La Vague de Saint Paul

Here’s a quick précis for non-Francophiles: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, roughly ten miles west of Nice, is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, and a long-time haven for artists, Rolling Stones, and everything in between. Marc Chagall used to live here, as did the likes of Bill Wyman and Roger Moore. Today, art-minded travelers usually come to visit the Fondation Maeght museum. But lovely Saint-Paul is really a destination in its own right, within easy day-trip distance of Cannes and Monaco, and the newly opened La Vague, a quick trip outside of town, is the hot new place to stay if you’re here.

Privately owned for years, the fifty-room property is peaceful and contemporary — and, thanks to thorough renovations, impeccable. This is not the quaint French hotel you book with hopes of recreating medieval romance. La Vague might as well be brand-new, with spotless all-white furnishings, vibrant modern murals, swiveling satellite TVs, a Scandinavian-inspired spa and hammam, and a high-end bistro — having breakfast here, you’ll feel like you’re at a stylish cocktail bar in the city, not a dining table in the French countryside. Side note: if you’re in town on a Sunday between May and September, don’t miss the bistro’s prix-fixe brunch barbecue, held on the terrace and featuring a mouth-watering array of grilled meats, fish and local produce.

Outside, find well-manicured grounds, complete with a tennis court and a large, inviting swimming pool surrounded by crisp white chaise lounges. There’s a fitness center, too, if all the rich food is weighing on you. Otherwise, there's the town itself, where you can get your fill of art and history before returning to La Vague — and all the comforts of the 21st century.