Why This Riviera Summer Matters: A Centennial, A Celebration, A Return to Glamour

The French Riviera has long been the playground of poets, painters, bon vivants—and, notably, the global yachting elite. Hôtel Belles Rives remains its most storied retreat. Perched at the water’s edge with its own private dock, the hotel has welcomed literary icons, luminaries, and lovers of Riviera elegance for nearly a century. This season, it reopens with a calendar of cultural and social events celebrating the region’s rich artistic legacy—and a host of experiences tailored to the modern-day jet (and yacht) set.

The 2025 season is officially underway. This month, Hôtel Belles Rives and Fitzgerald Bar reopened, once again inviting guests to experience its signature blend of Art Deco glamour and relaxed refinement. On April 11, Hôtel Juana and the iconic Belles Rives Beach will follow, setting the stage for a summer of cultural celebrations, waterside leisure, and literary prestige.

This April also marks the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby—F. Scott Fitzgerald’s defining novel of beauty, ambition, and excess. The Riviera, which inspired much of his work, remains a destination for those who appreciate its enduring charm and Mediterranean allure.

From the esteemed Fitzgerald Prize and Bal des Rêves gala to sun-drenched afternoons on the private beach, Hôtel Belles Rives offers an unparalleled escape for the season ahead.

A CULTURAL CALENDAR WORTH TRAVELING FOR

The sun-drenched terraces of Hôtel Belles Rives set the stage for a season brimming with literary, artistic, and gastronomic moments:

• April 12 - Bacchus Dinner: The return of the Bacchus Dinner featuring Maison Faiveley is a decadent celebration of wine and gastronomy.
• April 20 – Easter: The launch of Belles Rives’ Easter program, filled with Riviera-inspired festivities fun for the whole family.
• June 5 – Bal des Rêves: The Riviera’s most glamorous charity gala, an evening of champagne, music, and Gatsby-inspired elegance under the stars.
• June 9 – Cole Porter’s Birthday at Fitzgerald Bar: A night of cocktails and jazz, honoring the legendary composer who once played here.
• June 14 – The Fitzgerald Prize: The most prestigious literary award on the Riviera, celebrating authors whose work echoes the grandeur and emotional depth of Fitzgerald’s prose. Past laureates include Quentin Tarantino, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jeffrey Eugenides.
• June 21 – Fête de la Musique (June 21, Summer Solstice): Live music spills onto every street in France, and in Juan-les-Pins, guests will find Gatsby-era piano nights at Bar Fitzgerald, DJ sets at Hôtel Juana, and a beachside celebration at Plage Belles Rives.

WATERSIDE GLAMOUR: THE BEACH, THE BOATS, THE SPORT

For those who find their rhythm where the sea meets the sky, summer at Hôtel Belles Rives is a seamless celebration of Riviera living.

• Belles Rives Beach Club & Water Sports Club (Opening April 11, 2025): Chic loungers, iconic striped umbrellas, and effortless elegance define the beachfront experience. Mediterranean cuisine is served just steps from the shore, while guests can book waterski lessons (starting at €50) with the hotel’s dedicated Water Ski Butler. Sunbeds at the Beach Club begin at €50.
• Les Voiles d’Antibes: A dazzling display of classic yacht racing, where timeless vessels glide across the bay in a tribute to maritime heritage from June 4-8 2025
• Grand Prix of Waterskiing: The 37th edition of the Riviera’s most exhilarating watersport event returns in August to the very location where waterskiing was born—the legendary Belles Rives Waterski Club.
• The Riviera by Boat: Depart from the hotel’s private dock for a dreamy escape to the Lérins Islands or the dramatic cliffs of Cap d’Antibes. For those wishing to charter, Hôtel Belles Rives offers a curated fleet of vessels—ranging from sleek motorboats to elegant yachts—available for bespoke half- or full-day excursions.
• Villa Belles Rives: Every Thursday evening from 8 PM to 1 AM in July and August, Hôtel Belles Rives hosts Villa Belles Rives, its exclusive beach soirée where guests mingle, laugh, dance, and celebrate the summer spirit. A special menu of fresh cocktails, mocktails, and delectable tapas includes truffled burrata with cherry tomatoes, fried zucchini flowers with pesto, Dolce Vita pizzette, pepper panisse with tapenade, stracciatella with focaccina and thyme oil, and tuna tataki with sriracha mayonnaise and yuzu pearls. For more information and reservations, visit bellesrives.com/en/villa-belles-rives.html.
• Yachting & Provisioning: Just five minutes from Port Vauban—Europe’s largest yachting harbor—Hôtel Belles Rives is ideally positioned for those arriving by sea. The hotel’s private jetty and dedicated marina concierge team offer seamless service, from yacht provisioning (luxury pastries, birthday cakes, Champagne) to arranging on-board spa treatments and beauty services. For those anchoring nearby, La Plage Belles Rives, the Beach Club Restaurant is a beloved stop for an elegant, al fresco lunch on one of the Riviera’s most iconic pontoons—where waterskiing itself was invented.

A GASTRONOMIC SUMMER ON THE RIVIERA

Gastronomes will find themselves at home at Hôtel Belles Rives and Hôtel Juana, where summer unfolds with:

• Michelin-starred dining at La Passagère: The one-star Michelin experience led by Chef Aurélien Véquaud is where Mediterranean seafood meets artistic presentation. Opens on April 28, 2025.
• PASEO at Hôtel Juana: A buzzy, garden-set restaurant where mornings flow into evenings, and each meal is a celebration of Riviera culture. Now open.
• Fitzgerald Bar: A cocktail destination unlike any other, where bartenders shake up new signature creations alongside timeless classics, all served in a recently renovated Art Deco setting. Now open.
• La Plage Belles Rives: From lunch to dinner and a cocktail with sand between your toes, La Plage Belles Rives captures the essence of Riviera reverie. By day, the scent of the sea mingles with sun-warmed skin and the gentle clink of ice in a spritz glass. By twilight, the beach transforms—golden hour melting into candlelit conversations under the stars. It’s a place where you arrive for a bite and stay for the feeling: truffled burrata, sea-kissed air, a vintage playlist drifting over the waves. A barefoot ballet between sunbathing, swimming, water-skiing—and simply being.

WHERE TO STAY: HÔTEL BELLES RIVES & HÔTEL JUANA

For those seeking the quintessential French Riviera experience, Hôtel Belles Rives and Hôtel Juana offer two distinct, yet equally alluring escapes:

• HÔTEL BELLES RIVES – A LEGENDARY SEASIDE RETREAT: A beacon of Riviera refinement, Belles Rives boasts 43 rooms and suites, each with a balcony or terrace overlooking the sea. Guests can indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine, an exclusive private beach, and a legacy of literary and artistic glamour. Book now at bellesrives.com

• HÔTEL JUANA – ART DECO CHIC IN THE HEART OF JUAN-LES-PINS: Steps from La Pinède, the birthplace of the Jazz Age in France, Hôtel Juana exudes cosmopolitan charm, with an outdoor pool, vibrant social scene, and fresh Mediterranean dining at PASEO. Hotel opens on April 11, 2025.

Rates at Hôtel Belles Rives start at €750 per night in summer. Rates at Hôtel Juana start at €390 per night in summer. To reserve your stay, visit bellesrives.com or hotel-juana.com.