7 Day Itinerary for the French Riviera
- Apr 23, 2024
- 9 min read
The French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur, is a glamorous and picturesque stretch of the Mediterranean coastline in southeastern France. It is known for its glamorous cities, charming medieval villages, and sun-kissed beaches. The French Riviera also has a diverse landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque coastal villages. With a Mediterranean climate, it offers plenty of sunshine, making it an ideal destination year-round for those seeking a blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and luxurious indulgence. Join me on an adventure as I guide you through a 7-day itinerary of the French Riviera. From the opulent streets of Nice to the artistic allure of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, each day will be a new chapter in the story of this Mediterranean gem.
French Riviera Itinerary
Where to Stay
Day 1 & 2: Nice
Day 2: Medieval Villages of Eze & Saint Paul de Vence
Day 3: Menton
Day 4: Monte Carlo
Day 6 & 7: Cannes
Where to Stay
While visiting the French Riviera, I would recommend splitting your stay between the cities of Nice and Cannes. I would start your trip by staying 4 or 5 nights in the city of Nice, the unofficial capital of the region. Nice is the perfect home base to take day trips to Monaco, the coastal town of Menton, and the medieval villages of Eze and Saint Paul de Vence. The easiest way to get to Nice to is to fly directly into Nice Cote d'Azur Airport, which is a 10 minute drive from the downtown area. Another option is to fly into Paris, and take a 6 hour train south to Nice. After exploring Nice, I would recommend staying another 2-3 nights in Cannes to enjoy the sand beaches and luxurious town. Cannes is 30-40 minutes west of Nice, and the easiest way to travel between Cannes and Nice is by car or taxi.
Hotel Recommendations in French Riviera
Radisson Blu in Nice
Radisson Blu Hotel is the perfect accommodation in Nice. It is located directly on the coast on Promenade des Anglais, and many of the rooms have their own private balcony and a view of the Mediterranean. The resort has its own private beach with lounge chairs and a rooftop pool. It is easily accessible to the airport and downtown Nice. You can walk or ride a bike on the promenade to downtown. Make sure to take advantage of the cities free bike rental service for tourists - there are bike stations all over town!
Le Meridien in Nice
Another great option for accommodations in Nice is the Le Meridien, a Marriott resort. You can't go wrong with Le Meridien, the rooms are clean and comfortable, and the hotel is located in a very walkable location to the key attractions in Nice. The hotel has a rooftop deck with a beautiful view of the coastline, a restaurant and a swimming pool. You can enjoy drinks and dinner on the rooftop while you watch the sunset.
Carlton Cannes
The Carlton Hotel in Cannes is a historic luxury hotel that is famous for hosting movie stars during the cities annual film festival. The hotel is ideally located on La Croisette Blvd across from the main beach in Cannes. The Carlton has a beach club where you can lounge on the beach during the day or enjoy an incredible dinner in the evening. If you are visiting during high season then this hotel can get pricey, but you can get a reasonable nightly rate during off season.
Day 1 & 2: Nice
The city of Nice, the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department, has long been a magnet for travelers seeking a perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal allure. The city offers a perfect introduction to the Riviera's charm with azure waters, historic old town, and an undeniable air of sophistication. I recommend spending two days in Nice. On your first day, enjoy your time relaxing along the coast. One of the most famous things to do in Nice is the Promenade des Anglais, the city's iconic seafront boulevard along the Bay of Angels. You can walk or cycle along the picturesque waterfront promenade, or relax on the beach. The coastline in Nice has pebble beaches with large stones. This can make it a bit difficult to get in and out of the water, but also means the waters are a crystal clear blue.
On your second day, spend your time exploring the Old Town (Vieux Nice), a charming maze of narrow streets and colorful buildings. Here, you'll find lively markets, boutiques, and numerous cafes and restaurants. The main plaza is called Place Masséna, and features a beautiful checkerboard pattern of black and white marble surrounded by buildings with red facades. The famous Cours Saleya market is a must visit with a bustling atmosphere and local Niçois specialties. The market is a vibrant flower market in the morning and a diverse food market in the afternoon. On Mondays, it transforms into an antiques market.
There is scenic park near Old Town called the Castle Hill Park, or in French, "Parc de la Colline du Château." It is located on a prominent hill overlooking the Old Town and the Bay of Angels. There is no actual castle on the hill today, however, you can see the historical ruins. The park has a beautiful waterfall fountain and stunning panoramic views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea. To access the park you can climb the stairs, take the elevator, or use the winding footpath that leads to the top of the hill from Old Town.
Day 3: Eze & Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Nice makes the perfect home base for many day trips along the French Riviera. I recommend exploring a different piece of the coastline each day, staring with the medieval, hilltop villages of Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. You will need a car to get to these villages, which you should be able to easily book for the day in downtown. An alternative is taking an Taxi, which can get pricey due to the distance you will need to drive.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Start your morning by exploring Saint-Paul-de-Vence, an artistic haven with narrow cobblestone streets and stunning views. It is located about a 30-45 minute drive north-east from downtown Nice. You will need to drive up some winding and narrow roads to reach the hilltop village. Enjoy the scenic drive, and there will be multiple scenic viewpoints where you can stop to take in the scenery and views of the village above on the top of the hill. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a small, pedestrian only village with two main roads filled with local shops and art galleries. It has been a favorite retreat for artists like Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso. Spend the morning wandering the charming streets while you shop and explore unique artwork.
Eze
After you are done exploring Saint-Paul-de-Vence, your next stop will be to explore the village of Eze. Eze is perched high above the Mediterranean coast and is charming village known for its medieval architecture and spectacular views. Spend the afternoon wandering the streets of Eze, and exploring the various shops and views of the hillsides and mediterranean. I recommend checking out the Jardin Exotique de Eze, a botanical paradise with a breathtaking panorama of the coastline.
Enjoying a scenic lunch or drinks at La Chevre D'or or Chateau Eze is a must do while in Eze, and I promise will be one of the highlights of your trip to the French Riviera. Both chateaus are 5 star hotels that are open to the public for an unforgettable dining experience. You can sit on the terrace while enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the spectacular, panoramic views of the coastline.
Day 4: Menton
Menton, often referred to as the "Pearl of France," is a charming and picturesque town located on the French Riviera, nestled between the cities of Nice and the Italian border. Menton is easily accessible as a day trip from Nice by train. Take the train from Nice-Ville station for 35 minutes until your reach Menton. Once you get off the train, you have a 20 minute walk to get to old town.
I would recommend starting your day by exploring Menton's Old Town. The old town is is a labyrinth of narrow streets and colorful buildings built on a hill. As you wander the streets, you will find many great photo opportunities.
At the highest point of the old town, you will find a historic basilica in the main square called Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton. There is a set of winding stairs leading up to square from Plage des Sablettes. Once you make it to the top, you will find the best view in Menton.
Menton boasts several beaches where you can relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sun. My favorite is Plage des Sablettes because of its calm waters making it perfect for swimming. Plage des Sablettes also has views of the colorful village in the background. All the beaches in Menton are pebbled beaches, so keep this in mind when deciding which shoes to wear.
Menton has unique microclimate that fosters the growth of lush vegetation like palm trees and citrus groves. The city offers amazing fresh citrus juices and lemon desserts that you should make sure you try while in town. Menton is a hidden gem that is perfect for those seeking a more laid-back experience on the Côte d'Azur.
Day 5: Monte Carlo
Monaco is a tiny, independent city-state that exudes luxury and exclusivit. Monaco is home to the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Prince's Palace, and the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is easily accessible as a day trip from Nice by train - take the train from Nice-Ville station for 25 minutes until your reach Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. You will start your day by seeing the Casino de Monte-Carlo so make sure you follow signs for the casino when exiting the train. It will take about 15 minutes to walk to the casino from the train station.
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is one of the most iconic and well-known casinos in the world. It was established in 1863 by Charles III of Monaco. With is grand architecture and opulent interior, it has become a symbol of wealth, glamour, and luxury. It has been featured in numerous films, including James Bond, contributing to its legendary status in the world of gambling and entertainment. To enter the casino floor, you must be dressed in black-tie attire, but anyone can enter the casino to see the entrance hall. Surrounding the casino, are many luxury stores to indulge in high end shopping.
Next, I recommend spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach and having lunch at one of the many beach clubs. The beach clubs in Monaco are the place to be on summer weekends, with vibrant music playing at the restaurants and lounge chair you can rent for the day. There are countless options and you can walk down the promenade to see which beach club best matches your vibe. If you don't want to spend the day on the beach, alternatively you can check out the Prince's Palace on the other side of the harbor or rent. a boat in the marina for the day.
Day 6 & 7: Cannes
Famous for its annual film festival, Cannes is a coastal city known for it's glamour and class. Cannes has pristine beaches, luxury boutiques along La Croisette, and the iconic Palais des Festivals, making it a playground for the international elite. After a lot of day trips and sight-seeing during your time in Nice, I recommend ending your trip by spending two nights in Cannes and taking it easy on the beach. Unlike the pebbled beaches in Nice, Cannes has soft and white sand beaches. As you wander down the promenade on La Croisette, you will see many beach clubs with lounge chairs for rent. There are also free beaches on both of the far ends of the main beach if you would rather lay out on a beach blanket.
There are many beach clubs to select from, and we chose Restaurant Mademoiselle Grey. It has a trendy atmosphere, lively music, and amazing food. I would recommend the lobster, watermelon salad, and ceviche. The dishes at Restaurant Mademoiselle Grey have a Mediterranean flair, so make sure you get some hummus and eggplant dip for the table.
Another great option is the Carlton Beach Club at the Carlton Hotel, which is a popular choice among celebrities traveling to Cannes for the film festival. If you are staying here, the hotel can help you with lounge chair and restaurant reservations. The Carlton is particularly magical at sunset with pastel skies illuminating the sky over the white sand beach.
The Carlton Beach Club offers a spectacular restaurant fit for the celebrities who frequent the Carlton. We had dinner here, and every dish was fantastic. I would recommend the roasted artichoke, tune, and truffle fries. You can go wrong with the refreshing watermelon salad after a long day on the beach. They make an amazing spritz with a Carlton branded swizzle stick you keep as a souvenir for a small price.
At night, Cannes has a lively dining and club scene, and is the place to dress to impress for a night out. La Mome is a trendy restaurant that should not be missed with its white table cloth service on a lively covered patio. The cocktails at La Mome are exceptional, and the truffle dishes is to die for. For our mains we tried the truffle rigatoni, truffle gnocchi, and scallops in addition to a variety of salad as appetizers. After eating dinner at La Mome, I recommend continuing your night clubbing at Le Baoli. Baoli has a scenic jungle ambiance surrounded by palm trees with DJ's playing until the early hours of the morning.
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