The

The
New York
City actress rose to fame with the cult teen hit 10 Things I
Hate About You and has since enjoyed a career across theatre, film
and television. Julia recently spent seven months filming the new
Sky Atlantic drama Riviera, so who better to ask about spending a
summer weekend on the
glamorous French coast?

Where should we wake up?

Chateau de la Chèvre d’or is a gorgeous hotel
in Eze with sweeping views out across the ocean. It’s only open
during the summer season and definitely warrants a visit.

Is there a local dish we have to try?

Socca – a savoury pancake made from chickpea flour which
originated in
Genoa but is now a Nice staple. Absolutely delicious.

Where should we go for dinner with friends?

If it’s a special occasion, head to Jan down in the port. The
South
African chef, Jan Hendrik, just got his first Michelin star in
France. The food and presentation are obviously incredible, but the
best bit is Jan brings out the bread before baking it, then again
when it’s ready – you can’t get fresher than that.

What about for a wild night out?

Nightlife in Nice is fairly limited to be honest, but start at
Fred’s for cocktails. Just behind the port there’s also a great bar
called Le
Jam that has live bands and open mic nights and is packed with
locals most evenings.

And to
work out?

A run along the Promenade des Anglais is just perfect. If you’re
after something more structured there’s a good studio in Nice
called Future
Form which offers mostly pilates and barre classes.

What should we pack in our
SUITCASE?

Bikinisand sunglasses go without saying, but take a jumper too
as the temperature can drop in the evening. Keep your wardrobe
simple because Nice is really laid-back.

Let us in on the French Rivera’s best-kept secret.

La
Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence was a discovery for me
because, while people have heard of this historic little hotel, not
many know about the all amazing art inside. Artists used to pay for
their board with their work, so there is an Alexander Calder
sculpture by the pool and several Picasso paintings and sketches
throughout the hotel.

Which are some of your favourite places?

There are so many good restaurants and I tried to eat at as many
as possible! Beach-wise my favourite is Villefranche, while
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a medieval commune up in the hills which
makes for an ideal day trip if you fancy a break from
sunbathing.

Who are we likely to bump into?

Look out for Bono who has a house in Monaco.