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The terrace of the Carlton InterContinental is the top place to see and be seen in Cannes, with a superior view of the bay and promenaders along the Croisette.

La Brasserie’s spacious terrace in front of the Carlton Inter-Continental, one of Cannes’ exorbitantly luxurious seafront hotels, overlooks the Croisette and is the top place to see and be seen in town, with a magnificent view of the bay. For effect, drink Bollinger (see La Brasserie Carlton, Cannes).

Unspoilt La Brigue has cobbled streets, arcaded buildings and the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines with its superb medieval frescoes.

The medieval St-Jean gate is a great introduction to this ravishing maze of streets set above the terraced hillsides and vineyards of Bandol. The sun is warm, the air scented and the panorama breathtaking.

This restaurant serves fish and steak in a summer garden, or in front of a fire in winter, with live gypsy music.

“Bar sympa” , they say in French, which means friendly and appealing – especially for the young, artistic and mildly eccentric.

This celebrity hideaway hotel and restaurant attracts fashionable artists and celebrities and has a fine private collection of paintings by 20th-century artists including Miró, Matisse and Picasso. By Riviera standards, it is also surprisingly affordable – an overnight stay here need cost no more than an evening drink in one of the flashier clubs in Cannes or Monaco (see La Colombe d’Or, St-Paul-de-Vence).

La Colombe welcomed Picasso, Matisse and Braque, among others, who left works instead of payment, so a priceless collection hangs in the restaurant. The place continues to attract celebrities with first-rate Provençale cuisine (see La Colombe d’Or, St-Paul-de-Vence).

Elegant restaurant with a new interpretation of local dishes such as socca (see Top 10 Regional Specialities).

A range of spa packages at the sulphur-rich thermal springs of Gréoux-les-Bains is available to guests in this farmhouse-hotel with swimming pool, golf practice range and a restaurant noted for its Provençal menu.