Photography Blog

Proposal at the Chevre d'Or Hotel in Eze Village

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:31:53 GMT

A Golden Hour Proposal at the Chevre d'Or's Temple of Love

Perched 400 meters high on the cliff-side of Eze village are the Chevre d'Or Hotel 's expansive terraces, which are a popular luxury proposal location here on the French Riviera.

There is something audaciously French about building a neo-classical Greek-style temple (aptly named the Temple of Love) here, but to be fair it's in a fairytale spot, the solid stone is beautifully carved, and it looks stunning with golden-hour light streaming through its ornate pillars. For proposals it's made private by the hotel, who also assist with the beautiful floral display from the Chevre d'Or's in-house florist.

As a proposal location it's at the exclusive end of the market but ticks a lot of boxes; it's private, well orientated for beautiful light, the hotel grounds render very well f or photoshoots, and the Hotel's 'front door' backs onto the beautiful, cobbled streets of Eze's Medieval era village. There are other beautiful options on the French Riviera but for those with the means, this one should be on the shortlist.

If you didn't know, Eze village is one of the French Riviera's most popular tourist destinations and is between Nice and Monaco - around 20 minutes from each, perched high up on a hill that overlooks the Mediterranean sea. You can see some examples of a couple photoshoot in Eze in this gallery .

Proposing at the Temple of Love at the Chevre d'Or

This proposal took place two hours before sunset in April. Two hours before sunset isn't usually the optimum time for golden hour, however at this specific location it would need to be because the sun disappears early behind some hills to the west. The evening of this engagement we got lucky with the light, which was filtered through dappled clouds. It wasn't all luck - the flowers matching the dress wasn't a coincidence (and on the occasions I've seen dresses match floral displays, it always looks amazing so is worth trying to arrange).

Pricing and Booking

It's best to enquire at the Hotel directly to ascertain pricing (I wouldn't like to step on their toes!), but this option with a photographer (who is paid separately) is only available for hotel guests or guests at the hotel's Michelin Star restaurant. If you're a guest at the restaurant I'd say all-in pricing would come in between 2 and 3,000 euros. You can see more of my images from the Chevre d'Or here .

Engagement Photography Gallery from the Chevre d'Or Hotel's Temple of Love

Proposal and Photoshoot Location on the French Riviera: Menton

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:02:15 GMT

One of my favorite, most photogenic locations...

Less than a mile from the Italian border, nestled between the blue sea and rolling alpine mountains lies one of the calmest places on the French Riviera – the town of Menton. If you’re looking for the ideal proposal location or a place for a photoshoot in the South of France, then the town should be at or near the top of your list. There’s a mix of sea, Mediterranean architecture, and streets that belong on postcards along with something you don’t always get on the French Riviera: tranquility.

Potentially useful : The first syllable of "Menton" rhymes with "font", not with "meant".

The view of Menton old-town from the Panoramic viewpoint is sublime and its famous yellow staircase (Les Rampes Saint-Michel ) which itself offer beautiful views) make for some amazing exploration. You’ll be drawn into the labyrinth of timeless medieval-era streets and – when you reach their summit – marvel at the Place de la Conception. The atmosphere of the town is unique on the Riviera; it’s much calmer than bustling places like Nice and Monaco, and feels more authentic to its history as a peaceful fishing village.

The best time of day for a photoshoot in Menton is late morning to early afternoon. Avoid mid to late afternoon because, I’ve noticed, the sun’s positioning at that time begins to adversely affect the light on some of my favorite spots. There’s no golden hour light to be had in Menton due to its orientation regarding nearby mountains.

The best way to get to Menton if you’re staying in Nice is via train (use France's official SNCF Connect app to buy tickets or else you may have to queue at Nice central station – which is not a pleasant experience if it’s busy). The train takes 45 minutes but it’s a beautiful journey that winds around the winding coastline past Monaco and towards Italy (you'll want the train going in the direction of Ventimiglia). Trains in France are relatively cheap, costing (at the time of writing) less than 16 euros for a return to Nice for one adult. If you go by train – avoid rush hour as Nice to Monaco gets very busy during weekday office hours.

Advantages of a Photoshoot in Menton

The advantages of having a photoshoot here include the variety of locations and backdrops you can use. There’s images with sea, panoramic wide images with the old town, beautiful, quaint streets, and a variety of architecture. Other places on the riviera don’t quite span the same amount of variety, as well or as consistently as Menton. Eze, for example, is beautiful - but unfortunately various luxury hotels and its Exotic Garden have monopolized all the views of the sea – so professionally-taken panoramas with sea and spectacular views are impossible.

This is paragraph text. Click it or hit the Manage Text button to change the font, color, size, format, and more. To set up site-wide paragraph and title styles, go to Site Theme.

A final advantage is that visiting the town is worth-it anyway. It’s just a fun, beautiful, calm place to be that – in my opinion, has way more charm – and far fewer roaring speed-bikes and Lamborghinis - than places like Monaco. For me, it’s one of the few places on the bustling Riviera that’s retained its character of old and that feels much more like a more traditional Mediterranean town.

Disadvantages of a Photoshoot in Menton

The only disadvantage of a photoshoot here is that – because of geography – Menton doesn’t benefit from golden hour light. The sun sets very early, maybe a couple of hours before the actual sunset. So – if you’re set on golden hour photos, consider a place like Coco Beach in Nice or Cap Ferrat instead.

Another potential minor disadvantage is that Menton doesn’t have the same architecture as Eze – in some ways it has much more spectacular architecture, but that certain style of honey colored stone isn’t very common here. There are, however, beautiful pastel colored buildings and some spectacular churches.

About Me

I'm a British wedding a couple photographer based in the French Riviera, where I live with my wife and two children. I specialise in light, candid, natural couple photography and give people all the advice and information they need for their photoshoot. I also organise elopements and family photoshoots . You can contact me here , or see more of my work here .

Un mariage au Château Font du Broc, Provence

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:42:42 GMT

Le lieu idéal pour un mariage provençal

Situé au cœur de la Provence, le Château Font du Broc est un lieu de mariage typiquement français avec son cadre champêtre, sa belle architecture et ses jardins paisibles.

Il y règne une ambiance sereine et chaleureuse, et les occasions de prendre de magnifiques photos de mariage ne manquent pas (en raison de l'orientation de la lumière du soleil, j'ai choisi de prendre mes photos préférées ici, dans une oliveraie). Bien qu'il soit niché dans la campagne provinciale tranquille et entouré de superbes oliveraies et vignobles, il est remarquablement facile d'accès par l'autoroute A8, étant proche d'Arcs sur Argens et à seulement une heure de Nice , et encore moins d'Antibes et de Cannes.

L'architecture y est variée, allant de bâtiments traditionnels en pierre vieux de 300 ans à des parties plus modernes, mais toutes les structures récentes ont été bien intégrées au site.

Une cérémonie de mariage en intérieur/extérieur

La salle de cérémonie intérieure (Le Cloitre) du lieu est idéale pour les jours de pluie ou lorsque vous devez vous protéger, vous et vos invités, du soleil. Je craignais que les murs intérieurs de la salle de cérémonie et les variations importantes de lumière ne posent problème pendant la cérémonie, mais en réalité, je trouve que les images sont magnifiques.

Les reflets de couleur ocre sur la peau des personnes n'ont posé aucun problème lors du montage, pas plus que la lumière intense qui pénétrait par les arcades. En fait, ils ont créé une belle lumière douce pour le couple et les invités.

C'est un espace assez unique, car on ne se sent ni à l'intérieur ni à l'extérieur. Lors d'une journée chaude, typique de la Provence, on a l'impression de profiter du meilleur des deux mondes.

La cérémonie présentée dans cet article a été prise au château Font du Broc, dans le Cloître.

Photos du couple le jour du mariage au Château Font du Broc

J'avais l'embarras du choix pour prendre de beaux portraits du couple. Les jardins sont vastes, avec une grande variété de plantes, de grands arbres et des pelouses bien entretenues. Cependant, j'ai opté pour l'oliveraie juste à côté de l'entrée fermée. J'adore l'effet tunnel et l'ombre des verts rendus dans les oliveraies, et cela, ajouté à la position du soleil couchant, a permis de réaliser de superbes portraits du couple, peut-être parmi mes préférés.

Château Font du Broc Capacité et caractéristiques

La salle du Château : avec ses 370 m² de surface au sol, elle peut accueillir jusqu'à 300 invités. Ouvrant sur les jardins, elle allie des matériaux traditionnels tels que la pierre et la terre cuite à des équipements modernes. Son décor et sa cheminée du XVIIIe siècle lui confèrent une atmosphère élégante et chaleureuse.

La salle Équestre : plus grande salle du domaine, avec ses 650 m², elle peut accueillir jusqu'à 600 convives. Son architecture remarquable, avec ses vitraux et ses voûtes nervurées, offre un cadre majestueux et intemporel, idéal pour une réception spectaculaire.

La salle Provence : plus intime, cette salle de 153 m² peut accueillir jusqu'à 100 personnes dans un cadre provençal chaleureux, avec vue sur le manège.

Le cloître : un espace ouvert de 168 m², parfait pour une cérémonie laïque, un cocktail ou un dîner champêtre. Il peut accueillir jusqu'à 120 invités et séduit par sa fontaine et ses colonnes en pierre, créant une atmosphère romantique.

Galerie photos des préparatifs et de la cérémonie

À propos de moi

Je suis Peter, un photographe britannique spécialisé dans les mariages et les couples, basé sur la Côte d'Azur. Ancien photographe du HCR, je me spécialise dans les moments naturels et spontanés, capturant les relations et les amitiés sans poses artificielles, et photographiant les moments spontanés. Vous pouvez me contacter ici et demander une brochure pour en savoir plus.

Un mariage à Nice et au Domaine de Riodam, 06390 Contes

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:51:36 GMT

Le Domaine de Riodam est un magnifique lieu de mariage situé à 30 minutes de Nice , dans la campagne paisible près du village de Contes. Il n'est pas facile d'y accéder, car il faut emprunter des routes escarpées et sinueuses, mais vous serez récompensé par un cadre naturel spectaculaire et un magnifique jardin spacieux où vous pourrez prendre de superbes photos du groupe et des mariés.

Le Domaine de Riodam comme lieu de mariage

J'ai exploré de nombreux lieux, et celui-ci est vraiment l'un des plus beaux de la région grâce à son architecture , ses espaces et son magnifique jardin.

Généralement, lorsque les lieux se présentent comme des lieux de mariage (comme c'est le cas ici), ils perdent parfois une partie de leur caractère, mais je n'ai pas trouvé que c'était le cas ici. Le Domaine semble bien entretenu et soigné, et son caractère d'origine a été préservé.

Il y a une grande et belle pièce d'eau avec une fontaine pittoresque, de grands pins, et le bâtiment lui-même est de style néo-toscan et peint d'un rouge poussiéreux caractéristique, ce qui le fait ressortir de son environnement naturel.

Le jardin est magnifiquement entretenu et proportionné, avec de grands arbres majestueux qui offrent de l'ombre et une lumière tamisée, de vastes pelouses à explorer et une oliveraie à flanc de colline.

Le Domaine peut accueillir 150 invités et dispose de magnifiques installations telles qu'une terrasse extérieure couverte (protégée des intempéries par une structure en forme de tente géante), une orangerie inspirée de la Belle Époque et une salle de réception climatisée.

L'église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur et séance photo à Nice

Ce couple s'est marié à Nice avant de se rendre au Domaine de Riodam, où une cérémonie religieuse a été célébrée à l'église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, dans la vieille ville de Nice. Cette église de style baroque du XVIIe siècle est nichée dans les ruelles de la vieille ville de Nice. J'adore photographier cet endroit, car je trouve l'intérieur visuellement magnifique, aux proportions harmonieuses, et j'aime particulièrement le sol en damier noir et blanc.

La cérémonie était magnifique, mais la journée était inhabituelle, avec un énorme orage qui grondait de manière inquiétante tout au long de la cérémonie, avant que le ciel ne s'ouvre peu après...

La pluie a été l'une des plus intenses que j'ai jamais vues dans le sud de la France, mais, incroyablement, à peine 15 minutes plus tard, le soleil brillait à nouveau et nous avons pu profiter d'une séance photo sur la promenade.

Nous avons exploré les magnifiques arcades près du Cours Saleya, les ruelles de la vieille ville et la Promenade des Anglais.

J'adore photographier dans cette partie de Nice, et si vous savez où regarder, vous trouverez de magnifiques lumières et espaces.

À propos de moi

Je suis Peter, un photographe britannique spécialisé dans les mariages et les couples, basé sur la Côte d'Azur.

Ancien photographe du HCR, je me spécialise dans les moments naturels et spontanés, capturant les relations et les amitiés sans poses artificielles, et photographiant les moments spontanés.

Vous pouvez me contacter ici et demander une brochure pour en savoir plus.

Sélection de moments forts

Photographie de mariage à Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:37:55 GMT

Un mariage de conte de fées à l'église Collégiale et Le Mas Baïeta

Le charmant village de Saint-Paul-de-Vence , sur la Côte d'Azur, a servi de décor photogénique à ce magnifique mariage provincial, avec une cérémonie civile et une cérémonie religieuse au cœur de son charmant village médiéval.

Le village et la campagne environnante semblent tout droit sortis d'un conte de fées, et alors que des gens du monde entier rêvent de s'y marier, ce mariage était bien réel : deux habitants de la région se sont mariés à l'Hôtel de Ville du village.

Tout le week-end a été un rêve pour les photographes de mariage, avec un couple charmant, une atmosphère merveilleuse et de nombreux moments et interactions magnifiques et naturels à immortaliser.

Une cérémonie civile à l'Hôtel de ville de Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Ce fut merveilleux de photographier une cérémonie intime sous les plafonds voûtés de l'Hôtel de Ville du village, datant du XIIe siècle, avec son décor minimaliste, fidèle à son histoire en tant que partie intégrante d'un château médiéval.

La belle lumière dorée du soleil se reflétait sur les pierres couleur miel et illuminait les invités réunis dans ce petit espace. C'est l'une des salles de mariage civil les plus uniques que j'ai photographiées, et cet endroit dégage quelque chose de merveilleusement optimiste, sachant que ses murs ont été témoins de milliers de cérémonies de ce type au cours des siècles (même si le bâtiment lui-même n'est utilisé à des fins civiles que depuis le XVIIe siècle).

Après la cérémonie, les festivités se sont poursuivies à l'extérieur, où l'atmosphère était pétillante et où les couleurs des tenues des invités resplendissaient sous le magnif ique soleil estival.

Une cérémonie religieuse à l'Église Collégiale de Saint Paul

Le lendemain, une cérémonie de mariage traditionnelle a été célébrée à l'église collégiale de la Conversion-de-Saint-Paul à Saint-Paul-de-Vence, puis à la salle de réception Le Mas Baïeta (06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence) située à proximité .

Leiu de Mariage Cote d'Azur, Le Mas Baïeta (ex Bastide aux Oliviers)

Le magnifique domaine du Mas Baïeta est situé dans la paisible campagne niçoise. Bien qu'il ne soit qu'à cinq ou dix minutes en voiture de Saint-Paul-de-Vence (et à 30 minutes du centre de Nice), on a vraiment l'impression d'être à la campagne lorsqu'on s'y trouve.

Il bénéficie d'une vue panoramique sur la campagne et d'un vaste espace extérieur pouvant accueillir jusqu'à 180 personnes pour un repas assis et jusqu'à 300 personnes pour un cocktail de mariage.

Il dispose de grandes salles lumineuses et magnifiques pour les invités (parfaites pour photographier les préparatifs), d'une belle pelouse spacieuse, d'une piscine et d'un espace bien orienté pour les séances photo à l'heure dorée.

Sélection de moments forts

Mediterranean Destination Wedding in the South of France

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:28:09 GMT

The Tiara Miramar Beach Resort on the French Riviera

An outdoor ceremony and reception in front of the sea

The Tiara Miramar Beach Resort was the venue for this intimate sea-front destination wedding in the South of France.

The day had an intimate, relaxed, and sentimental vibe, with poignant, moving speeches and exchanges set against the electric blue sea. The destination wedding location was the Tiara Miramar, from the bridal preparation to the first dance. The hotel is in the quieter part of the French Riviera in Theule Sur Mer .

An outdoor ceremony and reception in front of the sea

On a clear day this region’s area’s blessed with surreal red, rocky mountains and electric blue sea. It’s easy to get to, being only half an hour away from the hubbub of touristic centers such as Cannes, Nice, and Monaco.

This part of the French Riviera is very tranquil compared with the towns and cities to the east such as Cannes. It’s popular with locals, cyclists, and people in the know, but only about 45 minutes’ drive from Nice airport (and also benefits from regular trains on the Nice to Marseille train line) making life easier for visiting guests.

Ceremonies don’t always take place on this platform, but today it happened to be the perfect size for a smaller wedding (just about!), and it was in the shade during the early afternoon – which is when I think the sea can look its most blue.

The right time of year for a destination wedding in the South of France

This wedding took place in early September, which is hot – but not quite as hot as mid-August. It’s mostly sunny at that time of year, but in late August there are some dramatic thunder storms which clear away some of the high-summer heat. If you book a wedding at this time of here in southern Europe and you are unlucky enough for it to rain; I’d just enjoy the day and the memories anyway – almost all wedding venues have an indoor space as a Plan B.

From a pragmatic perspective, I’d discuss with your photographer about the possibility of having a wedding photoshoot on a surrounding date so at least you can return home with some beautiful, sunny imagery.

(From my perspective, there’s generally less to do on a rainy wedding day and so if a couple want to book a photoshoot because of the rain I’d agree if my diary was free and the transport costs were covered.)

French Riviera Vs South West of France for a Destination Wedding

If your thinking about a destination wedding in France you may be torn between one on the Mediterranean Coast and one in the vineyard regions to the east of Bordeaux / north of Toulouse . They’re two completely different backdrops for your wedding. I think the French Riviera is usually easier logistically due to the popularity of Nice airport, it has stunning mountainous terrain and a genuinely charming Southern Mediterranean vibe that the rest of France doesn’t have. However, anything east of Theule Sur Mer can be busy unless you hire a fancy venue such as the Chevre d’Or .

A final gripe with the French Riviera that I sometimes struggle with is there is are parts of Riviera with significant affluence, but not as much taste or charm compared to other regions of France. It depends if you prefer older, established, rustic places or more modern ones (which to me, can feel a little sterile). Once you go west of Cannes, into the Le Var region in into the countryside of Provence , (or anywhere inland for a few miles), then the French Riviera is far more quiet and charming than the hubbub of the larger towns and cities.

The South West of France (where I’ve also photographed many times) is more rural, flat, and rustic. The drive from Toulouse or Bordeaux airports can be two or three hours but you’ll be rewarded with the beautiful, charming, rustic French countryside which will feel huge and expensive (especially if, like me, you’ve grown up in England!).

It may be cheaper, and I’m always stunned at how many English people there are in this region (I’ve spoken people in French on more than one occasion only for them to look at me blankly, then I realise I have to switch to English!). So, this could be a positive or negative depending on what level of escapism you want. I’ve met amazing French and English service providers, and the level of service is always fantastic.

Organizing a Destination Wedding in France

If you’ve got a question about organizing a destination wedding in France, don’t hesitate to ask. I usually find a ten-minute chat with a me can usually save hours of internet research.

Wedding Image Gallery

A South of France Elopement with a Spectacular View

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:58:39 GMT

an elopement with two amazing locations

This elopement took place in the beautiful village of Cannes Sur Mer (20 minutes from Nice) and – a thirty-minute scenic drive away – at a place called Fort de la Revère , which is becoming one of my favorite spots.

As an elopement destination, the South of France has it all: charming medieval villages, stunning coastline, and beautiful scenery. However, the French Riviera itself isn’t all that big and so its ever-increasing number of visitors each year are visiting in a geographically small place – meaning that often the most beautiful spots are also the most crowded.

By far the biggest problem for me when helping clients organise photoshoots on the French Riviera when it's busy is finding the balance between beauty and privacy; anywhere that is both beautiful and easy to get to will be popular.

Therefore, if you’re thinking of eloping here, assume you’ll need advice on the right place at the right time unless you don’t mind tourists being around (and if you’re feeling radiant and in a wedding dress you may enjoy the warm reception random people give you), but for photoshoots, crowded streets can be a real drag.

If you want significantly more flexibility and better photoshoot options, take that as your cue to hire a beautiful classic car as in this photo album, (or organise or prepare yourself to taxi’d or Uber’d around).

Thinking about Eloping in Eze or St Paul de Vence?

Eze and St Paul de Vence are perhaps the two most popular villages touristically; but the truth is there are a lot of medieval villages in the riviera that look very, very similar. Eze and St Paul de Vence are very similar aesthetically to a handful of old (medieval) village centres –Mougins, Roquebrune Cap Martin, La Turbie, Vence, and Cagnes Sur Mer (pictured below). So, know that you have plenty of options if you like the look of a medieval village but prefer somewhere quieter. There won’t be as many art or craft shops in these places, but there won’t be as many tourists either.

If you are determined to have a ceremony at Eze, the best option is to hire a space from either the Chevre d’Or or Chateau Eza . Believe it or not, there is no view to be had in Eze that is public; the best views are from either of those two hotels or the Eze Exotic Garden (The Exotic Garden costs five euros entry, but you may need to add two or there 0’s if you want to get photography permission and hire a space there; it’s possible but not something that happens often). The reason why there’s no public view from the street is because it’s a medieval village the nature of that architecture restricts any views from the streets.

An elopement ceremony at Fort de la Rivere

Fort de la Revère is a staggering 700 meters up (2,300 feet) and overlooks the sea, Eze village itself , and hundreds of miles of coast. As a venue for an elopement ceremony I think it’s perfect in terms of location, privacy and ease of access. A car can take you all the way to where you need to be, and it’s close to Nice, Monaco, and other popular destinations on the French Riviera.

I could spend a whole day exploring this space – from the spectacular view to the hilly forested terrain. It’s about a 20 or 30 minute drive from Nice (it’s between Nice and Monaco), and maybe the same from Eze village, but as the crow flies it’s very close to both.

It’s quite popular with locals, but it doesn’t seem to be on tourists’ radar. You’ll definitely need a car to get here, whether a hire car or a taxi/uber and there are no shops nearby, so consider bringing water and other supplies if you visit.

Proposal location with a view on the French Riviera

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:33:43 GMT

Autumn Colours and amazing views during the tourist off-season

One of my Favourite Proposal Locations on the Riviera

There are lots of advantages to proposing or having winter photoshoots during the tourist off-season in the South of France. The skies are still blue, the sunlight is golden, and there are generally fewer people around in popular locations than there are during summer.

During the fall season, there are often spectacular colours in the countryside, and the cold crisp air and winter clothing can give a great cozy, winter-vibe to images.

All the images on this page were taken in December at Fort de la Revère, which is a short trip from Nice and Eze village and offers a spectacular view a tranquil space on the Riviera.

This will come as a surprise to the many people who, when it's 40 degrees, ask me if winter exists on the French Riviera. Well, yes it does exist and some of the best, most temperate weather can be enjoyed in October in particular.

From mid-November, depending what altitude you're at, it is cold - you'll need warm coats and jumpers, especially if you want to sit outside at bars or restaurants. Less than ten miles inland from the sea it's often cold enough to snow during cold snaps.

Another advantage of organising a photoshoot during winter is, if the weather isn't ideal, it's usually easier for photographers to accommodate a last-minute date-change as (speaking for myself!) their diaries aren't as full as, say, July or August.

Fort de la Revère as a Proposal Location

This proposal took place in Fort de la Revère , which is an astonishing 700 meters up (2,300 feet) above the sea below and overlooks Eze village and what must be hundreds of miles of coast across France and Italy.

To get there you'll need a car or Uber, but it's not far at all from Nice, maybe about 20 or 25 minutes and the drive will be very scenic. Tourists rarely make it up there, making it a great location for the view and to avoid crowds. It's also part of a larger park area that's generally just a beautiful space that's great for photoshoots, rambling, and a bit of nature exploration.

Organising a Surprise Proposal on the French Riviera

Surprise proposals like this are relatively easy to arrange and set-up. After we speak about what the client (or more typically, their partner, might want) I simply advise them on their best location options depending on their itinerary.

I always give people very detailed and specific information on where to go and when while I pretend to be another random person on the riviera with a camera, hiding in plain sight. Everyone wants to do things slightly differently, but I always tell them the best place and time in my opinion depending on how many people might be there, where the sun will be, and what the light will be like.

The photoshoot afterwards is optional, and some locations that are great for the proposal aren't always the best for a photoshoot. Regarding pricing, proposal photography packages start at 430 euros. If you go to my contact page you can download a Proposal Location Guide with the advantages and disadvantages of the French Riviera's most popular proposal locations.

About Me

I’m a British wedding and family photographer based on the French Riviera who specialises in imagery that’s easy-going, authentic, and natural. Please click here to return home or here to see my latest work.

The best Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

A Wedding at the Chevre d'Or Hotel in Eze

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:03:31 GMT

One of the most exclusive wedding

venues in the world

With its spectacular views over the French Riviera, the Hotel Chevre d’Or in Eze , France, is a prized wedding venue for couples across the globe; it must be among the most beautiful and photogenic venues in the world.

Perched 400 meters above the dazzling Mediterranean Sea and set against the French alps – it’s a place of true escapism and serenity that seems far-removed from the bustle of the rest of the French Riviera. Over the decades, the five-star hotel (and its Michelin-starred restaurant ) have hosted guests including Elizabeth Taylor, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the Obamas.

Eze village, where it’s sited, is itself a beautiful hill-top medieval village and one of the most popular destinations in the entire South of France in its own right (and thankfully, no vehicles, whether two-wheeled or four, are permitted, adding to the sense of tranquility). The hotel has 45 rooms and suits, some of which are nestled in the hillside while others are in the cobble-stone lanes of Eze village.

(Note: The unique blur effect in some of these images was created with a tilt lens (not added in Photoshop!).

Wedding Ceremonies at the Chevre d’Or Hotel

Typically, wedding ceremonies here take place on one of the hotel’s terraces which are 3-400 meters (or 1,300ft) above the blue Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful wedding took place at the end of September while it’s still hot (hence the umbrellas for shade), but nowhere near the oppressive heat of July and August that can feel like 40 degrees Celsius (104F) due to the high humidity here.

If you are interested in having your wedding ceremony at the Chevre d’Or, you may have to choose between the shady green terraces on the east side of the hill where giant animal statues loom (the Garden Terrace), and the two south-facing terraces that also include the spacious purpose-built ceremony space featured in these images (these are called the Garden Café and the Rose Terrace, the one used in this wedding is the Rose Terrace). The hotel can accommodate a maximum of 84 people for wedding ceremonies.

Personally, in terms of photography, I’m not a huge fan of the Garden Terrace with the animal statues – the area can be relatively dark, sea views are somewhat restricted, the terraces are quite narrow for ceremonies and sometimes the bright green of the foliage can reflect off people’s skin and wedding dresses. I wouldn't say it's a no-go, but definitely warn your photographer.

The south-facing terraces have none of these problems and benefit from spectacular back-drops, however they are fully exposed to the sun meaning fans, umbrellas, and logistical timings may be crucial to protect yourself and guests from sun exposure - something you ought to take seriously.

For this wedding, people travelled from across the United States and China and were treated to the beautiful surroundings of the hotel’s terraces and the stunning streets of Eze village itself, where we had a photoshoot the day before.

Wedding Photography at the Chevre d’Or

In such a beautiful place it’s a wonderful experience to photograph here – both the ceremony and on the hotel’s sprawling terrace. The only difficulty can be the direct sunlight, but if couples have their backs to the sea (as they often do), then that helps.

I would recommend couples take advantage of the setting for a separate couple photoshoot (later on the wedding day) on the winding, honey-colored stone terraces. These paths and punctuated with an exotic array of stunning botany and set against the sea and surrounding mountains. Some of them are also well-orientated for golden hour light but note that the sun disappears before the official sunset as it vanishes behind a hill.

Elsewhere, the rooms and suites such as the one pictured (The Panoramic Suite) are spacious, draped in luxury features, and often have large windows and/or balconies and are therefore bathed in beautiful, soft light.

Selected Wedding Gallery

A Photoshoot in the Hotel's Grounds and Eze village

About Me

I’m a British wedding photographer based on the French Riviera who specialises in imagery that’s easy-going, authentic, and natural. Please click here to return home or here to see my latest work.

A Wedding at Kelmarsh Hall, England

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:58:14 GMT

One of the finest, most authentic wedding venues I've visited

This English country house wedding took place at Kelmarsh Hall , a spectacular Grade 1 listed venue sited in the middle of the rolling farmland of Northamptonshire.

What I loved about Kelmarsh is that it’s not run by a corporate wedding venue business and spoiled with awful modern artwork and cheap décor (as I’ve seen so many times in the UK).

This is a place that’s kept it’s identity, prestige and atmosphere; presumably because it’s kept for the benefit of the nation by the non-profit Kelmarsh Trust. Unlike many similar country house venues in the UK, this one is the real deal...

A brief history of Kelmarsh Hall

In-person as in-camera, it’s immediately obvious when one sees the design features, colours, and lighting of Kelmarsh why the 19 ^th Century artists and designers behind it (including Nancy Lancaster ) are held in such high esteem. Although it was built in early 1730s as an example of fashionable Palladian-style architecture (Italian infused and derived from Venice), it was her vision and careful experimentation at Kelmarsh that defined and solidified what would be the English country house look.

Examples of this at Kelmarsh are the harmonised proportions, soft pastel colours, time-softened paint, and interior decorations that diverged away from the harsher late-Victorian fashions and more towards what I’d describe as accessible and humanist. It’s grand and impressive yet feels lived-in and homely; it scholarly with its library and many artistic wall displays alluding to academia, architecture, and history, yet it’s welcoming and warm. Kelmarsh Hall looks stunning in images, but it also feels right. As I said before, it’s the real thing.

Kelmarsh Hall as a Wedding venue

Another important and often over-looked aspect of this venue was its favourable orientation regarding the sunset. Not every venue is blessed with this and it makes golden-hour photos here an obvious thing to do. I didn’t spend too long in the grounds here (it rained for much of the day, unfortunately), but from what I saw they’re spacious, beautiful, and worthy of the rest of the house with beautifully kept lawns, centuries-old trees, a beautiful rose garden, and expansive land all around the building.

One final thing; I found the price of hiring Kelmarsh for your wedding to be extremely competitive. I’ve been to venues in the UK that cost far more but have been stripped of their original character and thrust in the wrong direction. Presumably this happens under the leadership of afore-mentioned corporate wedding venue businesses that buy up country estates and then turn them into the wedding-venue equivalents of Wetherspoons pubs; weird carpets; dreadful wall-art, tacky furniture. Fun and functional, but they’re not real pubs with a landlord and an old firearm hanging above the bar that everyone hopes is no longer functioning. Kelmarsh is the real thing and its soul has been wonderfully preserved by people who know how important this is.

The Wedding

This wedding had an amazing down-to-earth atmosphere and included some of my favourite wedding things (such as a saxophonist). It had early-summer vibes, a big, colorful bouquet, and the atmosphere was fun, extravagant, open, and genuine, with a “you only get married once” kind of feel; personally I appreciate this more than when people try to force the atmosphere too far towards sophistication and elegance because that can be really stifling for the ambiance.

The venue, despite its lofty references to academia and obvious prestige, complimented this laid-back atmosphere because inside it was also bright, open, colourful, and welcoming. The atmosphere and venue were a perfect match; it was formal at the right times, then fun and engaging afterwards. Kelmarsh can do both. And if you want a great atmosphere, seriously consider a saxophonist because every time I’ve seen one people absolutely love it.

The original plan was to have the wedding ceremony in the rose garden, which would have been beautiful, but – it being England – this plan had to change due to the weather. Never mind though, because the ceremony room is beautiful. Thankfully, we had the opportunity to take photos outside later.

This was a wedding where guests were truly looked after with some great photo displays, fun, and engaging activities (a shot of some tasty but dubious home-made alcohol, anyone?), and a DIY make-up s tall to get glammed up for the dance floor. Guests loved all of this and it really brought people together.

To sum-up, I’m a huge fan of Kelmarsh Hall and so grateful I got to experience it. Whether you’re getting married or not – if you’re in the area, it’s open to the public and yo u should go and visit it.

Kelmarsh hall wedding gallery

The Chevre d'Or Proposal Location in Eze Village

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 08:01:26 GMT

The perfect place for a French Riviera proposal with a view?

The Chevre d'Or is a luxury hotel and popular proposal location thats huge, sprawling grounds blanket the entirety of Eze village hill's east and south slopes.

The grounds encompass a range of manicured green gardens, beautiful winding paths and stone terraces. No matter where you choose here, you'll get an ocean view and since the entrance to the Chevre d'Or ("Shevruh Door" if you pronounce it with a British or American accent) is in Eze's medieval streets, you can enjoy a photoshoot around the beautiful village itself afterwards.

If you have a photoshoot in Eze village , evening is best; and note that it's difficult to traverse in high heels due to cobbled streets.

Pricing and Booking

If you're a client at the hotel, or you've booked a table at its Michelin-star restaurant, then it seems that as long as you order flowers (for a minimum of 100 euros), then you'll be allowed to use the terrace to propose. It won't be made-private for you unless you spend considerably more, but this this a beautiful, quiet, non-public space and so tourists and crowds won't be a problem.

My advice would be to contact the restaurant , book a table, and ask if you'd also be a allowed to use the terrace for a wedding proposal.

Of course, if you want a photographer you'd have to ensure they're free at the time of your restaurant reservation. You'll have to notify the restaurant that you plan to have a photographer, and mention their name (this is a luxury venue and they're naturally very careful who they allow on site).

Getting to Eze from Nice and Elsewhere

First of all, private car or Uber/taxi would be the least-stressful way (there is ample parking thanks to a new, big, underground carpark right outside the village).

However, you can also get to Eze from Nice by public transport via bus 82 - but to avoid disappointment it's best to catch it from the Palais des Expositions bus stop (accessible via Tram Line 1), as the stops further down the line get very busy during tourist season and often the bus gets too full.

The train will not actually get you to the medieval village, but instead 400 meters below at Eze sur Mer - so unless you fancy a crazy (but beautiful) hike - up the Chemin de Nietzsche , get the bus or take a car.

More about Eze village

Eze's Exotic Garden and Chevre d'Or are beautiful locations for surprise proposals with a stunning view. The only possible drawback to Eze is all this beauty has made it extremely popular. This means that if you want a photoshoot here during summer, I'd heavily recommend doing it during the evening, when I think there's about 80 per cent fewer people. During the day, the light is very harsh and there are hundreds and hundreds of people milling around, all trying to get the same photographs. Eze in the evening is cooler, quieter, and the light is softer.

What most tourists don't seem to know is there are a few hill-top villages very similar to Eze on the French Riviera that are just as beautiful, but are far less crowded - these include Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Gorbio, and Vence - which can be harder to get to, but all offer an authentic experience and extremely photogenic glimpse of what typical regional hill-top villages are like in this part of the world.

The Best Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

Mariage d'été au Domaine des Courmettes

Wed, 28 May 2025 15:24:44 GMT

Le Domaine des Courmettes, un lieu de mariage aux particularités uniques

C'était la première fois que je photographiais un mariage au Domaine des Courmettes et j'ai trouvé que c'était un endroit magnifique et tranquille qui se sentait loin de l'animation de la Côte d'Azur qu'il surplombe.

Pour la photographie de mariage, c'est un endroit merveilleusement photogénique - le terrain n'est pas entretenu, ce qui, je pense, lui donne un aspect et une ambiance parfaits pour des mariages plus naturels, bohèmes et sur le thème du champagne. Pour le mariage présenté sur cette page, ce look complétait parfaitement la robe et la coiffure de la mariée.

Mes Premières impressions sur le lieu du mariage

Je m'attendais à trouver le bâtiment et le parc magnifiques (et bien sûr, ils l'étaient), mais ce qui m'a pris par surprise en cette journée brûlante de juillet, c'est l'incroyable chute de température pendant la nuit ! En tant qu'habitante de Nice, j'étais habituée aux nuits chaudes, mais comme le Domaine est situé à plus de 800 mètres d'altitude, j'étais gelée dans ma chemise et je regrettais de ne pas avoir acheté plus de vêtements. La première chose à laquelle il faut penser - et c'est peut-être évident pour les locaux, mais pour moi ça ne l'était pas - c'est que vous et vos invités devez être préparés à des nuits froides, même au plus fort de l'été.

Une autre chose à noter est l'heure inhabituelle du coucher de soleil - en raison de la situation géographique, le coucher de soleil au Domaine des Courmettes a lieu environ une heure avant l'heure officielle ; votre photographe et votre vidéaste devront en être informés si vous souhaitez une séquence de photos ou de vidéos à l'heure dorée.

La vue de la Côte d'Azur à 800 mètres d'altitude

D'une manière générale, le Domaine des Courmettes est un lieu magnifique et étendu, éloigné de toute route principale et offrant une vue imprenable sur la mer, à plus de 800 mètres et à plusieurs kilomètres de distance.

Le terrain lui-même fait environ 6 hectares, ce qui est suffisant pour une cérémonie laïque. Il est également possible d'utiliser le belvédère de 200 mètres de côté, d'une capacité de 150 personnes. Mais, rappelons-le, il va faire froid la nuit, alors dites à vos invités qui dînent dehors de prévoir des vêtements chauds, même si votre mariage a lieu au mois d'août. Pour les jours où le soleil est brûlant, il y a heureusement beaucoup d'espaces ombragés, ce qui est idéal pour les photos et permettra aux invités de se sentir plus à l'aise lorsque les températures sont élevées.

Le Domaine des Courmettes se trouve à environ une heure de route de Nice, un peu moins de Cannes ou d'Antibes.

Galerie de photos de mariage: Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance

of Cannes a Domaine des Courmettes

Maternity Photoshoot in the South of France

Fri, 16 May 2025 14:16:19 GMT

A natural, spontaneous, family photoshoot in the French Riviera

This was only the second time I’ve been asked to do a maternity photoshoot; it’s not something I advertise too much and I know there are so many talented photographers on the French Riviera who specialize in it.

And plus - I'm a guy(!) so, understandably, would maybe I'd not be the first choice photographer for some; but that just makes me extra determined to repay people's faith and capture the sentiments they want. It's a cliché for photographers to say that photographing this or that is a privilege (and it can be kind of cringe! I avoid it), but in this case I'll make an exception: being asked to photograph this particular part of a someone's journey is exactly what that feels like.

I love how these images came out – it was a beautiful, somewhat hazy, early evening (probably the perfect time for this amount of cloud cover) and the couple’s friendship and connection really shone through.

The photographs were taken at Criques de la Garoupe in Antibes, which is a short taxi ride from the middle of Antibes, and it’s orientation isn’t the absolute best for settin g suns, but it’s not bed, either; and it’s easier to work here than somewhere busy like the Plage des Ondes beach (also in Antibes ). If you've ever tried to organize a photoshoot on the Riviera you'll know that beautiful public places are always busy at sunset - but this one isn't so bad and there's enough space to make it your own.

Organising a Maternity Photoshoot in Nice, Antibes, or Cannes

Another place worth considering if the light house o n Cap Ferrat , which is a stunning location with relatively few people (and you can certainly park, if you’ll have a car). Finally, there is Coco Beach in Nice to consider as well, which is a reliable location and easy to get to. Both these locations are ideal for golden hour photography sessions.

What to Wear on this type of photography shoot

Not surprisingly as a male I don't advise pregnant women what to wear and think they should go with whatever they’re comfortable in. However, if I was asked, I’d say go for white or lighter pastel colors, then dress the other partner in clothes that won’t clash with theirs. White shirts are always a safe option for the accompanying partner and always look good on the Mediterranean. I’d advise men, if they're not sure, to stick to a white shirt, pastel or sandy colored trousers or smart shorts, and shoes (but obviously not if you're walking on sand!). Females being photographed on the coastal areas are advised to bring flat shoes to make access easier, high heels will be dangerous on the French Riviera's rocky coastal paths.

Maternity photography poses

I think it’s worth bringing some screenshots on your phone of imagery that you like, and we can try to emulate them. My style of photography relies on natural chemistry between couples as much as what I know and can position/correct their bodies. Every body (and everybody) is different, and so what works for others might or might not work for you, but it’s always fun tangling up arms and other limbs to re-create things. So yes, count that as advice: bring some screengrabs of things you’ve seen on Google or Pinterest image searches.

Maternity Photography Photo Gallery

The best Proposal Location on the French Riviera?

Thu, 15 May 2025 18:59:24 GMT

The picture perfect location for a proposal in a secluded spot...

This stunning proposal on the French Riviera has it all: blue sea, a spectacular view, and - not by coincidence - the dress perfectly matches the flowers.

This surprise proposal's location is high up and just outside of Nice (about a 20 minute drive), the place is reasonably secluded and has a commanding view that looks over Cap Ferrat . It happened just before sunset. It was a genuine surprise for the bride-to-be and it was magic watching it all unravel in real time. It's one of the French Riviera's more secretive locations that's not widely known about among tourists but is frequented by locals enjoying picnics and walking their dog.

The spectacular flower set up was set-up perfectly ( by Mazur Flowers ) and if you're considering using this location for a proposal you should know that this one took place in early spring, before tourist season is in full swing. Like anywhere in public with as stunning view as this, it does become popular during the busier months of the year, and to get there you'll need a car or an Uber ride.

My Free Proposal Location Guide for the French Riviera

If you're organizing a surprise proposal on the French Riviera, download my free Location Guide PDF which lists the pros and cons of each of the popular locations, (although the one on this page is yet to be featured). It also features general advice and up to date pricing information for photography packages.

The other images featured in the gallery below were taken on the tip of Cap Ferrat at sunset, which is one of my favorite locations. Again, you'd need transport or an Uber to take you there.

Proposal Location Image Gallery

Other Ideal Proposal Locations in the South of France

A Couple Photoshoot in Menton, French Riviera

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:14:39 GMT

Romantic engagement photography in the quieter part of the French Riviera

The town of Menton is a peaceful, beautiful town on the French Riviera that’s an alluring Mediterranean-mix of France and Italy. It’s more easy-going and tranquil than Nice, and has (in my opinion) a far more down-to-earth, rustic charm than places like Monaco and St Tropez. It’s just a few hundred meters from the French-Italy border (on the French side), but is at its most beautiful when approached from the direction of Rome (not surprising since it was, until 1860, part of the Italian Kingdom of Sardinia).

It’s from the direction of Italy that one can appreciate the magnificent visa of Menton’s old town - which is a popular photograph location that many tourists miss out on. Until there’s a little distance between yourself and the old town it’s not obvious quite just how magnificent the view is from that perspective.

An underrated location for your romantic couple shoot?

I’ve taken couples to Menton for photoshoots and they’ve been thrilled that I have because, they tell me, they’d never have discovered it. I’d say its atmosphere is distinct from the rest of the French Riviera – places like Antibes, Nice, and Monaco - where’s there’s more bustle, more noise, stress, and the occasional roar of a supercars - which quickly becomes tiresome.

The waterfront near the view point is modern, clean, and open while the famous yellow zig-zag staircase (known as L'Escalier Jaune or Les Rampes Saint Michel) is positioned just a few yards away. At the top of the staircase are two churches, the one that dominates the skyline of Menton is the St Michel Archange and the other is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception (or Chapel of the Penitents Blancs), which is usually closed to the public. All these places are very close to one another - so even on a hot day it's a town that's quite easy to explore.

Other parts of the town to explore

For photoshoots, this area provides access to Menton’s medieval era old town, the cool, narrow streets of which are also perfect photo locations as they’re protected from the bright sun. Despite visiting often, there’s still beautiful parts of the town that I haven’t yet visited including the Jardin Serre de la Madone , the Jardin botanique exotique de Menton ('Le Val Rahmeh'), the Fontana Rosa , the Maria Serena garden, and the modernist gardens of Les Colombières .

Other popular places for proposals and romantic photoshoots on the French Riviera include Eze village , Nice's Coco beach , and the light house at Cap Ferrat .

Image Gallery

Proposal and Photoshoot in Eze Village

Tue, 06 May 2025 16:15:47 GMT

In Introduction to the fairytale village of Eze

Eze, a medieval hill-top village a few miles down the coast between Nice and Monaco, is on most people's itinerary when they visit the French Riviera; and for good reason. Its beautiful, cobbled streets and stone buildings are hundreds of years old and radiate southern-Mediterranean charm. People naturally gravitate towards it for photo shoots, which is understandable given its deserved reputation as one of the Riviera's most beautiful locations.

There are a few things to know about Eze before you visit: firstly during summer it's likely to be hot and humid and any visit to Eze will involve a bit of climbing on foot as vehicles aren't allowed near its entrance (and physically wouldn't fit on its streets). If you're visiting, avoid high heels as the stone cobbled streets, along with the climbing and stairs, could make your visit very hard work.

The village is beautiful but busy during tourist season

It's Exotic Garden and Chevre d'Or are beautiful locations for surprise proposals, the only drawback to Eze is all this beauty has made it extremely popular. This means that if you want a photoshoot here during summer, I'd highly recommend coming here in the evening. There will be 80 per cent few people (and I'm not exaggerating!), and the light will be softer. The exotic gardens close at 18:30 during the summer, so sunset photoshoots don't happen here unless it's on the terraces of the Chevre d'Or , and info on organsing a proposal there can be found here .

Finally, what most tourists don't seem to know is there are a few hill-top villages very similar to Eze on the French Riviera that are just as beautiful, but are far less crowded - these include Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Gorbio, and Vence - which can be harder to get to, but all offer an authentic experience and extremely photogenic glimpse of what typical regional hill-top villages are like in this part of the world.

The perfect proposal location?

There are two or three great proposal locations in Eze village - but privacy will be hard to come by unless you're willing to hire a private space. Most of the images on this page were taken on the balcony of Chateau Eze, which offers an incredible view facing west over the French Riviera. There are other places including the exotic gardens (which are paid entry and usually very busy) and Chevre d'Or, which will permit you to hire a private spot on one of the hotel's beautiful terraces.

An alternative location in Eze is the Chevre d'Or :

A Gallery of images from Chateau Eza and Eze Village:

An English Country House Wedding at Ettington Park

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:02:31 GMT

Nestled in the Warwickshire countryside, Ettington Park is one of the finest country-house wedding venues in the country. It's a genuine architectural marvel built in the Neo Gothic style which flourished in Victorian England. Built between 1858 and 1862 it now serves as a hotel and luxury wedding venue.

Selected Wedding Highlights

A welcoming, intimate wedding

This intimate wedding welcomed guests from across the world and had a warm, relaxed, informal feel. I love photographing weddings where the focus is on the bride and groom (and everyone else!) simply having a good time and being in the moment.

An intimate, outdoor wedding ceremony

After a beautiful ceremony in the rose garden, we enjoyed a photoshoot as we strolled in the manor's expansive grounds. They feature the ruins of a chapel, beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, and plenty of amazing opportunities for beautiful imagery.

About me

I'm a British wedding photographer based in the South of France who flits between the UK and France. I love creating natural, spontaneous imagery of people in love and being themselves. Find out more at the About Me page.

Wedding Photography Gallery

A Proposal on Castle Hill, Nice

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:23:10 GMT

One of the French Riviera's most popular spots to get engaged

Castle Hill, or Colline du Chateau, is one of the most picturesque and romantic locations for a proposal on the French Riviera; albeit with some caveats.

The location is a a 20-minute walk from Nice old town, in fact you’re still in the heart of Nice when you’re there - albeit 200 or so meters above the city. There is a lift, accessible from near the Promenade, but is notoriously unreliable. If you take the stairs in the summer, take your time, you’re going to get hot, but the views on the way up are beautiful. Fortunately there are cafés up there and decent public toilets (which cost 50 cents) a visit.

Castle Hill is very close to Nice’s touristy old town and there are viewing platforms looking over the Promenade des Anglais, and Nice’s Port Lympa. Some of these photos were taken at the very top viewing platform (with the stone-pillar wall, not the black fence), while some are of a re-created proposal a few minutes later on the more popular viewing platform with the black iron railings . Both platforms look out in the same direction, but the one at the very top is more panoramic.

Proposing on Castle Hill

This place is so close to the heart of Nice and so beautiful that it’s no wonder it’s crowded. Avoid proposing here if you’re concerned about privacy. This video was also taken on Castle Hill and shows an alternative set-up to a proposal.

I’d also avoid proposing here late afternoon to evening as the sun’s position will mean the sea and sky will lose their blue hue. Morning, lunch, and sunset would be better - although sunset could be crowded and you’d have to time it right, knowing the time of sunset for the day you’re visiting and getting there 30 minutes before it happens.

If you're not headed there for sunset, the best time would be 8-9AM if you want fewer people. One final thing to know is you should avoid arriving too late as the authorities shut the entrance at sundown; so arrive in good time before this happens. The only motorised way up is on Nice’s little white tourist train (which is a road train, not a real, rail-way train), or else a taxi.

More French Riviera Proposal Inspo:

A Unique Proposal in the South of France

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:08:13 GMT

The 'hiding in plain sight' Approach to a surprise proposal...

This surprise proposal unfolded a little differently to how most do on the French Riviera. The client explained that he’d like to treat himself and his girlfriend to a normal photoshoot and that during it, when the moment felt right, he’d propose.

Some photographers may get a little nervous about such a proposition as the less control they have over a situation, the more they feel they’re relying on luck to get amazing images; but I agreed as I knew the location in Nice ( Le Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez , next to the Matisse Museum) very well and was interested to see how it would unfold.

As far as surprise proposals go, I think openly booking a photographer and treating it like a normal photoshoot was quite clever as – judging by the surprised reaction of his partner - it kept the proposal itself secret. By hiding the proposal in plane sight, it kept it a secret and allowed him to choose a perfect moment with less stress, her to enjoy being in the moment, and for me to just react accordingly. It was a win/win. It took place about three-quarters of the way through the photoshoot, by which point we were all settled and relaxed around each other so that helped the couple just forget I was there.

Winter Proposal Photos from Cimiez, Nice

As it happened, it took place in one my favourite places to shoot in this parc, beneath the rows of olive trees outside the Matisse Museum. These were taken in late December, where the winter light was beautifully soft and there weren’t too many people around. In summer, it might have been a different story. Generally, I love shooting beneath the dappled light of trees – it’s usually a safe bet in terms of lighting (but watch out for very green trees, as the green tint can make its way onto people’s skin and ruin the images).

Engagement Photos in the Monastère de Cimiez

But as far as proposal ideas go, the idea of booking a “normal” photoshoot and leaving 80 per cent of the ‘how and when’ to the proposing partner, I think, is a great idea: there’s an incentive for both people to get dressed up in their favourite clothes, to go to a random stunning location without arousing too much suspicion, both will be used to the camera when it happens, and I imagine it lifts quite a lot of pressure off the proposing partner, also, as there's less of a crunch moment - it can all unfold more naturally.

In pragmatic terms, there was a little que – a subtle sign – I received just before it happened, but that was all I needed to step back, quickly get into a decent position, and capture what unfolded. As a way of going about a surprise proposal, I’d recommend it.

And some winter photos at Coco Beach, Nice

After the Jardin des Arènes and the Monastère de Cimiez (which are next to each other), we headed for some January photos at Coco Beach , with a sublime blue sky, watery, wintery sunshine, and crashing waves...

Other Proposal Ideas on the French Riviera:

Proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:02:12 GMT

French Riviera Proposals with a Beautiful View

Unrelated to this blog post, I once asked my wife what her favourite place on earth was, and her response was here: the Florentine Terrace at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild .

I love it as a proposal location and it is truly magical – yet I don’t think photographs can ever do it justice because what makes it such a mesmerising place is its atmosphere as much as anything else. The balcony-esc space is an epicenter of serenity. There’s a true stillness in the air, as though time itself has stopped.

The Rothschild House's Magical Florentine Terrace

It’s mosaic floor is bathed in dappled light in the mornings that streams through swaying branches behind you as you look out to sea, while in the evenings its a grand stage for magnificent sunsets over Mont Boron. The terrace and its vista grab the imagination of everyone who sees it, stealing them away for a few moments as they step onto it.

The tranquility of the villa itself and the way people shuffle about reminds me of that of a British National trust property (although the weather here is obviously far more reliable). People calmly mill around as though they’re lost in a beautiful fairytale, which they kind of are.

The gardens were originally modelled on the shape of a boat, as though Cap Ferrat itself, upon which the gardens were built in 1912 , was the deck of a ship. Back in the day, the 30 or so gardeners who maintained the ship’s ‘bridge’ all wore sailing uniforms, complete with navel berets with red pom-poms.

Cost of Proposing at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

As of December 2025 there are two paid-packages . One gives you permission to bring a professional photographer on site to photograph the proposal and take some images in the gardens afterwards.

This option costs 600 Euros (the photography will have to paid separately, according to the rates of the photographer). For this option, bringing in external props or decorations is strictly forbidden. There will be other tourists milling around, so it’s best to do it earlier in the day – if possible soon after the villa opens at 10am. The second option, for 12,000 Euros, allows you to hire the villa privately, and the rules about props are relaxed.

You can email the villa to arrange a proposal via evenements@villa-ephrussi.com , but you'll have to arrange a book a photographer separately.

Photoshoots from Villa Ephrussi's Gardens

In terms of the environment, photography at Villa Ephrussi is one of the most beautiful on the French Riviera. It's size and variety mean there's no end of places to create beautiful imagery under beautiful light and spectacular backgrounds.

There’s plenty of shaded areas of soft, dappled light and lots of beautiful paths lined with greenery, flowers, and foliage – not to mention the garden’s magnificent features, which include statues, a beautiful rotunda and water features.

In terms of best time of day to propose here, it's a tough one: the light and sea on the Florentine proposal terrace look best (and the most blue) late morning/early afternoon; however the light in the garden looks better in early-evening and evening. That said, I'm probably over thinking this and whatever the time is, you can't go wrong.

There are nine themed gardens on site, each with their own identity and atmosphere. The nine stunning gardens include French, Spanish, Florentine, Stone, Japanese, Exotic, Rose, and Provencal.

About Me

I'm a British wedding, proposal, and couple photographer based in Nice on the French Riviera. You can contact me here , or see my latest work here .

More French Riviera Proposal Locations:

Engagement Photography on Coco Beach in Nice

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:12:55 GMT

A dreamy sunset couple photography session in Nice, France

My favorite place to photograph couples for golden hour photography sessions right now is Coco Beach in Nice. It's perfectly positioned to take advantage of golden-hour light, isn't over-crowded with tourists, and is easy to get to on foot, or via the 98 bus (at the Théodore de Banville / Lorrain bus stop ).

The walk around this particular part of the coast on the French Riviera is breath-taking, and so visitors are in for a wonderful experience, as well as amazing images. One of the best things about my job is not only creating work that I love, but also getting the opportunity to work here, especially in the evening with its beautiful light, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, and the sea breeze helping to take the edge off the summer heat.

I'm a photographer who loves a retro, faded, camera-film look; and this location lends itself well to that style, having strong, dramatic light, and a clearly-defined color palette. I'm not sure how old this path is, but I'm sure it's at least many, many decades so it feels like a natural environment that's a little disconnected from the modern world.

Couple Photoshoots in and around Nice

My other favorite location in the area is the lighthouse at Cap Ferrat , which is a little harder to get to, but equally, if not more, beautiful. You can also have a photoshoot in the old towns of Nice or Villefranche Sur Mer, which are both beautiful, but you'll miss out on golden light, and personally I find narrow streets and small spaces can be a bit restrictive when it comes to photography. Generally it's easier for couples, too, being in bigger spaces, as it usually means I can be further away and give them more space to be with each other and in the moment.

What about a couple shoot in Eze village?

Personally I'm not too keen on photographing couples in Eze. Eze looks amazing and beautiful in real life (and it is!), but when it's squashed on a 2D camera sensor with a couple in the frame, it's never as beautiful as I think it should be.

The narrow streets and small spaces don't help, neither does the light, which tends to be flat (as the direct sunlight is blocked and diffused by the buildings), or the crowds of tourists, which are on almost every street. Then there's the steep, sloping streets, meaning the photographer is often shooting from up high, or from down below - complicating couple portraits further. Of course, there's some beautiful examples of photoshoots of Eze online, but I find the light and space somewhere like Coco Beach much easier to work with.

How to prepare for a photoshoot

A photoshoot like this one usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and the only thing clients need to do is book a date and agree a starting-time that correlates with the optimum light (about an hour before sundown). There's no deposit and payment happens either at the photoshoot or afterwards, but before image delivery.

The only other decisions you need to make are the location (and if you're in Nice I'll probably try to persuade you either to go to Coco Beach or Cap Ferrat ), and what to wear. For the latter I'd keep to white and/or light, simple colours. For coastal paths on the French Riviera, you'll want to avoid high heels as wearing these on the stone paths will not be comfortable or particularly safe.

Finally, feel free to bring ideas or other inspiration on your phone - most of the time recreating them ad-lib is lots of fun and creates some amazing results.

Book a Photoshoot on the French Riviera

Booking is as simple as contacting me with your preferred dates. I usually always get back to people within 24 hours and am happy to discuss special requests, unusual locations, or offer advice on anything from transport to accommodation here.

About Me

I'm a wedding, family, and engagement photographer based in Nice on the French Riviera. I'm originally from the UK and have lived in the South of France for three years with my wife and two daughters. In previous lives I've spent seven years as a newspaper journalist before three each as a graphic designer, and public relations officer, but that was before my family moved to Africa, which is a whole other story...

Other Photoshoot locations on the French Riviera

Maternity Photoshoot on the French Riviera

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 23:01:33 GMT

A Golden Hour Sunset Photoshoot in Antibes

It was so wonderful to be contacted by some previous clients to arrange a maternity photoshoot shoot – which is something I’d never done before.

If I’m honest, it was intimidating being invited into this world, especially when there are so many amazing photographers on the French Riviera who create such beautiful maternity work. That said, I really love these images, which were taken on the Plage des Ondes beach in Antibes when it was really busy.

As in real life, I always think one needs a bit of luck in photography, and here, the stars aligned in a few ways: the sunset were spectacular, the couple were in the moment, and everything just seemed to go well. Of course, I can only take so much credit: I’m so lucky to work with people who are so full of life and love – whose spirit really shines through in the images.

I cannot believe how crowded the beach was – I managed to frame almost everyone out while somehow not stamping across someone’s picnic as I was stumbling backwards, my mind concentrating on my camera settings, communicating in my second language, and composing images. (Although it was safer, I suppose, then walking backwards along the coastal path of Coco Beach , where one false step could result in falling off a cliff.)

Organising a Maternity Photoshoot in Nice, Antibes, or Cannes

If you’re looking to organize a maternity photoshoot on the French Riviera, I think the biggest problem will be finding somewhere beautiful where there are few people/tourists. The Plage des Ondes in Antibes should certainly be considered for a location (look where the sun sets!), but there will definitely be people there at sunset, and taking an Uber may be a better way to get there than a car because parking can be difficult to find.

Another place worth considering if the lighthouse on Cap Ferrat , which is a stunning location with relatively few people (and you can certainly park, if you’ll have a car). There is Coco Beach in Nice to consider as well, which is a reliable location and easy to get to. Both these locations are ideal for golden hour photography sessions.

Post script: Since this post I have also photographed a maternity photoshoot at the Crique de la Garoupe in Antibes .

What to Wear on this type of photography shoot

Not surprisingly as a male and a complete stranger, I don't advise pregnant women what to wear and think they should go with whatever they’re comfortable in. However, if I was asked, I’d say go for white or lighter pastel colors, then dress the other partner in clothes that won’t clash with theirs. White shirts are always a safe option for the accompanying partner and always look good on the Mediterranean. I’d advise men, if they're not sure, to stick to a white shirt, pastel or sandy colored trousers or smart shorts, and shoes (but obviously not if you're walking on sand!). Females being photographed on the coastal areas are advised to bring flat shoes to make access easier, high heels will be dangerous on the French Riviera's rocky coastal paths.

Maternity photography poses

L'Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur à Nice : une lumière étonnante et un lieu de cérémonie de mariage sublime

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 12:38:05 GMT

Un rêve pour un photographe de mariage

Je pense que l'Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur dans la vieille ville de Nice pourrait être le lieu le plus photogénique pour une cérémonie de mariage que j'ai jamais photographié. L'image ci-dessus en témoigne : l'éclairage créé par la lunette arrière, le positionnement du lustre et l'espace ouvert confèrent à l'intérieur un air de grandeur.

Je suis souvent passé devant cette église (qui est également connue sous le nom de l'Église du Gesù ) au cœur de Nice, mais je ne m'étais jamais aventuré à l'intérieur avant de planifier ce mariage en juin 2024. La façon dont la lumière directe du soleil pénètre par les fenêtres arrière, les belles proportions intérieures et le sol à carreaux noirs et blancs se combinent pour donner à ce chef-d'œuvre baroque un air de magie de conte de fées.

Un espace magnifique du point de vue d'un photographe

Ces images ont été prises en fin d'après-midi, et j'ai pensé à l'avance que nous aurions peut-être de la chance avec la lumière, et cela s'est avéré être le cas, avec des rayons de lumière se déversant à travers la haute fenêtre, sur l'autel à l'avant de l'église. Je suis sûr que lorsque l'architecte s'est assis pour étudier cette vue il y a environ 400 ans, il a savouré le moment où il s'est rendu compte qu'il pouvait utiliser la rue adjacente comme passage pour la lumière qui traverse le ciel en fin d'après-midi.

Les touristes adorent photographier l'intérieur des églises (comme n'importe quel Niçois pourrait vous le dire), mais c'est vraiment spécial de voir un intérieur aux proportions si magnifiques si joliment éclairé. J'imagine que cette église a accueilli des cérémonies de mariage depuis son achèvement en 1650, et que ce spectacle a donc été vu et probablement photographié à de nombreuses reprises.

L'intérieur est richement orné de fresques, d'angelots et de statues, mais il y a aussi de l'espace autour des rangées de sièges rectangulaires pour permettre aux œuvres d'art complexes de respirer, contrairement à ce qui se passe dans de nombreuses églises, où les sièges semblent entassés. Les œuvres d'art elles-mêmes bénéficient d'un éclairage contractuel de haute qualité qui tranche avec l'obscurité naturelle créée par le bâtiment.

Galerie de photographies de mariage

Engagement and Photoshoot on Coco Beach, Nice

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 11:30:17 GMT

Golden hour sunset photos on the French Riviera

One of my favourite sunset photoshoot locations for couples and engagement photoshoots in Nice is Coco Beach .

This place isn't a beach in the traditional sense, but a rocky, rugged coastal path that winds around the coast to the east of Nice's Port Lympia (which has a tram stop, Port Lympia, on Line 2, or T2). It's dramatic cliff and rock formations, beautiful blue water, and expansive view to the west (which includes the Promenade des Anglais), where the sun sets, means this is an amazing, dramatic landscape which enjoys the full benefit of golden sunlight during sunset.

With much of the Nice and the French Riviera suffering from overcrowding, Coco Beach close enough to Nice to be convenient without being so accessible that it becomes over-crowded. For the most part the only people there are locals, with tourists sticking to the promenade and the beaches at nearby Villefranche if they choose to go bathing. While there are always people there, I've never had a problem on a photoshoot finding opportunities to get the photographs I want, and if people are occasionally in the frame, they're quite easy to photoshop out due the relative uniformity of the background.

With places for surprise proposals in the French in relative short-supply during tourist season, I've been experimenting more and more with Coco Beach as a surprise proposal location...

Coco Beach as a Proposal Location Option

Planning a surprise proposal here on the French Riviera can be difficult due to the inevitable trade-off between accessibility and a clean, tourist-free, background.

Of course it's possible to hire a private space at a venue such as a hotel, but this can be expensive, with, for example, a non-private time slot and permission to photograph at Villa Ephrussi costing around 600 Euros. Often, venues like this seem to forego the element of surprise in place of creating a desired ambiance and aesthetic.

One partner is usually led to a reserved private balcony or space adorned with candles, flowers, with petals spread on the floor, meaning that in those moments the partner being proposed to will likely deduce what's about to happen before the proposal itself. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this, it depends on priorities, people's vision, and their personalities.

For open, public, panoramic views, there are places like Mont Boron , but it gets very touristy there around summer (especially Sunday mornings), and the temperature during July and August is stifling, meaning you'd have to take an Uber or a bus up the mountain (perfectly feasible, but could one suspect something a proposal is coming en-route?).

I like Coco Beach because there's every reason to go there anyway due to the beautiful coastal walk, the sunset, and the nearby popular restaurants (notably La Reserve de Nice and La Plongeoir ) that can be included in your evening plans as they're only 200 yards away. Walking to the entry point of Coco Beach on Av Jean Lorrain from the tram stop takes about 20 minutes, maybe slightly longer in the summer heat. There is also the 98 bus , which will take you there from Nice old town.

In summer 2024 I've photographed here numerous times and at the moment it's my favourite place in Nice due to its stress-free ambiance, ease of access, and spectacular results.

If you pay this place a visit, one piece of advice is not to wear high heel shoes as the rocky path will be difficult to traverse. Other things to know are that if the sea is stormy or more choppy than usual, the French police will descend onto Coco Beach very quickly to seal it off. Having been on the path during these conditions, I can see why. I'll be updating my blog with more photoshoots from this location in the coming months.

Moments forts d'un mariage à Breil-sur-Roya et à La Riserva di Castel d'Appio

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:38:04 GMT

À mon avis, la chose la plus mémorable d'un jour de mariage est l'atmosphère

Ces images ont été prises dans le magnifique village de Breil-sur-Roya lors d'un mariage au printemps.

Après une cérémonie civile et religieuse, le couple a profité d'une séance photo dans une belle oliveraie à côté d'une église abandonnée, Notre Dame Du Mont . Ce qui a rendu ce mariage spécial, c'est l'ambiance et le couple au centre de tout cela, qui semblait être les meilleurs amis du monde.

À mon avis, la chose la plus mémorable d'un jour de mariage est l'atmosphère

J'ai été appelée à photographier ce mariage dans un délai relativement court et je n'avais pas rencontré le couple auparavant, c'était donc merveilleux de photographier des personnes aussi authentiques et aimant s'amuser lors d'une journée aussi extraordinaire. Il n'y a jamais eu de sentiment d'anxiété ou de nervosité, et la journée s'est écoulée trop rapidement.

Après une cérémonie civile à la mairie de Breil sur Roya , il y a eu une cérémonie religieuse dans la chapelle de la Miséricorde du village, suivie de fusées éclairantes et de confettis. Après un vin d'honneur au bord de la rivière, le couple a profité de la lumière dorée du soir pour faire une séance photo dans une ancienne oliveraie à flanc de montagne.

Pour la soirée, ils se sont rendus à La Riserva di Castel D'Appio à Vintimiglia , en Italie, où les festivités se sont poursuivies alors que le coucher de soleil offrait une vue imprenable sur la Côte d'Azur à l'ouest.

Les préparatifs en noir et blanc

Ce traitement étonnant en noir et blanc confère à ces images un aspect vraiment classique et intemporel.

La séance couple

Mariage dans une résidence privée sur la Côte d'Azur

Tue, 14 May 2024 16:40:33 GMT

La chaleur, l'émotion et l'amour véritable lors d'une cérémonie de mariage laïque privée en plein air

Une journée d'été brumeuse sur la Côte d'Azur est souvent synonyme de lumière parfaitement douce qui fait briller tout ce qui se trouve en dessous - la peau, les fleurs et les couleurs.

C'était le cas pour ce mariage entre des amoureux scandinaves qui ont quitté le ciel (vraisemblablement gris) de leur Finlande natale pour se marier dans les collines autour de Vence, où les grillons bourdonnent et les papillons volent au-dessus des rochers, des pierres et de l'herbe en train de cuire.

La cérémonie s'est déroulée dans un verger doté d'une magnifique véranda ornée de fleurs aux couleurs pastel et de rubans. Après s'être rencontrés sur le mont Boron à Nice pour un premier regard, ils ont voyagé avec style dans une belle Porche noire vintage vers l'ouest en direction du village de Vence pour leur cérémonie, entourés d'amis et d'êtres chers.

Cela semble assez simple, mais c'était l'expérience parfaite d'un mariage français, entouré de la campagne provinciale ancienne, d'amis merveilleux, et d'une belle lumière brumeuse créant une ambiance magique et de conte de fées. Il n'y avait rien de compliqué ou d'extravagant et il n'y avait pas besoin de l'être - le sentiment disait tout.

Proposal Photography on Mont Boron in Nice

Sun, 05 May 2024 11:01:06 GMT

Panorama du Mont Boron offers a great location for a surprise proposal and it's easy to get to from Nice

Searching for a proposal location in France?

If you're after a picture perfect panoramic view-point on the French Riviera to spring a surprise proposal then there many many places to consider depending on your tastes and budget. The above picture is taken from the viewpoint on Mont Boron, but it might not be to everyone's tastes...

More about Mont Boron

It's a short Uber ride from Nice (or a fun trek on foot, if it's not too hot), and is easy to locate on Google maps . This viewing platform looks west over Nice - the green hill dominating the landscape to the right of the picture is the Colline du Chateau (another popular proposal location ), and behind that in the distance curving around the coast is the Promenade des Anglais . On clear days for six months of the winter you can see the snowy mountains of the alps and you can spot many of Nice's famous streets and landmarks as you gaze down over the city below. It's close enough to easy to get to (the viewing platform is immediately off a well-used road), and yet when you're there it feels like you're in the countryside.

The Best Proposal Locations on the French Riviera:

Image Gallery from Mt Boron

Wedding in Antibes on the French Riviera

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:21:03 GMT

A French Riviera wedding at Mougins' Royal Golf Resort

This wedding photography gallery is from an October wedding with the ceremony taking place in the bright interior of the Mairie d’Antibes and the evening soiree at Mougins' Royal Golf Resort .

Nestled along the stunning French Riviera, Antibes exudes all the quintessential charm of the French-Riviera without the hustle-and-bustle of nearby Nice. October’s possibly my favourite time of year on the French riviera, with cooler weather, calmer tourist districts, and beautiful sunsets – all of which we took advantage of on this beautiful day. This wedding was full of refined styling, beautiful personal touches, and character. The ceremony – in the beautifully decorated Maire of Antibes – was followed by a wonderful spread of canapes and North African treats in the town’s Marché Provençal, which is right next to the mairie.

Pictured in the gallery below we see glimpses of the town’s gorgeous medieval era old town, the exterior of the Picasso Museum – formerly a Château owned by the Grimaldi family - and the rolling countryside just north of the town around Mougins’s Royal Gold Resort. The prestigious golf club was the venue for the evening and we were fortunate to take advantage of the hazy evening light. With its expansive greenery and plush lawns, the golf club is the perfect setting for a couple shoot before the evening meal and entertainment.

About me

I’m a British wedding and family photographer based on the French Riviera. I live in Nice with my family of four. and you can check out my latest work on my blog – and I’m always happy to advise travelers on the best photo locations for magical couple shoots and romantic photography collections. I speak English and French and am always pleased to help.

Family Photography on the French Riviera

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:27:32 GMT

A family photoshoot in the narrow streets of Nice's old town

This family photoshoot took place in the heart of Nice in old town which during the summer allows for beautiful, soft light and some relief from the scorching day-time temperatures.

They say "never work with children", but this photoshoot is an example of why I love it - especially with siblings who enjoy each other's company and making each other laugh. I know from my home life that that's not always the case, but the relationship between these sisters shines through in this photoshoot - which is one of my favourite that I've done.

Many of the streets in old town are packed with tourists, but if you know where to go, there are some streets that are often deserted, save for the odd tourists who are nervously meandering around, perhaps worried that they've become lost in the labyrinth of the streets. The streets themselves were likely laid out in the 16th century or before, with air circulation in mind. Old town is a wonderful, reliable location for a photoshoot as it's shaded, the light is soft, it's easy to get to, the streets provide beautiful background to images, and lots of variety. The only thing to be mindful is matching your clothes with the colours around you - colours that are 'modern', too strong, or that clash with the dull orange of many of the buildings (and the shutters are something like mint-green) ...will look out of place.

Thinking of visiting Old Town?

In old town you'll find beautiful architecture, much of it dated (above the doors), and painted with a rich array of ochres (or 'ochers' in American spelling), along with plenty of charming character and reminders - such as potted plants and clothes lines - that many locals still live in the buildings, just as they have for many centuries. Despite it's charm and life, it's not been gentrified like you might expect, and despite buzzing with tourists during the season, retains its established Italian/French identity. Nice was ceded to France in 1860, relatively recently, which is why many road signs are in French and Italian.

Other Photoshoot Locations on the Riviera

If you're willing to travel, or are staying in Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, or any of the surrounding towns, they all have old town's too that make for wonderful photoshoot locations. There are other locations in Nice that work for family photoshoots, including the Jardin de Cimiez, which can be seen on my family photography page . If you're willing to travel out of the city to get away from the crowds, there are also some wonderful places in nature nearby that offer shaded woodland and forests such as the Parc de Vaugrenier - which is a nature reserve with a play area, which is a short 10 or 15 journey by train along the coast.

Thanks for dropping by and if you'd like to organise your own family photoshoot, don't hesitate to contact me .

About Me

I'm a bilingual British wedding and family photographer based in Nice on the French Riviera. A father of two, I specialise in family and couple photoshoots in Nice and the beautiful surrounding Riviera area.

Romantic couple photoshoot at Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:52:36 GMT

Perhaps the most stunning location for a sunset couple shoot in France

For a long time I've been trying to convince couples to journey to Jean Cap Ferrat for their couple photoshoot, but with Nice's picturesque and charming old town much easier to get to - it can be a hard sell.

However, from the first time I laid eyes upon this surreal, wind-swept landscape I knew it would be the perfect photoshoot location, with the view towards the west incorporating the imposing Phare du Cap Ferrat and the sunset. This lighthouse (built on the order of Napoleon III in the 1860s), is the same one you can easily see in the distance from Nice's Promenade des Anglais (when looking the opposite direction to the airport). As the crow flies, it will be five or six kilometers away.

The environment reminds me of a romantic-era oil painting, and with the sky and sea holding much sway over the lighting and ambiance, there is a more than a menacing hint of the sublime about it. One could take a photograph of this view every day and no two images would be the same. Fortunately for this romantic photoshoot, every variable I could think of was on our side - the temperature was mild for February, the sky was clear, the sea calm, and the couple clearly on form, in love, and so much fun to be with.

This photoshoot location, which lies at the tip of Cap Ferrat, is now my favourite and it's clearly worth getting there if you want some once-in-a-lifetime romantic photography. If the weather's temperate, it's a 45-minute walk from Beaulieu Sur Mer train station - or you can simply use taxi service, which can get you close enough to one of the paths (some of which are not marked on Google Maps) that winds down to the rocks.

The beautiful harbour town of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat lies a 20-minute walk north, and it's the perfect addition to your plans if you fancy a rest, a meal, or apéritif while en route. The coastal walk (for which you'll need flat shoes), is a wonderful experience in itself - provided you bring some water and take sensible precautions and protection from the sun on hot days.

Mariage Au Domaine De Glandève, 04320, Entrevaux

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:09:58 GMT

A beautiful outdoor wedding venue close to the French Riviera

The spectacular surrounding landscape

Le Domaine de Glandève is north of Mount Gourdan, 2km to the east of the village of Entrevaux , built on the edge on a dramatic cliff hundreds of meters above the expansive var valley below.

The territory is mountainous and features multiple rivers, the Var, the Coulomp, the Chalvagne, and the landscape is dominated to the north by the summit of La Lette (1517 m). This is truly a hiker’s paradise, surrounded by breath-taking natural beauty preserved by being far enough away from the French Riviera coast (around an hour’s drive from Nice), not to be disturbed.

As a wedding venue

Domaine de Glandève as a wedding venue has a capacity of 150 people and can sleep 23 people.

There is parking for 40 places and decent kitchen and cooking facilities with extra space on site for caterers using mobile fridges and freezers. There’s an outdoor terrace, barbecues, and a large, outdoor, but roofed space that I’d describe as about the size of a large barn or small football pitch. The house itself as a vineyard, a swimming pool and jacuzzi, and a sauna.

Le paysage environnant spectaculaire

Le Domaine de Glandève se trouve au nord du Mont Gourdan, à 2 km à l'est du village d'Entrevaux , construit au bord d'une falaise spectaculaire, à des centaines de mètres au-dessus de la vaste vallée du Var en contrebas.

Le territoire est montagneux et comporte plusieurs rivières, le Var, le Coulomp, la Chalvagne, et le paysage est dominé au nord par le sommet de la Lette (1517 m). C'est un véritable paradis pour les randonneurs, entouré d'une beauté naturelle à couper le souffle, préservée par le fait d'être suffisamment éloigné de la côte d'Azur (à environ une heure de route de Nice), pour ne pas être dérangé.

Comme lieu de mariage

Le Domaine de Glandève a une capacité d'accueil de 150 personnes et peut accueillir 23 personnes.

Il y a un parking de 40 places et des installations de cuisine décentes avec un espace supplémentaire sur le site pour les traiteurs qui utilisent des réfrigérateurs et des congélateurs mobiles. Il y a une terrasse extérieure, des barbecues et un grand espace extérieur, mais couvert, que je décrirais comme étant de la taille d'une grande grange ou d'un petit terrain de football. La maison elle-même dispose d'un vignoble, d'une piscine, d'un jacuzzi et d'un sauna.

The spectacular surrounding landscape

Le Domaine de Glandève is north of Mount Gourdan, 2km to the east of the village of Entrevaux , built on the edge on a dramatic cliff hundreds of meters above the expansive var valley below.

As a wedding venue

Domaine de Glandève as a wedding venue has a capacity of 150 people and can sleep 23 people.

Wedding at Chateau Cremat, Nice, France

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 11:41:17 GMT

Wedding ceremony on the roof terrace of wedding venue Chateau Cremat

The History of Chateau Cremat

This international wedding at Chateau Cremat in Nice brought together people from all corners of the globe at a beautiful ceremony atop a roof terrace with spectacular views over mountains and sea. Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Nice, France, Chateau Crémat stands as a timeless testament to the rich history and viticultural heritage of the region. This historic chateau, perched on the hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, has a story that dates back centuries.

The origins of Chateau Crémat can be traced to the 18th century when the estate was established by the noble Cremat family. The chateau itself, with its Italian and Moorish-influenced architecture (officially described as Neo-Tuscan, with Niçoises colours), exudes elegance and charm, reflecting the opulence of its early owners. The Cremat family played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the estate, cultivating vineyards and producing wines that would soon gain recognition for their quality.

Over the years, Chateau Crémat became a gathering place for the cultural and intellectual elite of the time. The estate hosted lavish parties, attracting artists, writers, and musicians who were drawn to the enchanting ambiance of the chateau. Legends abound about famous guests, including the iconic artist Henri Matisse and the celebrated writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, who found inspiration in the idyllic surroundings of Chateau Crémat.

The Chateau as a modern day wedding venue

In recent decades, Chateau Crémat has experienced a renaissance, with a renewed focus on producing exceptional wines and hosting beautiful events such as weddings. The chateau as several beautiful roof terraces available for outdoor ceremonies. These terraces offer beautiful views over of alpine mountains and the near-by Mediterranean sea. In addition to these, there are also large indoor spaces perfect for indoor ceremonies in the unlikely event the south-of-France weather lets you down. Being a chateau, there are plenty of spaces, both outdoors and in, for dining and dancing, as well as beautifully manicured gardens guests will love exploring and relaxing in.

Chateau Cremat is just a short, ten-minute drive from both Nice airport and the center of Nice, meaning guests can will have no problem finding accommodation and everything else they could possibly need for a destination wedding.

Note: If you’re considering a wedding a Chateau Cremat and you’re not used to the heat, it’s advised to avoid having an outdoor ceremony until evening time or else yourselves, and your guests, will likely find yourselves over-heating in the mid-day Mediterranean sun. The wedding ceremony on this page took place in October, when the sun was bright, but not dangerously hot as is it is during summer.

Image Gallery

Additional photography by Laura Mary Rose Photography .

Family Fall Photos on the French Riviera

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:54:16 GMT

Stunning Family Photography Session in Nice Old Town

Capturing the fleeting moments of childhood through the lens of a camera is like bottling stardust. Family photography, especially when focused on young children, can have a unique magic that freezes time and preserves the whims and spontaneity of our little ones.

This family photography session, which were taken on vacation in Nice, is among the favourites I've done, full of spontaneous laughter, curious glances, and the tiny hands reaching for the world. The setting was a quiet spot in Nice old town, which with its beautiful streets and reliably easy-to-work-with light, is a wonderful place for photos anytime of year.

Often when photographing young children, the magic is in the candidness, which is why I generally devote less time to traditional formal family poses, and more to spontaneity, where people are free to laugh, smile, and interact. Children's unfiltered expressions and unbridled enthusiasm create frames filled with genuine emotion. It's less about staged poses but about capturing the authenticity of their curiosity, wonder, and sense of fun.

The Problem of Being a Parent and a Photographer

As I parent myself (especially often the one with the camera), I know how frustrating it gets having lots of beautiful images, but hardly any of me. In the digital age where there are so many photos, this is amplified, which is why it's so important for parents to put their own cameras and devices down and allow someone else to take over. It's almost impossible to be in the moment with your child while trying to compose and operate a camera - despite years of practice.

The best family photos are less about where we are and what we were doing as much as the relationships that the images capture. As a photographer I tend to focus less on technical aspects of photography and more on humanistic features - of facial expressions, the nuances of body language, and capturing atmospheres which resonate intuitively.

Why I Love Family Photography

Many of my most favourite memories involve my daughters - of having two amazing friends with whom I laugh, talk, and share so many aspects of my life and who I am. It's hard work bringing up children, but I only have to look through old (or not so old) photos to realise how quickly time passes and how fleeting their features and personalities are at any one moment in time. Their character might not fundamentally change, but their habits, humour, and relationships with grown ups do - which is why photographs can be so magic and nostalgic.

In essence, family photography, especially when focused on the magic of young children, is an art form that celebrates the beauty of the ordinary, the extraordinariness of the everyday. It's a reminder that amidst the chaos of life, there is true joy in the simplicity of shared moments and the love of our families.

The Best Location for a proposal on the French Riviera?

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 16:10:27 GMT

The Perfect Place for a Proposal with Sun, Sea, and a Spectacular View

A certain spit of rocks in Menton offers one of the most magnificent backdrops of the French Riviera making it the ideal place for a surprise proposal.

As you walk along it out to sea, the spectacular view of the colourful old town forms behind you while you’re not looking – so when you turn around to see behind you it’s suddenly, magically appeared from nowhere, much like a proposal itself. I was lucky enough to be invited to capture this spectacular surprise proposal earlier this summer, which had been six months in the making. Although I was known by him, she had no idea what awaited her – or that the whole scene was being photographed from the perfect angle thanks to some savvy organisation between me and her future husband.

One advantage of proposing here rather than, say Le jardin exotique d’Eze (Eze’s Exotic Gardens), is you don’t need formal permission to photograph here, and so the whole thing can be easily planned, more flexible, and more spontaneous. Another is that unlike Nice's Castle Hill , there are no crowds to get in the way.

Other Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

Examples from Menton's Vue Panoramique:

With the backdrop, the sea breeze, the lapping of the waves and the gasps and applause of on-lookers, this was a truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime moment. I can only imagine what it must have been like for the bride-to-be: one minute she was walking out to sea and traversing rocks, the next, she found herself before a timeless, fairy-tale backdrop and the love of her life was proposing.New Paragraph

Where Is The View Of Menton And How To Get There:

Labelled as the ‘Vue Panoramique de Menton’ on Google Maps , the spit of rocks is found at the end of Quai Impératrice Eugenie, next to the Vieux Port de Menton (the old port of Menton). It’s about a 15 or 20 minute walk from Menton’s SNCF train station, which means the town can be easily accessed from Nice, Antibes, Monaco, and most other places on the French Riviera.

Practical Advice For Travelling To Mento n

If you’re visiting Menton, you’ll likely be visiting the old town, the Basilique Saint Michel Archange de Menton, which can be seen in the background of the image, and the famous yellow steps (which provide another picture opportunity. If you look at the images from this proposal, it’s the basilique that dominates the skyline, which gives you an ideal of scale. After the proposal you can unwind in a beautiful café in the old town, or take a walk along the coast and marvel at the beauty of Cote D’Azur.

Organising A Proposal Photographer

Logistically, getting yourself, your partner, and the photographer all in the right place and facing the right directions at the right time will take some planning and coordination, but the resulting images will be worth it. With this sequence we had organised various subtle cues, which, when combined with WhatsApp, made it possible. If you’d like to discuss your proposal on the French Riviera, please get in touch and I’ll see how I can help.

About me

I’m a British wedding and family photographer based on the French Riviera. I live in Nice with my family of four. You can check out my latest work on my blog – and I’m always happy to advise travellers on the best photo locations for magical couple shoots and romantic photography collections. I speak English and French and am always pleased to help.

Wedding in Mougins and Grasse on the French Cote d'Azure

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:20:09 GMT

The ideal rustic countryside wedding in the South of France

Beautiful light and ideal photography conditions in the South of France

This traditional French wedding featured an amazing French country house - Domaine de Tabourg - and a religious ceremony in the beautiful village of Mougins at Saint Jacques le Majeur church. This wedding had what the French call a 'champetre' theme, which translates as a wedding with a rustic, country-side vibe, which can be seen in the colour scheme and the amazing table decoration, which can be seen in this gallery.

The light for the wedding preparation shots at the domaine was sublime, with beautiful light pouring into the country house's windows and a room full of good vibes as the bridal party popped champaign and listened to a wedding day playlist as they got ready. The couple had a religious wedding ceremony in the beautiful village of Mougins, followed by a romantic couple shoot in the Mougins' stunning medieval village streets.

Wedding photography in Mougins

After Mougins the wedding returned to the Domaine de Tabourg where there was a sunset couple shoot to take advantage of the beautiful light and countryside of the French riviera. The meal took place under a beautiful lime tree on tables adorned with beautiful decor of dried flowers, candles, and home-made decorations. This table set-up in evening light made for some beautiful images with complimentary browns, oranges, and pink combining perfectly. As night fell, hanging fairy lights that were draped in the lime tree were turned on and lent some warm, soft light to boost the candle-light.

A tunnel of wedding sparklers at night time

A the couple's request this beautiful image was taken using an aisle of sparklers and led to a great image sequence of beautifully-lit imagery. Recreating this sparkler tunnel is an amazing, easy addition to the wedding photography album and was simple but great fun to set up.

About me

I am a British wedding photographer based in Nice who works in the Côte d'Azur, Var and Provence. I speak English and French and live with my wife and two children in central Nice. If you like my work and would like to discuss wedding photography or a photo shoot, please get in touch. You can find my French website at https://peterhortonphoto.com

Selected Wedding Photography Gallery

Couple Photos in the old town of Nice, France

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:07:38 GMT

Romantic photoshoot by British couple Photographer in Nice Peter Horton

This amazing couple photoshoot features a newly engaged couple from the UK whom I had enormous fun photographing (and then subsequently drinking with, and then going to the casino with in the early hours of the morning – but usually that doesn’t happen). Now that I know Nice’s old town well I’ve come to really enjoy creating these beautiful image collections. There’s some beautiful secluded spots (empty even in high season) perfect for romantic couple photoshoots. There’s also a huge spectrum of beautiful lighting conditions (even when it’s cloudy), plenty of shade, points of interest, and places to retreat into if it’s too hot.

A photo session in Nice's old town - la vieille ville - on the French Riviera

It’s southern European style is a mixture of Italian and French styles and the buildings are adorned with rich ocras, deep mustard yellows, and rustic, creamy beiges. The beautiful, rustic buildings bounce the warm light around its narrow streets and compliments the melange of skin tones, plants, and méditerranéen summer dresses on the streets below. With it’s vibrant, breezy ambiance and its sense of being a detached oasis of relief with a bustling city, it’s the perfect place for a romantic stroll where it’s easy to loose oneself – both metaphorically and literally.

Off the beaten paths there are some beautifully secluded roads adorned with plants that are diligently cultivated by the locals and that are lined, up-high, with lines of laundered clothes that catch the wind as they dry. Just when you think you’re reaching the end of road you can turn a corner and discover an unexpected square or undiscovered street that pulls you in to explore and compels you to once again activate your camera-phone.

Interested in your own romantic photoshoot in Nice?

Photoshoots like this are very quick and easy to set-up, can last for between 30 minutes and an hour, and each time I strive to create ‘forever images’ – photographs of people they’ll love printing, framing, and decorating their home with when they return. The photo sessions themselves are very easy-going, I never rush or clock-watch (or charge extra if getting the right results take a little longer). I advise people on the best time, the best places, and the best colours and clothes to wear. People often have ideas they like on their smart-phone and I’m happy to recreate them.

Finally, if in the unlikely event the weather doesn’t work out, I’ll be as flexible and accommodating as a can in moving times and reservations at no extra expense. A photoshoot usually yields between 30 and 80 images, professionally edited in my style, and delivered via a download link usually within 10 days.

Reservation and Booking

I’m as accommodating as I can be with bookings, but bear in mind I often have weddings during weekends. Therefore the ideal time for a photoshoot is therefore usually on a weekday – and especially during the early morning or evening when it’s a little cooler. There’s no deposit, and the best way to inquire is to simply drop me an email with your preferred dates and I’ll send you pricing information and let you know of my availability. Typically a photoshoot costs 200 Euros, and payment can be made in cash, via bank transfer, or via PayPal.

Wedding photography from Le Foulon, Gréolières 06620

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:24:32 GMT

Le Foulon, a wedding venue in the South of France

This June's wedding took place at Le Foulon , a beautiful, large country house with 13 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. It's located about a 30-45 minute drive from Nice airport, in the French commune of Gréolières.

Although near to Nice and the Côte d'Azur, Le Foulon is flanked by the spectacular mountainous countryside of the Alps, and when you're there you really do feel like you're isolated in the beautiful French countryside. For this English wedding, most of the guests came from Kent in the UK, while the bride and groom, who live in France, had no trouble finding excellent local suppliers for flowers, hair and make-up for the guests.

AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR WEDDING PHOTOS

The outdoor space at Le Foulon is perfect for a wedding ceremony, as it is partially shaded by trees and positioned so that the sun is not in the way. For the evening shoot, we used a nearby field to take advantage of the sun's directional light before it dipped below the towering cliffs of the Alps that line the site in the distance.

THE SERVICE PROVIDERS

These providers are all local suppliers.

Photography: Peter Horton

Hairdresser: Dex (a highly recommended Hungarian hair designer who speaks perfect English)

Hair and make-up: Edith Obester

Catering: by Nick at Le Foulon (Nick manages Le Foulon and is from the UK)

Flowers: Sachi Flowers (a Cannes-based florist who also speaks perfect English)

Wedding at Domaine les Gaillardoux, Roubert, 46230

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:52:02 GMT

Wedding photography at Domaine les Gaillardoux, Roubert, 46230 Montdoumerc, France

Domaine les Gaillardoux as a wedding venue

Nestled in the picturesque hills of south-west France, this exceptional estate offers a magical and romantic setting to host the perfect French wedding.

Situated close to the charming French village of Montdoumerc, Domaine Les Gaillardoux is a real hidden treasure, offering natural privacy and a peaceful ambience. Surrounded by vast expanses of greenery, lush gardens and serene ponds, this enchanting venue is ideal for couples looking for a unique and memorable wedding experience. In all, Domaine les Gaillardoux can accommodate 17 people. A third neighbouring gîte - sited on the other side of the access road - can accommodate 6 people. (Additional sleeping accommodation can be provided by partner hotels located 1 and 5 km away. 18 for the first and 70 for the second.)

As a wedding venue, Domaine Les Gaillardoux offers a range of beautiful spaces to host your ceremony and reception. From romantic gardens to elegant indoor rooms, each area is carefully designed to create a warm and enchanting atmosphere. Let yourself be seduced by the rustic charm and timeless elegance of the estate, which lends itself perfectly to intimate or sumptuous weddings. Whether you're dreaming of an outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature or an elegant reception in a refined function room, Domaine Les Gaillardoux will meet all your aspirations.

Service Providers:

Apart from myself, these service providers are local French suppliers who I'm sure would be delighted to work with international clientèle.

Hair: Christelle Vinel

Make up: Flo S

Photography: Peter Horton assisted by Laura Mary Rose

Wedding at Domaine de Franco in Provence

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:21:41 GMT

A beautiful French wedding in the heart of Provence

An outdoor, summer wedding in the olive grove of the Domaine de Franco in Provence, this wedding photo album features a magnificent ceremony, stunning sunset photos and the longest, most magical wedding table in the world...

Monaco wedding ceremony followed by apéritifs in Port Hercule

Tue, 30 May 2023 17:19:04 GMT

Monaco wedding ceremony followed by apéritifs in Port Hercule

There’s an expression in France which is uncharacteristically optimistic for the French: mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux, which translates that a rainy wedding will mean a happy marriage.

I’m sure it applies to this wedding at the Mairie de Monaco where not even the clouds or damp weather could take the shine off what was a beautiful ceremony in the elegant surroundings of the Mairie de Monaco. Afterwards there was a photoshoot in the nearby Jardins Saint Martin, which thanks to the weather, was empty.

The location, just a minute’s walk from the Mairie, allowed for some beautiful couple photographs against the backdrop of some beautiful foliage. With the sun diffused by the clouds, the light was beautifully white and even. Photographing with a 35mm prime allowed for some beautiful focus fall-off along the pathway that ran parallel with coast.

The plaza of the Mairie is befitting of the principality, with lots of beautiful, natural light pouring in from the giant windows and dispersed by the white marble floor. The ceremony room itself is the most beautiful civil marriage room I’ve seen, adorned with ornate, carved wood with gold-leaf embellishments, portraits, and a spectacular ornate ceiling.

The gardens of Saint Martin, which sit atop of the cliffs between the Oceanographic Museum and Port Fontvieille, are immaculately kept and is home to some amazing sculptures and artwork. I would have loved to have spent longer photographing here, but unfortunately the weather was complicating things.

After the moving ceremony and brief but amazing photoshoot, the wedding party moved onto a nearby yacht in Port Hercule for post-ceremony apéritifs. Photographing in such beautiful surroundings was a delight and made even easier by the amazing atmosphere and the warm spirits and sense of humour of everyone present.

Une séance photo de couple romantique dans la vieille ville de Nice

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:40:17 GMT

Une séance de photos romantique à Nice Old Town

Une séance de photographie de fiançailles qui s'est déroulée dans la magnifique vieille ville de Nice. Les séances de photos comme celle-ci sont le début parfait d'une soirée romantique et sont tellement amusantes à réaliser pendant que nous cherchons la meilleure lumière. Les photos ont toujours un rendu magnifique lorsque la lumière du soir frappe les bâtiments.

Une séance de famille à Cannes

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:31:33 GMT

A Family Photography Session in Cannes, 2023

Being a parent - as any parent will tell you - can be incredibly hard work. But what's even harder is having to watch your kids change from cute, adorable young children into young adults. Thankfully we live in an age of photography, when those beautiful moments that show off their love, joy, and humour can be captured.

One of the amazing things I think photography can do is not only capture us as people, but also our relationships - and that's what I aspire to do every time I pick the camera up (whether I'm photographing a family, a couple, or a wedding). If there's one thing that you can apply to every area in your life, it's that the most important things to our daily lives are our relationships.

This family was photographed in Cannes on/around Porte Pierre Canto, next to Square de Verdun. The photography session, being in the middle of the afternoon, was technically difficult; with very harsh light and lots of people walking in the vicinity. The light, as harsh as it was, does lend itself well to an amazing black and white treatment I use that render the high-contrast light and shadows in a very forgiving way.

A month or so after taking these images I revisited them today and think they render wonderfully - both aesthetically and the sentiment, they're glowing with radiance and joy. Anyway, the bottom-line, speaking as a father of two - grab your phone and photograph them while you can; before the little children your used to disappear into little adults...

Mairie de Nice et une séance de couple à la promenade des anglais

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:07:43 GMT

Mairie de Nice et une séance de couple à la promenade des anglais

Pour ce mariage spécial, la jeune fille de la mariée a vécu un moment qu'elle n'oubliera jamais lorsqu'elle a été promue au rôle de maire pour la cérémonie. C'était un moment magique et le regard sur son visage était "priceless" comme on dit en anglais. Après la cérémonie, nous nous sommes rendus sur la promenade des Anglais, où la douce lumière de décembre éclairait l'heureux couple. Les images étaient, comme demandé, plutôt élégantes et modestes.

A Winter Wedding in Menton, South of France

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 20:12:41 GMT

A Winter Wedding in the Cote d'Azur

This was my first winter wedding since arriving in France and it was a joy to use the watery December sunlight for this sentimental, family-orientated wedding.

After a ceremony at Menton salle de mariages we headed to the seafront and then Menton's Bastion for a quick photoshoot, briefly stopping at a fairground ride en route. Although the sun was hidden behind clouds for much of the day, the colour palette of the French Riviera still looks beautiful, even in the cold, dry air of December.

I would definitely consider having a festive wedding in the south of France, the temperature is cold, but far easier to deal with than the extremes of August, and - it being the French Riviera - you stand a good chance of having dry weather and beautifully white wintery light for your photographs.

C'était mon premier mariage d'hiver depuis mon arrivée en France et c'était une joie d'utiliser la lumière du soleil de décembre pour ce mariage sentimental et familial.

Après une cérémonie à la salle de mariages de Menton, nous nous sommes dirigés vers le front de mer, puis vers le Bastion de Menton pour une rapide séance de photos, en nous arrêtant brièvement à un manège en cours de route. Bien que le soleil ait été caché derrière des nuages pendant une grande partie de la journée, la palette de couleurs de la Côte d'Azur est toujours aussi belle, même dans l'air froid et sec de décembre.

J'envisagerais certainement d'organiser un mariage festif dans le sud de la France, la température est froide, mais beaucoup plus facile à supporter que les extrêmes du mois d'août, et - étant donné que c'est la Côte d'Azur - vous avez de bonnes chances d'avoir un temps sec et une lumière hivernale magnifiquement blanche pour vos photos.

Beautiful Destination Wedding at Eze, France

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:01:07 GMT

A wedding ceremony at the Jardin exotique d'Èze on the French Riviera

We were very lucky to take these images during some incredibly hazy autumn light at Eze's stunning exotic garden. Eze is a medieval hilltop town perched 430 meters above the sea, which itself is only 500 meters or so away. Cars cannot get anywhere near the centre of the medieval village, and so to get there you'll have to ditch anything mechanical and travel up by foot - but it's worth it, not only for the views but also its charming cobbled streets which are as immaculate and immersive as a sprawling film set.

If you're thinking of having a wedding ceremony at Eze, you can hire the Hôtel Château de La Chèvre d’Or or Château Eza - both of which mean you get access to amazing terraces perfect for wedding ceremonies and modest celebrations and which overlook the bay (well, several bays, actually - I could see well beyond Cannes to the west). Weddings at La Chèvre d’Or are beautiful, but if I was just photographing a happy couple and nothing else, I'd probably prefer to take the photos at the exotic gardens (as shown on this page), as there is more variety for photography, even if the session will be interrupted by tourists.

If you do want to use the village and i t's exotic gardens for a photoshoot, be sure to bring flat shoes for the climb, bring water and a fan, and leave plenty of time for the photoshoot, as even at this time of year (November) it was very busy and you'll likely have to share some photographic locations with tourists. This selection of images, taken over the course of one hour, were taken before and after a brief, intimate destination wedding ceremony in the back streets of Eze.

A Wedding at the Hotel Westminster in Nice, France

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 16:12:17 GMT

A Wedding Ceremony at the Hotel Westminster in Nice

Anyone who's walked along the promenade in Nice would have walked past the Hotel Westminster, an imposing 100-room hotel built in the 1860's and named with the permission of the Duke of Westminster himself.

Inside are rooms adorned with fresco paintings and exquisite wood-carved décor, the calm ambience of which contrast markedly with the bustling promenade outside. It's the perfect setting for wedding ceremonies and this particular ceremony at benefited from a fabulous string quartet, amazing flowers, and three particularly beautiful rooms, one each for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner.

Elopement on the French Riviera

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 13:52:39 GMT

Elopement et séance de couple à Cap d'Ail

Cap d'Ail is a tiny, but beautiful place that's perfect for elopements and small, private wedding ceremonies (no more than five people) on the French Riviera. It lies just to the west of Monaco, and is about a 20 or 30 minute drive from Nice. This was the first time I'd photographed there and I didn't realise how perfect it is for sunsets, with stunning panoramas of the riviera coast line and ocean. I'll definitely be recommending it as a photo location for couples in the future and can't wait to go back.

Séance de Couple à Nice

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:22:57 GMT

Une séance de couple à Villeneuve Loubet, une petite ville entre Nice et Antibes.

Mariage á Domaine de Mauprié, Lusignan

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:03:39 GMT

This very international wedding between childhood sweethearts took place at Domaine de Mauprié and united school friends and family from across the globe: from Trinidad to Sydney and everywhere in between. I love photographing weddings where the main focus of the bride and groom is just having a good time, being in the moment, and enjoying their day and this was the perfect example.

Wedding venue: Domaine de Mauprié

Wedding Organiser: Sarah Ball with Marry Me in France

Flourist: Angie at Les fleurs coupées

Hair: Deborah Willes

Caterer: Amy at Chez Amis

Wedding Photographer: Peter Horton

Selected Highlights

Wedding at Château de St Paul, Boudy de Beauregard

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 10:45:32 GMT

Château de St Paul Wedding

Wedding venue: Château de St Paul review

Caterer: The Hog King

Registrar: Roland Phillips

Wedding Organiser: Leajane Moreton

Wedding Photographer: Peter Horton (12 hours’ photographic coverage, around 385 images delivered)

This beautiful wedding was photographed on Europe’s hottest ever day (so far) at Château de St Paul, which provided the perfect backdrop despite the blazing hot sunshine and difficult lighting conditions. One thing that astonishes me about France is discovering venues like Château de St Paul, which was once likely a stop-off point for pilgrims traveling across Europe 700 years ago. There is so much history, tradition, and mystery to discover in rural France, of which this fascinating venue is but a drop in the ocean.

The château is a spellbinding 12th Century castle converted into a beautiful wedding venue about an hour and a half drive east from Bordeaux (47290, Boudy de Beauregard). It accommodates 25 guests in 10 large, luxury, en-suite bedrooms, has its own bonafide 13th Century chapel literally a stone’s throw from the rest of the château’s buildings. With its spacious courtyards, shaded lawn, swimming pool, and Roman-villa-esc layout it’s perfect for the entire wedding day.

The caterers were The Hog King, a family-owned business of native English and French speakers based just south of Limoges who provided a spectacular hog roast and also some beautifully presented canapés, salads, side-dishes, and a delicious vegetarian chilli. These guys were super-professional and the catering operation was on time and very smooth.

The Registrar was Roland Phil lips, an English registrar who brought much warmth and humour to the ceremony as he recanted tails of the couple’s history, their background, incorporating anecdotes from their friends and loved ones before a hand-tying ceremony.

Beautiful Family Photos on the French Riviera

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 12:01:03 GMT

This super-cute family photoshoot took place in the early evening in a lightly-wooded area around Cannes. It took about an hour and a half and during family photography sessions like this I work around the mood and whims of the children, who mostly drift in and out of proceedings as and when they feel like it. This way, everyone gets to relax, work at their own pace, and no one gets overburdened or pressured by my photography direction if they're not in the mood.

I don't often pose for static images, but do direct people towards simple, intuitive activities that create interaction, smiles, and laughter. The best locations for a family photoshoot like this are natural open areas where it's safe for young children to roam (parents can then relax), with good exposure to westerly evening sunlight.

Mariage au Château de Meouilles

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 12:32:11 GMT

Mariage à Château de Meouilles, près de Saint-Andre-les-Alpes et lac de Castillon, Hautes-Alpes, Provence, June 2022

Hours photographed: 10:00 - 00:00

Total Images delivered: around 488 (around 2,800 taken)

Images taken per hour delivered: 34 (images taken per hour total: 186.6)

This was a stunning wedding held at Chateau de Meouilles, a spacious holiday villa in Saint André les Alpes, which is approximately two hours’ drive north-west from Nice (06000). The chateau is beautifully set in the Alpes of Haute-Provence of the Parc national de Marcantour (04179) and in proximity of the venue (less than 1km) is a lake (lac de Castillon) and the rural village of the Saint-André-les-Alpes, where the couples’ religious ceremony took place. This spot, surrounded by beautiful alpine rolling hills, is sublime and – combined with the sunset and a chapel on site, led to some spectacular imagery.

The couple: Tiphaine and Matteo are a very friendly couple and it was a pleasure to photograph them and their loved ones. I’m so happy the images turned out the way they did and part of that was down to them letting me choose the time and location for the evening shoot. The overall vibe was always fun, informal, relaxed, and there was never any stress – just one great moment after another.

The Venue: Chateau de Meouilles, a luxury wedding venue which sleeps 18, set in unbelievably beautiful, mountainous countryside. All rooms have been lovingly restored and have features such as silk curtains, hand-crafted furniture, and marble baths. It has a heated swimming pool and its grounds feature terraces that offer stunning panoramic views of the mountain location. The interior features a stunning staircase that ascends above the indoor courtyard entrance space. It’s hard to describe in words, but this is a beautiful building and the images I had seen online before did not do it justice.

The Dress: Was from Accord Parfait ....My knowledge of wedding dresses is limited, but it was designed and made by Ukrainian designer Iryna Kotapska. It was custom fit and what can I can I say? It was beautiful and led to some spellbinding imagery.

The lighting, music, and sound was provided by DfactoryEvents which is based in the Cannes area and did an amazing job of lighting and music. They had a special lighting set-up planned to match the mood of the first dance. I don’t know too much about event lighting but set-up and stands were non-obtrusive, the lighting itself was perfect for the space, energy, and mood, and there was smoke machines and two pyrotechnic machines that threw out giant sparks during the first dance. These guys were super professional, super friendly, and even lent me an extension cable so I could recharge my car.

The videographer was Fred (@Fred_gnl on Instagram) who is based in Avignon and was super cool, and super easy to work with. We had never met before but if you’re having both a photographer and videographer, get someone like Fred on video because it makes a huge difference having someone friendly, considerate, and helpful. When the photographer and videographer can cooperate and help each other out like that even though they are strangers it makes the results so much better, and Fred was great to work with.

The caterer was GB Traiteur from nearby Andre les Alpes who put on a fabulous spread and provided the show-stopping cake complete with sparkles and statuette.

Engagement Couple Photoshoot in Antibes

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:45:29 GMT

An engagement photo session in Antibes on the plage á Juan-les-Pins. I had a fantastic couple to work with who brought all the vibes and energy the a photographer needs, not to mention some champagne. It was a perfect evening on the beach in the hazy evening warmth of the French Riviera.

With its sandy beach and rolling hills in the distance, Antibes' beach at Juan les Pins is a perfect location for a couple photoshoot, although it can get rather busy.

How to Get Married in France, a Legal Guide

pete.horton@live.com (Pete Horton) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 21:19:21 GMT

If you’re a British or American couple and you’re dreaming of an idealistic rustic wedding in rural France, then let this guide save you hours of research and time. This guide covers legal and religious aspects for non-French residents and citizens and the best way to navigate the complexities of wedding in this beautiful country.

Firstly, any civil ceremony you have (whether in France or your home country) has to take place before any religious or symbolic ceremony in France – this is a strict rule that’s enforced for everyone.

Now, let’s assume you don’t have French nationality or residency – then straight off the bat – let me just save you loads of time and recommend you legally wed in your home country with a civil partnership, then have your spiritual or symbolic ceremony or celebration in France. This is the least stressful, cheapest, easiest, fastest way to proceed. Organising a wedding is difficult enough without complications adding unnecessary pressure – and that’s exactly what the French bureaucratic system will do.

The alternative to this, if you’re not a French resident or a French national, is triggering an expensive avalanche of bureaucracy, where you’ll have to jump through all sorts of hoops – sign, translate, organise, submit, and wade through layers and layers of impossible-to-translate legal documentation. You’ll need to hire professional, formally-approved (therefore, based in France) translators to produced legally-recognised documents like birth certificates – which isn’t a cheap process. Original documents will need to be sent to France to be translated and authenticated with an Apostille stamp.

If you want to legally wed in France and you’re not a resident, then you’re only option is prove a “long lasting bond” with the town where the legal ceremony will take place. This can be met if one of the couple or their parents owns or rents a house in France long-term. This way, you may be fortunate enough to find yourself in the same legal territory as someone who is a resident in France. You will still have to pay for your (for example) original British or American documents (such as birth certificates) to be submitted to and translated by French officials, but theoretically, a marriage is possible. Whether it is or not depends on the town hall you'll need to apply to. So, if one of you is a French resident or can prove a "long lasting bond", your first step will be to submit a civil ceremony application to his or her local town hall. This is likely to trigger a bureaucratic avalanche of paperwork – and every town hall may have its own requirements, making catch-all legal articles like this one difficult to write as detailed advice cannot be generalised. But, at least you will have a better idea of what may and may not be possible, assuming your French is good enough to understand the feedback you get from the town hall.

So, you’re a non-French resident, a non-French national, and you’ve now decided to have your legal civil ceremony in your home country – because you don’t have a choice. The good news is you can, once legally married elsewhere, have a religious ceremony in either a Protestant or Catholic church in France. If you want a priest of your own choosing to host the ceremony, you may just be able to pull it off. That is, if the French church of your choosing accepts your request; which can sometimes be made possible with a small hiring-fee to the church.

To summarise this advice, I would say the best way forward is usually to simplify things as much as possible: usually the best thing to do for British or American couples is have a civil ceremony in their own country, in secret, if necessary, then proceed to have a religious and/or symbolic ceremony in France. Either way, don't let the potential bureaucracy or other complications put you off pursuing your dream wedding in France. In my experience, French weddings are every bit as beautiful as their organisers dared dream.

Photography Blog

Proposal at the Chevre d'Or Hotel in Eze Village

A Golden Hour Proposal at the Chevre d'Or's Temple of Love

Proposing at the Temple of Love at the Chevre d'Or

Pricing and Booking

Engagement Photography Gallery from the Chevre d'Or Hotel's Temple of Love

Proposal and Photoshoot Location on the French Riviera: Menton

One of my favorite, most photogenic locations...

Advantages of a Photoshoot in Menton

Disadvantages of a Photoshoot in Menton

About Me

Un mariage au Château Font du Broc, Provence

Le lieu idéal pour un mariage provençal

Une cérémonie de mariage en intérieur/extérieur

Photos du couple le jour du mariage au Château Font du Broc

Château Font du Broc Capacité et caractéristiques ﻿

Galerie photos des préparatifs et de la cérémonie

À propos de moi

Un mariage à Nice et au Domaine de Riodam, 06390 Contes

Le Domaine de Riodam comme lieu de mariage

L'église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur et séance photo à Nice

À propos de moi

Sélection de moments forts

Photographie de mariage à Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Un mariage de conte de fées à l'église Collégiale et Le Mas Baïeta

Une cérémonie civile à l'Hôtel de ville de Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Une cérémonie religieuse à l'Église Collégiale de Saint Paul

Leiu de Mariage Cote d'Azur, Le Mas Baïeta (ex Bastide aux Oliviers)

Sélection de moments forts

Mediterranean Destination Wedding in the South of France

The Tiara Miramar Beach Resort on the French Riviera

An outdoor ceremony and reception in front of the sea

An outdoor ceremony and reception in front of the sea

The right time of year for a destination wedding in the South of France

French Riviera Vs South West of France for a Destination Wedding

Organizing a Destination Wedding in France

Wedding Image Gallery

A South of France Elopement with a Spectacular View

an elopement with two amazing locations

Thinking about Eloping in Eze or St Paul de Vence?

An elopement ceremony at Fort de la Rivere

Proposal location with a view on the French Riviera

Autumn Colours and amazing views during the tourist off-season

One of my Favourite Proposal Locations on the Riviera

Fort de la Revère as a Proposal Location

Organising a Surprise Proposal on the French Riviera

About Me

The best Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

A Wedding at the Chevre d'Or Hotel in Eze

One of the most exclusive wedding

venues in the world

Wedding Ceremonies at the Chevre d’Or Hotel

Wedding Photography at the Chevre d’Or

Selected Wedding Gallery

A Photoshoot in the Hotel's Grounds and Eze village

About Me

A Wedding at Kelmarsh Hall, England

One of the finest, most authentic wedding venues I've visited

A brief history of Kelmarsh Hall

Kelmarsh Hall as a Wedding venue

The Wedding

Kelmarsh hall wedding gallery

The Chevre d'Or Proposal Location in Eze Village

The perfect place for a French Riviera proposal with a view?

Pricing and Booking

Getting to Eze from Nice and Elsewhere

More about Eze village

The Best Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

Mariage d'été au Domaine des Courmettes

Le Domaine des Courmettes, un lieu de mariage aux particularités uniques

Mes Premières impressions sur le lieu du mariage

La vue de la Côte d'Azur à 800 mètres d'altitude

Galerie de photos de mariage: Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance

of Cannes a Domaine des Courmettes

Maternity Photoshoot in the South of France

A natural, spontaneous, family photoshoot in the French Riviera

Organising a Maternity Photoshoot in Nice, Antibes, or Cannes

What to Wear on this type of photography shoot

Maternity photography poses

Maternity Photography Photo Gallery

Château Font du Broc Capacité et caractéristiques