LVMH Expands Its Saint-Tropez Footprint With Major Acquisition on Pampelonne

 

The luxury giant has acquired both the property and the operating business of Le 1051 on Pampelonne Beach, strengthening an already formidable presence in the Saint-Tropez area.

LVMH is expanding its presence on the French Riviera once again, this time taking a significant position on one of the most recognizable stretches of coastline in the region.

Through LVMH Hotel Management, the luxury group has acquired both the real estate and the business of Le 1051, a restaurant, bar and private beach establishment on Pampelonne Beach in Ramatuelle. The transaction was completed on September 28, 2026, and reported publicly in October. The reported transaction value is approximately €35 million.

Founded in 2018 by Maxime Lamon, Le 1051 occupies a particularly desirable position within the Pampelonne beach landscape. The family behind the establishment has held the property for seven generations, giving the acquisition an interesting dimension beyond its value as another luxury hospitality business. LVMH has effectively acquired both a functioning seasonal operation and a strategically located Riviera asset.

Le 1051 operates as a restaurant, bar and private beach with approximately 70 sun loungers and a seasonal operation running from April through September.

For LVMH, however, the significance goes beyond the restaurant itself.

Another Piece of the Saint-Tropez Puzzle

LVMH already has a substantial presence in and around Saint-Tropez. Its Cheval Blanc St-Tropez sits on the Plage de la Bouillabaisse at the entrance to the town, while the group’s wider portfolio brings together luxury fashion, hospitality, restaurants and other high-end businesses throughout the destination.

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez itself comprises 31 rooms and suites and two villas, with restaurants and other hospitality services forming part of the overall experience. LVMH describes the Cheval Blanc concept as combining highly personalized hospitality, exclusivity, gastronomy and a strong connection with each destination.

The acquisition of Le 1051 adds something different.

This time, LVMH has secured a position directly on Pampelonne.

That matters.

Pampelonne is not simply another beach. It has become an integral part of the international Saint-Tropez luxury experience, and access to a desirable beachfront location is exceptionally difficult to reproduce. By acquiring an established operation rather than simply opening another branded venue, LVMH gains an existing location, business, infrastructure and identity.

In other words, the group has not simply added another restaurant to its portfolio. It has added another piece of the destination itself.

From Hotel to Beach

There is a larger strategy emerging here.

Luxury hospitality is increasingly about what happens beyond the hotel room. A high-end client may arrive by yacht or private vehicle, stay in a luxury hotel or villa, dine at a destination restaurant, spend the afternoon on a private beach and return to the hotel for the evening.

Owning or controlling different parts of that experience gives a luxury group considerably more influence over how its customers experience a destination.

The 1051 fits neatly into that model.

A guest staying at a luxury property associated with LVMH can potentially move from accommodation to gastronomy and then to the beach without ever leaving the group’s broader ecosystem.

That is precisely what makes the acquisition more interesting from a business perspective than the purchase of a successful restaurant alone.

The Real-Estate Element is Just as Important

There is also an important distinction between operating a Riviera property and owning it.

LVMH has acquired the murs — effectively the real estate — as well as the fonds de commerce, or operating business. That gives the group considerably more control over a strategically positioned asset than it would have through a conventional operating agreement or lease alone.

This is particularly significant in a destination where genuinely prime beachfront locations are finite.

Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne cannot create more coastline. There are only so many exceptional beachfront sites, and many have long histories, established operators and significant barriers to entry.

For investors, this illustrates something fundamental about prime Riviera property: location is not simply about square metres.

The strategic value of a property can be tied to its position within an entire ecosystem of tourism, hospitality, luxury brands and international demand.

LVMH’s Riviera Strategy Continues

The 1051 acquisition also comes at a time when LVMH’s presence in the Saint-Tropez area is becoming increasingly difficult to view as a collection of unrelated businesses.

The group has established itself in luxury accommodation through Cheval Blanc, in gastronomy and retail through several of its brands, and now has a direct position on Pampelonne through Le 1051.

LVMH has also demonstrated a willingness to participate in the wider Saint-Tropez community. In 2023, the company agreed to donate €2.5 million to the commune of Saint-Tropez, earmarked for the redevelopment of the former Louis Blanc primary school into shops and inclusive housing, along with improvements to surrounding public spaces.

Taken together, these activities demonstrate something broader than simple luxury-brand expansion.

LVMH is becoming an increasingly important participant in the economic and physical landscape of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

What Does This Mean for the Riviera Property Market?

For the wider luxury property market, acquisitions such as this reinforce the extraordinary premium attached to established locations around Saint-Tropez.

The most desirable Riviera assets are increasingly valued not merely because they are beautiful, but because they provide access to something that cannot easily be replicated: a particular place, a particular view, a particular address and a particular position within the lifestyle of the destination.

That is particularly relevant to beachfront and hospitality property.

An ordinary restaurant can potentially be replaced. A successful hotel can potentially be redeveloped. But an exceptional beachfront position on Pampelonne is a finite commodity.

The acquisition of Le 1051 therefore provides another illustration of why sophisticated buyers often look beyond publicly advertised residential properties when considering the Riviera. Some of the most interesting opportunities exist quietly, through established relationships and transactions that may never appear on the conventional property market.

A New Chapter for Le 1051

For Le 1051, the acquisition marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

For LVMH, it represents another carefully positioned addition to its Saint-Tropez presence.

And for the French Riviera more broadly, it is another indication of how the world’s major luxury groups increasingly view destinations such as Saint-Tropez.

The future of luxury hospitality may not be about owning a single spectacular hotel.

It may be about assembling the destination around it.

With Cheval Blanc, restaurants, retail, luxury brands and now a significant presence on Pampelonne, LVMH is steadily doing exactly that.

The 1051 may be one beach restaurant. But its acquisition is another piece in a much larger Saint-Tropez strategy.

The Devil’s Bridge in Èze: Where History Meets Legend

High above the Mediterranean, where the mountains descend dramatically towards the sea, the medieval village of Èze has watched over the Côte d’Azur for centuries. Perched on its rocky outcrop, surrounded by steep slopes and spectacular views, it is a place where history, landscape and legend have long been intertwined.

Life here was not always as picturesque as it appears to visitors today. Generations of inhabitants worked the land, tending olive groves, vineyards and narrow terraces carved into the mountainside. Reaching their fields often meant negotiating steep paths, crossing ravines and making exhausting journeys beneath the Mediterranean sun.

It was a landscape that demanded hard work, ingenuity and, at times, a little imagination. Perhaps that is why one of Èze’s most intriguing stories has endured for generations: the legend of the Devil’s Bridge.

A Farmer’s Deal with the Devil

According to local legend, a farmer had grown tired of the difficult journey required to reach his fields. He dreamed of having a bridge across a deep ravine, allowing him to travel more easily. The problem was that building such a structure seemed almost impossible. The terrain was steep, the ravine deep, and the engineering required beyond the capabilities of an ordinary man.

One evening, as darkness settled over the mountains, a mysterious visitor appeared. The farmer soon realized that his visitor was none other than the Devil himself.

Satan offered to build the bridge before sunrise, but there was a condition: the soul of the first living creature to cross it would belong to him.

Desperate to solve his problem, the farmer accepted the bargain.

Throughout the night, strange sounds echoed through the mountains. Rocks seemed to move, the wind gathered strength, and an extraordinary construction took shape over the ravine. By dawn, a magnificent stone bridge stood where previously there had been nothing.

But the Devil had not forgotten his payment.

In one popular version of the story, the farmer found a way around the agreement. Rather than risk his own soul or that of another villager, he threw a stick across the bridge and called his faithful dog to retrieve it. The animal happily ran across, becoming the first living creature to cross the structure.

The Devil realized he had been tricked. Furious, he disappeared into the depths of the ravine, leaving the farmer with his bridge and a story that would be told for generations.

It makes for a wonderful tale, particularly when standing beneath the enormous stone arches. However, the actual history of the structure is every bit as interesting, even without supernatural assistance.

The Real Story: Building the Èze Viaduct

The structure associated with the Devil’s Bridge is the Èze Viaduct, built as part of the development of the Moyenne Corniche, one of the most important road projects along this stretch of the Riviera.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the coastline between Nice and Monaco was changing rapidly. Tourism was expanding, automobiles were becoming increasingly common, and improved road connections were needed between the coastal towns and the villages perched above them.

Spanning the Gaffinel ravine required an ambitious engineering project. Construction of the viaduct took place between 1911 and 1914, making it a product of modern engineering rather than a medieval structure, as the legend might suggest.

Photographs from the construction period reveal the remarkable scale of the undertaking. Massive wooden frameworks and temporary scaffolding were suspended above the ravine while workers constructed the piers, abutments and stone arches.

By June 1913, much of the foundational work had been completed, although the arches and their supporting structures were still under construction.

Looking at these historical photographs, it is difficult not to admire the men who worked there. They laboured high above the rocky ravine, surrounded by dust, stone and wind, often with little more than rudimentary safety equipment. Every section required precision, patience and considerable skill.

The completed viaduct was a testament to their work, transforming what had once been a formidable natural obstacle into a functioning road connection.

Although the structure was completed in 1914, the Moyenne Corniche was not officially inaugurated in its entirety until 1928. The new route helped transform travel between Nice, Èze and Monaco, making the Riviera’s dramatic landscape considerably more accessible.

Èze Through the Lens of History

While engineers were reshaping the mountainside, life in Èze village continued much as it had for generations.

The narrow streets remained lined with closely gathered stone houses, ancient chapels and small squares where residents met, exchanged news and went about their daily lives. Cafés and hotels welcomed an increasing number of visitors, while automobiles gradually began replacing horse-drawn carriages.

Historical photographs provide a fascinating glimpse into this transitional period.

In some, the former Restaurant National can be seen occupying a prominent position in the village square, surrounded by vintage automobiles and visitors whose identities have long since disappeared from memory.

There is something particularly appealing about these old photographs. We see buildings and streets that are still recognizable today, but the people in them belong to another era. They were residents, workers, travelers and holidaymakers, each with their own lives and stories.

The photographs also capture a Riviera in transition, where traditional mountain communities were beginning to encounter the growing sophistication of the emerging tourist destinations along the coast.

The County of Nice had become part of France in 1860, but its distinctive character remained deeply connected to its landscape, traditions and local identity.

Today, Èze Village is one of the most visited destinations on the Côte d’Azur, attracting visitors throughout the year. Yet these historical images remind us that long before the boutiques, restaurants and international visitors, it was a working village with a very different rhythm of life.

A Riviera Made Famous on Film

Èze and its surrounding roads have also found their way into cinematic history.

The 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief, starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, features some of the spectacular scenery of this part of the Riviera. Its winding coastal roads and extraordinary Mediterranean views helped capture the glamour and atmosphere that made the Côte d’Azur famous around the world.

 

For anyone familiar with the film, revisiting the roads around Èze offers an opportunity to recognize a landscape that has changed surprisingly little in certain places, despite the enormous growth of tourism and modern development.

It is another reminder that the Riviera has always had a special relationship with storytelling, whether through cinema, photography or local folklore.

Where Legend and History Meet

Of course, there is an important distinction between the legend and the documented history of the viaduct.

There is no established historical evidence that the Devil had anything to do with its construction, nor does the tale of the farmer and his dog provide an account of the actual engineering project undertaken between 1911 and 1914. The precise origins and age of the Devil’s Bridge nickname would also benefit from further historical documentation.

But that does not make the legend any less interesting.

Folklore has always played an important role in the cultural identity of villages throughout the region. Stories of mysterious encounters, spirits and supernatural bargains were passed from one generation to another, often explaining places or structures that appeared almost beyond human capability.

When confronted with enormous stone arches rising above a seemingly impossible ravine, it is perhaps understandable that people found room for a little magic.

And this is what makes the Èze Viaduct so fascinating. It represents two very different aspects of the past: the ingenuity and determination of the engineers who built it, and the imagination of the people who gave it a legend.

One belongs to the history of road construction and engineering. The other belongs to the collective memory and folklore of the village. Together, they give the structure a character that goes beyond its practical purpose.

A Bridge That Has Outlasted Its Builders

Today, traffic moves along the Moyenne Corniche, crossing a landscape that once demanded considerably more time and effort to navigate. The roads are busier, the villages more visited, and the Riviera has become one of Europe’s most recognizable destinations.

Yet the viaduct remains, its stone arches standing above the ravine much as they did more than a century ago.

When looking at the old construction photographs, it is easy to imagine the workers on their scaffolding, the farmers making their way along the mountain paths, and the early motorists stopping near the hotels and cafés of Èze.

Those people are long gone, but their world has not entirely disappeared. It remains captured in photographs, preserved in architecture and carried forward through the stories that continue to be told.

Perhaps that is the real achievement of the builders: creating something substantial enough to survive generations, while leaving behind a structure that still inspires curiosity.

And perhaps, somewhere in the depths of the ravine, the Devil is still rather annoyed about that farmer and his clever dog.

Between the Mediterranean and the mountains, the Devil’s Bridge continues to occupy a special place in the story of Èze. Its stones tell us about engineering, ambition and a changing Riviera, while its legend reminds us of a time when the extraordinary was sometimes explained through the supernatural.

After all, stones belong to history, legends belong to people, and together they help preserve the spirit of a place.

And when the evening light settles over Èze, the arches rise against the fading sky, the wind moves through the ravine, and it is not difficult to understand why this particular story has survived for so long.

Photos courtesy of: Comte de Nice et son histoire 

A Taste of France Comes to Mandelieu as Saveurs et Terroirs Marks Its 25th Anniversary

 

Food lovers, wine enthusiasts and anyone with an appreciation for traditional French gastronomy will have an excellent reason to visit Mandelieu-La Napoule this November, as the popular Saveurs et Terroirs festival returns for its 25th anniversary.

Taking place from 13 to 15 November 2026 at the Centre Expo Congrès, this three-day celebration brings together producers, artisans and exhibitors from across France, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the extraordinary diversity of the country’s culinary traditions.

Over the past 25 years, Saveurs et Terroirs has established itself as an important event on the French Riviera’s autumn calendar. Attracting approximately 10,000 visitors annually, the festival provides a showcase for the people, products and craftsmanship that continue to make French food culture so distinctive.

More than 100 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s anniversary edition, giving visitors plenty to explore.

Discovering the Culinary Regions of France

One of the attractions of Saveurs et Terroirs is the opportunity to experience flavours from different corners of the country without having to travel beyond Mandelieu.

The exhibition will feature an extensive selection of regional specialities, including artisan cheeses, cured meats, foie gras, pâtés, spices, sauces, condiments and traditional preserves.

There will also be plenty for those with a sweet tooth, with confectionery, nougat, calissons, biscuits and other regional treats among the products on offer.

Wine lovers can look forward to meeting producers presenting their wines and champagnes, alongside ciders, spirits and other beverages.

Among the exhibitors announced for 2026 are Agerria Foie Gras, showcasing Basque culinary traditions, Angèle Confiserie with its Provençal sweets, and Au Marché de Riquewihr, introducing visitors to specialities from Alsace.

Beyond simply purchasing products, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the producers themselves, learn about their methods and discover the regional stories and traditions behind what they create.

A Different Kind of Christmas Shopping

With Christmas approaching, the festival also offers an opportunity to get ahead with seasonal preparations.

From gourmet gift baskets and carefully selected wines to handmade products and regional delicacies, visitors will find plenty of inspiration for Christmas entertaining and presents.

There will also be exhibitors offering tableware and decorative items, adding another dimension to the event.

For those who enjoy discovering independent producers and products that are not necessarily found in everyday supermarkets, this is an opportunity to find something a little different while supporting traditional businesses and regional craftsmanship.

A Special Program for 25 Years

To celebrate its silver anniversary, the organizers have planned additional activities and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Prize draws will take place on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November at 8pm, with prizes including restaurant meals at participating establishments in Mandelieu, visits to the Château de La Napoule and an overnight hotel stay.

Gourmet gift baskets containing products donated by participating exhibitors will also be among the prizes.

The anniversary program will extend beyond food and wine, with DJ entertainment, Christmas ceramic-decorating workshops organized in collaboration with Latte Ceramique Mandelieu, and activities taking place in the dedicated Bulle de Noël area.

It promises to add a festive atmosphere to an event that has built much of its reputation around bringing people together through food, discovery and shared experiences.

Celebrating French Food Culture and Its Producers

An event such as Saveurs et Terroirs is also a reminder of the importance of France’s independent food producers, regional specialities and traditional skills.

French gastronomy is about considerably more than what appears on a restaurant menu. It is connected to regional identity, agricultural traditions, family businesses and generations of knowledge passed from one producer to another.

By giving these artisans a platform to present their work directly to the public, Saveurs et Terroirs helps maintain a connection between consumers and the people responsible for producing the food and drink they enjoy.

After 25 years, that remains an important reason why the Mandelieu event continues to attract visitors from across the region.

Whether you are passionate about French wines, enjoy discovering regional delicacies or simply want to find some original Christmas gifts, this anniversary edition offers three days of gastronomic discoveries on the French Riviera.

EVENT INFORMATION

Saveurs et Terroirs – 25th Anniversary

Dates: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026

Venue: Centre Expo Congrès, Mandelieu-La Napoule

Opening hours:

• Friday 13 November: 10am–9pm

• Saturday 14 November: 10am–9pm

• Sunday 15 November: 10am–6pm

Admission: €5 per person.

Complimentary invitations for two people are available through the official event website.

Approximately 1,000 free parking spaces are available nearby.

Venue address:

Centre Expo Congrès
836 Boulevard des Écureuils
06210 Mandelieu-La Napoule
France

Telephone: +33 (0)4 93 93 64 64

Further information, exhibitor details and complimentary invitations: www.saveurs-terroirs-mandelieu.com

ZEFESTIVAL 2026: Nice Welcomes the 19th LGBTQIA+ Film Festival Celebrating Queer Visibility, Culture and Freedom

 

Cinema, diversity and LGBTQIA+ storytelling will take centre stage in Nice this November as ZEFESTIVAL returns for its 19th edition, bringing a program of films and screenings to audiences across the French Riviera.

Running from November 13 to December 1, 2026, ZEFESTIVAL is an established LGBTQIA+ film festival in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region, with events taking place in several cities, including Nice, Marseille, Toulon and Avignon.

Now in its 19th year, the festival continues to use cinema as a platform for visibility, representation and conversations about the diversity of human experiences. Its program celebrates stories that explore LGBTQIA+ identities, relationships, personal journeys and the realities of queer life.

This year’s edition carries a particularly meaningful message: cinema can be a powerful defence against intolerance, prejudice and attempts to erase diverse identities from public life.

The festival’s organizers emphasize the importance of seeing different life experiences represented on screen. For LGBTQIA+ audiences, that visibility can provide recognition, a sense of belonging and reassurance that they are not alone. For the wider public, it offers an opportunity to better understand experiences beyond their own and challenge misconceptions.

The organizers describe the festival as a celebration of culture, community and memory, with every screening and encounter contributing to a broader conversation about freedom, acceptance and human dignity.

For Nice, the festival is another opportunity to highlight the city’s continuing cultural and LGBTQIA+ presence. Beyond its well-known Mediterranean lifestyle and international appeal, Nice has an active queer community with a growing calendar of cultural, social and entertainment events.

ZEFESTIVAL offers something beyond conventional cinema entertainment. It provides a space where stories that are not always given mainstream attention can be seen, discussed and appreciated.

Whether you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community or simply interested in discovering films that explore different perspectives and experiences, the festival welcomes audiences to take part.

ZEFESTIVAL – 19th LGBTQIA+ Film Festival

Dates: November 13 – December 1, 2026

Location: Various venues throughout Nice, with additional screenings and events in Marseille, Toulon and Avignon.

Program and further information: https://lgbt.zefestival.fr/