French Riviera: My Vintage Photos Album

One of my favourite views in the French Riviera is the one you get from Boulevard de Garavan, in Menton. Anytime I visit this city, I make sure to wander up through its winding ancient roads around the Basilique Saint-Michel and go all the way up to just contemplate this scenery. Once up there, you will see the terracotta rooftops stretching out below to your right-hand side, their warm colours spilling towards the sea, and the water glowing in such a vibrant shade of turquoise near the Plage des Sablettes, turning into a deep, endless navy further out.

There are not too many people that come here compared to the more crowded streets down below, and I love how calm it feels here. There is a nearly inconceivable stillness to the view, with the sailboats gently floating in the water and the old town quietly basking in the sun, looking like its completely devoid of people.

One of my favourite beaches in the French Riviera is, without a doubt, Plage de Notre Dame, in the Porquerolles island. I’ve been to many along the Côte d'Azur, but nothing quite hits the same way as this one. The colour of the water alone makes you pause — that unreal mix of turquoise and soft green, so clear you can see your toes no matter how far out you wade. And then there’s the stillness. Even with other people around and the laughter of kids and them splashing in the almost still waters, it feels peaceful.

As you arrive, pine trees lean just slightly toward the sea, with their silhouettes framing the view, unveiling this piece of paradise with every step you take towards the sand. Sailboats sit anchored not far off the shoreline, almost as if they’ve stopped there just to admire it, too. This is a beautiful place to spend a whole summer day, simply relaxing and bathing in the beautiful sea and admiring the incredible views.

The view of the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer is one that just stops you in your tracks. Whether you're standing on Plage des Marinières or looking out from above at Boulevard Napoléon III, the bay has this way of catching the light that makes everything feel so cinematic.

From Boulevard Napoléon III, the view is something else entirely. You get the whole picture: the old town climbing up the hillside on the right, all faded pastel façades and terracotta roofs, packed in tight and glowing in the late afternoon light. And across the bay, Cap-Ferrat stretches out, lush and elegant, with those grand villas tucked into the green. It’s a contrast that feels almost poetic — old-world charm on one side, quiet luxury on the other.