The Icons of Côte d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, has long been associated with glitz and glamor. Previously a remote and impoverished region known for fishing, olive groves, and perfume, it became popular with the British upper class in the late 18th century and early 19th century for its beauty, old school charm, and its revitalizing warm and sunny weather. The name was given to the area by French writer Stéphen Liégeard in his book, La Côte d’Azur published in 1887 for the azure color of the Mediterranean.

It wasn’t until the late 1920s that it became fashionable to visit Cote d’Azur in the summer. Royalty came for peace and quiet, artists came to paint and draw, musicians and authors to write, and celebrities to escape. The Riviera became a playground for the rich and famous but also a place to find inspiration. Artists gathered and created — and it wasn’t long before tourists flocked to the area.

Even today, many celebrities (and non-celebrities) are found soaking up the sun in Côte d’Azur either to be seen or to recharge in a secluded villa.

Coco Chanel

After vacationing many times in Côte d’Azur, Coco Chanel built a villa called La Pausa between Monte Carlo and Menton where she hosted many artists, writers, friends, and musicians — like Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, and renowned Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Her villa was influential in making Côte d’Azur a lifestyle and not just a vacation during the summer months. La Pausa was designed with sophistication, simplicity, and inspiration from the orphanage she lived at when she was a teenager. See more of her house in this article.

She also influenced the fashion at the many resorts and beaches lining the coast. Wearing loose shirts and trousers to the beach, she was gawked at — and even denied entry into a casino because of her outfit. Eventually, other women noticed her comfortable elegance and began to follow her style. By the mid 20s, beach pajamas became the fashion among the French Riviera elite. Juan-les-Pins was soon known as “Pajama-Land,” and became the most relaxed and chic resort on the south coast of France. Chanel then moved on to the classic swimsuit towards the end of the 30s, sparking yet another trend.

Jean Cocteau

Jean Cocteau was a French poet, artist, writer, playwright and novelist, designer, and filmmaker. He was an influential figure in the early 20th century in the surrealist, avant-garde, and Dadaist movements. During his time, he was considered controversial with his work of erotic drawings, his fashion, and his love life as he was openly gay. In Villefranche-sur-Mer, he painted murals depicting the life of Saint peter and local fishermen in the Chapelle Saint-Pierre. At the Marriage Hall in Menton, he decorated scenes of love and mythology. He also served as the President of the Jury of the Cannes Film Festival in 1953 and 1954.

Picasso

Picasso’s time in the Côte d’Azur, particularly Antibes, Vallauris, and Cannes, was marked by prolific creativity and personal rejuvenation. After WWII, he moved to the region where he embraced new mediums, especially ceramics, and produced a significant body of work, including paintings, sculptures, and political pieces. The Picasso Museum in Antibes and the National Picasso Museum in Vallauris house many works from his time in the region.

Zelda & F. Scott Fitzgerald

Zelda & F. Scott Fitzgerald moved to the Côte d’Azur in 1924 seeking a more tranquil environment for Fitzgerald to work on his writing, specifically part of The Great Gatsby. Their time in the Riviera influenced much of his later work even after they moved back to the US due to financial struggles and Zelda’s decline in health.

Princess Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly transformed from a Hollywood star to European royalty with her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. She played a significant role in promoting the arts and made philanthropic contributions in Monaco and the surrounding Côte d’Azur area, further attracting attention to the Riviera.

Brigitte Bardot

Starring in “And God Created Woman,” Brigitte Bardot brought St. Tropez to international fame. Depicting the the town as a symbol of glamour and luxury, she helped draw not only other celebrities to visit but also tourists. You can read more about how she helped name a dessert after St. Tropez here.

Alain Delon

Alain Delon, known as “The Prince of the French Riviera” had a deep connection with the Côte d’Azur often photographed relaxing on the beaches with beautiful woman. Delon frequently attended the Cannes Film Festival where his films were showcased, cementing his status as a major star in French and international cinema. Starring in “La Piscine,” set in a luxurious villa with a swimming pool, it became iconic not only for its plot but the depiction of the Riviera lifesyle.

Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth’s presence in the Côte d’Azur contributed to the region’s allure as a destination for Hollywood stars. Her high-profile marriage to Prince Aly Kahn and glamorous image added to the mystique of the French Riviera as a destination for celebrities and royalty.