Côte d’Azur — Where Movie Stars Discovered the Art of Effortless Living

Côte d’Azur is more than a stretch of coastline. It is a way of life that has attracted artists, royalty, and film stars for more than two centuries. Once you have experienced the region, it is easy to understand why.

The Warmth, Light and Colour of the Sea

The French Riviera began to gain popularity in the 19th century, when British aristocrats travelled south to spend the winter in a milder climate. With the arrival of the railway in the second half of the century, the region became a favoured destination for British and other European aristocracy.

The light of the French Riviera was, and still is, something quite extraordinary. It falls softly across the landscape, while the sea shifts between shades of turquoise and deep blue. When French writer Stéphen Liégeard published his book La Côte d’Azur in 1887, he also gave the coastline the name we still use today. The name was inspired by both his home region, Côte-d’Or, and the azure blue of the Mediterranean.

Artists and writers have also long been captivated by the light, colours, and lifestyle along the coast. In the early 20th century, artists and writers such as Picasso, Matisse, and Fitzgerald were drawn to the Riviera, leaving a cultural legacy that remains an important part of the region’s identity.

Glamour, Film and Unforgettable Moments

In the post-war years, the Riviera gained yet another dimension. Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, and Cary Grant were among the movie stars who helped make the coast synonymous with cinema, glamour, and an effortlessly elegant lifestyle.

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 movieTo Catch a Thief immortalised the Riviera’s hotels, coastal roads, and spectacular views on the big screen. Grace Kelly had filmed on the Côte d’Azur the year before, and when she returned to Cannes in 1955, she met Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The following year, she became Princess of Monaco.

There is something about this corner of the world that the movie industry has never quite been able to resist. Think of winding coastal roads high above the sea, open-top convertibles, and lunches that effortlessly stretch into long evenings. Images that remain inseparable from the allure of the French Riviera.

That unique combination of glamour and effortless enjoyment is still very much alive. You can sip champagne at a hotel in Monte Carlo, watch the stars arrive for the Cannes Film Festival, feel the excitement of the Monaco Grand Prix, or follow in the footsteps of artists in Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Villefranche-sur-Mer — The Riviera at a Slower Pace

Perfectly situated between Nice and Monaco, you will find Villefranche-sur-Mer — close to the Riviera’s most glamorous destinations, yet with a more relaxed rhythm of its own.

Between the sea and the green hills, the old town climbs the hillside in shades of ochre, deep red, and soft yellow. The bay is one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean and welcomes sailing boats and yachts throughout the year.

Artists and writers have also been drawn to the town. Jean Cocteau left his mark here when he decorated the Chapelle Saint-Pierre as a tribute to the town’s fishermen.

It is precisely this combination of proximity to the vibrant life of the Riviera and the opportunity to retreat and slow down that makes Villefranche so special. And this is where we have just found the second home for our new MH21 COMFORT owner association.

The apartment is set in peaceful, green surroundings overlooking the bay. It has an exceptional location and enormous potential, which we are looking forward to bringing to life.

When we select homes for a new owner association, the home itself is only part of the story. The surrounding area must also be somewhere you will want to return to time and time again. And few places have managed to retain their appeal across generations quite like the Côte d’Azur.