10+ Bucket List Things to Do on the French Riviera (The Cote d’Azur Guide)
The French Riviera has a reputation… and it’s one of those destinations that actually lives up to the hype. The Côte d’Azur is the kind of place that gets under your skin, making you want to visit every year. The sun seems to shine brighter, the pace is slower, and the combination of turquoise water, medieval hilltop villages, and world-class food and wine makes it genuinely difficult to leave. I’ll be honest, I came to the French Riviera expecting glamour and left with something I didn’t anticipate. A deep love for this corner of France that has nothing to do with the glitz and everything to do with capturing that French “feeling”. Whether you have four days or two weeks, this is my bucket list of experiences on the French Riviera – the ones worth planning your entire trip around.
What to Know Before You Visit the French Riviera
The French Riviera – or the Côte d’Azur as it’s known in French – stretches along the southeastern Mediterranean coastline of France, from the glitzy beaches of Cannes all the way to the Italian border at Menton. It’s one of the most iconic and sought-after travel destinations in the world, and for good reason! The landscapes here are unlike anywhere else in France, the food is exceptional, and the combination of mountains, sea, and medieval villages makes it endlessly explorable.
Not sure what to pack? My complete French Riviera packing list covers every season
How to Get to the French Riviera
The easiest way to reach the French Riviera from Paris is by TGV train directly to Nice or flying into Nice. If you opt to take the train, the journey takes approximately 5.5 hours and drops you right in the heart of the Riviera. Flying is also an option (Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is well-connected), but once you factor in airport time, the train is often just as fast. I recommend booking whatever feels most comfortable for you.
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How to Get Around the French Riviera
One of the best-kept secrets of the French Riviera is how easy it is to get between towns by train. The coastal rail line connecting Nice, Èze, Menton, Monaco, Antibes, and Cannes is one of the most scenic train routes in Europe. For inland villages like Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you’ll need a rental car or taxi, but if you’re only planning on visiting the coastal towns, the train is best for this.
Read my complete guide to renting a car on the French Riviera
Best Time to Visit the French Riviera
May, June, and September are the sweet spots for visiting the Riviera. It’s warm enough to swim and uncrowded enough to actually enjoy it. July and August are peak season (and kind of a nightmare); the Riviera is stunning but packed, and prices spike accordingly. I’ve visited once in September and once in February. September was great and I was still able to enjoy the water and visit the beach clubs, and February was decent weather, less packed, but I wasn’t able to enjoy the beaches.
How Many Days Do You Need?
I’d recommend a minimum of four to five days to do the Riviera justice – enough time to base yourself in Nice, take a half-day in Èze, explore Menton, and wander Saint-Paul-de-Vence without feeling rushed. If you want to add Monaco, Antibes, or Cannes, give yourself a full week.
1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais in Nice at Golden Hour
If there is one thing you absolutely must do in Nice, it’s walk the Promenade des Anglais at golden hour. The Promenade stretches for nearly 4 miles along the Bay of Angels, lined with belle époque hotels, palm trees, and those iconic blue chairs that have become synonymous with Nice itself. As the sun dips toward the Mediterranean, the light turns golden and the whole boulevard takes on a warmth that is genuinely hard to describe… you just have to experience it. After your walk, pull up a chair at one of the terrace cafés lining the Promenade, order a glass of Provence rosé, and see where the evening takes you!
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2. Walk up Castle Hill Park for Sweeping Views of Nice & the Riviera
Tucked at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill Park is one of the most rewarding and under-visited spots in all of Nice. The climb to the top is about 300 feet and very doable on foot. From the summit, the views are genuinely breathtaking – the terracotta rooftops of Vieux-Nice on one side, the Bay of Angels stretching out in front of you, and the port of Nice below. Go at sunrise or late afternoon for the best light.
3. Get Lost in Vieux-Nice
Vieux-Nice, the old town, is exactly what you picture when you imagine the south of France. Narrow cobblestone streets, baroque churches, colorful façades in every shade of ochre and terracotta, and the smell of fresh bread drifting out of boulangeries. The Cours Saleya market is the heart of it all – flowers, local produce, olives, and vendors who have been showing up to the same spot for decades. While you’re there, you absolutely have to try pissaladière – a Niçoise flatbread topped with caramelized onions, olives, and anchovies that is entirely unique to Nice and genuinely one of my favorite things to eat in France. Vieux-Nice is best explored slowly, without a map, and without anywhere to be.
4. Book a Luxury Hotel Stay
The French Riviera is one of those destinations where the hotel is part of the experience and two properties that I have personally stayed at and cannot recommend enough are Château Eza in Èze and Toile Blanche in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Château Eza is a medieval castle perched 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean in Èze village – the views from the terrace alone are worth every penny, and the restaurant is exceptional. Toile Blanche in Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a different kind of magic; a refined, intimate property surrounded by Provençal countryside. If you’re going to splurge anywhere on your French Riviera trip, let it be your hotel.
Don’t miss my complete guide to the best luxury hotels on the French Riviera!
5. Spend a Quiet Morning in Eze
Èze is a medieval perched village on the French Riviera, dramatically clinging to a clifftop 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. The narrow stone lanes wind upward through art galleries, boutiques, and bougainvillea-draped archways until you reach the exotic garden at the summit (spoiler: the views from up there are breathtaking and make it worth every step of the climb!). It sits perfectly between Nice and Monaco, making it an easy and very worthwhile stop on any Côte d’Azur itinerary. Just note that the village is entirely pedestrian and the climb is steep, so wear comfortable shoes!
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6. Rent a Boat for a Day on the Water
One of the most unforgettable things you can do on the French Riviera is rent a boat and spend a day on the Mediterranean, and trust me… once you’re out on the water looking back at the coastline, you’ll understand why people never want to leave. The views of the cliffs, the perched villages, and the coastline from the water are entirely different from anything you see on land. Most coastal towns offer boat rentals, with or without a captain, and you don’t need any prior sailing experience for the smaller vessels. Pack a picnic, bring a bottle of rosé, and give yourself a full day – it’s definitely worth it.
7. Book a Lounge Chair at La Mome Riviera Beach Club
If you’re going to do a beach club on the French Riviera, you’re going to want to do it properly, and La Môme Riviera in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is exactly that. This is the kind of place where you book a lounge chair for the day, order a bottle of rosé, and jump into the Mediterranean when the sun becomes too hot to bear. The setting is stunning, the service is exceptional, and the crowd is the perfect mix of glamorous and relaxed… very Côte d’Azur. Book in advance, especially in summer, and plan to stay for lunch!
8. Eat the Local Foods of the Region
The food of the French Riviera is its own distinct category, heavily influenced by both Provence and Italy and unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in France. Niçoise cuisine alone is worth the trip: pissaladière, salade niçoise, socca, and pan bagnat — the iconic tuna-stuffed sandwich that locals eat on the beach. Beyond Nice, the region is the home of Provence rosé, bouillabaisse, and olive oil so good it will ruin every other olive oil for you. Eat slowly, order the local wine, and say yes to everything you don’t recognize on the menu.
9. Discover Menton (the Riviera’s Most Underrated Town)
Menton is a sun-drenched town on the French Riviera, tucked right on the Italian border, and one of the most colorful and undervisited towns on the Côte d’Azur. The pastel-stacked old town rising above the harbor, the lemon groves, and the belle époque architecture give it a character that feels distinctly different from the glitz of nearby Monaco and Nice. It’s famously the warmest town in France, which means the markets are bursting with citrus year-round (the annual Lemon Festival in February is one of the most anticipated events on the Riviera). If you’re craving the beauty of the Côte d’Azur without the crowds, Menton is your answer.
10. Dine at the 3 Michelin-Star Restaurant – Restaurant Mirazur
If you are going to splurge on one meal on the French Riviera, make it Mirazur in Menton, a three Michelin-starred restaurant that was named the best restaurant in the world in 2019, and one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. Chef Mauro Colagreco’s menu is inspired by his 12 acres of biodynamic gardens, the sea, and the surrounding terroir. The dishes change with the lunar calendar, meaning no two visits are ever quite the same. The setting alone is worth the reservation; a 1930s villa perched above Menton with panoramic views of the Mediterranean stretching out below you. Just make sure to book well in advance – tables are extremely limited and fill up months ahead.
11. Spend the Day at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Perched on a narrow peninsula between two bays in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most spectacular properties on the entire French Riviera – a rose-pink Belle Époque villa built by Béatrice de Rothschild in the early 20th century, surrounded by nine themed gardens overlooking the sea. The interiors are filled with an extraordinary collection of 18th-century art, porcelain, and furniture, and wandering through the rooms feels like stepping into the private world of one of Europe’s most glamorous dynasties. But the real gem? The French garden at the front of the villa which features a musical fountain show that runs throughout the day, framed by the Mediterranean on both sides.
12. Wander the Medieval Village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Tucked into the hills above the French Riviera just 20 minutes from Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of those villages that earns every bit of its reputation. Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso all called it home at various points and wandering the narrow stone lanes lined with galleries, you can understand what drew them here. Just don’t leave without visiting the Fondation Maeght and walking the ramparts for sweeping views over the Provençal countryside.
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13. Rent a Car for Ultimate Freedom
While the coastal train between Nice, Menton, and Monaco is genuinely excellent, renting a car unlocks a completely different version of the French Riviera – one that most tourists never see. The inland villages, the winding mountain roads above the coast, the hidden viewpoints, and places like Saint-Paul-de-Vence simply aren’t accessible without one. Some of my favorite moments on the Riviera have happened on roads I stumbled onto by accident, with no particular destination in mind. If your itinerary includes any time in the hills or the Provençal backcountry just inland from the coast, a rental car is non-negotiable! And if you want a French Riviera road trip itinerary, check out my 5 day itinerary here.
The French Riviera is truly magical and while there are tons of different ways to do it, I hope that this post helps plan your travels, inspires your visit, and shows you the true “bucket list” things to see and do in the Riviera. If you have any questions about visiting the French Riviera, leave a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram.
Planning a Trip to France?
I am a licensed, Paris-based travel advisor who plans custom France itineraries for travelers who want to experience the country the way it deserves to be experienced – intentionally and free of tourist traps. From a long weekend in Paris to a multi-region road trip, I handle every detail so you don’t have to. If you’re not ready for full-planning services, I also offer 1-hour “France Audit” calls to go over your itinerary, share recommendations, and answer any questions you have!
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