Synonymous with glamour, super-yachts, A-listers strutting their stuff and the legendary, champagne-fuelled nightlife, it's easy to overlook why the glitterati flocked to the South of France in the first place.  Quite simply, because it's absolutely beautiful.  The 'Cote d'Azur' is named for its crystal clear blue seas. Artists, from Picasso to Dufy, have flooded here over the years, inspired by the landscapes and light, and it's easy to see why.

Encompassing Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, it's hard to deny the glamour and excess sometimes to be found here, and should you wish for an element of chic glitz to your holiday, this is the right place for you .  However, it's also easy to find peace, tranquillity and sophistication, just a short distance away from the decadence of Club 55 on St Tropez's Pampelonne beach.

From a delicious Nicoise salad in Nice, to fish fresh off the boat in Villefranche, this is a Gourmand's paradise, with a typically French approach to enjoying every mouthful of food and wine, usually with a spectacular view to match. 

From the spectacular coastal views in Beaulieu and Antibes, to the 'villages perches' of Grimaud and Cogolin - picturesque villages perched on top of pine-clad hills, this is a beautiful area of France that offers something for everyone and deserves it's place as one of the most glamorous luxury holiday destinations in the world.

Top Tips

• Drink rosé 'a la piscine' at Club 55
• Visit the Saturday market in Cogolin
• Dine at the lively Le Petit Maison, Cannes
• Try a delicious Tarte Tropezienne
• Wander through the pretty streets of Gassin