French Riviera Travel Guide

The Top Things to Do in the French Riviera

As with all of our travel guides, this section always highlights the top things to do in the destination in question. However, since our French Riviera travel guide spans six different towns (Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Monaco) we have compiled a list that covers the highlights of the region as a whole. These are the can’t-miss experiences and must-see sights that truly define a trip to the Côte d’Azur. From coastal walks and world-class museums to glamorous beaches and unforgettable viewpoints, here are the top things to do in the French Riviera.

We've highlighted all the attractions we visited and adored with the universal symbol of love, ♡. Consider these our favorite things to do in the French Riviera, if you will! 

• Visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat): ♡ Also known as the Rothschild Villa, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is an incredible home-turned-museum perched on a hilltop overlooking both the Harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the Bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Surrounded by nine themed gardens, including an exotic garden and an incredible rose garden, this Neo-Renaissance villa is worth visiting for the views alone! Inside, you can see how the ultra wealthy lived in the French Riviera in the early 20th century.  
• See the Incredible Private Cars Collection of HSH Prince of Monaco (Monaco): ♡ Tucked beneath the terraces of Monaco is a surprising treasure: the personal car collection of Prince Rainier III. From sleek vintage Bugattis to Formula 1 race cars and more, this museum is a dream for car enthusiasts. It was Brian's highlight of the trip! A combo ticket is available that includes entry to the Prince's Palace as well, making it a perfect double-feature for a day in Monaco.
• Explore the Local Markets (Antibes & Nice): ♡ Wandering through the open-air markets of Antibes and Nice is one of the best ways to enjoy the local culture. In Antibes, the Marché Provençal (Provençal Market) is filled with fragrant herbs, local cheeses, and tons of fresh produce. In Nice, the famed Cours Saleya Provençal Market (also known as the Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya) is overflowing with flowers, incredible food, sweets, and more. No visit to either of these markets would be complete without tasting the local favorite, socca. And, if you happen to be in Nice on a Monday when the antiques market takes place, you are in for a real treat! Vintage treasures and antiques, ranging from housewares to accessories, furniture, and more spill out from the stalls in the Old Town (Vieux Nice). 
  
• Enjoy the Views from the Colline du Château (Nice): ♡ For the best panoramic views of Nice, head up to Colline du Château (Castle Hill), a lush, breezy park that towers above the Old Town (Vieux Nice). While the original castle is long gone, the lookout point offers sweeping views of the Promenade des Anglais, Baie des Anges, and the colorful rooftops of Old Town. It is the perfect spot for a morning walk, an afternoon stroll, or even watching the sunset in the evening. 
• Visit the Musée Picasso (Antibes): ♡ Housed in the Château Grimaldi, previously occupied by Pablo Picasso himself in 1946, this museum is a rare chance to see some of the works of Picasso in the very space where he created them. The collection includes paintings, ceramics, and drawings that reflect on Picasso's time in the Côte d’Azur, many inspired by the views of the Mediterranean Sea just outside of the castle's stone walls. 
• Relax at a Beach Club (Cannes): ♡ Technically there are beach clubs in almost every town in the French Riviera, however, our favorite (and one of the nicest beaches by far) was in Cannes. Few things feel more quintessentially French Riviera than reclining at a chic beach club in Cannes, cocktail in hand, with the waves lapping up on the shore. Whether you opt for a luxury lounge chair at the Carlton Beach Club or a more relaxed vibe at Vilebrequin La Plage, it is the ultimate way to unwind under the sun. If beach clubs are not your vibe, do not worry! The public beach in Cannes is one of the best in the French Riviera. 
  
• Catch the Sunset from the Promenade des Anglais (Nice): In the evenings, the Promenade des Anglais transforms into one of the most romantic strolls in all of Europe. Locals and visitors alike gather to walk, bike, and sit on the signature blue chairs that dot the promenade as the sun dips below the horizon and into the Mediterranean Sea. It is the kind of simple, beautiful moment that defines life (and vacations) on the French Riviera. 
• Tour the Prince's Palace (Monaco): Perched high above the city, the Prince's Palace is both a functioning royal residence and a piece of history. Touring the State Apartments gives you a small peek into the Grimaldi family's lavish lifestyle, complete with opulent frescos, elaborate tapestries, and sweeping views of the harbor below. Time your visit for the daily changing of the guard at 11:55 AM for a little extra pomp and pageantry. 
• Stroll Along the Picturesque Harbor (Villefranche-sur-Mer): With its pastel-colored buildings and gently bobbing sailboats anchored offshore, the harbor in Villefranche-sur-Mer feels like it belongs in a painting. This serene seaside town is a lot less crowded than its neighbors and extremely picturesque. Villefranche-sur-Mer is ideal for a quiet lunch and a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. The Riviera charm of the town is authentic and relaxed. 
• Marvel at the Superyachts in Port Vauban (Antibes): Port Vauban is not just a marina, it is the largest yachting harbor in Europe and a jaw-dropping display of maritime wealth. Strolling along the water's edge, you will see everything from classic sailboats to superyachts worthy of a James Bond villain. It is free, fabulous, and a glitzy Riviera spectacle. For the best views of the superyachts and Billionaires' Quay, head to the Bastion Saint-Jaume, home to the large sculpture, Le Nomade.  
• (Window) Shop on the Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes): The Boulevard de la Croisette is Cannes' glamorous main street where haute couture boutiques line the palm tree-lined street. Whether you are in the mood to splurge or simply admire the window displays, window-shopping (and people watching!) here feels like an event in itself, especially with the beach just across the street. The street runs approximately 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) along the coastline and is also home to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where the Cannes Film Festival is held every May. 

Transportation in the French Riviera

Most travelers assume that you need to rent a car to explore the towns of the French Riviera, but that could not be further from the truth. In reality, the region has a fantastic and highly efficient public transportation network that makes getting around easy, scenic, and affordable. The towns along the Côte d’Azur are well connected by regional trains that run frequently between key destinations like Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Monaco, and more. You can hop on a train and be in a new town in under 30 minutes, often with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea on the way. 

Once you arrive, you will find that most towns are very walkable, with compact historic centers and pedestrian-friendly promenades. For destinations that are a bit further off the beaten path, like Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat’s Rothschild Villa, taxis and Ubers are readily available. Just keep in mind that Uber does not operate in Monaco, so getting to Monaco by train will be your best bet! 

If you are flying into the region, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the only major airport in the area and serves as the main gateway to the French Riviera. Located just minutes from Nice's city center, it is well connected by bus, tram, taxi, and train, making it easy to kick off your coastal adventure without the need for a rental car. For the purposes of our French Riviera Travel Guide, we are going to focus on the trains in the French Riviera since it was primarily how we traveled from town to town. 

Trains in the French Riviera

The trains in the French Riviera are one of the easiest, most efficient, and scenic ways to travel between towns. Plus, they are surprisingly affordable. The regional train service that runs through the French Riviera is part of the TER (Transport Express Régional) network operated by SNCF, France’s national railway company. The main rail line runs right along the coast, connecting the major Riviera towns, from Menton and Monaco in the east to Cannes in the west, with frequent stops in between.

Tickets for the TER trains can be purchased from the kiosks at the train station or by using the SNCF Connect app. TER trains run regularly and do not have assigned seats. Keep in mind that these trains can get very busy during the summer months and may be standing-room only. 

Trains to Italy 

If you are planning on traveling from the French Riviera to the Italian Riviera, TER trains connect the French Riviera to the Italian town of Ventimiglia, which is located 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) from the French border. Once you reach Ventimiglia, you can switch to a Trenitalia train and continue on your journey to Sanremo, or elsewhere in the Italian Riviera. The train between Nice and Ventimiglia takes approximately 53 minutes, with trains typically running twice an hour. For the TER train to Ventimiglia, we recommend booking your train ticket using the SNCF Connect app. For the remainder of your journey in Italy, you can book your train tickets directly through Trenitalia or by using a third-party service such as Rail Europe.   

High-Speed TGV Trains to Paris & Elsewhere 

If you are heading elsewhere in France, high-speed TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) trains connect the French Riviera with Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and other destinations across the country. TGV trains from Paris to Nice, for example, take just under six hours, and typically make stops in Marseille, Cannes, and Antibes, before ultimately stopping in Nice. Tickets for the TGV trains do sell out in advance, so if you are interested in traveling by train, make sure you book your tickets using the SNCF Connect website or app in-advance of your trip.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)

As we have already mentioned, the only airport in the French Riviera is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE), which as the name suggests, is located in Nice. The Nice Saint-Augustin train station (Gare Nice-Saint-Augustin) can be reached by tram from the airport, and from there, you can easily board a train to Cannes, Monaco, and elsewhere within the French Riviera. Trains are frequent, running about every 15 minutes. You can purchase train tickets once you arrive at the train station using the SNCF Connect app. Intercity buses, operated by Zou!, are also an option.

If you are staying in Nice, the airport is connected to the city center by tram (Tram 2), bus, and taxi. For additional information regarding the public transportation options from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, please visit the Nice Airport website.