French Riviera: The Best Culinary Experiences On a Yachting Vacation
Not only renowned for its luxurious lifestyle and chic coastal experiences, the French Riviera is also widely celebrated for its vibrant and diverse food scene. The area's strong culinary influence draws visitors to enjoy the freshest produce and regional traditions alongside annual festivals, cafe culture, and international chefs heading up endless fine dining establishments.
To access the area's culinary experiences, the best way is to explore the coastline via a luxury yacht from St Tropez to Monaco and everywhere in between. Here are some of the best spots and experiences to enjoy the French Riviera's long-celebrated food scene:
Wander The Vibrant Markets
To fully experience a region's food scene, head to local markets to sample the freshest and seasonal produce. Markets are a major part of the food culture on the French Riviera; areas like Nice, Cannes, and Antibes hold daily markets full of fresh produce, local cheese, charcuteries, fresh fish, and herbs.
Visiting these places gives you an insight into the local way of life and offers the best opportunity to enjoy authentic ingredients. Marche Forville in Cannes Old Town and Marche Provencal in Antibes are two of the best markets to wander; going with your yacht chef will give you a professional insight into securing the best produce and allow you to choose the produce for that day firsthand.
Dine At Michelin Starred Restaurants
With such an abundance of fresh produce, it isn't hard to see why there are so many incredible restaurants on the French Riviera. The region boasts over 25 Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the best in the world. Award-winning chefs flock to the area to work with the best produce, offering innovative touches to traditional French and Mediterranean menus.
For two of the most exceptional three-star Michelin restaurants, head to Mirazur in Menton or La Vague d'Or in St Tropez. Not only are these fine dining restaurants full of meticulously curated menus utilizing the best Mediterranean ingredients, but the menus are also paired with the region's best wine options. Many restaurants along the Riviera are positioned perfectly to give you a panoramic sea view while enjoying the exquisite dishes.
Taste The Region's Wine
The French Riviera is home to many vineyards and wineries, producing some of the most sought-after wines, especially when it comes to rose. Provence is famous for its dry rose wines perfectly paired with regional cuisines. From the yacht and for a unique experience, take a helicopter tour of the coastline, stopping off to visit various vineyards and wine estates of the region.
Enjoy Long Beach Club Lunches
Spanning the French Riviera coastline, there are various options to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch at one of the many iconic beach clubs. One of the favorites with yacht charter guests is in St Tropez, Le Club 55. The club is a top spot to enjoy a beach day, anchored off Pampelonne Beach; taking the tender ashore, you can enjoy fresh seafood and rose lunch and relax in the loungers.
While in Monaco, Nikki Beach provides another ultimate beach club experience, offering world-class dining with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. For long lunches, easily accessed by superyacht, these beach clubs are an ideal destination to relax, unwind, and enjoy delicious food while soaking up the luxury beach lifestyle.
From fine dining to more relaxed luxury and authentic experiences, there are endless ways to enjoy the French Riviera's culinary scene while on a luxury yacht charter.
Contact our expert consultants to learn which yachts are available to charter in France this summer.