Bal Harbour

P H OTO © T H O M A S D E B R U Y N E ; C O U R T E S Y O F V I L L A L A S B R I S A S ; © Z U M A R E S TAU R A N T S ; S U P E R YAC H T S M O N AC O Lecorche, expanded their footprint to Cannes with La Môme Plage. "Their beach club takes over the entire street and it is definitely the top place to see and be seen," says Fox. Palm Beach was once the haunt of Cary Grant and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; it reopened last year after a more than $270-million makeover. "It has so many great places all under one roof," she says, noting that alongside the members' club, there are several restaurants (each with superb terraces), including a Zuma outpost and the "sexy, cool, glamorous" nightclub, Medusa. THE PART Y PL ANNER YOU NEED (AND THE ROSÉ TO SERVE) Art collector Carol Asscher's great grandfather was commissioned by Britain's King Edward VII to cut the world's largest diamond for him; in the process, he earned the right to name the new technique in his honor. She's a fixture of the scene here, and even rents out her own seven-bedroom Villa Las Brisas, which has private access to Pampelonne Beach (half-squint, and you could almost see Brigitte Bardot posing there, as it was one of her favorite spots). One bonus perk of renting from Asscher? Access to her extraordinary network of fixers and helpers, like Christina Montori Mandelli of the Endogroup. The party planner is the only person she'll trust to handle events, major or minor. According to Asscher, Montori Mandelli moves from Italy to live more or less full time in Saint-Tropez every summer, expressly to handle the surge of bookings from socialites like her and her circle. "July is really busy, because everyone's there, and doing a party every night," says Asscher, so book Christina's time well in advance. The best insider rosé to serve, she adds, is Saint-Tropez–adjacent Domaine La Rouillère. "I'm friends with the owner, but the wine is nice, the color is light, and the price is good, too." ASK A CONCIERGE: SÉBASTIEN CLÉMENTE Sébastien Clémente is a former head concierge and Clefs d'Or who struck out five years ago to co-found Cannes-based concierge, Alter[3]go. There's no one with better connections (and taste) to act as a fixer on your next stay—as these recommendations prove. Every beach club that matters, he says, is clustered together on Ramatuelle in Saint-Tropez—not just Le Club 55, but also Bagatelle, Shellona, and Verde Beach. "Always ask for the second seating, starting around 2:30, to be there at the best time of day," says Clémente. In the evening, though, book a table at L'Opera, "the party place this side of the Riviera that goes all night long." Want to learn how to make a true French baguette? The erstwhile head pastry chef at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Lilian Bonnefoi, will teach you at his own charming house in the old town of Antibes—that is, if you ask Clémente to arrange it for you. As for vineyards, there are two he'll always suggest clients visit. Within the island chain of Iles de Lérins in the Bay of Cannes is Saint-Honorat Island, home to its namesake vineyard, Saint-Honorat. "Monks established the abbey there during the 11th century," says Clémente, "and they've been cultivating the vineyard on the island ever since." Otherwise, in the hills above Nice in the tiny Bellet appellation, go to Château de Crémat. "Coco Chanel used to go there when she was on the French Riviera, and the legend is that the coat of arms of the castle inspired her for the interlaced double-C logo," says Clémente. STEAL THIS TRIP : THE INSIDER 'S YACHTING GUIDE Monaco-based Paola Scalabrino, of Super Yachts Monaco, is the go-to charter expert for the pickiest summer visitors. She recommends a week or so to hit the key spots in and around the coast; come during Le Jumping (July 3–5) for an extra jolt of glamour, with showjumpers Book the Berco Voyager from Super Yachts Monaco for an unrivaled summer charter. FROM TOP Cannes' iconic Palm Beach; the pool at Villa Las Brisas offers a more private experience; the view at Zuma's Cannes outpost. insider's guide BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M

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