So you've said "I do," popped the champagne, and now you're wondering where to celebrate your love story. Let us paint you a picture: azure waters, palm-lined promenades, Belle Époque architecture, and enough glamour to make even the most jaded romantic swoon. Welcome to Nice and the French Riviera, where sophistication meets sunshine, and your honeymoon becomes the kind of love story worthy of the best MM romance books.
The French Riviera has long been a playground for the fabulous, the famous, and the fabulously in love. And for gay couples seeking that perfect blend of elegance, acceptance, and Mediterranean magic? Well, darling, you've just found your match.
Why the Côte d'Azur Gets Our Hearts Racing
Nice isn't just a pretty face (though let's be honest, it's absolutely stunning). This sophisticated city on France's southeastern coast offers something many honeymoon destinations can't: a perfect balance of cosmopolitan energy and laid-back beach vibes. Think of it as the relationship goals of cities, confident enough to be itself, yet always ready to surprise you.
The French Riviera has been LGBTQ+ friendly for decades, with Nice leading the charge. The city hosts one of France's largest Pride celebrations, and rainbow flags fly proudly along the Promenade. You won't find yourself doing awkward mental calculations about holding hands in public here. The vibe is refreshingly authentic, exactly what we celebrate at Read with Pride.
France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, and the south of France has embraced marriage equality with open arms and open hearts. You're not just tolerated here; you're celebrated. And isn't that exactly how your honeymoon should feel?
The Promenade des Anglais: Your Runway to Romance
Let's talk about the Promenade des Anglais, because this iconic seven-kilometer stretch of waterfront perfection deserves its own chapter in any gay romance novel. Picture this: you and your new husband, strolling hand-in-hand along the turquoise Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels, could the name be more perfect?), palm trees swaying overhead, the Mediterranean breeze playing with your hair.
The Promenade is Nice's beating heart, lined with Belle Époque hotels, upscale restaurants, and those iconic blue chairs where you can sit for hours, people-watching and pretending you're extras in a Fitzgerald novel. Early morning? It's joggers and sunrise chasers. Afternoon? Sunbathers and swimmers. Evening? Pure, unadulterated romance as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.
Pro tip: rent bicycles and cruise the Promenade at golden hour. It's giving main character energy, and your honeymoon deserves nothing less.
Luxury Hotels That Understand Assignment
When it comes to accommodation, Nice doesn't mess around. These aren't just places to sleep, they're experiences, stories, moments you'll be reminiscing about long after you've returned to reality.
Hotel Negresco is the crown jewel of the Promenade des Anglais. That pink terracotta dome you see dominating the skyline? That's your signal that you've arrived at French luxury in its most gloriously eccentric form. Built in 1913, the Negresco is part museum, part palace, all opulence. Each room is uniquely decorated with antiques and artwork, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Chantecler will make you question every meal you've ever eaten before.
Is it over the top? Absolutely. Is that exactly what your honeymoon should be? Also absolutely.
For something more intimate, Hotel La Pérouse in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offers that boutique experience with jaw-dropping views. It's rated the #1 best value honeymoon resort in the area, though when you see those Mediterranean vistas from your balcony, "value" becomes relative. This is where you go when you want to feel like you've escaped to your own private paradise.
If money is truly no object (living that romance novel fantasy life), the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (a Four Seasons property) is the definition of extra in the best possible way. Private balconies, infinity pools, and service so attentive you'll feel like royalty. Which, on your honeymoon, you basically are.
Beyond the Beach: Day Trips for the Culturally Curious
Look, we get it. Lying on the beach with your new husband, a good book (might we suggest some MM romance from Readwithpride.com?), and a perfectly chilled rosé is peak honeymoon goals. But the French Riviera offers so much more when you're ready to explore.
Take a short trip to Monaco for a dose of James Bond-level glamour. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Prince's Palace, and some of the best people-watching on the planet await. Yes, it's bougie. Yes, it's worth it.
Antibes offers that perfect blend of old-world charm and Mediterranean beauty. Wander through the cobblestone streets of the old town, visit the Picasso Museum, and enjoy dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants where the yacht-watching is as good as the seafood.
For a taste of medieval magic, head up to Èze, a hilltop village that looks like it's been pulled straight from a fantasy romance novel. The views from the exotic gardens at the top will literally take your breath away (and provide Instagram content for days). Château Eza offers not just accommodation but an experience, imagine sipping champagne while overlooking the entire Riviera. That's not just a honeymoon; that's a moment.
Saint-Tropez is synonymous with luxury and has been a queer-friendly haven for decades. The legendary Hôtel Byblos is where Mick and Bianca Jagger honeymooned, so you'd be in excellent company. The town's beaches, boutiques, and restaurants cater to every taste and budget (though let's be honest, "budget" is a flexible term here).
The LGBTQ+ Scene: Where Pride Meets Provence
While Nice isn't a party destination like Mykonos or Sitges, it offers something perhaps even more valuable for a honeymoon: genuine acceptance woven into the fabric of daily life. You'll find LGBTQ+-friendly establishments throughout the city, but you won't feel segregated into a "gay district." It's the kind of integration we all dream about.
The Old Town (Vieux Nice) has several gay bars and clubs if you want to dance the night away, but honestly? The entire city feels welcoming. You can be as openly affectionate as you want, wherever you want. That freedom, that ability to just be, is a luxury worth more than any five-star hotel.
Nice hosts a major Pride celebration in the summer, but the spirit of acceptance and celebration runs year-round. It's the kind of place where your love story is just another beautiful story, not an anomaly. And after the stress of wedding planning, isn't that exactly what you need?
Practical Romance: Tips for Your Riviera Honeymoon
When to go: May to June or September to October offer the sweet spot of warm weather, fewer crowds, and better hotel rates. July and August are peak season, stunning but crowded and expensive.
How long: A week gives you time to explore without feeling rushed. Mix lazy beach days with cultural excursions and romantic dinners.
Language: English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas, but learning a few French phrases goes a long way. "Mon mari" (my husband) will feel wonderful to say.
Budget: The Riviera can be as luxurious or as moderate as you make it. Yes, there are €500-a-night hotels, but you'll also find charming three-star options. Splurge on one or two fancy dinners and balance with picnics on the beach (French markets are incredible).
Getting around: Nice is walkable, but renting a car for a few days lets you explore the Riviera at your own pace. Or embrace the chic European lifestyle and use trains and buses: they're reliable and scenic.
Your Love Story, French Riviera Edition
There's something about the French Riviera that makes every moment feel cinematic. Maybe it's the light: that famous Mediterranean glow that attracted artists for centuries. Maybe it's the intoxicating blend of Italian passion and French sophistication. Or maybe it's simply that this corner of the world has been celebrating beauty, art, and love for so long that romance literally permeates the air.
For gay couples, Nice offers something increasingly rare: a place where your honeymoon can be about your love, not managing other people's reactions to it. Where "newlyweds" means newlyweds, regardless of the configuration. Where the story you're writing together: as epic as any MM romance novel: can unfold naturally, joyfully, and completely authentically.
So pack your best swimwear, download some great LGBTQ+ romance novels from Read with Pride, and prepare for a honeymoon that's equal parts glamorous and genuine. The French Riviera is waiting to welcome you with open arms, endless sunshine, and that certain je ne sais quoi that turns a trip into a love story.
After all, you didn't just get married. You started your greatest adventure together. And adventures this good deserve the Côte d'Azur as their backdrop.
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