Welcome to the French Riviera!
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About the French Riviera
The French Riviera (known in French as the Côte d’Azur is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. There is no official boundary, but it is usually considered to maximum extend from Cassis, Toulon or Hyeres, but most often from Saint-Tropez in the west to Menton at the France–Italy border in the east, where the Italian Riviera join. The coast is entirely within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France. The Principality of Monaco is its own country, within the region, surrounded on three sides by France and fronting the Mediterranean. (Wikipedia: French Riviera)
Many may think the French Riviera is for the rich and famous and we are here to tell you that if you are neither, it is really worth a trip there! There are so many affordable Airbnbs, and there is often free access to beaches. It is also wonderful to walk the streets of the Promenade in Nice or any other town’s narrow streets lined with shops and cafes. The fruit markets are also a great affordable find. We suggest checking them out and grabbing a bottle of wine for a picnic. The TGV high-speed train can be taken from France or other major cities. You can also plan. atrip to Cinque Terre (like we did) and take the train around the coast). Also once you are in Europe, it is easy to catch a flight to one of the major cities along the coast. And it is so easy to use the train to travel from town to town.
A special thank you to Around the World in 4K for another amazing video. They always seem to capture the essence of the location and inspire you to take your next holiday there! Click on the video link and look for the many other cities they portray in 4k!
Area Planning Guide
Maps & Other Resources
Visit the GPS My City website: for many self-guided walks on the Riviera. This site also contains information on some of the best places to see. You can even read about and choose the sites to create your own custom map. The maps cover everything from historical landmarks to world-class museums, charming neighborhoods and shopping. You will also find many articles that are super helpful as you plan your trip.
“GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. It also works offline. Find out more by clicking Explore More below.
We included the link to Nice but you can also search for other towns along the Riviera.
Eat Play & Stay
For some of our top recommendations and off-the-beaten-path suggestions, check out the slider below. We have vetted these based on past stays or future bucket list goals. There are many other choices that fit each style and taste, so be sure to click the additional links below to narrow down options on things to do, and where to eat & stay.
Feel free to click on the slider or the icon at the top right to stop the slide and the arrow to continue.
just east of the port, we like the street that runs along the beach for some great options to dine. There are plenty of cafes, and small restaurants right on the beach. L'Alba is one of the most reasonably priced with amazing reviews. Check out this restaurant by clicking the photo or tile or more options in Cannes by clicking Explore More.
There are so many restaurants ad cafes to choose from in Nice. I woudl suggest always going to Tripadvisor first and narrowing your choices down. You can do that by clicking Explore More. Primo Amore has got some of the best reviews in the area. Diners have raved about the quality of the food for the value. We always like a more low key dinner option, and this is a good one.
If you visit Nice, a walk down the Promenade das Anglais is a must do. The shops and beach side umbrellas will make you forget everything else. It is a very popular spot for tourists and can be crowded mid day so keep that in mind. The best thing, other than a cafe or shopping spree, it is free.
There are many options for a water view apartment in Nice on Airbnb. Do keep in mind, you will have to look early for a more affordable option. This was highly recommended with a terrific view.
Some people don't like to stay in Cannes but we love the sandy beach and lovely cafes. The farmer's market is also worth visiting for some snack and wine on the beach. This is one of the most affordable apartments in the area.
If you are looking to use your Marriott points, this may be worthwhile. For around 50K points per night this lovely hotel with an ocean view is close to most sites in Nice. Nice is located on the Riviera with easy access to other coastal towns by train. Click on the photo or title for more infor or other hotel options in Nice.
For the most comprehensive travel guides out there, click Trip Savvy and Culture Trip below! These travel sites hire local writers and expert travelers to share the most relevant articles and best tips in the industry! Branding belongs to each respecitve company.
Get Your Guide Options
Local Spotlight
Rick Steves
This video by Rick is super helpful as he visits some of the most popular towns on the riviera. Each of these towns has a unique personality. Click Explore More to be taken to the Travel Guide for the Riviera. There you will find more videos, podcasts, and articles.
This is a fantastic travel guide that will give you a great overview of Nice. They will share the best things to see and how to get the most of this incredible city! Thank you Riviera Bar Crawl & Tours!
Cannes Travel Guide
For a great overview and terrific tips, check out this travel guide by Riviera Bar Crawl & Tours. They share the history and the best things to do in this exquisite city. We love to stay in Cannes as it is easy to travel from town to town and it has the best beach along the riviera.
Join Us In France
Nice Travel Guide
Annie Sargent has one of our favorite podcasts related to all things France! She gives the best suggestions on what to do and see in Nice France. Be sure to click Explore More for more details from the podcast. This page contains maps and links to help plan your trip .
Join Us in France
Best Place to Stay
Host Annie Sargent will draw you in immediately! She is not afraid to share her opinions and they are good ones! Click on Explore More for information related to the podcast. For other podcasts visit Apple, Google Play, or Spotify to find “Join Us in France”!
Off the Beaten Path
If you have time to fit in a day trip to Monaco, it will be a memorable part of your trip! This video will show you how to get there and the amazing highlights.
This video will give you the inspiration to travel to a town just outside of the most traveled cities. As with their other videos Riviera Tours shares the town’s history and the best things to do and see!
Antibes Travel Guide
Like Canne, Antibe has a beautiful sandy beach. This travel guide will share the history and culture that makes this city very unique on the riviera. Check out this city to see wonderful art galleries and workshops.
We always like to look for an affordable local guide for any tour or day trip. As mentioned the train connects many of the towns and it is easy to move back and forth. Each town really has its own character. The lavender fields of Provence are located at the foot of the alps and if you want to venture out, you should hire a driver or rent a car.
Virtual Walking Tour ~ Nice
by Watched Walker
