5 Day French Riviera Road Trip Itinerary – The Perfect Cote d’Azur Drive
Of course I’ve seen photos of the French Riviera and knew it was beautiful before I visited. However, what I did not expect was just how beautiful! This five-day road trip itinerary will take you from Nice to Menton along the coast, up to the medieval village of Èze, through the extraordinary gardens of Cap Ferrat, into the Provençal hills of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and back to Nice… and it is the version of the French Riviera I hope everyone gets a chance to experience. The most beautiful version.
Before You Go – What to Know
Before you start mapping out your itinerary, there are a few things worth knowing. This itinerary is designed to be driven and if you don’t want to drive, you will need a private driver. Without one you cannot access the Corniche roads, the perched villages, or the museums that make this itinerary special as the spots mentioned are not accessible by train. The best time to do this trip is May, June, or September – the weather is still warm and the roads and villages are noticeably more enjoyable than in the peak of July and August when the Riviera is at its most crowded and most expensive. You will fly (or take the train) in and out of Nice, which is your natural base for the entire itinerary – pick up your car on arrival and drop it off before your flight home. Finally, book everything in advance – hotels, tours, and any restaurant you are particularly excited about. The Riviera rewards those who plan ahead, trust me.
Don’t miss…
- Renting a Car in the French Riviera – Everything You Need to Know
- Best Luxury Hotels in the French Riviera – Where to Stay on the Côte d’Azur
- French Riviera Packing List
Day 1: Arrive to Nice, Pick-Up Rental Car, Drive to Menton
Arrive to Nice
Your French Riviera road trip begins the moment you arrive to Nice Côte d’Azur. Pick up your rental car (when booking your rental make sure to choose pickup from the Nice airport or the Nice train station – whichever you’re arriving to), load your bags, and head east towards Italy. The drive from Nice to Menton along La Basse Corniche takes approximately 45 minutes and is one of the most scenic coastal drives in France! The road hugs the shoreline through Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and Cap d’Ail, with the Mediterranean glittering on your right the entire way.
Afternoon & Evening in Menton
Menton is one of the most underrated towns on the entire French Riviera and is easily one of my favorites. Check into your hotel and start walking towards the promenade for a pizza lunch at La PecoraNegra – a harbour-side pizzeria by Mauro Colagreco, the celebrated chef behind Mirazur, his three-Michelin-star restaurant also in Menton. La PecoraNegra is his casual concept and has been ranked among the 100 best pizzerias in the world .
After lunch continue to explore while making it up to the old cemetery above the town (this is one of the most beautiful and most overlooked viewpoints on the Riviera). In the evening, find a terrace overlooking the water for aperitif and then dinner – Menton is famous for its lemons, and you will find them worked into dishes and desserts across the town. Do not leave without trying a lemon tart!
Where to Stay in Menton
The only downside to Menton is that there are no luxury hotels in town. If you’re set on luxury, I recommend The Maybourne Riviera in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, 20-minutes west of Menton.
Otherwise, hotels in Menton that I would recommend include…
Day 2: Eze + Menton
Don’t miss…
Morning – Drive to Eze
On day two, you’re going to want to start bright and early! I recommend heading to Èze, one of the most visited villages on the entire French Riviera… but by mid-morning the village is a bit of a nightmare. By arriving early you can still experience the village when it’s quieter, and the whole experience is infinitely more magical. You’ll drive west from Menton – approximately 30 minutes – park in the parking garage at the base of the village and walk up.
Once you arrive to Èze, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. It’s everything a medieval Riviera village should be – small, perfectly preserved, and perched 1,400 feet above the sea with views that stretch all the way to Corsica on a clear day. The cobblestone lanes are narrow enough that two people can barely pass each other, the stone buildings tower above you on each side, and the whole place feels genuinely ancient. Make your way to the Jardin Exotique at the very top of the village – a cactus garden built among the ruins of a medieval castle with panoramic views of the Riviera. Allow at least two hours to explore the village and stop for a coffee at Petit Loup Specialty Coffee.
Afternoon – Return to Menton
For the afternoon I recommend driving back to Menton to spend the afternoon at a beach club (because after a morning of climbing medieval cobblestones, relaxing at the beach in front of the Mediterranean is exactly what you need). Based on what you’re looking for, I have two suggestions: La Môme Riviera in nearby Roquebrune-Cap-Martin or Les Sablettes Beach Club right on the Menton promenade. Both require reservations in advance and I recommend eating lunch at either.
Evening – Menton
For your last night in Menton, I highly recommend splurging on one of the most extraordinary restaurant experiences on the entire French Riviera. Mirazur, the three-Michelin-star restaurant by chef Mauro Colagreco perched on the hillside above Menton with panoramic views over the Mediterranean, was named the best restaurant in the world in 2019 and remains one of the most celebrated dining destinations in France. The tasting menu follows a biodynamic calendar – dishes rotate daily based on whether it is a root, flower, fruit, or leaf day – with ingredients grown in the restaurant’s own gardens and citrus orchards. I was lucky enough to experience this dinner and I have to say, it’s a meal I’m still thinking about years later. Note that Mirazur is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan your itinerary days accordingly and make sure to book well in advance.
Day 3: Cap Ferrat + Beaulieu + Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Morning – Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Once you leave Menton, drive west along the coast – approximately 30 minutes – to one of the most extraordinary properties on the entire French Riviera. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild sits on the narrowest point of the Cap Ferrat peninsula, overlooking two bays simultaneously – Villefranche on one side and Beaulieu on the other. Built between 1905 and 1912 by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, this pink Belle Époque palace is a testament to one woman’s extraordinary passion for beauty and art. I’d recommend getting the audio guide which tells the story of the Baroness and brings every room to life.
The real highlight, however, is outside. Nine themed gardens surround the villa – French, Spanish, Japanese, Florentine, Provençal, rose garden, and more, each completely different in character and all classified by the French Ministry of Culture as among the Remarkable Gardens of France. The musical fountains in the French garden play every 20 minutes and the views from the terraces over the Mediterranean are breathtaking. Allow at least two hours to explore.
Afternoon – Lunch in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
From Cap Ferrat, drive five minutes east to Beaulieu-sur-Mer for lunch. Beaulieu is one of the most elegant towns on the Riviera with a beautiful seafront promenade and an atmosphere that feels more local than its more famous neighbors. For lunch, head to the harbour where you’ll find many different restaurants. I ate at La Maison de Beaulieu and would recommend it.
Once you’ve finished lunch, you’ll drive inland from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, approximately 30-minutes.
Evening – Saint-Paul-de-Vence
As you drive inland, you’ll notice that the landscape shifts dramatically as you leave the coast and climb into the Provençal hills. Check into your hotel and then walk straight into the village. The medieval lanes, the ramparts with their sweeping views over the surrounding hills and vineyards, the art galleries spilling out onto the cobblestones – Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of those places that is genuinely difficult to leave. For dinner, head to Le Moulin de Saint-Paul, a beautifully restored 17th-century mill at the entrance to the village by Michelin-starred chef Alain Llorca, serving sun-drenched Mediterranean cuisine in one of the most characterful settings in the entire region. Just make sure to book in advance.
where to stay in saint-paul-de-vence
For a small village, there are so many great, luxury hotels in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. I stayed at Toile-Blanche – a 5-star, family run hotel, which I’d highly recommend. Other recommendations include…
Don’t miss…
Day 4: Saint-Paul-de-Vence + Nice (Return Car)
Morning – Foundation Maeght + Renoir Museum
Start your last full day with breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Head to the Fondation Maeght, one of the great modern art museums in Europe – Miró, Giacometti, Calder, and Chagall are all represented in an indoor-outdoor building and sculpture garden. You can expect to spend about an hour here.
From Saint-Paul-de-Vence, drive toward Nice and make a stop at the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. This is the house where Auguste Renoir spent the last 12 years of his life, surrounded by ancient olive trees with views over the coast. It’s intimate and completely off the radar of most visitors. Expect to spend around 45 minutes before continuing into Nice.
Afternoon – Nice
Once you arrive in Nice, I recommend returning your rental car before checking into your hotel – you won’t need it in Nice. Once you’re settled, head straight to Vieux-Nice, the old town, where the narrow streets and colorful facades feel more Italian than French (historically they were). The Cours Saleya market is one of the best in France so head there first if it is still open, then lose yourself in the surrounding lanes. From the old town it is a short walk to the Promenade des Anglais – walk the full length of it and then climb Castle Hill for the best panoramic view over Nice and the Baie des Anges. The view from the top is one of the best in the entire region.
Evening – Nice
For dinner, I recommend heading to Rouge – a wine bar near the old port tucked into the antiques district, one block from the harbor. Rouge does take reservations but they also have bar seating if you weren’t able to book ahead. The concept is Mediterranean sharing plates alongside an extraordinary wine list of around 100 bottles available by the glass. The food is inventive, fresh, and delicious – pork belly, octopus, tuna tataki, zucchini blossom tempura (the kind of menu that makes you want to order everything!). It is the perfect final evening on the Riviera.
where to stay in nice
My top hotel recommendations for Nice include…
Don’t miss…
Day 5: Depart from Nice
Day five is your departure day. If you have time, take one final walk along the Promenade des Anglais before you leave – the promenade is at its most peaceful before the city fully wakes up. Also, if you weren’t able to make it to the Cours Saleya market, it opens early and is worth a final stop for a coffee and pastry.
Practical Tips for this Itinerary
- Book everything in advance – hotels, restaurants, beach clubs all require advance reservations.
- Rent a car – this itinerary is designed to be driven. Without a car you cannot access the perched villages or the museums on this route. Book your rental before anything else and read my complete guide to renting a car on the French Riviera before you go.
- Pack light – you are moving accommodations across five days and the Riviera’s narrow roads, tight parking areas, and steep village approaches are significantly less stressful without a large suitcase. For packing in France, check out my complete France packing guide.
- Beach Clubs require reservations – do not show up without one in summer.
- Allow extra time at Nice airport in summer – traffic between the city and the airport on peak travel days can be slow.
Five days, four destinations, and more beauty than you will know what to do with. This itinerary moves at a pace that lets the Riviera sink in. Unhurried enough to linger over a long lunch in Beaulieu, to watch the evening light settle over the hills in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and to take one last walk along the Promenade des Anglais before your flight. That is the version of the Côte d’Azur worth coming for.
Don’t miss…
- Bucket List Things to Do on the French Riviera – The Côte d’Azur Guide
- 4 Days in the Luberon – The Perfect Provence Itinerary
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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