the umbrella pines, or the more relaxed atmosphere of La Pergola, the summer restaurant, beside one of the pools.
On the route...
Mougins, Picasso’s village
Yet another delightful village! Mougins is perched on a hillside in the hinterland behind Cannes and has retained its labyrinth of narrow medieval streets with their superbly restored, blue-shuttered houses. The village is highly prized by artists and is studded with galleries and home décor boutiques, a paradise for antique hunters. Not far away, there is the hermitage of Notre-Dame-de-Vie which is still imbued with the spirit of Picasso. The painter was won over by the beauty of this site and spent the last fifteen years of his life here.
Simply mustn’t be missed : Mougins Museum of Classical Art
This museum is not yet very well-known but houses a superb collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman works along with paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance period to the present day. It employs very modern museum curatorship to show how Ancient Art has influenced contemporary artists. And, in between a couple of ancient busts, it’s certainly a pleasant surprise to come across a Rembrandt, a Dali, a Cocteau, a Matisse or a Degas… It’s a truly remarkable place to stop off.
Antibes Old Town, its ramparts and castle
Old Antibes is the epitome of life on the Côte d’Azur. Sheltered within the perimeters of the ramparts under the massive silhouette of the Fort Carré, you will find lively little streets, the sea front, the famous market on the Masséna courtyard, café terraces…, the perfect recipe for a life of idleness and ease. As for culture, you simply must visit the Picasso Museum: in Château Grimaldi (12th – 16th century), where you can see some of the artist’s major work, completed here in 1946.
A magical and intimate place in the heart of the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Village spirit - an ideal label for this superb 16th century stone house, nestling in the very heart of the perched village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It is a perfect nest for the romantic at heart with splendid views over the hills and the coastline. Here the extravagant yet intimate décor discretely blends with Chef Laurent Paccini’s gourmet French cuisine with its hints of the Mediterranean. True bliss served, in summer, on the flower-bedecked panoramic terrace.
Close to the property...
The Maeght Foundation
Once you have visited the delightful artists village of Saint-Paul, why not explore the Maeght Foundation? This foundation, the brainchild of Aimé Maeght, provides a unique setting for the display of modern art in the south of France. Enjoy works by some of the greatest artists in the galleries of the building itself, in the garden or in the courtyard: Miró, Léger, Kandinsky, Soulages, Tapiès, Zadkine, Calder… Truly a temple to art!
From Saint-Paul, go to Vence (a pretty old town) and then Saint-Jeanneret (a charming village nestling at the foot of an impressive cliff) and take the coast road through the Var in the direction of Nice. For a dozen kilometres you will enjoy ravishing views over the valley of the Var and the hills behind Nice with their olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees. A "secret" rustic route, before you come back to the hustle and bustle of Nice.
This is not an attempt to be vain, rather a desire to share my work with you! My first piece of exhibited work in Nice was at the Elysée Palace Hotel, where, fifteen years ago, I embedded two monumental bronzes into the façade. Then, in 2002, I installed "Squared Head", the first inhabited sculpture in the world, housing the offices of the Louis Nucéra Library. Finally, come along to Avenue de la Californie where you can see my large steel "Poseidon" installed in the street.
The Ephrussi-de-Rothschild Foundation - km 46
The Ephrussi-de-Rothschild Foundation is a beacon of culture located on the high-class Cap Ferrat peninsula, a posh resort between Nice and Monaco. This Italianate, Renaissance-inspired palazzo, designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Baroness Rothschild, houses a fabulous collection of objets d’art. Furniture, tapestries, paintings, porcelain find their match only in the perfect harmony of the themed gardens, designed against a Mediterranean background.
My villa at the water’s edge, an ode to the Mediterranean
What better to bring our tour to an end than a stay at the Monte Carlo Beach! Only two minutes from the Casino, this hotel nestling in luxuriant green vegetation and facing the sea, has always provided me with an unexpected haven of peace in the midst of Monaco’s feverish activity. Its décor was given a contemporary new look in 2009 and provides boundless pleasure. Its unique atmosphere at night, its Olympic-sized sea-water pool and the inventive cuisine of its restaurant, Elsa, are more than enough to satisfy your every desire.
Close to the property...
The Rock of Monaco and the Prince’s Palace
Monaco is perched up on a rocky promontory, protected, as it were, from the storm. If you explore its maze of flashy streets, you will discover the village atmosphere of the Principality and its fine restored buildings. You will be bowled over by the fiefdom of the House of Grimaldi - its gardens, its terraces overlooking the sea, its Romanesque Byzantine cathedral and its superb Prince’s Palace.
Daily, at midday, you can enjoy the immaculately-orchestrated spectacle of the changing of the guard with drums.
The avenues that surround the Monte Carlo Casino are chic and sophisticated with their luxury hotels and luxury boutiques where you can stroll about at leisure… or even go shopping. Jewellers, clothes shops, home décor, leather goods…, the top luxury brands are well-established here. And once you have shopped to your heart’s desire, it’s time to go and enjoy the casino or take a stroll down at the harbour and see the magnificent yachts.
The Oceanographic Museum
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is considered to be one of the finest in Europe and is the perfect place for exploring the mysteries of the sea bed. This large early twentieth-century building overlooking the sea houses an immense and very impressive aquarium with more than 6 000 tropical and Mediterranean fish. Next to it there is a shark pool and other exhibition spaces which focus on the crucial need to preserve these fragile environments.
As I have a studio in the Principality, I can tell you that Monaco harbour is not at all what you might expect it to be! Of course you can see magnificent, ultra luxurious, ships. But look more closely: there are also lots of yachts. They reflect the sporting spirit that puts Monaco in such a strong position in sailing competitions. The Prince himself is an accomplished sportsman and helps project this active and dynamic image.
We can advise you on booking your route. Contact central reservations :
