The French Riviera is Transforming Wellness into a Year-Round Escape, No Crowd Required

The French Riviera conjures images of glimmering yachts, sunlit beaches, and cinematic glamour. Yet, there’s a quieter story unfolding along the Côte d’Azur—one that taps into its historical roots as a sanctuary for wellness and renewal. Beyond the height of summer, when the crowds disperse and the Mediterranean breeze carries a new kind of calm, this iconic destination is reclaiming its legacy as a year-round haven for healing.

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19th centuries, European aristocrats and royalty flocked to its sun-kissed shores during winter, seeking respite from colder climes. Doctors prescribed the region’s balmy air and serene vistas to rejuvenate body and spirit. Figures like Queen Victoria and Robert Louis Stevenson became part of a seasonal pilgrimage, earning the nickname les hivernants—the winterers.

Today, this timeless spirit is being revived with a modern twist. Luxury hotels and boutique retreats are redefining wellness as a year-round experience, leveraging the quieter months to offer deeply personalized escapes.

When summer’s golden haze gives way to cooler breezes, the French Riviera transforms into a sanctuary of serenity. Leading this renaissance is a collection of extraordinary properties that seamlessly blend luxury with holistic care.

Among the pioneers of this movement is Lily of the Valley in Saint-Tropez, nestled in the lush, untouched Cap Lardier, a green sanctuary on the Riviera. Designer Philippe Starck notes, "This is a place that welcomes you at any time in your life, at any time of the year." This year, the nautical-inspired Arev hotel opened near Saint-Tropez's Place des Lices, making its mark as one of the few properties to remain open year-round. A standout feature is its exclusive spa partnership with Saint-Tropez-based Maison ST, renowned for its natural fragrances. Treatments like algae mud wraps and exfoliating body scrubs using local sand and elements from the Mediterranean Sea offer a sense of place in every therapeutic touch.

”Nice has long been a year-round destination, renowned for its winter sunshine that draws Northern Europeans seeking respite from harsh winters," says Valéry Grégo, the visionary hotelier behind Hôtel du Couvent in Nice’s Old Town. This boutique hotel, which opened in early summer, is the result of a decade-long, $100 million renovation of a 17th-century convent. Grégo’s property is part of a growing trend of hotels embracing wellness-focused offerings that remain open year-round. The Hôtel du Couvent honors centuries of wellness traditions, featuring terraced herbal gardens, thermal baths, and an on-site apothecary offering custom-blended teas and oils. The resident herbalist draws inspiration from the hotel's two-and-a-half-acre terraced garden, planted with nearly 300 species, just as it was when the convent's nuns tended it. Daily meditation and breathwork sessions in the Movement Studio complete the holistic experience. Designed to merge Provençal abbey architecture with modern touches inspired by California villas, Hôtel du Couvent's hillside location is as captivating as its wellness programs. These include detoxification and anti-aging regimens, Mediterranean cuisine by renowned chef Vincent Maillard (a former Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy protégé), and expert-led guidance from nutritionists, wellness coaches, and therapists.

The hotel's subterranean thermal bath circuit pays homage to Nice’s Roman past, with a design inspired by the ancient baths found in the hillside neighborhood of Cimiez. "It embodies the age-old tradition of caring for body and mind through water, movement, and treatments—mens sana in corpore sano," explains Grégo, emphasizing the connection between the baths and the hotel’s holistic offerings.

Further along the Riviera in Mougins, Le Mas Candille in Mougins unveiled its full transformation this summer. After a facelift by French-Mexican architect Hugo Toro, the property now features an entirely new concept with its Glow House, a wellness center in collaboration with Clarins.  This spa fuses cutting-edge skincare with ancient traditions, from infrared light treatments to Nordic baths under the open sky. Treatments blend European plant extracts, fine essential oils, and collagen-boosting infrared LEDs for an elevated skincare experience. Le Mas Candille also offers tailored wellness programs focused on beauty, mental rejuvenation, and mindfulness, redefining the Côte d'Azur as a luxury destination for those seeking tranquility, wellness, and pleasure.

Olivier Courtin-Clarins, Clarins' general manager, shares, “We wanted to return to a deeper and more authentic approach to wellness, integrating a comprehensive concept of beauty. This extends beyond aesthetic treatments to include mental and physical rejuvenation and mindfulness.”

The Riviera’s beauty is no less enchanting in the off-season; in fact, it may be even more profound. Without the summer rush, visitors can savor quiet walks along Èze’s cobblestone paths, explore the art galleries of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or simply linger over Provençal cuisine at a seaside café. The slower pace invites a deeper connection—not just to the landscape, but to oneself.

With an emphasis on sustainability and self-care, the French Riviera is more than a summer destination; it’s a timeless invitation to unwind and reconnect. From November to April, the region’s tranquility, coupled with bespoke wellness offerings, makes it the perfect escape. Whether you’re indulging in a detox program, exploring the coastline’s natural beauty, or savoring a nutrient-rich Provençal feast, the Côte d’Azur offers healing magic that transcends seasons. True luxury is a state of mind, and some of life’s most beautiful moments unfold after the spotlight fades.

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