The French Riviera and Champagne

I think we must start with what exactly is the French Riviera as I am sure many will have heard about it and lots of us will not be exactly familiar as to what it references. I hope I am not wrong in saying that for those not living in France full time, much of what we hear about the French lifestyle really tempts us to want to discover more. For those living there permanently or with holiday/second homes then I am sure you can share many wonderful stories of the many pleasures that you experience.

France is a love affair for many of us – it is romance, it is fine cuisine and wines, wonderful tourism and weather, historical treasures and that dream home of a farmhouse with plenty of land.

Having lived in France a few times previously and being able to tick off all the qualities listed above, I feel that I can tell you a little bit more about the lifestyle you can enjoy when you visit / live in France.

France is one of the few countries that when asked what it is famous for then most people will be able to at least use up all their digits of one hand to demonstrate their geographical knowledge. From the Eiffel Tower to Champagne, Frogs Legs to Provence. Let us not forget ski resorts such as Chamonix, Napoleon Bonaparte and Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot or how about being the home of the Mona Lisa?

So, France offers you plenty and if you are after embracing it’s finer qualities then it really is like no other place on earth and even if it is merely the famous French stick and Camembert cheese that you are after.

Famous areas of France

France is split in to administrative departments (94) though to make it easier we are also presented with regions (of metropolitan France) of which there are 13:

Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes
Bretagne (Brittany)
Bourgogne – Franche-Comté
Corse (Corsica)
Centre – Val de Loire
Grand Est (Alsace, Champagne, Lorraine)
Hauts de France ( Nord Pas-de-Calais – Picardie)
Ile de France (Paris)
Nouvelle Aquitaine (Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, Limousin)
Normandie
Occitanie (Midi-Pyrénées, Languedoc)
Pays de la Loire
Provence – Cote d’Azur

As you drive through France, I have been to many regions, you can noticeably see differences from weather to architecture. Much changes between regions and each will also hold its own identities and in deed things they are famous for.

French Riviera

Down in the southern part of France and in the region of Provence – Cote d’Azur sits a very famous place called the French Riviera (also known as Côte d’Azur). Though not quite defined by lines or borders, neither check points or walls, the region is described differently by many and is said to stretch most of the Mediterranean coastal region of (southern) France.

Some see the region more exclusive and only that of the region of Var and Alpes Maritimes departments, from St-Tropez to Menton. It is stated that the French Riviera pushes in-land and up in to the Alpine region also – The Riviera region is also stated to cross over in to Italy.

“On French Riviera Traveller, I follow the common practice of considering as the French Riviera the entire coastline running from Monaco to St Tropez although some consider that it ends with Theole-sur-Mer.” source frenchrivieratraveller

Speaking to some who have lived in the region, the French Riviera is a very limited stretch of coastline and inland natural places of beauty enabling a lifestyle of sun, sea, beach, walking, climbing and ski-ing. People like to extend the French Riviera boundaries as those living outside though still close to the region like to seem themselves as living the French Riviera lifestyle.

Depending how how you see the French Riviera size wise, it nonetheless holds the famous towns of St-Tropez, Monaco, Monte-Carlo, Cannes and Nice. A location where real estate prices start higher than average and soar skywards the closer you get to desirable views and locations. Film festivals, grand prixs and famous celebrity residents, yachting and cruising capital (50% of the world’s superyacht fleet are stationed there) and in amongst all this luxury sits comfortably Champagne.

Champagne Royal Riviera

With dollars and chips thrown across casino tables and sun bathing afternoons on speedboats, the need for Champagne to fuel celebrations and thirst is quite high. All the top luxury brands will have their presence in the key lifestyle hotspots with some famous houses dedicating a label purely to this region.

“British millionaire spends £330,000 on a single round of champagne (Armand de Brignac Brut Gold ‘Dynastie’ collection) at the Billionaire Club Monaco.” source dailymail

Is there though a Champagne that can really boast to be exclusive for this region of the French Riviera?

‘Champagne Sisters‘, as they are referred to on their website, Sara Ramirez and Kiron Barui have recently released a label of Champagne that aspires to represent the quality of life of the French Riviera region. Royal Riviera is an award winning Champagne label that is inspired by defining the quality of French Champagne and their love of the ocean.

“I have known Kiron for a number of years now and she has always been focused not only on Champagne, but concentrating on the luxuries and lifestyles that circle it. From her innovative jewellery brand (Wearing Memories) to a keen interest in combining music and Champagne, the Royal Riviera brand is quite the most applicable project for her to be working on.“

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GlassofBubbly (@glassofbubbly)

Sara is located down in the middle of the French Riviera lifestyle, at the Royal Riviera hotel, so each day she wakes up and breathes the atmosphere that the region holds. During my recent live tasting with her she certainly showcased what a magnificent location that her Champagne label enjoys by popping open a bottle with a dreamy blue sky and sea views in front of her.

Interested in finding out more about Champagne Royal Riviera?

You can visit the official website here: www.champagneroyalriviera.com/

You can purchase the Champagne directly with zero commission fee here: https://glassofbubbly.com/product/champagne-royal-riviera/

 

Champagne Royal Riviera tasting notes: “Soft apricot, peach, creamy aromas with a topping of flaky pastry. Flavours are citrus, peach, minerals, creamy apricot.”

 

“Champagne Royal Riviera is playfully exciting on the pallet for all lovers of Champagne. The balance of grape variety in this Champagne allows effortless food pairing with most, if not all, dishes. It is Champagne that will take you from “caviar to cupcakes”. This effortless taste has been designed with hours of care and craftsmanship.” source champagneroyalriviera