After almost ten years of guiding travelers from all around the world, I have come to one conclusion: real holidays begin here, in the South of France.
A Decade of Encounters
I have been a guide for nearly ten years now, welcoming thousands of people from every background — families, couples, young travelers, seniors, and even Hollywood stars. I have met all kinds of visitors: some ordinary, some famous, some with disabilities, others full of energy. But they all have one thing in common: the desire to come back to the South.
Why Is the South So Beautiful?
In Eze, lost in one of the narrow alleys of the old village, I love to tell my visitors about Matisse’s arrival in Nice in December 1917. From his hotel room overlooking the sea, he said:
“When I realized that every morning I would see this light again, I could not describe my joy.”
That says it all. The light here is different. There is a certain energy, a calm, an indescribable beauty.
In the morning, when the sun rises over the hills, the French Riviera becomes a living painting — bright green from the hills, the golden sun, the flowers, the scents, the sea reflections. A new spectacle every day.
How can you not want to be outside and enjoy it all?
The Rhythm of the South
I often show my guests how locals can sit for hours chatting on café terraces. Here, people take their time.
I always say that if people in the South know how to relax, it is because they have learned — over thousands of years — that peace of mind matters as much as rest for the body.
Service is slow? Yes, and it is meant to be. No one rushes to bring you the bill. You have to ask for it, and even then, it will take a few minutes. Because here, time is not the enemy — it is a luxury.
Some of my New York friends struggle with that idea (and I love them dearly!). My friend Jay once ordered a coffee and asked for the bill at the same time — he drank it in one minute and wanted to leave! I told him, laughing: “Jay, you’ve turned my French Riviera into New York!” We still laugh about it.
Even in traffic, people let you in. They smile, they say hello. It reminds me of the comedian Gad Elmaleh, who joked that French people have too many polite expressions. Between two floors in an elevator, we manage to say ten times “hello, goodbye, thank you.” He was right — and I love that.
The Markets: A Passion for What We Do
When I walk through the markets with my guests, I always show them how each stand is arranged with care and color.
Every merchant is proud of what they do. They are not just selling, they are sharing their passion.
Ask a vendor if they have the best tomatoes, and they will give you a full explanation of why theirs are the best in the world!
ou will probably end up buying them, because you can feel the love and pride in their words.
Here, time stretches. The rhythm slows down. Even the most hurried visitors end up walking slower.
What Real Holidays Mean
To me, real holidays are not just about sleeping in. They are about truly resting, reconnecting with yourself, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Love nature? You have the Alps, the hills, and the villages of the hinterland. Love the sea? Is there any sea more beautiful than the Mediterranean? Love amazing views? The French Riviera has plenty — I could give you ten spots for truly breathtaking photos (perfect for becoming an Instagram celebrity 😄).
Everything is here. The French Riviera is the true definition of a real holiday.
The Ones Who Keep Coming Back
I have seen friends reunite here, travelers come for their very first trip abroad, and others return year after year. When I ask them why, their answer is always the same:
“This region touched us. We miss it, so we come back.”
I think of Kelly, Jay, Scott, my dear friends and readers, whom I truly appreciate.
Some tell me they also come back because of me (let me brag a little 😄).
I’m joking, of course — but I do hope I played a small part in their love story with the French Riviera.
Conclusion
Every tour reminds me why I love my job and my region so much.
That is probably why I still have so much energy and passion to share.
And maybe that is why I always wish my travelers could stay a little longer, so I can show them even more of this land that I love so deeply.