French Riviera escape: Discover the best of the Côte d’Azur from Nice

Imagine waking up to the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, strolling along a palm-lined promenade, enjoying a leisurely French lunch, and ending the day with a glass of wine overlooking the sea.

Welcome to the French Riviera, France's legendary Côte d’Azur.

From glamorous Monaco and movie-famous Cannes to colorful Antibes, charming Villefranche-sur-Mer and the fragrant perfume capital of Grasse, the French Riviera offers an irresistible combination of coastal beauty, history, culture, food and effortless French elegance.

Why stay in Nice?

For travelers who want to experience several destinations without constantly changing hotels, Nice is hard to beat, it's conveniently located between all the famous cities on the French Riviera and has plenty of affortable hotel options.

Nice combines the atmosphere of a lively Mediterranean city with easy access to the smaller towns and glamorous resorts that make the Riviera famous. It also has an international airport, an extensive public transportation network and a coastal rail line connecting many of the region's highlights. It also gives you the opportunity to experience the Riviera beyond the luxury yachts and five-star hotels.

Staying in Nice means you can enjoy a relaxed morning exploring the city and be in Monaco, Antibes, Cannes or Villefranche-sur-Mer later the same day.

Where to stay in Nice?

For a first visit, consider staying around:

• Vieux Nice – atmospheric, historic and close to restaurants and markets.

• Promenade des Anglais – ideal for sea views and easy access to the beach.

• Jean-Médecin – convenient for shopping and transportation.

• Port of Nice – a lively area with restaurants and access toward Villefranche and Cap Ferrat.

  
  

Wishlist Getaways Tip: If day trips are an important part of your vacation, choose a hotel within easy walking distance of a tram stop or Nice-Ville train station. It can make your Riviera adventure considerably easier.

Things to do in Nice

Don't make the mistake of treating Nice simply as a place to sleep between day trips. Give yourself time to experience the city.

Start your morning with a walk along the Promenade des Anglais, stretching beside the Baie des Anges. Nice is famous for its pebble beaches and seven-kilometer waterfront promenade.Then head into Vieux Nice, where colorful buildings, narrow streets, small shops and cafés create an atmosphere that feels completely different from the grand waterfront.

Make time to visit Nice's landmarks:

• Cours Saleya Market

• Place Masséna

• Castle Hill for panoramic views

• The Port of Nice

• Musée Matisse or Musée National Marc Chagall

• A leisurely lunch featuring Niçoise specialties

  
  

Wishlist Getaways Tip: And don't rush. One of the pleasures of Nice is simply sitting at a café with a coffee or glass of wine and enjoying the rhythm of the city.

Don't miss: Socca, a traditional Niçoise specialty made from chickpea flour, as well as salade niçoise and pissaladière.

Things to do in Monaco & Monte Carlo

From Nice, Monaco is one of the easiest Riviera excursions, with the coastal railway providing a scenic way to travel along the Mediterranean. The regional rail line connects Nice with Monaco and other coastal destinations.

Spend the day exploring:

• Monte Carlo - visit the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo, admire the grand architecture and stroll around one of the world's most glamorous neighborhoods.

• Monaco-Ville - head uphill to the historic old town, perched dramatically above the sea. Explore the narrow streets around the Prince's Palace and enjoy spectacular Mediterranean views.

• Port Hercule - fake a walk around the harbor and admire the yachts—a quintessential Monaco experience.

• The Oceanographic Museum - for travelers interested in marine life and ocean conservation, this impressive museum overlooking the Mediterranean is well worth considering.

  
  

Wishlist Getaways Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Monaco may be associated with glamour, but its steep streets and stairways are very real! It feels like a proper cardio workout.

And if you're visiting during a major event such as the Monaco Grand Prix, expect much higher hotel rates, crowds and transportation demand. Plan well in advance.

Things to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer

If Monaco represents the glamorous side of the Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer represents its romantic, picturesque side.

Just a short journey from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the easiest excursions to add to your itinerary, it's very accesible by train as the station is located right in the middle of the town.

The colorful waterfront, hillside buildings and beautiful natural harbor make this one of those places where you may find yourself taking far more photographs than you expected.

Spend your day exploring:

• Wandering the Old Town

• Exploring the historic Chapelle Saint-Pierre

• Enjoying lunch overlooking the harbor

• Relaxing on the beach

• Walking along the waterfront

• Taking in the views toward Cap Ferrat

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Wishlist Getaways Tip: Don't over-plan Villefranche-sur-Mer. This is a destination to slow down, enjoy lunch and appreciate the scenery. Villefranche can also be combined with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for travelers who want to explore more of the spectacular coastline.

Things to do in Antibes

Located between Nice and Cannes, Antibes offers a wonderful contrast to the glitz of Monaco and Cannes.

Begin in the historic Old Town, where narrow streets lead to charming squares, cafés and shops. Then explore the impressive Picasso Museum, housed in the Château Grimaldi, overlooking the Mediterranean.

Don't miss the Marché Provençal, where you can discover local produce, cheeses, spices, flowers and other Provençal specialties.

For a scenic walk, head toward Cap d'Antibes and enjoy the dramatic coastline.

Antibes is also an excellent destination for travelers who want a little more history and local character during their Riviera vacation. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism specifically highlights Antibes' old town and Picasso Museum as worthwhile stops.

Wishlist Getaways Tip: Plan your visit around lunchtime and give yourself time to enjoy the Old Town rather than trying to check off attractions one after another.

Things to do in Cannes

Famous around the world for its international film festival, Cannes is synonymous with red carpets, luxury hotels, designer boutiques and glamorous beach clubs.

Start at the Palais des Festivals, home of the famous Cannes Film Festival. Then walk along La Croisette, the iconic waterfront boulevard lined with elegant hotels, shops and restaurants.

But don't stop at the glamorous waterfront.

Climb into Le Suquet, Cannes' historic old quarter, where narrow streets and elevated viewpoints offer a completely different perspective of the city.

A train from Nice makes Cannes an easy day trip; the journey is roughly 35 minutes, making it possible to enjoy Cannes without changing hotels.

Wishlist Getaways Tip: If you want to experience Cannes without the biggest crowds and highest prices, consider traveling outside the film festival period and other major events.

Take a day trip to Grasse

For something completely different, head inland to Grasse, widely known as the perfume capital of the world. The atmosphere changes dramatically as you leave the coast behind and travel into the hills of the French Riviera.

Grasse is a wonderful day trip for anyone interested in:

• Perfume

• French history

• Art

• Gardens

• Local traditions

• Unique hands-on experiences

Visit one of the historic perfume houses and learn how fragrances are created, from flowers and essential oils to the finished perfume.

And here's a fun idea: Create Your Own Perfume

Some perfume houses offer workshops where visitors can learn about fragrance composition and create a personalized scent to take home. It's not just a souvenir, it's a memory you can actually wear.

Here are the three famous historic perfume houses:

• Galimard (Founded 1747): The oldest of the trio. It was established by Jean de Galimard, who originally supplied perfumed leather gloves and balms to the Royal Court of King Louis XV.

• Molinard (Founded 1849): A highly acclaimed, independent family-run house spanning five generations. It is internationally famous for its legendary, rich patchouli fragrances and its 1920s masterpiece, Habanita.

• Fragonard (Founded 1926): Named after the famous Grasse-born Rococo painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. It is celebrated for its historic factories, vibrant perfume museums, and iconic lightweight aluminum fragrance bottles.

Wishlist Getaways Tip: Grasse is inland, so transportation is less straightforward than the coastal destinations. For travelers who prefer a seamless experience, a private transfer or organized excursion can be worthwhile, otherwise you can also travel by train, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Our Tips & Tricks for a French Riviera escape

1. Don't rent a car unless you really need one

For this particular itinerary, a car isn't essential.The coastal rail network makes it remarkably easy to travel between Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.

A car can actually add stress because of traffic, parking and narrow roads.

Consider renting one only if you're planning extensive exploration of inland villages or more remote areas.

2. Travel with comfortable shoes

The Riviera may look glamorous, but many historic areas involve cobblestones, stairs and hills.

Pack your stylish shoes—but bring comfortable walking shoes too!

3. Don't try to see everything in one day - French Riviera feels different at a slow pace

The French Riviera rewards travelers who slow down. Instead of rushing through five towns in a day, choose one or two destinations and enjoy them.

4. Book popular attractions ahead

For major attractions, popular restaurants, special experiences and luxury hotels—especially during peak summer and major events, advance planning can make a significant difference.

5. Check the event calendar

The Riviera hosts major events throughout the year, including the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix. These can dramatically affect hotel availability and prices.

6. Bring a light jacket

Even during warm months, evenings by the Mediterranean can feel cooler, particularly when you're near the water.

7. Don't forget your beach shoes

Nice's beaches are predominantly pebbly rather than sandy. If you plan to swim, water shoes can make the experience much more comfortable.

8. Use Nice as your home base/hotel stay

This is perhaps our biggest recommendation. Instead of changing hotels every couple of nights, stay in Nice and explore the Riviera from there.

You get the convenience of one hotel, the restaurants and culture of a vibrant city, and easy access to some of France's most beautiful coastal destinations.

When is the best time to visit the French Riviera?

The French Riviera is beautiful throughout much of the year, but the best time depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for.

• Spring: Pleasant temperatures, blooming gardens and fewer crowds.

• Summer: Perfect for beach days, outdoor dining and the classic Mediterranean vacation, but expect higher prices and more visitors.

• Early Fall: One of our favorite times for a Riviera escape. The weather can remain warm enough for enjoying the coast while crowds begin to ease.

• Late Fall & Winter: Quieter and often more affordable, with a more local atmosphere. However, some seasonal businesses and attractions may operate on reduced schedules.

Ready to explore the French Riviera?

At Wishlist Getaways, we can help you design a personalized French Riviera vacation, from selecting the right hotel in Nice and arranging transportation to planning day trips, excursions and experiences throughout the Côte d’Azur. Because your vacation should feel like a getaway, not a research project.