5 Day Itinerary for the French Riviera

There’s something so dreamy about a trip to the French Riviera. Sunshine and seafood, markets and museums, casinos and coastal views – what’s not to enjoy?

But actually planning that trip and deciding on your itinerary for the French Riviera can be a different story. There are just so many cute towns, scenic beaches and epic viewpoints to choose from!

When I started researching ahead of our winter 2024 trip to the French Riviera, I poured over all of the options. While I had visited Nice and Monaco before, I knew there were so many more places to go.

I got so into my travel research that I even made a slideshow for my husband with a page for each town we could visit!

In the end, we narrowed it down to five days on the French Riviera and an itinerary that looks pretty much like the one I’m recommending below.

This Cote d’Azur trip will take you through some of the most famous Southern France cities, like Nice and Monaco, with stops in smaller areas too, like Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze.

It’s a good mix of culture, relaxation, dining, art, history and beauty!

You’ll eat delicious local cuisine, visit famous museums, markets and galleries, beach hop, stroll on promenades, enjoy some luxury (window) shopping, and probably start planning your next trip back before you even leave.

Ready? Let’s head to the Riviera!

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Day 1: Food tour & water views in Nice

Your French Riviera itinerary will start with a few days in Nice, the capital of the region and the largest city. This is also where I recommend you base yourself for your trip as it’s the most convenient for day trips.

I love starting my time in any new city with a walking tour. But this time, I’m recommending a walking food tour so you can learn more about Nice while also tasting the delicious local food.

Nice is home to some very unique cuisine, being on the coast and on the border between France and Italy. You’ve likely heard of Nicoise salad, but what about socca (chickpea bread street food) or tourte de blettes sucrée (a dessert made out of Swiss chard)?

You’ll taste all of that and more on this walking food tour through Nice’s Old Town. This is the exact food tour that Colin and I went on and I highly recommend it!

During your tour, you’ll walk around Nice’s historic Old Town and finish off by the water. From there, make you way up towards Castle Hill.

You can walk up the stairs to Castle Hill or take the elevator (we opted for the elevator!). The elevator is free but closes early, so keep that in mind if you want to stay up on the hill in the evening.

Castle Hill is a beautiful place to take in the views of Nice, looking over the city, beach and marina. There are snack stalls, bathrooms (paid), gardens and a pretty cool waterfall.

Back on sea level, I suggest a walk down the Promenade des Anglais. This stretch of boardwalk was named for the English nobility who used to summer in the South of France and spend their days strolling along the water.

So do like the English and enjoy a lovely beachfront stroll! If you get hungry or want to stop for a drink, choose one of the seaside cafes.

Colin and I had delicious drinks and appetizers at Le Sunset.

Once the sun is down, meander back through Vieux Nice (Old Nice) for dinner.

Check out Le Bar des Oiseaux if you’re craving pasta, Comptoir du Marché for classic French food, or Pizza Pili if you’re after a cheap and cheerful pizza to go.

Day 2: Nice’s markets, museums and beaches

On the second day of your Cote d’Azur trip, you’ll stay in Nice and explore a different side of the city.

After breakfast (stop by the closest boulangerie for a fresh croissant), head to Cours Saleya, where you’ll find Nice’s largest outdoor market known for their beautiful flowers.

There’s also fresh produce, antiques on Mondays, and an arts and crafts night market in the summer, so there’s always something fun to shop for!

Treat yourself to a bouquet or check out the surrounding stalls and stores for some souvenir shopping.

Other markets to visit in Nice include:

• Marché aux Poissons Saint-François: A daily (except Mondays) fish market if you’re after fresh seafood to cook yourself
• Marché aux Puces: A flea market where you can hunt for bargains with the locals
• Marché de la Place du Palais: A Saturday market dedicated to antiques, art and literature
• Marché aux fruits et légumes de la Libération: Farther from the Old Town, this market serves up a variety of locally grown produce

After a morning of markets, you can spend your afternoon museum hopping or beach hopping. Or, do a bit of both!

The two most famous museums in Nice are Musée Matisse Nice and Musée National Marc Chagall, each dedicated to a famous artist who once called Nice home.

If you’re a Matisse or Chagall fan, or just into colourful, 19th/20th Century art, you’ll want to check both of these places out.

Other museums you can visit include:

• Cimiez and the Musée d’Archéologie de Nice: Visit the Ancient Roman ruins of Cimiez then check out artifacts from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages at the accompanying museum.
• Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre: This photography museum is housed in a former power plant.
• Palais Lascaris: This museum in Vieux Nice looks stunning and is also home to over 500 ancient musical instruments.
• Musée Masséna: Explore this 19th Century villa and gardens with lots of historic art inside.
• M.A.M.A.C.: Sadly, Nice’s contemporary art museum is closed until 2028 for extensive renovations, but put it on your list for a future visit!

If you’d rather stare at the sea than a sea of paintings, you could also hit the beach in Nice on the afternoon of Day 2.

Keep in mind that most beaches along the French Riviera are pebbly, not sandy. They’re still worth visiting, but pack your water shoes if you don’t want sore feet.

You can hang out at a public beach or opt for a private beach club, where you’ll have to pay for access. Rates usually include things like chair and umbrella rentals, with the option (or requirement) to buy drinks/food.

Promenade des Anglais Beach is the main beach in Nice. There are public and private sections, depending on what you’re looking for.

While us North Americans may not be accustomed to paying for beach access, sometimes it can be money well spent. On my first trip to Nice, I spent a lovely afternoon reading on a lounger, under an umbrella with a pitcher of sangria (pictured above). Definitely worth it!

Popular beach clubs on the Promenade include Opera Plage Beach Club (one of the oldest and most affordable in the area), Plage Beau Rivage Beach Club (offering both Trendy and Zen areas, plus great dining) and Ruhl Plage Beach Club (a luxury, family-friendly option).

Farther west you’ll find Plage de Lenval Beach, a non-smoking beach that’s more family-friendly and frequented by locals, and Plage du Carras Beach, a handiplage with facilities to help people with disabilities enter the water, plus a dog-friendly section.

And then for dinner, head to Peixes, if you’re a fan of seafood. We went with some travel blogging friends when we were in Nice and it was delicious!

Day 3: Day trip to Monaco

After spending your first two days exploring Nice, I recommend you take a day trip from Nice to Monaco. I did this on both my 2012 trip to Nice and my 2024 trip.

You can get there via bus, train or day tour. This day tour to Monaco also includes a stop in Eze, and is a great way to see a lot in one day.

Monaco is a tiny country (but don’t worry, there’s no passport control coming from Nice) known for luxury, monarchy, F1 racing, shopping and gambling.

But even if you can’t afford to shop or stay in Monaco (I certainly can’t!), it’s still possible to have an amazing day in Monaco on a budget.

Start on the historic side of Monaco, Monaco-Ville, where you can visit the Royal Palace. If it’s open, head inside for a tour or if it’s not, time your visit to watch the changing of the guard outside (currently at 11:55 am daily).

I did the castle tour when I visited in summer 2012 and liked it, but it’s certainly not the most impressive castle in Europe. If you want to save some time and money, just check out the changing of the guard, since it’s fast and free!

Just around the corner from the palace is Saint Nicholas Cathedral where you’ll find Princess Grace Kelly’s tomb.

There are also some beautiful (and free!) gardens on this side of Monaco, the Princess Grace Rose Garden and Jardins Saint-Martin, as well as a cute old town to walk through.

And don’t miss my favourite view in Monaco overlooking the Port of Fontvieille. Here’s the Google Maps pin so you can see the view for yourself.

Next, make your way over to the more modern side of Monaco with a stop at Le Marché de la Condamine for lunch. This funky food court is a popular spot and has options for meals on a budget.

Colin and I went for some fresh pasta that was delicious and only €10 ($10 USD) per plate!

Walk past Port Hercule, admiring the mega-yachts and the Prince’s prized car collection, towards the famous Monte Carlo Casino.

I’m not a casino fan, so I haven’t paid to go inside the Monte Carlo Casino. Note that there are specific opening times, entry fees and a dress code if you do want to enter.

But it’s completely free to admire the fancy cars parked outside and snap some photos!

Around the corner is the famous hairpin turn from the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. I’m also not a big F1 fan but if you are, I hear this Formula 1 walking tour is great.

Wrap up your day in Monaco with a stroll through the Japanese Garden or Jardins de la Petite Afrique, both of which are close to the casino. Or simply enjoy some window shopping of all the luxury brands nearby.

If the weather isn’t great, you can head indoors to the New National Museum of Monaco which displays contemporary art or the Oceanographic Museum, which is a hit with families and aquarium lovers.

After your full day in Monaco, sit down for dinner (I’ve heard good things about Cooks Monaco and Mada One, neither of which are outrageously expensive) or return to Nice and eat dinner there.

Want to hear me talk about our trip through the French Riviera? Check out my episode on off-season travel through Provence and the Cote d’Azur on the Join Us In France Travel Podcast!

Day 4: Day trip to Menton & Eze

On day four of your French Riviera itinerary, we’re heading out on another day trip. Today we’re going to the citrus-loving city of Menton and then to the hilltop village of Eze.

Menton is known for its beaches and warm micro-climate, French-Italian hybrid culture since its along the France/Italy border, and for its famous lemons, which are actually a protected food in France!

When Colin and I visited in February, we were able to attend Menton’s Fete du Citron, a festival dedicated entirely to their lemons. It was amazing to see the giant sculptures made out of citrus fruit and to see the town buzzing with people.

If you can make it for the festival, awesome. But if not, I still think Menton is worth visiting.

Walk through the Old Town where you’ll find lemon designs, lemon scents and lemon flavours on just about everything. This is a great place for souvenir shopping and admiring the old school architecture!

This is also a perfect city to do a food tour in, since Menton has an interesting French/Italian hybrid culture and food scene. Check out this small group food and wine tour.

From the Old Town, you can walk straight to the city beach, Plage des Sablettes. Relax on the beach or stroll along to the port for beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

If the weather isn’t as nice, you can head inside to the Jean Cocteau Museum, dedicated to the work of the French writer and artist. To be honest, I was not familiar with Jean Cocteau, plus we had good weather on our visit to Menton, so I skipped this one.

For lunch, choose one of the restaurants with a view of the sea and a good looking pizza menu. Because Menton is so close to Italy, their pizza game is top-notch. Colin and I ordered pizza on our Menton day trip and it was delicious!

Of course, if you haven’t sampled any yet, you’ll also want to try something with Menton lemon in it. You’ll find lemonade, lemon beer, lemon desserts and lemon savoury dishes to choose from.

There are also churches (like the Basilique Saint Michel Archange, which sits high above the city), gardens (like the Menton Botanical Gardens) and markets (like Marché des Halles) to discover in Menton.

But don’t spend too long there, as we still need to get to Eze!

After lunch, make your way to Eze for the afternoon. Eze is famous for its beautiful views and medieval streets perched high up on the Mediterranean shore.

As I detail in my Nice to Eze travel guide, you’ll want to make sure you’re travelling to Eze Village and not Eze sur Mer. Eze sur Mer (Eze by the sea) is down at the bottom of the hill requiring a big hike or bus ride to get up to the village at the top.

Once in Eze, put your quads to work strolling up and down the charming alleyways. You’ll find lots of shops, restaurants and galleries to admire. There are also a couple of perfume factories you can tour.

But my favourite part of Eze was Le Jardin Exotique. This epic mountaintop garden was full of interesting cacti and greenery, waterfalls and ponds, twisting pathways, and artsy statues.

Not only did the garden have the best views over the French Riviera coast and Mediterranean Sea, but it was also so beautiful to explore. I highly recommend it!

After enjoying the garden, you can make your way back through the village of Eze. Stop for dinner (Le Cactus had been recommended to me) or return to Nice and have dinner there.

Day 5: Day trip to Antibes & Villefranche-sur-Mer

For your final day, you’re heading to some of my favourite places on the Cote d’Azur, Antibes and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Almost as soon as we got off the train in Antibes, I was in love. It’s everything I want in a city: medium-size, on the water, charming old town and delicious food!

Start your day in Antibes with a bougie breakfast at Lilian Bonnefoi. Colin and I did their multi-course brunch menu and it was so indulgent and so tasty. The French toast (pictured below) was my favourite.

From there, walk back through the Old Town towards Musee Picasso Antibes, a museum full of Picasso’s artwork in the building where he used to live.

I’m not very well-versed in the art world, but enjoyed wandering around this museum. It’s not too big, so isn’t overwhelming, and there’s a cool outdoor space with sculptures and nice views.

Speaking of views, after the museum, walk along the water where you’ll find boardwalks, beach clubs, gardens and signage pointing out inspiration for famous French art pieces.

If you’re starting to get peckish, stop by Marche Provencal. This daily market is the perfect place to pick up some fresh produce for a beach picnic.

Plop down at one of Antibes’ beautiful beaches, like Plage du Pontei, Plage de la Salis, Plage de la Gravette, or the pebbled beaches of Plage du Fort Carré and Plage de la Fontonne.

Swim and sunbathe, if you’re visiting in the summer, or simply admire the view if it’s too cold to get in the water. We visited in February so it wasn’t swimming season, but it was still lovely to hang out on the beach.

In the afternoon, head back to the train station to make your way to Villefranche-sur-Mer. You’ll pass by the Antibes Marina and the famous Le Nomade statue.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small town just on the outskirts of Nice. As you’ve already had a pretty big day in Antibes, I won’t add too much to your itinerary.

The best way to experience Villefranche-sur-Mer is simply to get lost in the winding alleyways. But be warned, the town is quite hilly, so walking around can get exhausting.

Don’t miss Rue Obscure, an ancient covered alley, and Chapelle Saint-Pierre, which features beautiful art by Jean Cocteau (who you may remember from his museum in Menton).

If you have more time, check out Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, which is just outside of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This 20th Century villa and garden look gorgeous and are definitely on my list to visit next time.

You can also go for a beautiful coastal walk around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Here you’ll find luxury hotels, pebble beaches and, of course, stunning views out to the sea.

For dinner, park yourself at one of the seaside restaurants in Villefranche-sur-Mer and enjoy fresh seafood and a view (without all the hustle and bustle of Nice).

Colin and I split a big bowl of mussels and they were so good!

From there, it’s a very quick train or bus ride back to Nice!

Where to stay on the French Riviera

Because the French Riviera is so well connected, I suggest basing yourself in one central location and going on day trips to explore more of the Cote d’Azur.

We found that Nice worked great as a base for us (and for the itinerary I set out above). It’s central on the French Riviera and has great train connections, plus an airport you can fly into.

We stayed at Hotel Villa Bougainville which was affordable and conveniently located within walking distance to the train station and the old town of Nice. I also liked the quirky design and free drinks upon check-in!

I also like that Nice is a big city, so there’s lots going on if you don’t feel like going out on a day trip. Especially if you visit the French Riviera in the off-season, it’s nice to be based in a bigger place that still has all of their restaurants and shops open.

That being said, if you’d rather escape the hustle and bustle, you might prefer to base in a smaller city. Just keep in mind how accessible you’d like to be for day trips.

How to get around the French Riviera

I highly recommend getting around the French Riviera by train if you want to DIY your itinerary or by tour bus, if you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else.

Many places on the coast are well connected by train and trains are often faster and cheaper than driving. If you’re following my itinerary above, it’s very do-able by train.

Parking in the small towns and cities of the French Riviera is notoriously difficult, especially during the busy summer months. The roads get congested and car rental prices sky rocket.

But if train travel sounds intimidating or inconvenient, then a day tour might be a better fit. That way, you still get to visit lots of interesting places without having to worry about travel logistics.

Have less time? 3 day French Riviera itinerary

If you only have time for three days on the French Riviera, I’d recommend this itinerary:

Day 1: Nice

You can follow my Day 1 Nice itinerary above, which focuses on enjoying Nice’s unique cuisine, exploring the Old Town and taking in coastal views from Castle Hill.

If you have a little bit of extra time, you might be able to squeeze in one of Nice’s art museums, beaches or local markets into your day.

Day 2: Monaco & Eze

Take the train or bus from Nice to Monaco and spend the majority of your day seeing the sights in Monaco.

Tour the Royal Palace and Monaco Cathedral, check out the colourful buildings that line the harbours, see the famous Monte Carlo Casino, and indulge in some shopping or people watching.

In the afternoon, take the bus over to the hilltop town of Eze. You should have just enough time to stroll through the Exotic Garden and wander along the medieval alleyways before your return bus/train from Eze to Nice.

Day 3: Antibes & Villefranche-sur-Mer

Take the train from Nice to Antibes where you can grab brunch, walk along the water, be charmed by the Old Town and take in the Picasso Museum.

You may also have time to hit the beach or pop into a local beach club, assuming you have good weather.

Then it’s back on the train to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a little town just outside of Nice. Walk through the ancient alleyways and settle into one of the seafront restaurants for dinner.

Or if you’re very short on time, take a day tour!

Another option if you only have a couple of days for the French Riviera (and you don’t want to deal with transport logistics) is to take a day tour.

This Best of the French Riviera in a Day small group tour is an awesome way to get a little taste for many of the towns on the Cote d’Azur without needing a lot of time.

Have more time? How to spend one week on the French Riviera

Alternatively, if you have more than five days for this trip, here are some ways to extend your itinerary:

Option 1: Slow down my itinerary above

Rather than spending half a day in each town, spend a full day or even a couple of days.

While staying overnight in each stop requires more packing and unpacking, it would be really nice to wake up in some of these small towns and enjoy them without the day trippers.

Option 2: Visit other cities on the French Riviera

I’ve included my top picks in the itinerary above but other well-loved options include Cannes, St Tropez, Grasse and Saint Paul de Vence.

You could even move east into the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre!

Option 3: Tack on Provence

When Colin and I visited the French Riviera, we spent the first half of our trip on a Provence itinerary and then drove over to Nice from there.

In Provence you’ll find more charming towns, weekly markets, Roman ruins and lavender fields. My favourite cities were Arles and Avignon!

Wrapping up your itinerary for the French Riviera

Planning a trip to the French Riviera can be intimidating, since there are so many little cities and towns to visit, so I hope my itinerary above has given you some guidance and a route to follow.

While it can be tempting to pack in as many cities, beaches and museums as possible, don’t forget why the French Riviera gained popularity in the first place.

Europeans flocked to the Cote d’Azur to relax so take your cues from history and plan for some down time.

After all, these are resort towns, so spending a day in a beach chair or an afternoon leisurely sipping coffee at an outdoor cafe is practically mandatory.

Don’t stress about seeing and doing it all. Sit back, breathe in that fresh sea air off the Mediterranean, and embrace a relaxed, vacation attitude to really enjoy your French Riviera itinerary.

Even better? Consider visiting the Riviera in the off-season. That’s when you’ll find smaller crowds and magical areas all to yourself. Check out why I recommend Nice in the winter.