From Nice to Saint Tropez, France has some of the most scenic coastal views in the world. This area of the country is The French Riviera, a luxurious travel destination that attracts millions of tourists every year. Navigating these resort towns is fairly easy, but there’s more to the region than beaches and luxury. Keep reading to learn more about the best cities to visit and what each has to offer.
What Is The French Riviera?
The French Riviera is a large coastal region in southeastern France. It has a population of more than two million people and spans roughly 550 miles from east to west. Although it has no official boundary, it’s generally accepted as the region between the towns of Toulon and Menton.
The French Rivera is often referred to as the Côte d’Azur, a nickname that loosely translates to “Coast of Azure”. This is due to the vibrant, azure blue color of the Riviera’s Mediterranean sea.
The French Riviera is France’s second-leading tourist region (behind Paris), known for its seaside resort towns and beautiful weather. In fact, the Riviera sees roughly 10 months of sunshine every year. In pre-COVID times, it welcomed 5 million visitors annually, with many locals flocking to the region during their summer holidays.
While it’s a relatively large area, moving between towns doesn’t take much time at all. Private transportation can get you to your next destination in anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, with buses and trains being even faster. For instance, taking a day trip to Monaco from Menton is only 15 minutes by train. This makes it easy to station yourself in a “home base” city that you can jump off to explore the region.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The French Riviera?
With mild weather, little rain, and 300 days of sunshine, you can visit the Côte d’Azur any time of year. But if you want the best weather, aim for July and August. There is a trade-off in these months, though, being that they’re the height of tourist season. Crowds are large and everything is more expensive.
If you want to avoid rain, steer clear of the shoulder months of March, April, October, and November. The winter season sees a drop in both tourists and prices. This is a good thing for the budget traveler, but it should be noted that many bistros and hotels close during these months due to a lack of tourism. This makes April, May, June, and September, the best times to visit. During these months, the crowds are tolerable and the prices aren’t overly exorbitant.
Is The French Riviera Expensive?
In a word, yes. The French Riviera is famous for its wealthy inhabitants, luxury accommodations, glitz, and glamour. Although it’s a pricy destination, those on a budget can still visit as long as they’re wise about their spending habits.
For example, you can save money by simply going during the slower months rather than peak tourist season. This brings down the cost of everything substantially. Walk or take the train instead of splurging on private transportation. Choose tourist attractions that are free. Dine at restaurants that don’t charge an arm and a leg for food and drink (ie. a glass of wine during peak season can be upwards of €17 ($19 USD) in some restaurants!).
Top Cities To Visit In the French Riviera
The French Riviera gives you plenty of resort towns to choose from. These include Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cap-d’Ail, Sainte-Maxime, Fréjus, Juan-les-Pins, and Saint-Raphaël.
However, the following cities are the most popular ones that the majority of tourists spend time in when visiting the region (from west to east):
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is in the southwest region of the Riviera. Historically, it was a fishing village and military stronghold. After World War II, Saint-Tropez became an internationally recognized resort destination. This still holds true today. The town attracts jet-setters and famous faces looking to relax in luxury, eat at upscale restaurants, and spend their days yachting on the Mediterranean.
Saint-Tropez also has a mixture of upscale boutiques and independent shops, with over 800 total to keep shopaholics busy. You can catch the locals playing petanque games at the Place des Lices Square, which turns into a popular market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. The 17th-century citadel should be on any history buffs’ itinerary, and the site also includes a museum and great views of the harbor. The 9-hectare port of Saint-Tropez is a central piece of the town, located in the heart of the village and a bustling center for yachts in the region.
Cannes
Cannes is a commune located in the Alpes-Martimes department. No doubt you’ve heard of the annually-held Cannes Film Festival, which showcases up-and-coming films from all around the world. But the main attraction in Cannes is La Croisette, a 3-kilometer-long promenade with a hub of activity along the shoreline. It has a mixture of beaches, hotels, boutiques, and gardens allowing you to stroll at your leisure and take it all in.
On the west end is Le Croisette Casino Barrière, the largest casino in the French Riviera. Nextdoor is Le Vieux Port, where you can relax with a drink while watching the boats come and go. The port is also where you can hitch a ride to visit the Lérins Islands, a hidden gem only a few minutes off the coast. Cannes old town, Le Suquet, is immediately west of the port. Containing cobblestone roads, quaint shops and restaurants, it’s also home to Forville Market and Musée de la Castre, two must-see landmarks.
Antibes
Drive 30 minutes east of Cannes and you’ll end up in Antibes, the second largest town in the French Riviera and another hotspot for the rich and famous. Fort Carré, a military fortress built in the 16th century where Napoleon was briefly imprisoned during the French Revolution, is one of the main tourist attractions. The Châtau Grimaldi is another historical building, which Pablo Picasso used as a studio. It’s now the Museé Picasso and houses around 250 of his works. Other museums to check out are Musée Peynet and Musée d’Archéologie.
Antibes has no less than 48 beaches, allowing sun-worshippers plenty of choices when it comes to getting their fix. Port Vauban is Europe’s largest marina where you can see some stunning superyachts as well as Le Nomade, an 8-meter-high aluminum art installation. If you’re an avid hiker, be sure to do the Sentier de Tire-Poil (The Tirepoil footpath), an easy 5km walk through the rocky terrain of Cap d’Antibes.
Nice
Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera and has lots to see and do. Photography buffs can get expansive views of the coastline at Colline du Chateau Park (Castle Hill), which is situated on the outskirts of Old Nice (Vieille Ville). The old town is filled with pastel-colored buildings, markets, bistros, eateries, and charming boutiques.
At the heart of Vielle Ville is the baroque-designed Nice Cathedral, which was built in the 17th-century. Along the water, you’ll find the famous Promenade des Anglais, a 7-kilometer path where you can enjoy a stroll at any time of day. Additionally, Museé Matisse should be a stop for any art buffs. It showcases a large number of works of the famous French artist Henri Matisse.
Monaco
Monaco is part of the French Riviera, but it’s not actually part of France. Rather, Monaco is its own sovereign city-state and is physically smaller than Central Park in New York City. It’s the world’s second-smallest country (next to Vatican City) and holds the distinction of being the world’s most densely populated one, with 18,750 inhabitants/km². Monaco is a haven for the world’s elite (32% of the population are millionaires) which is evidenced by its lavish surroundings and distinctive luxury yacht port.
The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the main attractions, as is the Monaco Grand Prix. This is an annually-held Formula 1 race through the streets and around the harbor. The Prince of Monaco’s Palace as well as the Saint Nicholas Cathedral are also popular stops for first-timer visitors. Sun worshippers can spend time on Lavrotto Beach, sea-life enthusiasts can visit Museé Océanographiq, and architecture and music lovers can book a tour to the stunning 19th century Opera House.
Menton
The final stop on the Côte d’Azur is the town of Menton. In fact, many consider it to be the best-kept secret in France. Menton shares a border with neighboring Italy. This makes it a cultural mixture of French and Italian, which will delight almost any foodie who visits. The town is known for its exquisite gardens (Serre de la Madone, Jardins Bioves, and Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden), as well as its annual Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron), which takes places at the end of winter.
Another popular attraction is the Jean Cocteau Museum, which celebrates the famous French artist’s works. Head over to the Old Quarter to stroll through cobblestone alleys and then visit the Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel, an impressive structure built in 1653. If you have extra time, take a trip to the Cimetiere du Trabuquet, a cliff-side cemetery that provides stunning views over the land and sea.
Just Say Oui!
The coast from Nice to Saint Tropez has some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Europe. It’s a luxury destination, but not an entirely unaffordable one. Carefully plan your itinerary before you visit, and watch your spending. By doing so you’ll be able to enjoy the Riviera’s weather, views, and food on your next trip to France.
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