On Engage!26 French Riviera night two, The Maybourne Riviera became the setting for an evening inspired by the region’s long-standing love affair with flowers. From mimosa-lined hillsides to the perfume ateliers of Grasse, from the lavender fields to the century-old flower festivals that still draw crowds every spring, blooms are coded into the DNA of this region. So it was only right that we celebrated that floral legacy (with an Engage! twist, of course.) One of the ambitions behind Engage!26 French Riviera was to use every corner of the property in a fresh way. This pergola dinner overlooking the sea proved exactly why. Miranda Priestly may not approve of florals for spring, but on the Côte d’Azur? Groundbreaking, actually.
Cocktails on the Lawn
The evening began on the lawns of The Maybourne Riviera, bathed in the last of the golden afternoon light. The lawn, the light, the sea… this setting was as good as it gets. Moët & Chandon flowed, along with two signature drinks that nodded subtly to the evening’s floral direction. The Palomino (tequila, amaro, grapefruit soda, orange blossom, and citrus salt) brought brightness and warmth, while the Fleurs Ever paired gin with Luxardo maraschino and violet liqueur for something softer and more perfumed.
The undisputed centerpiece was the escort card display, and it stopped guests in their tracks: a towering cake by Bastien Blanc Tailleur that took more than 300 hours to create. Inspired by Roni Floral Design’s gorgeous floral design inside the pergola, it was adorned with more than 15 species of orchids and seven types of exotic foliage, all sculpted from sugar. Escort cards were delicately arranged around the installation, each finished with its own tiny sugar orchid.
Décor & Details: A Garden in Full Bloom
As guests moved into the custom-built clear pergola for dinner, the guests found something closer to a fever dream of a French greenhouse than a traditional marquee. The floral team had constructed a layered canopy overhead. It was free-form, unexpected, almost surreal; a kind of contemporary hothouse suspended above the sea. Free-form arrangements spilled downward in rich greens, burgundy tones, soft pinks, and unexpected textures. Succulents, exotic stems, trailing foliage, and unusual blooms made it feel slightly wild – an enigmatic Riviera garden left to grow exactly as it pleased.
Tables layered natural linens with details from Maison Margaux‘s Provence luxury collection, including tortoiseshell cutlery, embroidered textiles, and burgundy-speckled glassware. Menus were placed inside dark red floral sleeves finished with blind embossing, adding another tactile layer.
Engage!26 French Riviera Night Two Food & Entertainment
The menu for the evening was as carefully composed as the space itself. It was rooted in the produce of the region, balancing refinement with seasonality. Entrées included langoustine tartare with lace tuile and caviar or grilled asparagus with lemon espuma for a brighter vegetarian option. The main course offered a poultry fillet with morels, wild garlic mashed potatoes, and a poulette sauce brightened with Menton lemon, alongside a pea risotto with tagetes for vegetarian guests. Dessert was a strawberry charlotte with vanilla ice cream that was landed perfectly.
Alongside the exquisite food was entertainment by Incognito Artists. Opera first, then familiar songs that had Engage!-ers up and singing along. The energy bloomed from the performers until no one was seated, and certainly no one particularly wanted the night to end.
The Dress Code: Fanciful Florals
As always, our attendees interpreted the dress code with the freedom and creativity of true fashionistas. In fact, they looked blooming wonderful! Guests embraced delicate botanical prints, embroidered florals, appliqué details, and soft textures in ways that felt elevated but on-theme. There were flowing silhouettes with painterly blossoms, tailored pieces accented with floral beadwork, and subtle nods to garden motifs woven through accessories and fabric choices. Together, the crowd became part of the design, as though the garden itself had come to life.
In fact, you could say that Engage!26 French Riviera night two cultivated something in the group. A sense of joy in community and shared experience. An ease with each other and our surroundings. And, of course, excitement for the adventures yet to come.
Head to the gallery to see more of this celebration in all its floral, fanciful glory.
