ADVERTORIAL • June 2019

Sky Atlantic’s guide to the French Riviera

Set against the irresistible backdrop of the Côte d’Azur, no other TV show blends beach martinis and bloody murder quite so stylishly as Sky original, Riviera. Picking up from the explosive first series, the star-studded return sees new famous faces and even more scandal than before. To celebrate the highly anticpated second series (available to watch now), we bring you the show’s favourite South of France locales and your chance to jet off to the Riviera...

04
1

Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Nice and Monaco stand as two pillars of high society on the French coastline but the little seaside village Beaulieu-sur-Mer, positioned between them, has built a society of its own. Ever since UK Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, found his retirement amongst the foothills and lemon trees, British expats and holidaymakers have been following suit. Crucially, it is here that Riviera’s seminal balcony shot of Georgina looking out across the Mediterranean (pictured above) was filmed. To recreate the shot, you’ll have to wait for the re-opening of Hotel Metropole and bag a balcony room. In the meantime, one walk around the town is guaranteed to be a joy for fans on the lookout for some of the town’s other on-screen landmarks.

01
2

Juan-les-Pins

Series one: episode two – art curator Georgina (played by Julia Stiles) and her husband’s ex-wife, Irina, share a cocktail at La Passagere and all of our jaws collectively drop. The episode’s drama and deceit unfolds against a magnificent backdrop, Antibes’ raucous seaside commune, Juan-les-Pins. The town is heaving with glamorous parties, exquisite beaches and luxury hotels. And while series one saw Georgina’s world shatter thanks to the mysterious death of her billionaire husband, there was always plenty of culture in Juan-les-Pins to keep her distracted. The Musée Picasso, constructed on the foundations of an ancient Greek town, was originally home to the artist and became his first museum. It now displays 245 original works. Then there’s the Jazz à Juan, Juan-les Pins’ annual nine-day jazz festival in July, that attracts some of the world’s best musicians.

02
3

Menton

Menton, the ‘pearl of France’, is rarely mentioned alongside other glitzier southern towns. But under close investigation, it gleams just as brightly. The cobbled streets and bright, turquoise backdrop have made regular appearances on TV and cinema screens: in Riviera, The Bucket List and Bond classic, Never Say Never Again. In the latter, Menton’s honey-hued backstreets and crumbling churches featured in the iconic motorbike chase between Bond and assassin Fatima Blush. Menton is also home to a now three-Michelin-star restaurant and, in February, the townsfolk congregate in spectacular fashion to honour their local symbol, the lemon, with a vibrant yellow-themed festival.

03
4

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Every year, international millionaires and aristocrats descend upon the bay of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to eat seabass and steak, and watch sunsets from the backs of their luxury yachts. In Riviera, you’ll be introduced to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat via the five-star Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. A renowned resting place for the Riviera’s rich and famous, it’s located at the very end of the peninsula. Those visiting Cap Ferrat (part of the Côte d’Azur’s ‘Golden Triangle’) are advised to do so on foot as, remarkably, the peninsula remains undamaged and well-kept, full of spotless gardens and historical villas open to the public.

05
5

The Mediterranean Sea

The surrounding waterways of the Riviera contain as much mystery and majesty as the mainland itself – washing into town new characters such as Georgina's charismatic uncle, played by Will Arnett, and the sizzlingly stylish siblings, Daphne and Nico, played by Poppy Delevingne and Jack Fox. Lovers of the show will want to set off for Île Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lérins Islands, about half a mile from Cannes. From here, climb the tropical hills to Fort Royal and look out across the rest of the bay to see some of the show’s opening shots. You might spot the jaw-dropping Massif de L’Esterel mountain range or the great peak of Monte Cinto across the waters in Corsica. In every direction, the views are to die for.

Have an opinion on The Club that you’d like to share? Let us know

This article has been tagged Advertorial, Destination