The French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur, stretches along the southeastern coast of France from Menton near the Italian border to Saint-Tropez in the west. This legendary stretch of Mediterranean coastline has captivated artists, writers, royalty, and travelers for over a century with its azure waters, sun-drenched towns, and extraordinary cultural richness.
Whether you are visiting for a week or just a few days, the Riviera offers a remarkable diversity of experiences within a compact area. Here are the best places to visit, along with practical tips on how to get there and what makes each destination special.
Cannes needs little introduction. Famous worldwide for its Film Festival, this elegant coastal city combines glamour with genuine Provencal charm. The Boulevard de la Croisette, a palm-lined seafront promenade, is one of the most iconic walks in the south of France. Luxury boutiques, grand hotels like the Carlton and the Martinez, and pristine sandy beaches line the waterfront.
Beyond the Croisette, the old quarter of Le Suquet offers narrow cobblestone streets, panoramic views from the hilltop church, and excellent restaurants serving fresh seafood. The Marche Forville, a covered market open every morning except Monday, is the place to experience local Provencal produce at its finest.
Cannes is just 38 kilometers from Nice Airport, making it an ideal base for exploring the entire Riviera. A private transfer from the airport takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
Nice is the largest city on the Riviera and its de facto capital. The Promenade des Anglais, stretching seven kilometers along the Baie des Anges, is one of the most famous seaside boulevards in the world. The old town, Vieux Nice, is a maze of colorful baroque buildings, market squares, and hidden restaurants where Nicoise cuisine — socca, pissaladiere, salade nicoise — is served with pride.
Art lovers will find world-class museums including the Matisse Museum, the Marc Chagall National Museum, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC). The Colline du Chateau offers sweeping views over the city, the coast, and the surrounding mountains.
Nice is directly connected to the airport, but if you are staying elsewhere on the Riviera, it makes a perfect day trip. From Cannes, it is about 35 minutes by car via the A8 motorway.
The Principality of Monaco packs extraordinary wealth and spectacle into just two square kilometers. Monte Carlo is synonymous with the legendary Casino, designed by Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris Opera). The Prince's Palace, perched on the Rock of Monaco, offers a daily changing of the guard ceremony and magnificent views over the harbor.
Beyond the obvious landmarks, Monaco offers the Oceanographic Museum (founded by Prince Albert I), the exotic Jardin Exotique, and some of the finest restaurants on the Mediterranean. During the Monaco Grand Prix in late May, the streets of the principality transform into one of the world's most famous racing circuits.
Saint-Tropez occupies a special place in the Riviera imagination. Once a quiet fishing village, it was transformed in the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot and the French New Wave filmmakers put it on the global map. Today, Saint-Tropez retains its irresistible mix of village intimacy and jet-set glamour.
The old port, with its pastel-colored buildings reflected in the water, is perfect for a morning stroll. The Citadel above the town houses a maritime museum and offers panoramic views. The famous Plage de Pampelonne, just south of town, features legendary beach clubs alongside quieter stretches of sand.
Saint-Tropez is the farthest of the major Riviera destinations from Nice Airport, approximately 100 kilometers to the southwest. The journey takes about 90 minutes to two hours by car, depending on traffic. A private transfer is highly recommended, as public transport connections are limited and indirect.
Antibes is one of the Riviera's most pleasant and livable towns. The old town is enclosed by 16th-century ramparts built by Vauban, and the Picasso Museum, housed in the medieval Chateau Grimaldi, contains a significant collection of the artist's work. The Port Vauban is one of the largest marinas in Europe, where you can admire some truly spectacular yachts.
The Cap d'Antibes peninsula is one of the most exclusive residential areas on the Riviera. The coastal path (Sentier du Littoral) winds around the cape, offering stunning sea views and access to secluded rocky coves. The legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, a fixture of the festival circuit, sits at the tip of the peninsula.
Antibes is ideally situated between Nice and Cannes, approximately 20 minutes from the airport by private transfer.
Eze is a medieval perched village that seems to grow directly out of a rocky peak 427 meters above the sea. The narrow stone pathways wind upward through artisan shops, galleries, and small restaurants to the Jardin Exotique at the summit, where cacti and succulents frame extraordinary panoramic views stretching from Italy to Saint-Tropez on clear days.
Despite its small size, Eze is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants and several luxury hotels, including the Chevre d'Or, consistently ranked among the best in France. The village is best visited in the morning before the crowds arrive or in the golden light of late afternoon.
Eze is located along the Moyenne Corniche between Nice and Monaco, about 20 minutes from Nice Airport. A private transfer can easily include a stop in Eze as part of a Riviera day tour.
Grasse, situated in the hills above Cannes, is the perfume capital of the world. For over 400 years, this town has been the center of the global fragrance industry. Today, three historic perfumeries — Fragonard, Galimard, and Molinard — offer free tours and workshops where you can learn about the art of perfume making and create your own scent.
Beyond perfume, Grasse has a charming medieval old town with winding streets, a cathedral containing works attributed to Rubens, and the International Museum of Perfumery. The surrounding countryside is carpeted with jasmine, rose, and lavender fields, particularly beautiful in May and June.
Grasse is about 40 minutes from Nice Airport by car. It pairs perfectly with a visit to Cannes or the hilltop villages of the arriere-pays.
Menton, the last French town before the Italian border, is often called the pearl of France. It enjoys the mildest climate on the Riviera, with an almost subtropical microclimate that supports the cultivation of lemons, for which the town is famous. The annual Fete du Citron (Lemon Festival) in February features massive citrus sculptures and lively parades.
The old town, with its apricot and ochre facades climbing the hillside above the harbor, is one of the most photogenic in the region. The Cocteau Museum, the Basilica of Saint-Michel, and the beautiful Serre de la Madone garden are all worth visiting. Menton also serves as a gateway to the Italian Riviera, with the town of Ventimiglia just across the border.
Menton is approximately 40 minutes east of Nice Airport, just beyond Monaco. A private transfer allows you to combine a visit to Menton with stops in Eze and Monaco for a full day of Riviera exploration.
While the Riviera has train and bus connections between major towns, exploring the region's full range of destinations — especially hilltop villages like Eze and Grasse, or remote spots like Saint-Tropez — is far easier with a private car and driver.
A private transfer service allows you to customize your itinerary, visit multiple destinations in a single day, and travel in comfort without worrying about parking, directions, or unreliable public transport schedules. For visitors based in Cannes or Nice, a private day tour to Monaco, Eze, and Menton or a scenic trip to Saint-Tropez and the Var coastline makes the most of limited vacation time.
From airport pickups to custom day tours, we take you wherever you want to go on the Côte d'Azur.
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