Seven Romantic Destinations in Nice and the Riviera
Everything you could ask for in a romantic getaway.
Authentic French
Chez Davia
When it comes to up-and-coming trendy restaurants on the French Riviera, Chez Davia stands out. You’ll find outstanding food combined with an authentic French atmosphere. Don’t miss out on their barbajuan – deep-fried ravioli from Monaco – or the sublime pâtes au pistou.
Lunch on the pier
Lou Bantry
Stroll down the colorful pier, Port Lympia, and continue on to Villefranche-sur-mer (if you don’t like to walk, you can also take a train or bus no. 100) and conclude the excursion with lunch at Lou Bantry next to the pier. The view of the azure blue sea is just mesmerizing. Not only are the stately homes along the shore breathtaking, they also fend off the wind during the cooler months so you can enjoy a Moules frites by the sea year-round!
A historic hotel
Hotel Negresco
Along the Promenade des Anglais, Negresco towers over the beach like a dreamy, majestic sand castle. This venerable hotel, one of the most exclusive and historic resorts in France, has housed celebrities from across the world over the past century. Enjoy a cream puff aperitif in the hotel’s bar or wander over to the more modern Hotel Amour just a stone’s throw away and rekindle your romance.
Street life on Rue Bonaparte
Comptoir Central Électrique
Check out the street life on the Rue Bonaparte. This walking street, located in the busy port area just behind the renowned Garibaldi square, is the perfect place for a romantic breakfast or an evening out. It’s the France you’ve always imagined, with homes painted in lovely pastel shades and people chatting with neighbors or toting fresh baguettes on the back of their bike. When the golden sunset bathes the area in a subdued early evening light, make sure you’re sitting at Comptoir Central Électrique enjoying the famous ice cream. If you’re lucky, you might even hear live music on the street corner.
Incredible view
La Favorita
You can get to Italy by car in less than an hour. Apricale, which is just a 30-minute drive from the beach, is precariously perched atop a picturesque cliff. Make sure you make a side trip to the restaurant La Favorita, which offers an incredible view. You can enjoy Ligurian specialties from their menu or order the ravioli simmered in sage and butter with piping hot focaccia bread and a huge plate of grilled Italian salami.
Piazza atmosphere
Magiargè
Take the train to Bordighera and follow the lemon tree groves up the hill to the suburb of Bordighera Alta, where you can enjoy a wonderful dinner at Magiargè. You can order from a local wine list and enjoy the authentic piazza atmosphere on the outdoor patio.
Artist's hangout
La Colombe d’Or
If you drive less than an hour from Nice, you’ll arrive in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a popular hang-out for artists around the turn of the 20th century. Their most popular abode was La Colombe d’Or, where they paid for room and board with their artwork. The restaurant, which has preserved its charm over the years, is traditional and rustic, yet still attracts a glamorous clientele. The hotel, which has hosted Picasso and Matisse, hasn’t changed its menu in a hundred years. After lunch, swing by the Fondation Maeght art museum, which features works by Miró and Chagall, among others.
Text by Clara Clementine Eliasson