Villefranche-sur-Mer, French Riviera, France

Where the Mediterranean reigns supreme. Villefranche-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

In September, the French Riviera is bathed in a softer light, and the Mediterranean landscape takes on fresher tones after the peak of summer. The hills are scented with Aleppo pine, rosemary and wild thyme. In the hinterland, centuries-old olive trees and hilltop villages tell a story shaped by Greek, Roman and Provençal influences.

Along the coastal trails, holm oaks and strawberry trees withstand the summer drought, while fig trees still offer an abundance of ripe fruit. In the bays of coastal towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, sailboats and yachts glide gracefully between sea and sky, while the red rocks of the Esterel Massif contrast strikingly with the deep green hues of the Mediterranean scrubland.

Around a secluded cove, the gentle song of the cicadas gradually gives way to a more peaceful atmosphere. The French Riviera offers far more than a postcard-perfect setting: it is a harmonious blend of nature, heritage and the art of living, where the Mediterranean reigns supreme.