French Riviera Travel Guide: Nice, Monaco and the Best Towns

Top 10 things to do on the French Riviera

1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais in Nice at sunset, then explore the old town (Vieux Nice) and the Cours Saleya flower and food market.
2. Climb Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for the classic view over the Baie des Anges and the port. There is a free lift.
3. See Matisse and Chagall: both have museums in Nice's Cimiez district.
4. Visit Èze and walk down the steep Nietzsche Path to the sea (about 1 hour), then take the train back.
5. Spend a day in Monaco: the changing of the guard at the Prince's Palace just before noon, the Oceanographic Museum and an evening look at the Monte-Carlo Casino.
6. Swim in Villefranche bay and walk the coastal path around Cap Ferrat, with a stop at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens.
7. Explore Antibes: the old town, the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi and the coastal path on Cap d'Antibes.
8. Take a boat from Cannes to the Îles de Lérins for pine forests, clear water and a monastery that still makes wine.
9. Head inland to Saint-Paul-de-Vence for galleries, ramparts and the modern art of the Fondation Maeght.
10. Eat socca, the Niçois chickpea pancake, hot from the oven in the old town.

Where to stay on the French Riviera

Nice is the best base for a first trip: the airport is 20 minutes away and every town on the coast is a short train ride. Stay in the old town for atmosphere, near the port for restaurants, or in the Carré d'Or near the Promenade for easy beach access (compare them in our guide to where to stay in Nice). For a quieter, romantic stay, choose Villefranche-sur-Mer; for sandy beaches and a lively old town, Antibes. Monaco and Cannes are the most expensive options. Compare prices on our hotels page, and book early for July, August and the big events in May.

Getting around the French Riviera without a car

• Train: the regional TER line along the coast is the easiest way to travel between Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Villefranche, Monaco and Menton, with trains every 15 to 30 minutes. Book or check times on SNCF Connect.
• Bus: useful for Èze village and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which have no train station on the hill.
• Tram: line 2 links Nice airport to the city centre and the port.
• Car: only worth it for the hill villages and inland Provence. Parking on the coast is expensive and scarce in summer.
• Boat: seasonal ferries link Nice, Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez in summer.

When to visit the French Riviera

The best time to visit the French Riviera is May, June and September: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot, busy and expensive. Big events push up prices: the Cannes Film Festival in May, the Monaco Grand Prix in late May or early June, the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival in February. Winter is mild and sunny, ideal for museums and walks rather than swimming. For month-by-month detail, see the best time to visit the south of France, and combine the coast with Provence using our South of France itinerary.

French Riviera beaches: pebbles or sand?

Nice's beaches are pebbles, so bring water shoes or rent a sunbed at one of the private beach clubs along the Promenade. For sand, head to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Juan-les-Pins near Antibes, or Cannes. Public beaches are free; private beach clubs charge for loungers and parasols, especially in July and August.

What to eat on the French Riviera

Niçois cooking is Mediterranean and simple. Try socca (chickpea pancake), pan bagnat (a tuna and vegetable sandwich soaked in olive oil), pissaladière (onion and anchovy tart), stuffed vegetables called petits farcis, and a proper salade niçoise. Wash it down with a chilled Provence rosé. For more, explore our French food and wine guides.