Glamour on the Riviera, private tour from Nice

In the 1920s and 30s, painters, jazz musicians and writers gathered on the French Riviera, transforming its tranquil towns prized for their winter sun by the English and Russian aristocracies to a glamorous summer haven for the American jet set. Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Picasso, Matisse and Chagall were some of the legendary artists to settle in this area during the first half of the 20th century, creating some of their most memorable work during their time under its dazzling sun. Today, the influence of these luminaries can still be felt between Cannes and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and into the hills. The Cannes Film Festival's red carpet is an unmissable event, while the hilltop village of Saint Paul de Vence remains a magnet for artists, its cobbled streets lined with galleries. The Cap d'Antibes and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat are home to some of the area's most stunning villas and hotels, as well as secluded beaches.

This tour will follow in the footsteps of the artists and celebrities who make the French Riviera one of the most glamorous holiday spots in the world. We will visit Cannes, where the Palais des Festivals plays host to the Film Festival each spring, and La Croisette draws the see-and-be-seen crowd. You can shop in its chic boutiques or, if you're so inclined, stroll through its magnificent food market. In Saint Paul de Vence, you will take in a sweeping view of the surrounding hills from the medieval ramparts, visit art galleries and artisans' boutiques, and see the remains of a 12-century château. Driving around Cap d'Antibes and Cap Ferrat, you will be treated to examples of 1920s and 30s architecture as well as stunning modern villas; I can lead you to the most secluded beaches. Lunch might be at La Colombe d'Or in St Paul, its walls lined with priceless artworks, at the beautifully preserved Belles Rives Hotel in Juan les Pins, or at the Michelin-starred Alain Llorca near Vence.