Nice and the French Riviera: What to See and Where to Stay
Nice and the Côte d’Azur – the French Riviera – rank among the world’s most beloved travel destinations, attracting thousands of tourists with their stunning coastline and wealth of sights.
The French Riviera, which roughly covers the coastline of the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments, is a travel destination for all ages and budgets.
During summer, you will see both families with children on their annual holidays in a down-to-earth coastal resort, as well as the rich and famous enjoying the jet-set lifestyle in places such as Cannes and Monaco.
In this short guide, we take a look at what there is to see and do in Nice and the surrounding coastal area of the French Riviera, as well as the best places to stay.
Nice – the heart of the Côte d’Azur
Nice is a major city on the French Riviera and the region’s main transport hub, with a big international airport and rail connections along the entire coast.
This makes Nice an excellent hub from where to explore the French Riviera.
Start your day of sightseeing in the old town of Nice, which features narrow streets and some lovely baroque churches.
One of the top sights in the old town of Nice is the Cours Saleya, a famous market.
From Colline du Château, a beautifully landscaped hilltop park, you can enjoy panoramic views over the city.
The clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea look highly inviting from the top of this hill.
Art enthusiasts can visit sights in Nice such as the Marc Chagall National Museum and the Musée Matisse, both highlighting the city’s artistic heritage.
Of course, a visit to Nice isn’t complete without a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, arguably the city’s most famous sight.
This waterfront boulevard, with its grand hotels and seaside views, is the place to see and be seen.
The French Riviera beyond Nice
Although Nice is the best-known city on the French Riviera, many other destinations are worth exploring.
Many of these places make for an easy half-day or day trip from Nice.
However, some of these places on the French Riviera are so rich in sights and charm that they are destinations in their own right and could even be a better base than Nice.
These destinations on the French Riviera are well worth visiting:
– Saint-Paul-de Vence
– Cannes
– Grasse
– Antibes
– Villefranche-sur-Mer
– Monaco
– Menton
Let’s take a look at them one by one!
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a hilltop village just outside Nice known for its medieval ramparts and narrow cobbled streets.
It has long attracted artists, and small galleries and studios showcase works by both local and visiting creators.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence also offers quiet squares and terraces where visitors can enjoy views of the hills and valleys beyond.
Cannes
Cannes is a glamorous coastal resort on the French Riviera.
This town is most famous for its international film festival and palm-lined boulevard, La Croisette.
The beaches of Cannes draw visitors from around the world, while the old quarter, Le Suquet, preserves the city’s historic character.
As you might expect, Cannes is home to numerous high-quality luxury hotels, restaurants, and designer boutiques.
Grasse
Grasse, perched on the hills just north of Cannes, is renowned as the world’s perfume capital.
Its perfumeries and museums allow visitors to explore the art and history of French perfume.
The narrow streets, sights, and scenic viewpoints of Grasse offer a quieter, more traditional Provençal atmosphere than the bustling seaside towns of the French Riviera.
The area surrounding Grasse offers plenty to see, including villages such as Cabris and natural sights such as the Gorges of Loup.
Gourdon, another village near Grasse, is even considered one of the most beautiful in all of France.
Antibes
The city of Antibes boasts a lively coastal atmosphere, a historic old town, and bustling markets.
Antibes is a great city just to stroll around, and from the seaside promenade or the historic fortifications you can enjoy scenic views over the Mediterranean.
One of the main sights in Antibes is the Picasso Museum, housed in the Château Grimaldi.
Just south of Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is one of the old-fashioned seaside resorts long favoured by the French elite.
The entire area offers both sandy beaches and rocky coves, ideal for a dip in the Mediterranean.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer, located just east of Nice between steep hills and the sea, is famous for its colourful harbour and narrow streets filled with cafés and shops.
Its deep-water bay and historic fortifications give the town a distinctive character compared to other ports on the French Riviera.
Just a short distance from Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Cap-Ferrat peninsula features scenic coastal walks and is home to numerous grand villas.
When heading east from Villefranche-sur-Mer towards Monaco, make sure to stop in the medieval village of Èze as well.
Monaco
The microstate of Monaco – famous for its annual Formula 1 race and sights such as its historic casino – hardly needs an introduction.
The principality of Monaco is one of the best-known destinations on the French Riviera.
Monaco, though tiny, combines steep streets, historic buildings, luxury shops, and panoramic views over the Mediterranean.
Its palaces, gardens, and bustling yacht harbour give a sense of both glamour and everyday life.
Menton
Menton sits on the eastern edge of the French Riviera near the Italian border.
This coastal town charms visitors with its highly colourful old town, which is perfect for wandering around aimlessly.
The town also prides itself on its lemons, celebrated each year during the Fête du Citron in mid-February.
Menton has a more relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere compared with the more glamorous Riviera destinations.
Other French Riviera destinations
The above destinations – all within the Alpes-Maritimes department – are easy to reach from Nice by public transport or car.
However, the French Riviera extends far beyond this stretch of coastline.
It also includes a large section of coast in the neighbouring Var department to the west.
Centred on well-known towns such as Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël, and Saint-Tropez, this part of the French Riviera is also well worth visiting.
However, the long distance from Nice – especially by public transport – makes this western part almost a destination on its own.
As much as it is worth visiting for its beautiful coastline and superb sights, it is better explored while based there rather than as a day trip from Nice.
Where to stay when visiting Nice and the French Riviera
The best place to stay in the French Riviera depends on what you are looking for.
First, ask yourself what kind of environment you seek and what type of accommodation you prefer.
Obviously, Nice is an ideal base if you are seeking urban delights and a central location.
The city offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget hostels and apartments to luxury grand hotels.
One of the best-known of the grand hotels in Nice is the venerable Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais.
Many other towns on the French Riviera also offer a wide range of accommodation and can serve as a good base to explore the surrounding area.
It mostly depends on where you feel most at home.
Places such as Cannes and Monaco cater more to high-end tourism, while towns like Menton are more laid-back with a mixed crowd.
Don’t focus only on the coast, as inland towns often provide cheaper or more family-friendly accommodation, including campgrounds.
Even when staying inland, the sea remains within easy driving distance or a short bus or train journey.
Villa rentals
Another excellent option for a trip to the French Riviera is renting a villa.
Many villas offer stunning views of the sea or surrounding hills, providing that quintessential Côte d’Azur holiday experience.
They feature tastefully decorated rooms, ornate swimming pools, and perfectly landscaped gardens, ideal for al fresco dining on those long summer evenings.
Nightfall Group Saint-Tropez has a portfolio of hundreds of exclusive villas for rent across the entire French Riviera, particularly around Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco, with a 24/7 concierge team on hand to assist with all your needs.
Getting around the French Riviera
Before you book your trip to the French Riviera, think first about how you plan to get around the area.
It is perfectly possible to rely only on public transport on the Côte d’Azur.
However, if you plan to visit sights across the French Riviera while relying solely on public transport, you are better off basing yourself in one of the main cities or towns.
It’s a good idea to be near a railway station.
This way, you can make full use of the excellent train connections along the coast.
Taking your own car or renting one can also be a great idea if you want to explore the Côte d’Azur.
A car gives you complete freedom to visit all the wonderful sights and beaches of the French Riviera.
Keep in mind, however, that a car can be more of a hindrance if your accommodation is in a bigger city.
In summer, the often narrow roads can be difficult to navigate, traffic jams are common, and finding a parking spot can be difficult.
That said, if you book more remote or self-catering accommodation, such as a campsite or villa, a car is nearly essential.
A car is essential for exploring the mountainous inland, where public transport is far less frequent than along the coast.
Conclusion
With its stunning coastline, great beaches, hidden coves, and numerous top sights in cities like Nice, the French Riviera is a fantastic region to explore.
Cities such as Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco are renowned for their opulence, upscale restaurants, fancy hotels, and luxurious villas.
Once the historic playgrounds of aristocracy and old money, they now also attract a diverse crowd, including film stars and the nouveau riche.
However, the French Riviera is a destination that is not exclusively for the rich, as it is equally enjoyed by middle-class families and solo travellers from all across Europe and beyond.
Coastal towns like Antibes or Menton offer a more relaxed, everyday charm.
Visitors to the French Riviera should also definitely not overlook inland destinations like Grasse.
Whatever destination you choose, and whether you stay at a campsite or grand hotel or rent an apartment or villa, the French Riviera does not disappoint.
Its reputation as one of the world’s top holiday destinations is fully justified!
