Riviera Glamour: Exploring the Côte d'Azur From This Essential Home Base

The idea of traveling during shoulder season -- also known as low season or off-season -- is all but an impossible mission, fueled by several factors, with the global pandemic at the forefront.

Trying to avoid the crowds during shoulder season? Good luck.

The pandemic, still blamed for economic headwinds across myriad sectors, has allowed remote workers to ensconce themselves in different parts of the world at any given moment without draining their precious PTO.

As CNN noted in a June 2024 piece, travelers used to shop for bargains based on the weather in their desired destination. Climate change, however, has thrown a massive wrench in those plans, as weather patterns become excruciatingly difficult to predict. This leaves many to guess, at best, what to expect when they finally touch down after their transatlantic flights.

"The off-season practically vanished in many parts of the world," Whitney Haldeman, a luxury travel adviser with Embark Collective, told USA TODAY back in March.

But all hope is not lost. As Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF Ultimate Break, also told the national newspaper, "the off-season is evolving."

"Off-season has been a well-kept secret among avid travelers," she says, "and while the word is out, it remains the ideal time to travel."

For many, the idea of visiting the French Riviera -- or the Côte d'Azur for those with a refined vocabulary -- can seem like a daunting task and out of reach. Daunting in that it's one of the most coveted places to visit, and out of reach in that the region exudes boundless luxury.

But like any savvy traveller will tell you, visiting The Playground of the Elite can, in fact, be executed in style while still having a balanced approach.

For more than two decades, AC Hotels has designed sophisticated spaces that strike a fine balance of form and function; a superb home base to those looking to explore the city's most desirable neighborhoods and urban centers, regions like the French Riviera.

AC Hotels set its travel footprint in 1999 with its first property in Madrid, Spain. It has since expanded throughout Europe under the Marriott International umbrella with more than 260 hotels in 30-plus countries.

In the French Riviera, setting up shop at the AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes-Juan les Pins in Antibes, France, and the AC Hotel by Marriott Marseille Prado in Marseille, France, offers prime home bases to breathe in the region's flavor.

You'll land in Nice, France, and find yourself a mere 35-minute drive to Antibes -- an oceanside paradise peppered with restaurants, coffee shops, boutique stores, countless private plages, and even a casino, all within a 10-minute walk of the Ambassadeur Antibes, where jazz is revered as much as it is in New Orleans.

After settling at the Ambassadeur and exploring its offerings within a stone's throw, head to Cannes. It's less than 30 minutes away by Uber, with Mediterranean views. Before you know it, you'll find yourself within steps of the Palais des Festival, site of the famed Cannes Film Festival, quintessential French Riviera luxury.

If you stay in Cannes for the night, pack your essentials in the backpack you'll never want to travel without, much less stop raving about: NOMATIC's travel backpack, the most essential backpack you'll ever need for 1 to 3 day-trips, especially if you're traveling with two laptops, like me.

The 20L size backpack that I used on this trip -- as well as in Istanbul and Monaco -- was pragmatic because it expanded, which is crucial for someone like me, who refuses to check a bag.

NOMATIC's backpack features 22 pockets, including RFID-safe storage and hidden compartments, including a sunglasses safe that I personally used as my cigar stash.

There's also a retractable key lash to latch your house and car keys, which you'll bring with you on the trip but won't need until you get back to the States.

While NOMATIC touts its TSA-approved status, be forewarned that agents will still be confused by the endless zippers that will make your life easier but theirs more complicated when they execute a secondary security check.

But that's their issue, not yours.

After Antibes, drive to Marseille and stay at the AC Hotel Marseille Prado Velodrome. Enjoy the view of Marseille's famous sports arena, home of the Olympique de Marseille football club. It's a sight to behold, especially from your hotel room.

After checking in, hop in an Uber and watch your driver maneuver the extensive network of underground tunnels before you emerge in historic Marseille, more than 2,600 years old and founded by the Greeks.

You'll be mesmerized by the historic center's museum and be enthralled while perusing Le Panier's neighborhood.

But do yourself a favor and book a boat tour of the Parc national des Calanques. During shoulder season, the day may be overcast, but booking with Bleu Evasion will be worth every penny.

When you do, you might end up on one of the numerous French islands, including Ratonneau, home to fewer than five restaurants overlooking Frioul port and an ancient Greek temple honoring those who arrived first.

And all within 30 minutes of an AC Hotel.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM.