The 5 Best Destination Wedding Venues in the French Riviera

The French Riviera is one of the world's most popular locations for destination weddings. With a legendary sweeping coastline, rolling countryside, ancient architecture and outstanding food, the South of France has long been synonymous with romance, elegance and glamour.

Whether you are looking for a whimsical bohemian wedding or one gilded with old Hollywood glamour, the South of France will live long in your memory. Which makes it worth finding a photographer who can capture your story, your way.

I am a documentary wedding photographer. I capture the honesty of your wedding day as it unfolds, in candid pictures of you and your guests that stay transparent and elegant rather than staged.

Wander through fields of lavender and shady olive groves, or dance the evening away under sparkling chandeliers. I have photographed extensively across the South of France, and these are the venues I recommend most often.

Chateau de Castellaras

Nestled high in the hilltops above Cannes, the Chateau de Castellaras offers sweeping, panoramic views of the sea and the Esterel. The pale blue of the Mediterranean and the violet shadows of distant hilltops provide a dreamy backdrop for your day.

Built in 1927 to reflect the medieval chateaux of the 12th and 15th centuries, Castellaras is also sprinkled with 1920s glamour. Art Deco archways frame the courtyard to the west, and the evening is lit by hundreds of little string lights.

The chateau is part of a larger complex with 80 onsite villas for guests, an elegant 1920s-style pool and tennis courts. Set on a historic site, it also has an authentic 11th-century chapel.

Intercontinental Carlton Cannes

The world-famous Carlton lies at the centre of the Bay of Cannes on the Boulevard de la Croisette. The hotel is a perfect example of the European golden age of the early 20th century.

Used as the backdrop to Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief, the Carlton was the star of the film. The imposing facade and grandeur carry Grace Kelly glamour from every corner, and the hotel was pivotal in establishing Cannes as an international cultural hub.

The Carlton has recently undergone extensive renovations, with a style philosophy of light, transparency, elegance and modernity. That is close to how I work, which makes it a natural fit.

Chateau Sainte Roseline

Set among rolling countryside and row upon row of vineyards, Chateau Sainte Roseline suits a quintessentially French rustic wedding. Located in the middle of Provence, close to Saint-Tropez, it is one of the best rose vineyards in the South of France.

Dine in the 12th-century open-air cloister complete with romanesque arches, hold your ceremony under the arches of the tree-lined avenue, or dance the night away under the high glass roof of the barrel room.

The chateau offers a pool and romantic woodland walks. It works equally well for intimate gatherings and for a grand destination wedding.

The White House Cannes

Located in the heart of Cannes with views across the bay, the White House is dipped in alabaster white with intricate architectural detailing. It is a strong pick for a couple after something romantic, glamorous and one of a kind.

The property has a large ornate pool to the rear and views across the bay. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto burnt orange sunsets offset by cobalt blue water.

I have worked with couples who hosted their wedding here. There is something to photograph at every turn, and a fly-on-the-wall approach takes advantage of all of it.

Hotel Byblos Saint-Tropez

The Byblos is less a hotel than an experience. The legendary palace hotel sits in the heart of the village of Saint-Tropez, close to the world-famous beach of Pampelonne.

Luxury and chic, yet casual and lively. The venue can be hired for exclusive use. Dine by the sea in the beachside restaurant and dance on the beach itself, or hold your wedding in the quiet courtyard where lights twinkle in the trees.

The Byblos is a timeless hotel frequented by celebrities over the years, from Brigitte Bardot to Jack Nicholson and Cher. It prides itself on not giving in to trends.