Best Things to Do in the French Riviera & Top Travel Tips
Last Updated on 17th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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The South of France is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, a dazzling display of natural beauty, fairytale towns and villages and historically a playground for the rich and famous. From sparkling white pebble beaches, the crystal clear Mediterranean, to a legacy of arts and culture that will leave you inspired. Here’s your ultimate guide on the best things to do in the French Riviera, as well as top travel tips you should know before you go!
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What is the French Riviera?
The Côte d’Azur as it’s known in French, is a famous stretch of Mediterranean coastline that fringes the southeast corner of France and stretches from the Italian border, through the micro-state of Monaco. Although there are no official boundaries, the French Riviera encompasses the French departments of the Var and Alpes-Maritimes.
During the 18th century, the French Riviera was known to be somewhat of a health retreat, the area later went on to attract aristocrats and artists, becoming the “jet set” destination for the wealthier. Today, it remains an established holiday destination, drawing in millions of visitors annually.
What is the French Riviera known for?
The French Riviera is renowned for its gloriously warm climate, beautiful beaches and idyllic countryside. A destination that has piqued the interest of creatives for generations, dazzling and inspiring with its natural beauty and fairytale towns, it’s easily one of the most gilded destinations in the world and leaves all those who visit in awe.
It’s also a destination which has been most frequented by the rich and famous, attracting celebrities, artists, and royalty for centuries. This fact is evident when exploring the elegant architecture, pristine beaches and a plethora of museums and galleries that showcase this cultural legacy.
Nice is the largest and major city on the French Riviera, famed for its spectacular seaside promenade, which is known as the Promenade des Anglais. The resort town of Cannes along the coastline is famous worldwide for its annual international film festival.
Best things to do in the French Riviera
Relax on the beach
Of course, one of the biggest draws to the Mediterranean coastline is its beautiful beaches. Characterised by bustling beachfront promenades and secluded coves, the French Rivera has many sparkling white pebbles where the blue Mediterranean laps gently onto the shoreline. Here are just some of the best beaches along the Riviera:
Plage des Marinieres, Villefranche-sur-Mer – Unlike some of the more pebbled beaches elsewhere on the French Riviera, the Plage des Marinieres (Beach of the Sailors) is much sandier, making it easier to relax on.
Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Named after the French fashion designer Paloma Picasso who frequented this tranquil spot with her family, this beach is known to be the spot where the rich and famous escape. Characterised by fine pebbles, sparkling blue water and unreal coastal views
Plage des Sablettes, Menton – Situated just below the historic Old Town, this beach boasts stunning views of Menton’s colourful architecture. Crystal clear waters and fine pebble sand, this gorgeous spot is calm and great for swimming as it’s protected by a manmade jetty.
The list of hidden gems found along the French Riviera is endless, and all of the towns and small villages are home to treasures, making them unique and equally worth exploring. Here are just a few of the hidden gem to see in the region:
Cannes Walk of Fame, Cannes – Situated right in front of Palais des Festivals, i.e. the iconic venue where so many star-studded events are held throughout the year, there are over 300 hand printed hand prints of famous people. This walkway was inspired by the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, USA.
Rue Obscure, Villefranche-sur-Mer – This 13th-century tunnel goes under the houses in the heart of town and is dimly lit. Originally constructed in 1260 for military purposes, to allow soldiers to get easily through the town, today the tunnel is dimly lit and is roughly 430 feet long.
Val-Rahmeh Menton Botanical Garden, Menton – A green oasis, this is the 19th-century botanical garden of Val-Rahmeh. It boasts unique cacti, exotic trees and a beautiful pond with aquatic plants.
Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu-sur-Mer – the dream of French archaeologist Theodore Reinach, which came to life in the form of an ancient Greek villa, Kérylos. This enchanting site sits by the sparkling blue sea and is an architectural gem of the town.
French Riviera painting signs, Haut-de-Cagnes – These painted panels are displayed from where the painting is meant to depict and are a great insight straight back in time, they were pained by local iconic painters of the old village.
Promenade des Anglais, Nice – Translates to ‘walkway of the English’, this promenade was founded by Reverend Lewis Way during the 19th century as a way of offering unparalleled views onto the Bay of Angels.
Adam & Eve House, Nice – Situated on the rue de la Poissonnerie, the house dates back to 1850 and features a bas-relief which is widely thought to depict Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
For more hidden gem inspiration, check out our 10+ Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in Nice You Should Know About guide.
Discover the towns and small villages
Between seascape vistas and medieval towns which appear as if they’ve been plucked straight from the pages of a storybook, there’s no shortage of charm when it comes to the different villages, towns and cities of the French Riviera.
Experience the culture
As mentioned, the French Riviera has inspired the imagination of artists for generations, from Van Gogh’s dreamy landscapes to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s final novel Tender Is the Night, which shines a golden light on the beauty of the coastline.
Simply wandering through the small museums and art galleries and soaking up the culture that’s been so heavily influenced by this corner of the world is one of the best ways to feel connected to the creative minds and alike that frequented the French Riviera. Here are some of the small museums and galleries you should be sure not to miss:
- Jean Cocteau Museum & Severin Wunderman Collection: One of the most famous residents of Menton in the decades gone by was Jean Cocteau, one of the foremost artists of the surrealist, avant-garde. Here you can learn about his life and works in detail.
- Musée Picasso: Situated in Antibes, this museum showcases a collection of Picasso works set within a villa overlooking the sea.
- Musée Renoir: Renoir spent the last 12 years of his life in Cagnes-sur-Mer which is known as his “Cagnoise” period. Today, his former Neo-Provençal home has been transformed into a museum showcasing over a dozen of the artist’s paintings, as well as some of his belongings.
- Notre Dame d’Esperance: Presiding at the very top of a hill overlooking the glittering port, in one of the oldest parts of town, Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance is a Gothic church.
- Fragonard Factory: The huge perfume factory laboratory for Fragonard started in Èze in 1968. Today, visitors can take a free guided tour to see the traditional techniques that date back as far as the 8th century!
Enjoy outdoor pursuits
Whether it’s hiking up hillsides, snorkelling below crystal clear waters or jet-skiing across the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea, there are all kinds of activities for enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits!
The most popular activities are water-based, thanks to the warm and inviting waters. With several options to choose from, you can either opt for the more extreme activities like parasailing and surfing or simply gently paddle board along the shore. Book a sailing tour like this one.
Hiking through the rich natural landscape is also a popular activity in the Côte d’Azur, with many of the paths leading to spectacular panoramic views of the region. There are endless options, one of the most popular and easier routes is the Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat Loop walk where you can spy on one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods of the world.
Indulge in local cuisine
French food at its finest is one of the world’s most loved cuisines. In the French Riviera, you can get the best of multiple worlds, as the region’s cuisine is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean, Provençal and thanks to its proximity to the border, Italian culinary traditions. Featuring soups, vegetable-focused dishes and the freshest seafood, some of the most mouthwatering foods originate from this region.
- Ratatouille – If you’ve watched the famous Pixar film Ratatouille, you may well be familiar with this vegetable-based dish that was traditionally considered a peasant dish as it was made up of leftover vegetables. Ratatouille originated in Nice and is sometimes referred to as ratatouille niçoise.
- Bouillabaisse – This is a traditional Provençal fish soup that first came from the city of Marseilles. It’s a comforting stew of fresh fish and seafood cooked in a tomato and olive oil base.
- Salad Nicoise – Native to nice, this protein-rich salad is made with tuna, tomatoes, boiled eggs, onions, olives, and a variety of vegetables (and sometimes anchovies). You may find this salad changes depending on which areas of the Riviera you go to, as there’s an old-age debate on the “right way” to make it.
- Socca – Also known as Farinata, torta di Ceci, or cecina, this savoury dish is a kind of savoury crêpe that’s a Niçois speciality and a delicious dish.
- Pistou Soup – A light and vibrant vegetable soup, flavoured with pesto.
- Pissaladière – The region’s answer to pizza, this flatbread dish is studded with ingredients from the region like anchovies, and olives and topped with caramelised onions.
- Tarte Tropézienne – As its name suggests, this dessert originated from the glamorous town of St Tropez. This famous sweet treat is a brioche-based cake filled with two types of cream and then topped with crunchy sugar.
- Aioli – Though the exact origins of this garlic sauce are debated with South of France claiming it as their own, you are likely to see a lot of it as it’s one of the most popular condiments of the region.
Mooch in a local market
When in the South of France it would be remiss to not head to a market and soak up the delights and treasures that local vendors have for sale. From fresh produce of fruits, vegetables and baked goods, to special trinkets, lavender-based products and plenty more! Here are some of the markets and their opening times in various towns across the region:
- Menton – The market operates between 7 AM and 1 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer – Every day except Sundays is the local market of fresh produce which happens between 8 AM – 12:30 PM. On Saturdays the Provençal Market happens between 8 AM – 1 PM.
- Casis – The weekly market is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 AM – 1:30 PM.
- Saint Paul de Vence – This annual truffle market is a true highlight of the town, the exact dates of when it happens are typically announced closer to the time.
- Nice – Cours Saleya is Nice’s main outdoor market and takes place Tuesdays to Sundays from 7 AM – 1 PM. Also, every Monday there’s an antique market.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer – A twice-weekly market which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. There are a variety of delicious goodies for sale, including fresh fruits, vegetables, local cheeses, and even French butter.
French Riviera Tips
The French Riviera (including the principal of Monaco) is in the South of France. France and Monaco use the Euro (€)
The French Riviera is best explored over the course of several days, preferably longer. Check here for our suggested French Riviera itinerary.
The main language spoken in France is French. Though you can get by with English in the more popular places along the French Riviera, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the local language. Bring along a simple phrasebook like this one to help make your travels easier.
France uses plug types, types C and E. As such, if you’re travelling from the UK, USA, Canada, and many other destinations, you’ll need to buy an adapter. I recommend buying a universal travel adapter that you can use for multiple destinations (rather than buying a new adaptor for each place you visit).
And a final note, be careful with your belongings. I also highly advise avoiding wearing a backpack and instead opting for a crossbody bag like these. Personally I use a crossbody bag by this brand and love its shape, size, and versatility.
Where to stay on the French Riviera
Thanks to the ease of transport and access throughout the region, you’ll likely want to base yourself in just one location for a long weekend along the Mediterranean coastline. The main city Nice has great transport links, an international airport just fifteen minutes from the city centre, and fantastic nightlife.
That being said, all of the smaller towns and villages make for a quieter retreat and offer great spots to base yourself and explore the wider region, though they tend to be a little more costly than that of Nice.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something incredibly luxurious, then both Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence have wonderful historical hotels offering breathtaking scenic views and five-star accommodations. Check out the Chevre d’Or in Èze and Hôtel Le Saint-Paul in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
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