The glamorous French Riviera, a coastal stretch in southeastern France, immediately calls for luxury yachts, golden beaches and sunset drinks admiring the Mediterranean. Indeed, its landscapes and luminosity have long inspired artists and writers such as Picasso, Scott Fitzgerald, Van Gogh and the like for a reason. This wonderland located in the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur region features dreamy destinations, from idyllic cities by the sea to charming villages in the countryside. In this travel guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your trip, from the best places to visit in the French Riviera, to what and where to eat, where to stay and so much more. At the end of this post, I’ve also included a map so you can easily pinpoint all the locations mentioned here. Bienvenue à la Côte d’Azur!

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Disclaimers:

• This post was originally written following my work trip to Marseille in June 2014, when I took a few days off to explore the French Riviera with a local friend. This update reflects the latest information available to this date.
• Please note that this post includes some affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost for you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. In case you have any question about the companies advertised here or my status as an affiliate, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Throughout the trip, I used this France travel guidebook, as well as this other guide with France´s best road trips, both by Lonely Planet to plan our stay and make the most out of it. I hope you’ll find them helpful too!

French Riviera vs Cote d’ Azur

First things first, let´s start with the basics. Where is the French Riviera? And is it any different from the Côte d’Azur?

As a matter of fact, the French Riviera refers to a coastal area in southeastern France, specifically in the Alpes-Maritimes county (département). Even though there is no official boundary, it is often considered that the French Riviera extends from Fréjus, located in the neighboring Var county, all the way to Menton, where France meets Italy. That being said, other sources place those limits further west around Saint-Tropez or even Toulon. Note that Côte d’Azur, literally meaning Azure Coast, is simply the translation of the French Riviera.

For the purpose of this post, I´ll be using this extended definition and will start our French Riviera itinerary in Saint-Tropez. To make things easier for you, for each destination, I´ve included what to see and do as well as some suggestions about where to eat and the best hotels to stay (with a price range according to your travel budget). As you will see, most cities lie on the coast, although I’ve included some countryside villages as hidden gems bonus in case you feel like escaping the large crowds. 🙂

At the end of this post, you will also find a French Riviera map where you can easily pinpoint all the locations mentioned here.

Are you ready to start exploring this popular destination in southern France?

Coastal destinations in Var

Not as famous as its eastern Alpes-Maritimes neighbor, the Var county houses nevertheless iconic coastal destinations that are synonymous with the Mediterranean glitz and glamour.

West to east from Marseille towards the Italian border, there are plenty of cities and villages in the Var coastline, namely Bandol, Sanary-sur-Mer, Toulon, Hyères, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Saint-Tropez, Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël.

Since it would be way too long to write about them all, I’ll just cover a couple of them in this section: St-Tropez and Fréjus. And at the end, you will find a bonus with some locations worth exploring in the Var countryside. 😉

St-Tropez

French actress Brigitte Bardot put this tranquil fishing village in the jet-set’s radar in the 1950s. Since then, Saint-Tropez has become a favorite among the rich and famous, especially during the summer holidays.

📸 What to do in St Tropez:

• ⛱️ Beaches in St Tropez (west to east): Plage de Pampelonne, Plage de Tahiti, Plage de la Moutte, Plage des Canoubiers, Plage de la Bouillabaisse.
• 🎣 La Ponche: old fishing neighborhood.
• 🖼️ Museums: Citadelle de Saint-Tropez – Musée d’histoire maritime, Musée de l’Annonciade, Musée de la Gendarmerie & du Cinéma Saint-Tropez.
• 🇫🇷 Place des Lices: come here to see locals playing pétanque.
• ⚓ Vieux Port de Saint-Tropez: wander around the marina to admire the luxury yachts or walk all the way to the lighthouse (Phare de Saint-Tropez).

🗓️ Key event in Saint Tropez: locals commemorate their patron saint during ‘les bravades de St-Tropez‘ on May 16,17 and 18. This celebration commemorates when Saint-Tropez was beheaded after he refused to renounce his Christian faith in front of Roman emperor Nero in 68 AD.

🍽️ Where to eat in St-Tropez:

• ☕ Cafes & restaurants: Hobo, La Tarte Tropézienne, Le Club 55, Loulou Plage & Restaurant, Shellona – St Tropez (Greek cuisine).
• 🍊 Local specialty: when in St-Tropez, make sure to try the´tarte Tropézienne´, a cake with orange blossom essence.

🛏️ Where to stay in Saint-Tropez: Château de la Messardière ($$$), Hôtel Byblos ($$$), Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez ($$$), Lou Cagnard ($$), B Lodge Hotel ($).

🧳 Day trips from St Tropez:

• Port Grimaud (lots of houses with their own moorings in the canals),
• Ramatuelle (charming, tortuous streets).

Fréjus

Located shortly after St-Tropez along the Mediterranean coast, the modern city of Fréjus hosts important Roman ruins.

📸 What to do in Fréjus:

• ⛱️ Beaches in Fréjus (from west to east): Plage de la Galiote, Plage de Saint-Aygulf, Plage naturiste des Esclamandes (nudist beach), Plage du Pacha, Plage de la Base Nature, Plage de Fréjus.
• ✝️ Cité Épiscopale: this fortified complex still houses a cathedral in Place Formigé (Cathédrale de Fréjus), which features a baptistery from the 5th century as well as a cloister.
• 🏛️ Roman ruins: Roman amphitheater (Arènes de Fréjus), Roman aqueduct, Roman rampart and Roman theatre (Théâtre Romain de Fréjus).

🍽️ Where to eat in Fréjus: Le Palais du Fromager (cheese shop where you can also eat them for lunch).

🛏️ Where to stay in Fréjus: Le Confidentiel hôtel & Spa ($$), Hôtel Restaurant L’aréna Fréjus ($$), ibis budget Fréjus Saint-Raphaël Centre et Plage ($), Camping Marvilla Parks – La Plage d’Argens ($).

🧳 Excursion from Fréjus:

• Saint-Raphaël (great beaches, art nouveau buildings, a casino and an archaeological museum displaying Jacques Cousteau´s underwater treasures from a Roman shipwreck),
• Drive along the Corniche d´Or from Cannes to Saint-Raphaël.

Feeling adventurous? Check out all these outdoor activities with Manawa along the French Riviera!

Boat excursion in the Estérel nature reserve, Cannes

Boat Trip and Snorkelling from Bormes-les-Mimosas

Electric surfing initiation session and rental in the Bay of Saint-Tropez

Introductory session and electric surf rental near Cannes

Jet ski excursions in Cagnes-sur-Mer near Nice

Parasailing in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from Sainte-Maxime

SSI freediving course in Antibes

Bonus in the Var countryside

As you read above, the Var county treasures a few coastal destinations worth exploring in the French Riviera. That being said, you might want to escape the crowds and head inland to enjoy more tranquil villages and serene natural parks.

Here are some ideas of locations worth exploring in the Var countryside:

• Maures mountain range (Massif des Maures): natural area covered with chestnut trees, cork oaks and pine trees, with beautiful paths overlooking the coastline. The charming village of Collobrières and the nearby menhirs in Plateau Lambert are worth a stop too.
• Verdon Natural Regional Park (Parc naturel régional du Verdon): often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Europe, these canyons are truly breathtaking, with some of them reaching up to 700 meters high! The roads here are tortuous (the most famous being ‘La Corniche Sublime‘), so drive with plenty of caution and avoid overtaking. A few landmarks in the Verdon area include Castellane, Pont de l’ Artuby, Aiguines, Moustiers-Ste-Marie, La Palud sur-Verdon and Point Sublime.

Read these posts for more inspiration around France!

Around lake Léman: Vevey, Yvoire, Nernier, Nyon & Geneva

Best things to do in Paris, the iconic capital of France

Itinerary around the French Basque Country

Skiing in La Clusaz

Skiing in the French Pyrenees

The perfect summer day trip: Guéthary & Biarritz

Alpes Maritimes: the heart of the French Riviera

Bordering Italy to the east, the Alpes-Maritimes coastline depicts the authentic, glitzy French Riviera.

Some of those destinations west to east include Cannes, Vallauris, Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Èze, Monaco, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton.

For the sake of time, this section will only cover a few of those locations, namely Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Menton. You will find a bonus with some places worth exploring in the Alpes-Maritimes countryside at the end, where you can enjoy the Provencal lifestyle at a much slower pace.

Cannes, the city of cinema

Nowadays, the coastal city of Cannes is synonymous with the glamorous Cannes International Film Festival and all the buzz that comes with it. However, back in the day, this was simply a modest fishing port enjoying pleasant weather all year round that started to attract rich foreigners in the 19th century.

📸 Best things to do in Cannes:

• ⛱️ Beaches in Cannes (west to east): Plage Sud Aviation, Plage de la Bocca, Plage du Midi, Plage Macé, Plage de la Croisette (this is the most iconic beach in town, bordering the homonymous Boulevard de la Croisette).
• ✨ Boulevard de la Croisette: if there´s a spot for people-watching in Cannes, this is it. Walk along this famous promenade lined up by lush gardens and tropical palm trees while admiring the Mediterranean Sea and the pristine beaches on one hand, as well as the upscale boutiques and luxury hotels on the other hand.
• 🧡 Le Suquet: welcome to Cannes’ old quarter, located on the hills of Mont Chevalier. Climb the steep cobbled alleys to admire the historical landmarks, such as the Gothic-style Notre-Dame d’Espérance church, the Musée des Explorations du Monde (formerly known as Musée de la Castre and next to the homonymous château) or the Provençal food market (Marché Forville). This area offers breathtaking views over the Bay of Cannes!
• ⚓ Vieux-Port de Cannes: the old port has now turned into a yacht-filled marina. It is centrally located, just a few steps away from the renowned Boulevard de la Croisette.

🗓️ Key events in Cannes: the Cannes International Film Festival, also known as the Cannes Film Festival or simply ‘Festival de Cannes‘ in French, has been taking place in this coastal destination since 1946. Every month of May, actors, film directors and global celebrities gather in the Palais des Festivals for around ten days to celebrate cinema and award the prestigious Palme d´Or. Furthermore, spectacular fireworks light up the skies during the months of July and August on the occasion of the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique de Cannes.

🍽️ Where to eat in Cannes: Bobo Bistro, La Bourse, Miramar Plage, Restaurant Mademoiselle Gray Plage Barrière, Vita Cannes (Italian cuisine).

🛏️ Where to stay in Cannes: Carlton Cannes ($$$), Hôtel Martinez ($$$), Villa Garbo ($$$), Hôtel le Mistral ($$), Hôtel L’Estérel ($), ibis Styles Cannes Le Cannet ($). Book in advance, especially if you’re planning to stay in Cannes during the Film Festival or the summer period!

🧳 Excursions from Cannes: Îles de Lérins (you can easily hop on a 15-minute ferry ride from the Vieux Port of Nice to visit these islands, the two biggest being Île Sainte-Marguerite – check out the Royal Fort, where legend has it that the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned for ten years – and Île Saint-Honorat – housing an abbey -).

Antibes

This lively coastal city on the French Riviera, known as Antipolis after its foundation by the Greeks, was later conquered by the Romans. Nowadays, this popular destination between Cannes and Nice ranks high thanks to its picture-perfect beaches and cultural heritage.

📸 What to do in Antibes, France:

• ⛱️ Beaches in Antibes (west to east): Plage Golfe Juan – Antibes Juan Les Pins, Plage de Juan les Pins, Plage de la Gallice, Ondes, Plage de I’Olivette, Plage Pointe Ouest, Plage de la Garoupe, Plage de la Salis, Plage du Ponteil, Plage de la Gravette, Plage du Fort Carré, Plage de Fontonne Est, Plage de Marineland, Plage des Groules.
• 🏡 Cap d’ Antibes: this rocky forested peninsula has been home to luxurious villas and lush gardens since Scott Fitzgerald and other millionaires from the USA put it on the radar in the 1920s. You can also find a botanical garden in Villa Thuret and a chapel (Sanctuaire de la Garoupe – Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port).
• 🍅 Cours Masséna: you can do your grocery shopping in this Provençal covered street market that opens daily.
• 🌲 Juan-Les-Pins: this is the chic beach resort area of Antibes, known for its seafront promenade and pine-dotted park (Jardin de La Pinède).
• 🏛️ Historical landmarks: Le Fort Carré, Port Vauban (marina with luxurious yachts).
• 🖼️ Museums: Musée d’Archéologie d’Antibes, Musée Picasso (housed in the former Château Grimaldi, where the Spanish artist worked in 1946 and donated over a hundred paintings in appreciation).

🗓️ Key events in Antibes: local sailors and fishermen honour St. Peter in late June, while in early July music takes over during the Jazz à Juan International Jazz Festival.

🍽️ Where to eat in Antibes: La Guinguette Antibes, Le Brûlot, Restaurant L’Arazur.

🛏️ Where to stay in Antibes: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc ($$$), Hotel Belles Rives ($$$), Hôtel Mas Djoliba ($$), La Jabotte ($).

🧳 Day trips from Antibes: Vallauris (make sure to visit Musée national Pablo Picasso – La Guerre et la Paix).

Nice, the capital of the French Riviera

After Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, Nice is the fifth largest city of France. With a population over 950.000 as of 2024, it is considered the capital of the Côte d’Azur. This coastal destination is not only a main tourist hotspot along the French Riviera, but for the Mediterranean as a whole. Actually, the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport ranks as the third busiest airport in the country!

📸 What to do in Nice, France:

• ⛱️ Beaches in Nice (west to east): Plage Publique de la Lanterne, Plage Publique de Carras, Plage de Ste-Hélène, Plage Publique Magnan, Plage Florida (beach club), Plage du Forum (beach club), Plage Neptune, Plage Blue Beach (beach club), Plage Sporting, Plage Lido, Plage de Carras, Plage du Centenaire, Plage Beau Rivage, Plage publique de l’opéra, Plage des Ponchettes, Plage Publique de Castel, Coco Beach.
• 🖼️ Museums (among many others): Musée d’Archéologie de Nice / Cimiez (displaying Roman artifacts from the nearby ruins of an amphitheater and the thermal baths), Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC, modern and contemporary art), Musée des Arts Asiatiques de Nice (Asian art), Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice (with works from Monet, Renoir, Rodin or Sisley to name a few), Musée Matisse, Musée National Marc Chagall, Palais Lascaris (Baroque palace featuring frescoes) or Villa Masséna Musée. Take advantage of the Nice Museum Pass if you’re planning to visit various museums during your stay!
• 🏛️ Other landmarks in Nice: Cimiez district (explore the monastery near the Matisse Museum and the Roman archaeological site), St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox church (Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice) or the scenic harbor (Port de Nice Lympia). If you’re into antique stores, you’ll find plenty of them in the nearby Quartier du Port.
• ✨ Promenade des Anglais: this iconic 5km-long boardwalk reflects the prosperity of Nice, with luxury hotels and upscale boutiques overlooking the sea.
• 🌷 Vieux Nice or Vieille Ville: you might notice Italian vibes when strolling the Old Town of Nice, and that is because the city only became French in 1860. Even though the former castle is now in ruins, the hilltop park of Colline du Château offers great panoramic views. A few steps away you will find the Nice Cathedral (cathédrale Sainte-Réparate), the fragrant flower market (marché aux fleurs) in Cours Saleya, and a park dating from the 19th century (Jardin Albert 1er) that leads to the botanical garden on Promenade du Paillon.

🗓️ Key events in Nice:

• 🎭 Carnaval de Nice (two weeks in February): following two weeks of festivities, this cheerful event concludes on Carnival Tuesday with fireworks and the flower parades.
• 🎥 Nice International Film Festival (early May): not as famous as the neighboring Cannes Film Festival but also glamorous. In case you’re planning to stay in Nice during the Film Festival or the summer holidays, make sure to book in advance to avoid skyrocketing prices.

🍽️ Where to eat and drink in Nice:

• 🍹 Beach clubs and restaurants: Bistrot d’Antoine (known for its delicious risotto, fish platters, and grilled meats), Castel Plage (beach club), Cocoon Beach Nice, Illia Pasta (Italian cuisine), La Réserve de Nice (restaurant and rooftop bar), La Rossettisserie, Le Chantecler, Le Vingt4, Les Jardins du Capitole.
• 🎼 Bars and jazz clubs: Boston Bar, Le Shapko, Ma Nolan’s (Irish pub with various locations across town).
• 🍦 Ice cream: Fenocchio (presumably the best ice creams in Nice!).
• 🧆 Local specialties: ‘pissaladière’ (flatbread similar to a pizza with anchovies, olives and onions that can be served either hot or cold), ‘salade niçoise‘ (Mediterranean salad with anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes and tuna) and ‘socca‘ (flatbread made from chickpeas).

🛏️ Where to stay in Nice: Le Negresco ($$$), Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée ($$$), Le Windsor Jungle Art Hotel ($$), Hôtel Le G ($$), Hôtel Villa Rivoli ($$), Nice Garden Hotel ($$), Antares Hostel ($), Hostel Meyerbeer Beach ($), Hostel Ozz Nice ($), Hostel Villa Saint Exupery Beach ($).

🧳 Day trips from Nice (west to east):

• Villefranche-sur-Mer (admire the chapel dedicated to St-Pierre and the Ste-Elme citadel),
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (you can visit magnificent villas perched on the Mediterranean, such as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild or Villa Kérylos),
• Èze (stop by Jardin Exotique to admire lush tropical plants and explore the Roman Trophy of Augustus in La Turbie).
• Drive along La Grande Corniche: this coastal, sinuous road connecting Nice to Menton offers dramatic views of the towns and villages perched on the Mediterranean Sea. Many films, such as Hitchcock’s ‘To catch a thief’, were shot precisely here! In addition to La Grande Corniche, which lies 400 meters high, you can also drive on the Moyenne Corniche or the Basse Corniche, which are located at a lower altitude. Together, this set of three coastal roads is referred to as ‘les trois corniches‘.

Principality of Monaco, a playground for the ultrarich

After the Vatican City near Rome, Monaco is the second smallest country in the world! Although it is geographically located on the Cote d’ Azur in France, this tiny Principality of over 200 hectares lies just a few kilometers away from Menton and the border with Italy. In 1956, the marriage of Hollywood star Grace Kelly with Prince Rainier from the House of Grimaldi put Monaco in the spotlight. Since then, this enclave on the French Riviera has been known for being a tax haven attracting the rich and famous from all over the world.

Read my Monaco destination page to learn more!

📸 What to do in Monaco: 

• ⛱️Beaches (west to east): Solarium Beach, Plage du Larvotto, Le Méridien Beach.
• 🎰 Casino de Monte-Carlo: located in Place du Casino, this is probably the most iconic attraction in Monaco. Even if you don’t like to gamble, you can people watch outside this grand building designed in 1878.
• ✝️ Cathédrale de Monaco: this Catholic cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century in a grandiose, eclectic Romanesque-Byzantine style. Members of Monaco’s ruling royal family, the House of Grimaldi, are buried here.
• 🎭Fort Antoine: this small amphitheater constructed as a fortress in the early 18th-century hosts open air plays in the summer months.
• 🌺 Gardens & parks: Jardin Animalier Rainier III (zoo), Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Roseraie Princesse Grace (rose garden).
• 🏛️ Le Palais Princier de Monaco: dating from the 13th century and surrounded by Le Rocher neighborhood, the Prince’s Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Tourists can only visit seasonally to admire the prince’s staterooms or the royal collection of cars, and wonder at the beautiful frescoes. The changing of the guard takes place every day at 11h55 am.
• ⚓Marinas: as a seaside destination for the ultra rich, you will find various marinas throughout Monaco. Wander around Port of Fontvieille, Port Hercule or the Yacht Club of Monaco to admire all kinds of luxury yachts.
• 🖼️ Museums: Musée d’Anthropologie préhistorique de Monaco (prehistoric artifacts), Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies (stamps and coins), Musée océanographique de Monaco (marine science), Nouveau Musée National de Monaco – Villa Sauber (contemporary art).

🍽️ Where to eat & drink in Monaco: Azzurra Kitchen, Blue Bay Marcel Ravin, Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, Chez Pierre Monaco, Le Bar Américain, Nobu Fairmont Monte Carlo, Quai des Artistes, Slammer’s.

🛏️ Where to stay in Monaco: Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo ($$$), Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel
($$$), The Maybourne Riviera ($$$), Hotel Ambassador Monaco ($$), Hôtel Novotel Monte Carlo ($$), Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort ($$), Aparthotel Adagio Monaco Monte-Cristo ($).

🗓️ Key event in Monaco: held annually in May or June, the F1 Monaco Grand Prix attracts thousands of visitors, while the Monte-Carlo Rally takes place in January.

Menton, a paradise for lemon lovers

The quaint, colorful village of Menton is the last coastal destination on our itinerary along the French Riviera before crossing the border over to Italy.

📸 What to do in Menton, France:

• ⛱️ Beaches in Menton (west to east): .Plage du Gorbio, Plage du Borrigo, Plage du Casino, Plage de Fossan, Plage des Sablettes, Plage des Sablettes Est, Hawaiistrand.
• 🏛️ Landmarks: Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton (Baroque basilica from the 17 century), Cimetière du Vieux Château (cemetery with panoramic views), Hôtel de Ville – Mairie (City Hall).
• 🖼️ Museums: Musée des Beaux-Arts du Palais de Carnolès, Musée Jean Cocteau Le Bastion.
• 🌸 Parks: Jardin botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton, Jardin Serre de la Madone.

🗓️ Key event in Menton: the yearly Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) attracts large crowds during the last two weeks of February.

🍽️ Where to eat in Menton:

• 🍋 Local specialty: as you might have guessed, this coastal town is famous for its lemon tart (tarte au citron de Menton). Make sure to taste it at any of the Menton restaurants below!
• 🥖 Bistrots & restaurants: Côté Bistrot, Le Stanley, Mirazur (3 Michelin-star restaurant by Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco), Restaurant Le Galion.

🛏️ Where to stay in Menton: Villa Genesis ($$$), Hôtel Napoleon ($$), Hôtel Le Balmoral ($), Hôtel Royal Westminster ($), Hôtel Vendôme Menton ($).

🧳 Excursions from Menton: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (medieval town that once housed the villas of Coco Chanel or Greta Garbo).

Bonus in the Alpes-Maritimes countryside

Biot, a hilltop village known for its glass industry

This town perched on a hill stands out for its craftsmanship, especially glass. When visiting, make sure to stop by La Verrerie de Biot, where you can shop some delicate glass souvenirs after seeing how the glassmakers work in the factory.

Another place worth the detour in Biot is Musée national Fernand Léger, a museum displaying his work as well as an interesting mosaic on the facade.

Grasse, the world capital of perfume

Located north of Nice, this quiet, medieval village in Provence overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by jasmine, lavender, mimosa and rose fields has been the world center of the perfume industry since the 16th century. Actually, Grasse celebrates a yearly jasmin festival (Fête du Jasmin) in early August.

If you’re curious to learn more about the famous perfumes created here, I suggest you visit the museum dedicated to this local industry (Musée International de la Parfumerie – MIP) as well as its fragrant gardens. Furthermore, there are a number of perfume factories turned into museums that you can also check out: Parfumerie Fragonard – I attended their free 20-minute tour and loved it!-, Parfumerie Molinard, Usine Musée Parfums Galimard. Other cultural landmarks in Grasse include the Jean-Honoré Fragonard villa-museum and the Provence Art and History Museum.

Make sure to stop by the Grasse Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy de Grasse) before leaving the village, as it houses paintings from local artist Fragonard and even Rubens. Narrow streets with arcades, Renaissance staircases and balconies surround the charming squares of Place aux Aires and Place du Cours.

Last but not least, the Loup river source, literally meaning wolf in French, can be found right behind Grasse. On its way to the Mediterranean Sea, the river crosses deep canyons known as Gorges du Loup, waterfalls (Cascades du saut du Loup) and tranquil villages such as Gourdon or Tourrettes-sur-Loup.

St-Paul de Vence and Vence, a couple of inspiring havens for artists

As you might have guessed after reading these very similar names, Saint-Paul de Vence and Vence lie next to each other. Set in the hills between Antibes and Nice, these villages became a favorite among 19th century artists such as Chagall, Matisse or Picasso thanks to their mild climate and Mediterranean atmosphere.

📸 Best things to do in Saint-Paul de Vence and Vence:

• Fondation Maeght: this art museum in St-Paul-de-Vence built in 1964 houses works by famous artists like Braque, Calder, Chagall, Miró or Picasso. Make sure to visit the sculpture garden too.
• Fortified city of Saint-Paul-de-Vence: stroll along the picturesque street of Rue Grande and beyond while admiring ancient constructions such as a chapel from the 16th century (Chapelle Folon), a church with a painting from Tintoretto (église La Collégiale), a dungeon or an urn-shaped fountain (Grande-Fontaine).
• Place du Peyra: located within the old city walls of Vence, this charming square is surrounded by gates dating from the 13th and 14th centuries as well as a fountain (Grand Fontaine) from 1800.
• The Rosary chapel (chapelle du Rosaire): French artist Henri Matisse considered the paintings in this temple his masterpiece. He left his mark on every element, from the stained glass windows to the altar or the candelabras.
• Vence Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Nativité): restored by bishop Gordeau, check out his tomb, the elaborate choir, the Carolingian reliefs and the altar.

🍽️ Where to eat in St-Paul de Vence and Vence: Auberge des Seigneurs (it´s both a hotel and a restaurant), Café de la Place.

🛏️ Where to stay in St-Paul de Vence and Vence: La Colombe d’Or ($$$; the dining room features a vast collection of art work by Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Signac and the like), Château Saint-Martin & Spa ($$$), Hôtel Le Floréal ($$), Le Vieux Couvent ($$), Hôtel Diana ($).

Further north at the foot of the Alps lies the spa town of Digne-les-Bains, where you could relax at the thermal baths or visit the Tibetan museum in the house of Alexandra David-Néel. You can get to Digne on a scenic train from Nice (Train des Pignes).

Finally, the twin towns of Peille and Peillon have barely changed since the Middle Ages. They are a perfect gateway to the natural areas of Vallée des Merveilles and Parc national du Mercantour, which you can also discover on board the panoramic Train des Merveilles.

Tips for visiting the Cote d’Azur

How to get around the French Riviera, how to travel on a budget and suggested itinerary

Once you’ve arrived to this popular area in southern France, there are a number of ways to get around the Cote d’Azur. Let’s see what each of them look like:

• 🚙 Drive: the glamorous French Riviera makes for a perfect coastal road trip, and the scenic ‘les trois corniches‘ are certainly a tempting idea. Having said that, renting a car in the Cote d’ Azur and driving on the sinuous roads along the Mediterranean coastline can be both stressful and dangerous, especially during the peak season of the summer holidays (July and August).
• ✈️ Fly: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the third busiest airport in the country and the main gateway to this popular region. Other options include Aéroport International de Cannes-Mandelieu or Aéroport Golfe de Saint-Tropez.
• ⛵ Sail: as a luxury destination for the ultra rich, you will find plenty of marinas for yachts dotting the Côte d’Azur coastline, from St-Tropez all the way to Menton. Cruise terminals also abound.
• 🚆 Ride: given the scenic roads on the French Riviera often turn into a dangerous nightmare, I would advise you to take the train instead (and this is precisely what I did when I last visited after my stay in Marseille). The TER (Trains Express Régionaux) quickly connect the main cities of the area such as Cannes, Èze or Nice while you enjoy panoramic sea views along the way. Furthermore, you could also take the picturesque Train des Pignes from Nice to Digne-les-Bains in the countryside.

Note that, thanks to the French Riviera Pass that you may buy for a stay of 24h, 48h or 72h, you can enjoy exclusive advantages and discounts in various destinations on the Cote d’ Azur, including Antibes, Beaulieu-sur-mer, Cagnes-sur-mer, Èze, Nice, the Principality of Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

If you’d like to follow my suggested itinerary from St-Tropez to Menton, with occasional incursions into the countryside, you would need at least four days. Consider a whole week if you’d prefer to enjoy the French Riviera at a slower pace.

Cote d’ Azur: best time to visit and where to stay

Although the weather is mostly pleasant all year round along the Cote d´Azur, tourists flock to this popular destination during the summer months. As you can imagine, this means higher prices for both accommodation and eating out. If your schedule allows, I would advise you to actually avoid that period and travel during the shoulder seasons instead, be it spring or fall.

Looking where to stay in the French Riviera? Browse Airbnb, Booking or Hostelworld in addition to all the hotels suggested above for every location.

What to eat in the French Riviera: the Provencal cuisine

Given its strategic location in the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur region, the French Riviera is a good spot to try the Provencal gastronomy (cuisine provençale) from southern France.

For your ease of reference, I’ve sorted by category the most traditional typical dishes from Provence you will likely find along the Cote d’Azur:

• Starters:
  • Fougasse (type of bread typically resembling a head of wheat that can contain anchovies, olives, onion and herbes de Provence such as basil, rosemary or thyme),
  • Pissaladière (flatbread similar to a pizza with anchovies, olives and onions that can be served either hot or cold),
  • Ratatouille (stewed vegetables and Provençal herbs cooked in tomato sauce),
  • Salade niçoise (traditionally made of anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes and tuna),
  • Soupe au Pistou (vegetable soup with beans and pesto).
• Fish: bouillabaisse (fish and seafood stew originating from Marseille; this traditional recipe is usually served in two rounds: first you eat the fish soup along with toasts and a mayonnaise with spices known as rouille, and then you eat the fish).
• Meat: daube de boeuf (slow-simmered beef stew in red wine).
• Sauces:
  • Aïoli (emulsion of garlic and olive oil),
  • Tapenade (spread of puréed olives, capers and sometimes anchovies).
  • Locally produced olive oil and honey are very popular in the region too.
• Desserts:
  • Tarte au citron (this lemon tart is typical from Menton),
  • Tarte tropézienne (a sweet pastry named by actress Brigitte Bardot during the filming of And God Created Woman, which took place in St-Tropez).
• Drinks and infusions:
  • Crème de cassis (this dark liquor made from blackcurrants can be served on its own or as part of a cocktail),
  • Pastis (anise-based liquor),
  • Teas with Provencal herbs such as chamomile, lime blossom or verbena.
  • Wines: the most famous output from the Côtes de Provence appellation is rosé.

French Riviera map

For your ease of reference, below you will find a Cote d´Azur map with all the spots mentioned throughout this blog post. The coastal destinations in blue are numbered west to east, while the countryside villages are marked in green and the suggested day trip destinations are highlighted in yellow.

Use this map to plan your next trip to the French Riviera!

How did you like this post detailing the best places to visit along the French Riviera? Was it helpful? Feel free to leave your questions and comments below.

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