Riviera Residences: Where to Rent for the Season

It is more than a century since the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat opened the doors for its first summer season, kick-starting the parties that attracted the glitterati of the age. Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor all crossed the threshold. Today, the hotel remains at the heart of the Riviera’s schedule of festivals, regattas, parties and soirées, from April to September – and with expert guidance, you can find the ideal rental property from which to enjoy the season, whether you are planning to lean into events or settle down to work. 

The Riviera’s social scene kicks off in May with film stars and fast cars at the Festival de Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix. And if you’re planning to book a rental for the rest of the summer season, now is the time to act. A villa can offer privacy and the scope to entertain – and for many the convenience of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is hard to beat. 

“The proximity to Monaco is a huge advantage – the Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Masters tennis, gala dinners and casino nights are a quick helicopter ride or car transfer away,” says Amélie Delange, luxury seasonal rentals agent at Savills Beaulieu-sur-Mer. “But Cap-Ferrat also offers something increasingly rare during event season – genuine privacy and serenity a short ride from Monaco.” 

With its pine-shaded paths, belle époque charm and stunning coastal views, the Cap feels like a retreat without ever seeming remote from the Côte d’Azur’s calendar – and Nice is conveniently close.

You can find stunning pieds dans l’eau villas – which means that they offer direct sea access. This seven-bedroom property split between two houses, just steps from the beach, has multiple terraces on which you can enjoy serene evenings by the water (from €150,000 per month).

If post-event entertaining is your priority, this eight-bedroom contemporary villa provides plenty of wow factor, with high ceilings and an elegant pool terrace (from €34,520 per week). “Or, if you prefer the peace of the hills above Èze and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, we can arrange villas with private yoga sessions, at-home spa treatments and gourmet dining,” says Delange.  

For proximity to the glamour of Cannes or the sandy beaches of Juan-les-Pins, Cap d’Antibes might suit best, suggests Anne-Marie Olmo, lettings agent at Savills Cap d’Antibes. “Its real appeal is that it is a peaceful residential area within walking distance of the beaches of La Garoupe and Les Pêcheurs,” she says. From here you can enjoy the jazz festival in Juan-les-Pins, the Musée Picasso, the market in Antibes and the fabled Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.

Olmo picks out a six-bedroom, 1,000 square metre villa near La Garoupe beach, with a swimming pool, cinema room, hammam and gym (from €56,250 per week). It’s close to the famous Plage Keller beach club and La Maison de Bacon, a Cap d’Antibes fine-dining institution.  

For some, Saint-Tropez epitomises the south of France in summer. Here, you can wander past pastel houses on the cobbles of La Ponche, enjoy lunch by the Vieux Port or discover the flavours of Provence at the market on Place des Lices. 

Night owls can party until dawn at Les Caves du Roy. “Saint-Tropez is a unique blend of Mediterranean charm, glamorous luxury and laid-back chic,” says Olivia Gourdon, seasonal rentals agent at Savills Saint-Tropez. Some regulars love Ramatuelle, the authentic Provençal village in the hills above the Plage de Pampelonne, surrounded by vineyards and pine forests – with nearby Gassin and Grimaud to explore.

Gourdon highlights a 10-bedroom property with sea view in the Salins area that “perfectly represents the Mediterranean art of living”, with two independent villas providing the perfect set-up for a gathering of family and friends. It has large outdoor spaces for convivial – or peaceful – pursuits (from €59,520 per week). “It’s a dream place to disconnect,” she says, “close to sandy beaches and crystal waters – but be sure to book beach clubs well in advance.”   

From insider tips on chartering a yacht to securing a reservation at the most sought-after restaurants, the Savills rentals team can help you make the most of your Riviera summer.