From the dramatic cliffs of the Verdon Gorge to the red carpets of Cannes, the South of France blends glamour, culture, and hidden escapes. But what is it about this region that captivates celebrities and travellers?
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00:00Join me on Grand Voyager as I travel from Qatar and beyond to uncover the
00:06secrets of the iconic cities. I'm Sarah Hedley-Hymers, a global solo traveler. I
00:12discover untold stories and hidden gems in luxurious destinations, unlocking
00:19adventure, activities, culture and more. Solo doesn't mean alone. My passport is
00:27ready. Let's go. Today I'm heading to the land of glamour, colour and culture, just a
00:38seven-hour flight from Qatar. This region has long attracted artists, travelers and
00:45movie stars. Bonjour and welcome to the south of France. In this episode I'll
00:52explore the glamour of the French Riviera, the flavors of Provence and the
00:57natural wonders of Verdun Gorge. I begin my journey here in Cannes, a star of the
01:03CĂ´te d'Azur. Each spring La Croisette, Cannes famous three-kilometre boulevard,
01:10becomes the beating heart of world cinema during the Cannes Film Festival. At the
01:17centre of the boulevard stands the Carlton Cannes Hotel, an icon of hospitality that
01:23plays host to visiting stars. Imagine who's brushed shoulders with the lobby's majestic
01:29marble columns. From Hollywood legends to today's box office headliners. Today I'm
01:37checking into one of the hotel's premier suites. This is the Katara suite, one of the most luxurious
01:45suites in the hotel, named after the Qatar-based owners. Let me show you around.
01:51It feels like its own world. There's a grand lounge and dining area, perfect for living the Riviera lifestyle.
01:59The bedrooms are cosy havens, with ensuite bathrooms boasting freestanding tubs. And there's
02:06even a private sauna for added indulgence. My personal favourite space is the balcony. The views are simply iconic.
02:20Katara Hospitality restored and reopened the hotel in March 2023, following a two-year renovation that modernised
02:30the landmark, while preserving its Belle Epoque façade and historic charm. The gardens now frame the hotel with colourful flowers, peaceful seating enclaves and a sparkling pool.
02:44And the terraces are home to some of Cannes finest restaurants, offering a front row seat to La Croisette.
02:52Riviera is the place to see and be seen. It's casual dining, but with ultra-luxury ingredients. And I strongly recommend the Pinza topped with premium French truffle.
03:06Beyond the glitz of the boulevard lies another side of Cannes, the Old Town. A hillside of cobbled streets and okra-washed houses that rises to offer sweeping views across the bay.
03:20Further afield, in the flower-coated hills north of Cannes, lies the perfume capital of the world, Grasse, home to Molinard.
03:29Founded in 1849, the legendary perfume house has been run by five generations of the same family.
03:37Its original farmhouse is now a museum, where visitors can learn the secrets of centuries of French fragrance making.
03:46Molinard's Astrid Nicoud offered to show me around.
03:51Welcome to the distillery.
03:55Oh, it's like the Willy Wonka of perfume in here.
04:00The distillery room houses antique copper machines used to extract oils from flowers to create perfume.
04:07Can you tell me about the typical flowers that you would find here in the south of France as popular crops used for perfume?
04:16Of course. Directly in Grasse, ten minutes from here, you've got the Centifolia Rosa that only picks up here in Grasse by hand.
04:26And every day we pick it up and then we distillate it directly. Jasmine also is the most important one.
04:32So if I'm making a perfume with you today, Jasmine would be the most important one to use.
04:38Yeah, exactly.
04:39Okay, that's good to know. So when I'm trying to bottle the south of France, that's where I start.
04:44Yeah.
04:45If you'd like a souvenir fragrance from the south of France, Molinard's workshop is the perfect place to create it.
04:54Welcome to the prestige workshop. Front of you, you've got the formula with the top notes, heart notes and base and fixative ones.
05:03When sampling perfume, the top notes are the first scents you notice. The heart notes give a perfume character and the base notes are the ones that last the longest.
05:14So these are my top notes going in. And I picked this one because of the cute name, Blackcurrant Bug.
05:22And I'm adding this finally to my very complex mix of fragrances, which I can already smell it and I'm quite proud of it.
05:35Let's try it right now.
05:37Now my bespoke scent is complete. It's time to inhale.
05:41Beautiful.
05:43Yeah.
05:44What do you think about it?
05:46Really good.
05:47Great.
05:48I really like that.
05:49Because that will remind me of my holiday.
05:52I hope so.
05:53Perfectly.
05:54Great.
05:55This is a little piece of the south of France in a bottle.
06:02Inland from the Riviera, Provence is the land of fertile fields, where citrus trees thrive in the sun.
06:10And at its heart lies its most celebrated culinary treasure, the truffle.
06:16Chez Bruno is a renowned truffle restaurant in Lorgue founded in 1983 by Clement Bruno and now run by his sons.
06:26Hello.
06:27Samuel.
06:28Benjamin.
06:29Welcome at Bruno's.
06:31Show me around.
06:33This Michelin-starred restaurant is a hotspot for celebrities.
06:37But behind its star appeal lies a proud family passion.
06:42Please.
06:43Samuel took me on a tour of the restaurant drenched in rustic charm.
06:49There are private dining areas and secluded spots.
06:53This is the VVV IP table.
06:56And in the surrounding grounds the family grows fresh vegetables that go straight to the plates.
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