The French Riviera, with its stunning coastline and pleasant climate, has long been a magnet for the affluent and famous. Its transformation from a winter health retreat to a summer playground for the elite is a tale of glamour, art, and intrigue.
In the mid-1700s, the region began attracting a few wealthy Britons seeking respite from the harsh winters. However, it was after Napoleon’s defeat in 1815 that the Riviera gained prominence as a health resort. The Mediterranean air was believed to be a balm for the nerves making it particularly popular among those suffering from tuberculosis a leading cause of death in Victorian England.
The Birth of a Summer Destination
The Riviera’s shift to a summer destination is largely credited to the American couple Sara and Gerald Murphy. While working with Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Paris, they encountered the international avant-garde and writers of the Lost Generation. In 1922, they discovered Antibes and fell in love with the area.
Sara, an heiress to an ink fortune, was known for her beachside lounging in a bathing suit and a long string of pearls. The couple convinced the owners of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to keep it open during the summer. They cleared La Garoupe Bay of seaweed and spent long mornings there with their children. Their influence attracted notable figures like Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway.
The Murphys’ Influence
The Murphys’ Villa America became a hub for brilliant dinner parties and generous hospitality. Their guests included Scott and Zelda FitzgeraldGertrude Stein and Jean Cocteau. Fitzgerald’s novel Tender Is the Night was inspired by his time with the Murphys. However, the 1929 crash and the Murphys’ youngest son’s tuberculosis diagnosis led to their departure in 1933.
A Haven for the Elite
The Riviera continued to attract the elite, including Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel who bought a villa near Monaco in 1928. Her villa, La Pausa became a sanctuary for artists like Salvador Dalí. The Riviera’s allure was captured by writer W. Somerset Maugham who described it as “a sunny place for shady people.”
During World War II, Chanel’s villa sheltered her from the conflict. However, her association with a Nazi spy led to her arrest after the liberation of Paris. She was saved by her old friend Winston Churchill. Chanel sold La Pausa to Churchill’s agent in 1953, marking the end of an era.
The Riviera’s Enduring Appeal
The French Riviera’s transformation into a glamorous escape is a testament to its enduring appeal. From a health retreat to a summer destination, it has attracted the elite and celebrities, leaving an indelible mark on history.
