Hôtel Belles Rives ★★★★★

Many of the major artists of the 20th Century were enchanted by the Romanesque towns, the wild and wonderful coast, and the magnificent light that bathes the Provence region, which Matisse described as “soft and tender, despite its brilliance”. The Belle Rives manages to gather this incredible history and present it in a comfortable, stylish way without losing the subtle elegance and class from its roots. Although this postcard-perfect scenery feels a million miles away from the hedonistic jazz clubs of New York and the underground bars of Paris and Berlin, the Belles Rives could not be a better place for the Fitzgeralds to set up their exclusive home in. It’s certainly not gritty and it’s definitely not urban, but it holds a certain elegant charm about it that represents the duo.

From the outside, the Belle Rives looks like a typically grand, rustic French villa. Inside, the Belles Rives maintains its 20s heritage in a refreshingly modern way; the Art Deco interior design mimics a more-relaxed past, and the bold black and white décor against the pops of colour and quirky prints add a contemporary twist on the flapper fashion. Indeed, past and contemporary art meet with captivating sculptures to emphasise the hotel’s connection to the arts of the 20th century. This theme continues to weave its way through the in-house restaurants, which feature impressive, gilded columns, grand chandeliers and an aptly fitting piano bar reminiscent of the 20s.

Outside the hotel, the dipping green hills lead into small rustic towns and villages, picturesque harbours with views across neighbouring islands, and the surreal waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The nearby beach is ideal to either try wild, adrenalin-pumping activities, or simply to sit back and sunbathe on the beautiful shoreline, whilst listening to rousing jazz rhythms.

Perfectly balancing the energetic 20’s vibe with a relaxed atmosphere, the Belles Rives is the ideal place to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Provence in contemporary luxury.