The French Riviera is a bucket list destination, and absolutely deserves a spot right at the top! The coast is lined with bright blue water, the most charming old towns, and tons to explore. If you’re spending 3 days on the French Riviera, I’d recommend making Nice your home base. It’s centrally located, has a train station that makes hopping along the Côte d’Azur easy, and has so much to experience in itself! Here is my ultimate itinerary for 3 days on the French Riviera!
Day 1: Nice
The first of your 3 days on the French Riviera will be exploring the city of Nice! Spend the day close to your home base by exploring everything Nice has to offer. It’s the largest city in the region and while one day will not be enough time to see everything, you can still cover a lot of ground and hit the highlights.
Morning Coffee and City Strolling
There is no other way to start your one day in Nice than with some coffee! My favorite stop during my trip was Maison Karlie! They are famous for their madeleines and had so many different flavors to choose from. I opted for the white chocolate, which was delish. They had a couple small tables on the sidewalk so you can enjoy your breakfast in true French fashion.
After your morning fuel, make your way over to Avenue Jean Médecin. The Avenue (as the locals call it) is the main artery of Nice, home to tons of shops, restaurants, and the public streetcars. The Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption is located here as well as tons of shops, as well as the Centre Commercial Nicetoile mall. There’s something for everyone, and is a really nice stroll through the heart of Nice!
Keep strolling down The Avenue until you hit Place Masséna, the area that connects the old town to the new. It is a historic square with cafes and a wide variety of shops. The crown jewel is the Fontaine du Soleil, which is a statue of the Greek God Apollo. I also loved the Miroir d’Eau, which is right across the street. This is a shallow wading pool that creates a gorgeous reflection of the buildings that line the streets. Also nearby is the Jardin Albert 1er. Unfortunately I never got an opportunity to visit, but I heard great things and it’s definitely on my list for when I return!
Vieux Nice
Vieux-Nice is Nice’s Old Town and is oh so charming. All of the buildings are shades of warm colors like orange, yellow, red, or pink. It’s not a big area and easy to cover in about an hour, so enjoy getting “lost” by wandering through the streets. While wandering, definitely make sure you get a glimpse of the Opéra de Nice, which is across from the Église Saint-François-de-Paule. This little area was really beautiful and peaceful, especially earlier in the morning!
One of my absolute favorite streets in Vieux-Nice to photograph was here, on Rue Rossetti. I absolutely loved the bright pink, red, orange, and yellow homes. Another favorite place to photograph was at Palais de la Préfecture. This is the former residence of the Kings of Sardinia, dating back to the sixteenth century. And of course, don’t forget to stop for some tasty macarons at Angea.
Right in the heart of Vieux Nice on Cours Saleya is the Marché Aux Fleurs. This outdoor market is open 6 days a week (closed only on Mondays) and hosts vendors selling a variety of items. Fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables are just a few. I especially loved the booths where artists set up to showcase their watercolors or oil paintings. Each booth is covered with a colorful awning which makes for the best photo ops. Cours Saleya itself is also lined with tons of small cafes and shops, that you should take some time to check out! Grab some lunch at one of those or at one of the vendors at the market to fuel you up for the rest of your day in Nice!
Castle Hill
Castle Hill is the highest point in Nice and where you are going to get the absolute best views! For those who are looking for a challenge, you can choose to walk up the steps to the top which can be found right next to the Hôtel Suisse. But for everyone else, there is an elevator that will take you to the top! The elevator (ascenseur) can be found here. It is a quick, easy, and free ride to the top of the hill. Before you head up, make sure you take a selfie at the #ILoveNICE sign, located here on the Quai des États-Unis at the bottom of Castle Hill. Not only is this the ultimate selfie spot, but you’ll also get gorgeous views over the beach and city.
Once you make it to the top of Castle Hill, you’ll be welcomed into a lush park. There are tons of walking trails and signs directing you to the points of interest. One of the best (and most famous) is the Bellanda Tower. It is a circular observation deck with unobstructed views of Nice, the beaches, and the sea. Spectacular! I also loved the viewpoint here, which faced east over the Port de Nice Lympia. I loved gawking at the yachts docked in the port. Another point not to be missed is the Cascade waterfall, located here!
Promenade des Anglais, Beaches and Gelato
The Promenade des Anglais is the iconic walkway that hugs the Mediterranean and beaches. When I visited in mid-March, it was warm enough to be outside and sit on the beaches, but too cold to sunbathe or go in the water. If you’re visiting May-September, you’re going to want to hit the beach (and please do so in my honor!). While you’re walking the Promenade, keep an eye out for the iconic blue chairs. They’re impossible to miss, but are an icon of the French Riviera.
When it’s time to eat, there is nothing more iconic than dinner on the beach! If you’re visiting in the peak summer months, you’re definitely going to want to make your reservations ahead of time. However, in the off-season, you could walk right in whenever and there was no wait. A few restaurants that were recommended to me were Bocca Mar (Mediterranean), Le Galet (seafood), and Castel Plage (seafood and artisanal ice cream).
No matter what season you’re visiting in, watching the sunset from the beach is absolutely iconic. I made my way down here, around the Sporting Plage to watch the sunset. It was great to also take in views of the famous Le Negresco Hotel all lit up at dusk. At the end of the night, treat yourself to a sweet treat at Fenocchio. This iconic gelato shop is located back in the heart of Vieux-Nice. The gelato here is so tasty and they have such a variety of flavors to satisfy whatever craving you have. There were also a handful of tables and chairs set outside. Take some time to sit and people watch through the Place Rossetti. The iconic Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice is also located on the square, which is stunning in itself!
Read More: How to Spend One Day in Nice, France
Day 2: Èze and Monaco
On day two of your 3 days on the French Riviera, you’ll scratch off a new country and take a journey back in time to explore a medieval village! Visiting Èze and Monaco in one day is very doable on your own, but to maximize your time I would recommend booking a tour! I partnered with Tour Azur and they guided me on a full day tour through the two cities. It was so convenient to be taken directly into the hearts of the towns, without having to worry about logistics like train schedules or walking up and down steep cliffs. I’d highly recommend booking with them for this day!
Read More: Visiting Èze and Monaco from Nice with Tour Azur
Monaco’s Old Town
Start your day bright and early by scratching off a new country. When you arrive to Monaco, I’d recommend heading straight to the Old Town. Here, you will get views looking over the port, Monte Carlo, and the rest of the country. Because I used a tour, we were able to drive right into town and park in a parking garage right near the centrally located Oceanography Museum. It was so convenient, and I loved avoiding hiking up the steep cliffs from the train or bus stops!
Start your exploration at the Prince’s Palace, which is iconic in itself but also is adjacent to some of the best scenic viewpoints. From there, make your way into the Old Town. The Old Town isn’t large and easy to cover on foot in a couple of hours. Even if you’re not a postage stamp collector, consider stopping at the post office (La Poste Monaco) to get a souvenir postage stamp! It’s a small, cheap, fun souvenier from the world’s second smallest country! Right across from the post office is Monaco’s Town Hall (Mairie de Monaco), the only place in the country where they will stamp your passport! Simply walk up to the desk, show your passport and ask for a stamp. They will do so free of charge!
Every day at 11:55 am (weather permitting), the changing of the guard ceremony takes place back at the palace grounds. Arrive early if you want a good viewing spot! The ceremony will start with a procession of guards parading down this street and up the walkway to the palace. The whole thing only lasts about 15 minutes, but is very cool and not to be missed!
Afterward, make your way back through the town and out to the point of the peninsula. Here, you can stroll through a beautiful garden, stop at the iconic frame photo point, and even take in some more scenic views over the city and port.
Read More: How to Spend a Half-Day in Monaco’s Old Town
Monte Carlo
Next up, Monte Carlo! The glitz, the glamor… there is no place on earth quite like it. If you’re looking for luxury shopping, this is the place for you. For people like me who want to do some free sightseeing, start at the Opera House, which is attached to the famous Monte Carlo Casino! The lobby area of the opera house was open to visitors, and was so beautiful and fun to explore. If you want to enter the casino, be aware that there is a €18 cover charge and strict dress code to enter. There are also no photos or videos allowed inside.
Take some time to explore the plaza in front of the casino. I loved the reflective structure that sat right in the middle. It made for a prime selfie spot with the casino in the background! Adjacent to the plaza is the famous Hotel de Paris and Cafe de Paris. Both were amazing to gawk at from the outside, but I definitely felt too poor to enter either of them. Make sure you also make your way around Av. de Monte-Carlo for spectacular views of the port and all the yachts that are docked. Also along this road, you’ll find high end shopping such as Gucci, Hermes, and Valentino.
Fragonard Perfumery Tour in Èze
Next up, Èze! To get to Èze without a tour, I’d recommend taking the public busses. Èze-sur-Mer is the name of the train station that is closest to the town, but it is a steep climb up to the Village. When you arrive, make your first stop at the Fragonard Perfumery, just outside of Èze Village. The perfumery offers free tours, and is open every day.
The tour itself was so interesting, and lasted about 30 minutes. You will go behind the scenes to see their actual factory and the process that goes into making their scents. My favorite part was at the start, where we were tested to identify scents sourced from all over the world. Even though I got them all wrong, it was a lot of fun to try and match them up and interesting to see how far and wide they source materials for their scents.
At the end, we were given about 5 final perfumes to test out and enjoy. My personal favorite was Île d’Amour (translates to “Island of Love”). This perfume had notes of rose, jasmine, lilac, and lily of the valley and smelled so dreamy. The tour ends in their gift shop where you can snag a souvenir to take home.
Èze Village
From there, take the short, but steep, walk over to Èze Village. It is about a 10-minute walk up a steep hill. However, if you need to stop and rest along the way (like I did!), there are plenty of places to do so. Stop here for panoramic views of the valley and Med in the distance. Make sure you also stop here, to get a snap of the beautiful gate that gives entry to the famous Hôtel Château de La Chèvre d’Or.
The town is small and easy to cover in an hour, but trust me when I say you’re going to want extra time here! At first, I tried to keep my bearings but just kept getting turned around! My advice? Embrace getting lost. You will never be truly “lost” , but just lean in to getting turned around throughout the streets. Each street is more magical than the last and you’ll find hidden gems to explore. Take some time to pop into the small shops (there are a lot of artist galleries) or sit at one of the restaurants and enjoy a glass of wine.
For the true, 360 degree views of the sea and town, you will need to enter through Le Jardin Exotique. If you want to explore the gardens and see the view, definitely buy your tickets in advance. There were ticket machines set up before you enter the town and this will allow you to skip the line. It costs anywhere from €5 to €8 depending on the time of year. Tickets can be bought at machines before entering the town.
After time exploring this enchanting village, it’s time to head back to Nice. You can do so by either taking the public busses that leave directly from Èze Village, or by walking down along the path to the train station at Èze-sur-Mer. I was again thankful to be on a tour as we loaded up the car right at the village for a straight shot back into Nice. To book this exact tour with Tour Azur, you can do so by clicking here!
Day 3: Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Cannes
On third and final of your 3 days on the French Riviera, you’re going to start far east and work your way back west. Menton is the last town on the French Riviera before you hit Italy. You’ll start your day there and then hop the trains back hitting the small town of Villefranche-sur-Mer and landing in the fabulous city of Cannes. A busy day of town-hopping awaits, but it’ll be worth it!
Menton
Menton is a charming town right next to Italy that offers great beaches, a drop-dead gorgeous old town, a charming waterfront, and all the lemon-themed souvenirs you could ever ask for! Get up early in the morning and hit Menton while the world is still waking up, and plan on spending about 3-4 hours exploring. There are two stations in Menton: Menton and Menton Garavan. Arriving into town, I’d recommend getting off at Menton, and catching the train back to Nice at Menton Garavan. More on that below!
When you arrive, take a stroll down Avenue de Verdun, the main street that runs north-south. Enjoy the orange trees that line the parallel Jardins Biovès, and then end your walk Casino Barrière Menton and the water. Once you get to the water, take some time to stroll down the Promenade du Soleil, a walkway that hugs the Mediterranean and is the entry way to the beaches below. The Parc Plage de Fossan at the end of the beach made for a perfect place to rest, recharge, and soak in the views down the beach. One of my favorite shots though was just across the street at the Esplanade Francis Palmero. Two lines of tall palm trees line the walkway connecting the park to the old town. It was a dreamy mix of France and SoCal!
And when in Menton, you cannot miss the famous marché! This is an indoor market that hosts vendors selling just about everything you can want. Fresh cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and souvenirs are just a few offerings. It’s not huge, but it’s really fun to walk around. My favorite part though, was the outside of the building. The bright yellow façade with green and orange accents was too much. So beautiful!
Afterwards, make your way over to Menton’s Old Town. Take some time to wander through the streets of old town, entering by going up the Escaliers, the iconic orange and yellow staircase. This staircase will take you from the street and beaches all the way up to the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton. You can then enter the narrow, winding streets of the old town for some exploration.
Right at the base of the old town is Plage des Sablettes, which had really calm water, and looked like the best place for a dip if you are visiting in the summer! If you’re looking for the best views of Menton’s Old Town, walk down the Quai Impératrice Eugénie, a small road that services the port. From there you can actually find steps up onto the wall that will guide out out onto the rocks. Here is an exact pin! For a similar view, make your way down the beach a bit to this location. You’ll have the same sights of the old town, just from a slightly different angle. Be sure to bring your tripod and zoom lens for selfies and detailed shots!
After a busy morning, it’s time to make your way to the next stop by train. Instead of walking back to the Menton train station that you arrived in, I’d recommend getting on the train at Menton Garavan. From the Old Town, the two stops are a pretty equal walk away, so take advantage of getting a new view! One you get to the train station, you’ll purchase your ticket to the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer to start the next leg of your day!
Read More: Day Trip to Menton from Nice, France
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Next up: the small seaside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer! The town is not large (much smaller than Menton), and is easy to navigate on foot and cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. I spent about 2 hours here, but if you’re looking to sit down for a lunch or enjoy the beaches, you may want to budget a little more time.
When you arrive in Villefranche-sur-Mer from Nice, simply exit the train and follow signs for the plage (beach). The beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer was probably my favorite on my trip throughout the French Riviera! The water here was every shade of blue, and the views of the water and town were unbeatable. If you want a birds-eye view of the beach, you can walk up the roads to a viewpoint, located here. It’s a bit of an uphill walk, but the reward of killer views is worth it!
After some beach time, make your way into town by strolling along the waterfront. The street is lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops. One of the most iconic restaurants in Villefranche-sur-Mer is Mayssa Beach. They have a huge outdoor patio to sit out and enjoy views of the harbor, beach, town, and mountains. As you’re strolling, duck into any of the side streets and make your way into town for some exploration. The town isn’t huge and easy to navigate on foot. Simply start wandering through the stone streets, up and down beautiful staircases, and enjoy the view. Some of my favorite viewpoints in town were the famous Welcome Hotel, the Église Saint-Michel de Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the Place du Conseil.
On the edge of town were some of my favorite places to take in views of the Bay of Villefranche! At the Place du Counseil, continue along the Rue du Polieu as if you were walking in the direction back towards the train station. The road will turn into a wide pedestrian walkway with sweeping views. This was probably one of my favorite places in town. It was a great place for a quick (shame-free) photo shoot. Just down the road there is a small staircase that will lead you back down to the road, which is also incredibly beautiful and another great photo-spot.
After a couple hours exploring the time, make your way back to the train station and purchase your ticket to Cannes. Time for your third and final stop of the day!
Read More: Day Trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer from Nice, France
Cannes
The third and final stop of the day: Cannes! This is a fabulous city is the epitome of the French Riviera: charm, wealth, and scenic beauty, with a splash of Old Hollywood glamor! Given that this is the third city of the day, I’d recommend taking a tour of Cannes with Le Petit Train. The tour starts and ends here, right near the Palais des Festivals and Cannes Walk of Fame, a short walk from the train station. No need to book this tour ahead of time. You can simply show up for one of their many departures throughout the day. “The Big Tour” will take you all over the city, including free time at the Château de la Castre, so I’d recommend taking this tour for only €14.
The train will start by making its way down Boulevard de La Croisette. This promenade is hugs the Med and is so beautiful and scenic. Right near the starting point of the train, you’ll pass by Le Palais des Festivals. This is where the iconic Cannes Film Festival is held each year! As you continue, on your right you’ll pass by gorgeous beaches such as Croisette Beach and Zamenhof Beach. On your left, you’ll get to see luxury shopping stores and iconic hotels such as the Hotel Martinez and the Carlton Hotel. These hotels were swoon worthy and I can only dream of staying at either of these hotels one day! You’ll also get to see the famous Palm Beach and gawk at the boats parked in the Cannes Yacht Club.
As the train made its way back around through town, we cruised down the famous Rue d’Antibes. This street is a shopping haven (home to over 800 shops), and would be a great street to stroll down after the tour wraps. Next, the train makes its way through Cannes’ Old Town: Le Suquet. This was one of my favorite moments of the tour- all of the homes were dreamy shades of pastel.
The absolute best part of the tour however, was getting up to the Château de la Castre! Le Petit Train parked in an open area and gave us about 15 minutes of free time to explore and take photos. I absolutely loved the views from this point that overlooked the port, Le Suquet, and beyond! The Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance and Château de la Castre are both beautiful buildings to quickly stroll around and take photographs. Also nearby is the famous Cannes sign, for the ultimate selfie.
Finally, the train will make its way down the mountain and back through Le Suquet. You’ll drive down Quai Saint-Pierre and Prom. de la Pentiero, both which hug the Old Port of Cannes, where tons of yachts are proudly parked. The train ended at the same place as pickup, just a short walk back to the train station. Grab your ticket back into Nice, catch the sunset from the train, and reflect on a fabulous 3 days on the French Riviera!
Read More: Touring with Le Petit Train in Cannes, France
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments