B Y K I M B E R L E Y L O VA T O
Say “Oui” To A French Riviera Wedding
Titans of business, Hollywood stars, and even real-life princes and princesses have planted roots the French Riviera, that fabled coastline of southern France sprawling between tiny Saint-Tropez on the west and the Italian border to the east. Also called the Côte d’Azur, it has inspired artists and writers such as Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, and Fitzgerald who found their muses in the red and chalk cliffs, verdant olive groves and vines, and the 50 shades of turquoise and sapphire of the Mediterranean Sea. Brides and grooms are also inspired and it’s easy to see so many fall head-over-heels for saying “I Do” on the French Riviera. An international airport in Nice and a TGV train from Paris means it’s easy to lure visitors too, and guests, friends and family, are spoiled for choice when it comes to making the best of celebrating the big day far away. From posh seaside hotels and palaces with gardens to tucked away cozy inns and quirky under the sea nuptials, the French Riviera serves up all the ingredients for an unforgettable destination wedding.
Seaside town on the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur
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LOVE AND LUXURY
If there’s one thing the Côte d’Azur delivers in droves it’s over-the-top style, and the antique and art-filled pink Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on stunning Cap-Ferrat doesn’t disappoint. The magnificent palace was built in 1912 and is surrounded by nine themed gardens that are idyllic for photos, hand-in-hand strolls, and receptions for up to 300 guests. The nearby Four Seasons Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat has been throwing glamorous affairs since 1889 and can host guests in its 74 rooms and suites. But for couples who live for gourmet and custom experiences, Amavia Collection’s new six-bedroom Villa Gaia, just a 10-minute drive up the hill, has upped the ante on exclusivity with Michelin-star food and five-star service under one roof. Swoon over the unobstructed Cap-Ferrat and yacht views, from the well-appointed home boasting original art, an outdoor infinity pool and kitchen, private terraces and balconies, plus a gym, sauna and cinema. A 24/7 concierge can arrange transport, organize wine and cocktail tastings or daily yoga and massages, and plan excursions to nearby villages, wineries and beaches. Villa Gaia’s pièce de résistance, however, is its partnership with Michelin-star chef Alain Llorca, the renowned Provençal chef who curates the villa’s lunch and dinner menus, which are executed by an onsite chef and paired with a private wine stash. The villa can accommodate guess for a small but sublime wedding party lunch or family dinner. They could also arrange a larger and more raucous soirée at their private beach club near Monaco. Speaking of Monaco, it doesn’t get more fairytale than this picturesque enclave that turned the late American actress Grace Kelly into a princess when she married H.S.H Prince Rainier III in 1956. A train goes from Nice to Monaco. Once there, a network of eco-friendly and efficient buses crisscrosses the world’s second smallest country with ease, making it a breeze to visit the haute couture boutiques, exceptional museums, gorgeous public gardens, and historic sites such as the white byzantine cathedral in Monaco’s where Prince Rainier married Princess Grace, and the Prince’s Palace, official residence of the current sovereign. Some of the French
istockphoto.com, Bottom left: courtesy of Four Seasons
FRENCH KISS
