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If the French Riviera is a catwalk of sun-drenched sophistication, then Lucia is the show-stopping beauty effortlessly stealing the spotlight. Tucked into the heart of Cannes along the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, this refined beach club made its grand debut in March 2024 — a fresh, charismatic sibling to the legendary Nikki Beach. While Lucia may present a quieter elegance, it radiates the same playful energy and glamorous flair that made its forerunner a global sensation.
The Nikki Beach story began with deep emotion and bold vision in 1998, when founder Jack Penrod opened the first location in Miami as a tribute to his late daughter Nicole. What started as a peaceful oceanfront memorial blossomed into a worldwide lifestyle brand that defined a new genre: the luxury beach club.
Fast-forward to today, and Nikki Beach Hospitality Group has become a staple in the world’s most fashionable coastal destinations, each location celebrating life through soulful music, elevated cuisine, and chic, laid-back vibes. Lucia is the next chapter — and what a chapter it is.
The Atmosphere: Riviera Chic with a Whisper of Soul
Arriving as Cannes began its slow shift into summer, the setting at Lucia was nothing short of cinematic. The sunlight filtered gently through tamarisk trees, while linen curtains danced at the entrance. Inside, the design was dreamy and understated — pale terracotta ceramics, soft travertine, raw linen cushions in warm earthy tones, and lazy rattan pendants gently swaying overhead.
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Music drifts through the air from the resident DJ, who curates a perfect auditory journey — soft Balearic house by morning, rising into golden-hour grooves that lift the energy without demanding attention. This isn’t performance. It’s ambiance, beautifully executed.
The Food: Elevated Indulgence, Plate by Plate
Dining at Lucia is a sensory experience. I started with the burrata géante à la truffe — creamy, rich, and delicately laced with the earthy scent of truffle, resting on crostini kissed with golden olive oil. It was followed by crispy Provençal chickpea fries, spiced just right and melting inside like clouds. Then came the sea bream crudo, as refined as it was refreshing: thin slices of pearly fish dressed with yuzu and radish, tasting like the ocean on a breezy day.
Mains were equally divine. The marinated lamb cutlets were flame-kissed, tender, and herbaceous, while the Chicken Caesar Milanese arrived artfully plated — juicy panko-crusted chicken topped with silky Caesar dressing and curls of Grana Padano. And don’t skip the truffle fries — they’re addictive, buttery, and packed with savory depth.
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The Drinks: Summer in a Glass
Cocktails at Lucia are as pretty as they are potent. My first — the Watermelon Sugar — blended rosé vodka, fresh watermelon juice, and lime in a sugared glass that shimmered in the sun. Later, the Amber Kiss brought bold notes of bourbon, apricot liqueur, and lavender smoke, served in a glass that looked like a bottled sunset.
Rosé, of course, flows freely — from light Whispering Angel in the morning to the more serious G de Galoupet as dusk falls. Each pour is perfectly timed to your mood, your meal, and the light of the day.
The Beach: Private Serenity on the Croisette
Lucia’s private beach is where true Riviera luxury meets absolute relaxation. Daybeds are draped in soft linen, with pillows that seem to fluff themselves. A chilled ice bucket sits beside you as the turquoise waves roll in. The staff, attentive yet invisible, anticipate your next move — another drink, a snack, a simple refill of water — always with grace.
As the sky melts into gold, the DJ’s playlist deepens, the sea glows, and you’re left with that rarest of luxuries: the ability to slow down.
What Lucia Really Offers
Lucia is more than just a beach club. It’s a feeling. It’s the sound of the sea behind a Balearic beat, the taste of truffle and rosé in the breeze, the sensation of time gently stretching. It’s where style meets soul, and where every detail is thoughtfully designed not to impress, but to immerse.
When I left — sun-kissed, cocktail-blissed, and a little reluctant — I carried not just a tan line but a mood: one that whispered of effortless elegance and long, lazy Mediterranean days.
In a Nutshell
Lucia Cannes is a masterclass in beachside luxury with heart. It combines laid-back charm with design-driven interiors, polished service, stunning cuisine, and standout cocktails — all wrapped in the Riviera’s timeless beauty.
It’s the place where aesthetics meet authenticity, where the vibe is as photogenic as the menu, and where the Mediterranean proves, yet again, that its most dazzling gems are often the most quietly spectacular.
Factbox
- Season: Beach club open April–October; lunch service year-round
- Daybed hire: €100–€200 per day (£85–£170), depending on season & location
- Address: 45 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
- Phone: +33 (0)4 93 94 43 33
- Website: luciacannes.com