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The French Riviera is a dream woven from sunlight and sapphire sea. Its coastline is a masterpiece, where dramatic cliffs meet pristine beaches, and charming villages cling to hillside vineyards. The air is filled with the scent of jasmine and the promise of endless summer days. Whether you’re exploring glamorous Cannes, basking in the sun on the beaches of Nice, or discovering ancient villages along the coast, the French Riviera casts an enchanting spell, promising a holiday of pure indulgence.
First Stop: The Vibrant City of Nice
During our 12 day trip, the first stop was the beach town of Nice. Nice is a youthful, vibrant city where the Mediterranean lifestyle thrives. It feels modern, yet old world. The city has a buzzing atmosphere, and endless entertainment options making it a perfect stop on a trip to the Riviera and this was where we spent 4 full days exploring.
The first day we discovered the antique market, climbed Castle Hill and walked along the beach promenade. The beaches in Nice are all rock, but that doesn’t stop the locals and tourists alike, to line up blanket to blanket and swim in the sea to get some relief from the heat. It was so hot by 2pm that we found ourselves at a beach club having a late lunch and lounging in shade covered chairs until it was time for dinner.
Top-Rated Restaurants in Nice
One of the BEST dinners we have ever had was at a Michelin Star rated restaurant called Le Flaveur reservations are needed and come hungry because this culinary journey has a symphony of flavors that unfolds on the palate. Each dish is a masterpiece of both taste and presentation and told a story. From the textures to the unexpected combinations, it transcended our dinning into an art form. I am going to put this down as a must have experience when visiting Nice.
Other dinners we very much enjoyed were Le Sejour, which was right next to the hotel where we stayed Le Grimaldi. Another night we enjoyed a sunset dinner overlooking the bay at Le Meridien. The food is good, but the view is even better! After dinner we would walk for hours in the old town and grab ice cream or a crepe from one of the many bustling little cafes or ice cream stands. We sometimes would get a night cap and people watch and talk for hours before heading back to our hotel. The nightlife here is really something to enjoy.
Some of our other day trips included a wine tasting tour into Provence, which is the undisputed queen of Rośe. Provence has sun-drenched vineyards that produce wines which are the epitome of summer in a glass. The Rośe’s are crisp, refreshing, and delicately pink. Azur Wine Tours took us on this amazing adventure in the countryside, where we learned about the winemaking process, and, of course, indulged in delightful tastings.
Exploring The Magical Medieval Village of Eze
Another day, we really enjoyed was exploring the quaint town of Eze. Eze is a captivating medieval village clinging to the cliffs of the French Riviera. This enchanting destination with its narrow, winding streets, stone houses, and fragrant gardens create an atmosphere of timeless charm. We bought tickets in the Jarin Exotique to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
As you explore Eze, you’ll discover hidden corners, art galleries and enjoy a lunch at a local eatery. It’s a place where history and natural beauty intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. I would recommend going early to avoid the crowds and tour buses.
Visiting The Town Monaco: Is it worth it?
Our next stop was Monaco. This town didn’t really do much for me. If you love shopping and looking at yachts then this is the place to do those things. Ok, I did indulge and pick up a little something at the Chanel boutique, but in my defense there is nothing else to do in this town but shop or gamble and I don’t gamble so… The casino is really not much to look at on the inside. Any casino in Las Vegas is more impressive than this and the town its self doesn’t have much to offer, unless you are staying there and can enjoy a pool party or a unique dining experience. The people watching is solid and worth a half day to say “we have been there.”
Touring the Magnificent Rothschild Mansion
Our last day in Nice was spent exploring the Rothschild Mansion. The Rothschild family, synonymous with wealth and influence, has left an enduring legacy in the form of their magnificent mansions. Béatrice Ephrussi Rothschild was responsible for building this opulent villa on the French Riviera. We tried to take the headphone guided tour but the detail and length of each passage was too much and we opted to walk around and listen when we wanted to know more information.
From what I gathered, Beatrice loved animals. She had monkey’s and ferrets and exotic pets throughout her lifetime. Her and her father collected China and exquisite furniture and she took a lot of asian influence throughout her home. The exotic grounds of this house have 9 themed gardens and they are as much a masterpiece as the villa itself. A testament to her refined taste and love for nature, they are a breathtaking collection or different worlds, unto itself.
The Japanese garden offers tranquility, while the Florentine garden exudes Renaissance charm. The stone garden, with its sculptures and water features, is a haven of serenity. And the rose garden, with its fragrant blooms, is a romantic delight. These gardens are living artworks and meticulously designed to complement the villa’s architecture.
The Secluded Paradise of St. Jean Cap Ferrat
After this visit we walked into the town of St. Jean Cap Ferrat, which is a secluded paradise nestled on a peninsula between Nice and Monaco. Known for its exclusivity and stunning natural beauty and it has the BEST truffle pizza I have ever had!
After lunch we were so hot that we opted for a dip in the sea on the beach off of the port. The rocks were very difficult to lay on and walk on to get in and out of the water, so we didn’t stay long and kept walking around the stone path that extends around the peninsula. I wish we would have set up on some of the cement blocks and just explored the rocks on the peninsula vs trying for the rock beach. The peninsula takes you around back into town and we caught an Uber back from there. This was a great day and highly recommend this adventure. Did I mention you will see some amazing Yachts?
Experience an Authentic and More Relaxed Trip in St. Maxime
After a beautiful time in Nice, we booked a private transfer to St. Maxime for the next part of our trip. We chose to stay in St. Maxime because it offers a more authentic and relaxed French Riviera experience compared to the glitzy St. Tropez. We stayed at the Best Western Montfleuri and had a beautiful room I really enjoyed the hotel and amenities. The streets have a picturesque old town center, lined with colorful buildings and charming boutiques.
The town isn’t as well known to tourist and I found myself needing to using my basic knowledge of the french language to order our meals and cappuccinos. The people were kind and friendly and in the evenings the waterfront comes alive with the twinkling lights of boats and restaurants. After dinner we enjoyed walking around the port and taking in all the provencal charm.
Enjoying The French River Boat Cruises
The next day we had plans to take the ferry over from St. Maxime to St. Tropez. We wanted to check out the local farmers market and we had reservations at a beach club. The ferry runs every 15 mins from early morning until 2am; and for 15 Euro you have a round trip. While crossing over the sea, the view of the mega yachts are incredible. You will see the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world parked next to the entrance of St. Tropez and docked in its harbor. We were enjoying the yachts, sun and sea until we noticed a cruise ship….
Once we arrived to the dock, thousands of people were crowded in the harbor restaurants and it was shoulder to shoulder people trying to get to the farmers market. We wanted to grab another espresso and pastry before we headed to the beach, so we were able to find seats at a breakfast cafe and escape the crowd for a little bit. After that we walked a corner of the market to say “we did it” but just too many people to enjoy anything. So we grabbed an Uber that took us to our beach club Moorea Plague.
French Riviera Beach Clubs
There are so many beach clubs to choose from in St. Tropez and I know that people say you need to go to a specific one, like LouLou Plague or Le Club 55 but we have been to top beach clubs around the world and to be honest, they are all the same. In my opinion, it depends on the crowd and if the party is going to “pop” off. If you pick the right club where people are there to party then it will turn into an experience, but it didn’t happen for us a Moorea Beach Club.
However, despite the calm day we had a great experience. The staff were very accommodating! I booked a foot massage while lounging on the beach and that was incredible. We ordered sushi for lunch and it was the best sushi we had during our trip.
St. Tropez: Will You Enjoy it Here?
Around 4pm, we headed back into the town to see if the cruise ship had left and it was just pulling away! We then regrouped and walked into the some of the designer stores and had the BEST caramel ice cream ever at Barbarac. Seriously! You have to try it! The charm of St. Tropez was now discovered as we strolled the harbor eating our ice cream and checking out the yachts and old town.
Even with our strong ending to the day, St. Tropez was my least favorite stop on the trip. It offers something that just can’t be attained by a regular person. When you go, you almost feel like you are missing out because you didn’t pull up on a mega yacht and you are not invited to the most exclusive beach clubs and you can’t buy bottle service at L’Opera or even get a reservation there. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was, but it just left me with a feeling of being estranged?
Exploring the Sea via Private Boat Rentals
The entire time we were on the French Riviera we saw so many people boating and enjoying the amazing Mediterranean Sea, so for our last day we looked into a private boat and we lucked out when we found Rivant Rentals.
Patrick has the nicest little boat and we met him promptly at 9am on the dock and jumped aboard. We really wanted to see the port town of Grimaud, often dubbed the “Venice of Provence,” is a charming coastal town renowned for its unique architecture. It is built around a network of canals and not easily walked, per Patrick so we got lucky and were able to see its incredible charm right from the water sitting at the front of the boat.
Patrick took us up close to see some of the yachts and Giorgio Armani’s deep green yacht was parked and got to boat around it. We went swimming in a beautiful bay right off Brigitte Bardot’s waterfront estate and enjoyed a coastal cruise around the shoreline of this beautiful piece of the world.
Discovering Antibes French Riviera
The next day was a travel day back towards Nice to a quaint town called Antibes. There are two different areas of Antibes. The old town and then Juan Les Pins, where we stayed. We chose Juan Les Pins because the nightlife was better and the old town of Antibes was a short Uber ride away.
After that, we stayed at the new and upcoming Hotel Le Sud. Unfortunately, we booked late so only a basic room was available and it was very very small and very basic. After spending a few days in this location, I would recommend staying in Antibes. Juan Les Pins was a little more causal vs the upscale we were seeking on this vacation.
Our first day we walked the market of Antibes and we grabbed some charcuterie and headed more into the downtown to a wine shop called Les Cave Des Epicuriens. The owner Olivier was so kind and allowed us to eat the charcuterie we purchased and wine taste (btw he has charcuterie and some food at his establishment; if you go just order there). His wine selections were so incredible and he actually studied and worked in Napa so we all had a lot to chat about.
We toured the Picasso Museum, which I would highly recommend! This was definitely a highlight of the trip and I also enjoyed the other artwork by Joan Miro. I personally enjoyed his artwork more than Picasso’s.
The Iconic Red Carpet of Cannes
For our last days in the French Riviera we went to Cannes, which is the epitome of French Riviera glamour. The sun-drenched boulevards are lined with designer boutiques and luxury hotels. Of course I walked the iconic red carpet, where Cannes Film Festival takes place. We went into a few designer boutiques and then headed straight for a beach club to cool off on the sandy beaches.
Beach Restaurants and Night Life in Juan Les Pins
Unlike the all rock beaches of Nice, this part of the French Riviera has very sandy beaches. I think we spent the entire afternoon in the sea to beat the heat and then we headed back to get cleaned up for dinner. The nice part about staying in Juan Les Pins vs Antibes are the beach clubs have restaurants right on the water! You can sit 2 feet from the waves that gently lap the shore and watch the sunset in the mountains. It is so romantic and calm. Our favorite beach restaurant was Helios Plage and we ordered a truffle pork chop that was very next level.
The nightlife in Juan Les Pins did not disappoint! The streets are filled with people, families and youth. There are street performers, bands, clubs, outdoor bars and the touristy spot of all Pam Pam. Pam Pam has a nightly show that reminds me more of watching an aerobics class than actual dancing BUT there was a banana drink here that changed my life, so go for the fruity drinks and have a few laughs with the show.
Make sure to take home the drink toppers as souvenirs, because they will make you smile when you unpack your suitcase. Also, one last note…we thought it would be fun to go to one of the clubs on the strip and dance to a few songs. We showed up at midnight and were told they open at 1am, so we unfortunately I have nothing to report to you.
Go Back in Time in Le Fort Carré
Our last day in Antibes was spent exploring the old castle in the city, Le Fort Carré. The walk to the fort was one of the hottest things I can ever remember doing. Remember we were here the end of July so if you come a different month it should be stunning. We took the scenic route up to the castle and saw the world’s 17th largest yacht. I took a photo of a regular sized yacht passing it so you can see the difference.
You can also enter the castle from the side of the soccer fields and skip the scenic route. The castle itself was pretty cool to see and we learned a bit about the French military back then. If you enjoy exploring and history then you should add this to your list of things to see while in Antibes.
French Riviera is Definitely a Must-Visit!
Our trip to the French Riviera was very special. Yes, traveling to Paris is great, but there is something about French beaches. You can enjoy it whether you’re alone, with your partner or in a family trip. We have travelled to Italy many times and we always enjoy the slow pace and the pesto. There is something special about Italy but there is something captivating about the South Of France.
While both boast stunning Mediterranean vistas and charming coastal towns, the French Riviera leans towards opulence and glamour, exemplified by Cannes and Monaco. Its sophisticated atmosphere, coupled with world-class shopping and dining, attracts a high-end clientele. In contrast, Italy’s coastline, particularly the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, offers a more romantic and laid-back ambiance.
If this is a trip you are looking into, I would recommend to book it! Skip Paris and head right into the luxury that the French Riviera has to offer! And if you want to read more of my travel guides, be sure to check them out here!
