I chose South of France as my summer home this year. It’s one of the most magical summer destinations in Europe; the charming, small cobblestone streets wrapped in history, the deep blue of the Mediterranean sea, the peacefulness and tradition of the countryside, the freshness of the food and the endless selection of good wine. The French Riviera is like stepping into a painting, hard to capture in words, and better to capture in photos.
The Most Instragrammable Places in The South of France:
Eze Village
Eze Village is a traditional looking medieval village perched on a hilltop by the Mediterranean sea. Here you can find beautiful viewpoints, charming narrow streets, old churches, and ancient stone buildings. The cobblestone paths and buildings against the backdrop of the Mediterranean sea will get you stunning pictures that feel like they’re from a different century.
Source: @eze_tourisme
Dinner at Mas Provencal
If you want to have a romantic dinner, or an unforgettable night out, Mas Provencal is one of my favorite restaurants in the French Riviera. It’s nestled in the picturesque village of Eze. This restaurant makes you feel as though you’ve time traveled into a secret garden from the Victorian era. It’s an immersive experience; vines full of fresh fruits and vegetables drape from the ceiling, bouquets burst from every corner, and the scent of fresh flowers fills the air, while a band gently strings guitar and sings throughout the restaurant. Mas Provencal serves delicious traditional Provencal cuisine, where you can make choices from a set menu. Overall, it’s a magical experience that provides the perfect unique photo op!
Source: @restaurantmasprovencal
Le Plongeoir, Nice
Perched on a rock above the Mediterranean Sea, Le Plongeoir offers breathtaking views of the azure waters and the coastline. Here, you can enjoy fine Mediterannean cuisine. The unique setting, where tables are literally placed on a platform above the sea, makes for stunning photos, especially at sunset.
Source: @lauriecornillon
La Chevre D’Or
Here you can find some of the most breathtaking views in the South of France. La Chevre D’Or is a hotel perched on a cliff, with amazing restaurants (there is even a Michelin star restaurant) and a terrace surrounded by gardens that is perfect for photos. It’s especially perfect for sunset photos, and sunset drinks. This place is a combination of natural beauty and luxurious design.
Source: @lachevredor
St-Tropez
St-Tropez has long since been a glamorous and iconic destination. Although, until Brigitte Bardot fell in love it in the 60s and inspired the elite’s attraction to St-Tropez, it was just a quaint fishing town. You can take photos in the port with the many luxury yachts in the background, surrounded by charming cafes, or in the traditional French style streets, lined with colorful houses. There are many trendy beach clubs with a line-up of amazing DJs to visit for lunch, such as Shellona, Le Club 55, LouLou’s and Casa Amor to name a few. They all have a unique design which offers a great setting for content, especially with the stunning beaches of Pampelonne in the background.
Source: @sttropezoff
Provence
Provence is a beautiful region in the South of France where you’ll find sun drenched olive groves and vineyards, traditional towns, and lavender fields.
Source: @violetgreydecorative
The lavender fields are in full bloom during the summertime, which provide a perfect setting for dreamy, colorful photos. Plateau de Valensole is one of the most famous lavender fields in Provence. There is also Senanque Abbey, which is a 12th century abbey near Gordes that is surrounded by lavender fields. Gordes is also a beautiful village that is perched on a hilltop with stone houses cascading down the hillside. Provence is sure to make your photos special.
I went to Provence alone in July and had nobody to help me capture the beauty around. I didn't want to look awkward carrying around a chunky tripod, but my credit-card size Pocket Tripod saved the day. It's such a relief to be able to carry an inconspicuous tripod around in my wallet for someone who loves content as much as I do! Here's the shot:
A video of me in Provence.
Cannes
Cannes exudes the glamour of the film world, most famous for its annual Film Festival that attracts celebrities and artists from around the world. You can see the famous red carpet steps at the Palais des Festival, which also hosts ‘Le Bal des Fous’ every Sunday during the summer, where people dress up and party in costumes based on that weeks theme.
The almost weekly fireworks in the Bay of Cannes highlight the summer season. Here’s another great example where my Pocket Tripod helped me capture the beauty around even from home alone. The tripod helped me get the right stability angle.
If you don’t live by the sea, you can also watch the fireworks from one of the many beach restaurants along La Croisette.
Cannes is famous for its vibrant nightlife and high end shopping. The Carlton hotel, with its majestic architecture, also serves as a popular backdrop for your Cannes pictures.
A video of me watching the fireworks in Cannes.
The French Riviera is one of the most diverse summer destinations which gives it a unique photogenic charm. From Medieval towns and traditional villages, to rolling hills, lush vineyards, fields of flowers, fresh outdoor markets, beautiful coastlines and restaurants, you can find it all. There is truly no shortage of Instagrammable spots in this region. I’m sure you’ll have the best summer trip, and I can’t wait to see all of your photos!
