City Guide: The French Riviera
On a self-guided boat ride from Nice’s harbor to Villefranche-sur-Mer
The French Riviera is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and its unique combination of water and coastline culture, the best French food, local farmers markets and flower markets, and cobblestone streets make for an equally relaxing and adventurous trip in the South of France. This city guide focuses on our favorite towns in the Riviera: Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.
We’ve listed out the TOP highlights, things to do, prettiest and best restaurants and cafes, and excursions in each town - all our favorites and soon to be yours, too!
ALL UNDERLINED TEXT IS A DIRECT LINK TO THE GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION AND/OR TOUR OPERATOR. We’ve also linked a list of all the Google Maps highlights in the Riviera at the end of the article. Enjoy planning your trip to the Riviera!
NICE
The end of the Nice Promenade des Anglais along the Nice Harbor
The heart of Nice is located along the main waterfront promenade, Promenade Des Anglais, as well as Nice’s Old Town, its historic center full of charming local shops, decades-old flower markets, and cafes and restaurants.
Things to Do
Castle Hill: old citadel on top of the city with beautiful panoramic views of Nice, as well as a waterfall (you can go up in an elevator or via staircase — but beware, the elevator is known to stop working sometimes!)
Promenade des Anglais: walk along this beachside and palm tree-lined road with shops, restaurants, and cafes
Take a Boat Out: Rent a boat on the harbor and take it out to Villefranche-sur-Mer; make sure to pick up some baguettes, cheese, and rosé and take it with you!
Place Masséna: central plaza full of shops, cafes, live music, and public shows
Nice Cathedral: beautiful cathedral built in the 1600s, located in a colorful square
Cours Saleya Market: pedestrian-only market known for its huge flower market, antiques, and cafes
Nice’s Promenade des Anglais
Restaurants, Cafes, and Rooftops
La Maison de Marie: French restaurant in a stunning outdoor garden; be sure to make reservations!
La Terrasse: rooftop with coast views and DJ
L’Essenciel: rooftop restaurant with panoramic city and water views specializing in tapas and cocktails.
Le Plongeoir: upscale spot for Mediterranean food and cocktails on a cliff by the water with harbor views
La Part des Anges: small wineshop with tastings for meat/cheese
Origenes: French, family-owned restaurant with high-quality and locally sourced foods.
Fenocchio: very popular gelato spot with tons of flavors
Fish for dinner at Nice’s restaurant in a garden, La Maison de Marie
The Best Excursions to Book in Nice
TAKE YOUR OWN BOAT OUT (WITHOUT A LICENSE) FROM NICE: Rent my Boat Nice, a boat rental company on the Nice harbor, will allow you to take out their smaller boats without a license from Nice; make sure to pack wine and cheese for the afternoon (this cafe can pack you some!)
SIGHTSEEING GUIDED DAY TRIP FROM NICE: a great day trip/tour from Nice that will take you through the hilltop and historic perfume capital of Eze, the Monte Carlo in Monaco, the artsy Saint Paul-de-Vence, and Cannes’ glitz and glamour. This tour is great to book if you are based in Nice and have limited time to visit other towns along the Riviera. Hotel pickup is offered.
VINEYARD EBIKE DAY TRIP (SMALL GROUP) FROM NICE: an ebike tour through the countryside vineyards around nice and visit a family-run winery for a tour, tastings, and a picnic lunch in the vineyards. This tour is a great way to change the scenery from the Riviera’s waterfront and enjoy some of France’s famous wine culture.
NO DIET CLUB MULTI-COURSE CULINARY EXPERIENCE FROM NICE: food tastings galore - this tour is run by French locals and specializes in providing you with an authentic Nice food experience, complete with a multi-course experience from many of the city’s local spots.
NICE OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR: a guided tour of the historic markets and streets of old Town/Le Vieux in Nice, where you’ll enjoy Old Town’s charming sights and hear about the architecture of Nice’s oldest buildings and squares, along with a stop at the famous Nice flower market.
NICE TO SAINT TROPEZ ROUND-TRIP BOAT TRANSPORTATION: water transportation to Saint Tropez; Saint Tropez is a trickier part of the Riviera to get to, so a day trip to the glitzy French town may be your best bet. This boat transport leaves Nice at 9:00am and gets to St. Tropez at 11:30am; it leaves St. Tropez at 4:30pm and arrives in Nice at 7:00pm. You’re free to explore St. Tropez independently.
MONACO
Monaco is the land of celebrities, glamour, F1 racetracks and supercars, yachts, and fancy cafes. And of course, its main attraction is the Monte Carlo Casino, made famous by the James Bond movies.
Things to Do
Monte Carlo Casino: embrace your inner James Bond at the world’s most iconic casino with a stunningly ornate interior and old-world feel
Grand Prix Track: see the Monaco Grand Prix Formula One track, which is also located on the yacht harbor; if you can, rent a car and drive the track
Larvotto Beach: popular sandy beach with clear water with a backdrop of the Monaco cityscape
Metropole Shopping: shop inside the mall in the Monte Carlo - includes many high-end stores
Square Beaumarchais: beautiful square in Monaco’s outdoor shopping district with an outdoor Veuve Clicquot bar and live music/shows
Rent a boat: pack some wine and cheese and boat around to the Musee Oceanographic on the water
The entrance to the Monte Carlo Casino
Restaurants, Cafes, and Rooftops
Café de Paris: famous upscale restaurant with incredible inside decor and terrace
Le Marché de la Condamine: indoor-outdoor food hall and market
Santo Gelato Monaco: great gelato shop between the town and beach
Le Train Bleu: the bar/restaurant inside the Monte Carlo with beautiful decor and great drinks
Fairmont Monte Carlo: beautiful afternoon tea with desserts and finger foods
La Montgolfiere: Michelin-starred spot headed by a Monaco local and specializing in pasta and seafood
CANNES
Home to the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival that takes place every May, Cannes is known on the Riviera for one of few spots with white sandy beaches (the rest of the Riviera is mostly pebble beaches), its boating and high-end shopping, and its La Croisette, the promenade along the water with beach restaurants and views.
Things to Do
La Croisette: walk along the main waterside promenade in Cannes with shops/cafes; this is the best place to stay in Nice, as many hotels here have their own private sandy beaches
Le Vieux Port/Old Port: marina/port lined with cafes, bars, and boats; beautiful to stroll along at sunset
La Crois-des-Gardes Park: beautiful neighorhood with park, gardens, trails, and hikes
Le Suquet: in a hill area above the city, this neighborhood from the 18th century retains much of its historical charm and architecture, and is host to many restaurants and local shops
Notre Dame d’Espérance: church with an iconic belltower in Le Suquet with views of all of Cannes
Palais des Festivals des Congrès: site of the annual film festival; in the festival off-season, it doubles as a theater
One of Cannes’ sandy beaches leading out to a fishing pier
Restaurants, Cafes, and Rooftops
Fouquet’s: this iconic French restaurant has outposts in Cannes and Paris; the Cannes Fouquet’s is located in Barriere Majestic with outdoor dining and cocktails
Table 22 par Noel Mantel: Michelin-starred French restaurant serving traditional meals with a modern twist
Carlton Beach Club: bright and sunny restaurant on the Croisette specializing in meats and seafood
Mademoiselle Gray Plage: beautiful beach restaurant with great cocktails, DJ, and beach access - great to visit for a sunset meal; reservations recommended
Volupté Cafe: small, casual cafe with teas, coffees, and a fresh bakery with desserts - try the hot chocolate!
Breakfast at Fouquet’s in Cannes
The Best Excursions to Book in Cannes
BOAT DAY TRIP TO THE ESTEREL FROM CANNES: incredible guided full-day boating experience leaves from the Cannes marina and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the Riviera from its iconic blue open waters. you’ll get the chance to jump off the boat and swim, as well as explore the coves around the Esterel in Cannes from the water
HALF-DAY CATAMARAN CRUISE FROM CANNES: a day on a catamaran, complete with lunch. You do not want to miss a day out on the water in the French Riviera, wherever you are, and this tour will give you the opportunity to swim and snorkel, sunbathe on the beautiful catamaran, and enjoy a trip to the small and scenic Lérins Islands and St. Marguerite Island
VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
Beach town neighboring Nice and known for its bay/coastline, ships, and laid-back vibe
Things to Do
Plage Villefranche-sur-Mer: beach (partially sandy and partially rocky) with clear water and known among the locals
Drive up Boulevard Napoléon III: enjoy the incredible views down to the beach and stop at the viewpoint
Restaurants, Cafes, and Rooftops
Mayssa Beach: rooftop restaurant specializing in Mediterranean dishes/seafood overlooking the harbor
Olim Masséna: cafe/brunch-style casual spot
La Mère Germaine: French restaurant known for its bouillabaisse and higher-end dining
The iconic views of Villefranche-sur-Mer from the Boulevard Napoléon III
SAINT JEAN CAP FERRAT
Nice’s peninsula neighbor known for its stunning coastal hikes, cliffside restaurants and hotels, and beautiful waterside views
Things to Do
Plage Fossettes: local pebble beach on the Cap Ferrat peninsula
Hike the Peninsula: paved and not too difficult - will take you all the way around the peninsula
Restaurants, Cafes, and Rooftops
Restaurante Capitaine Cook: classic, family-run French restaurant specializing in fish
Club Dauphin: stunning restaurant in the famous Grand Hotel on the cap of the peninsula with water views
Paloma Beach: upscale seafront restaurant on the beach
Les Délices de Marius: great pastry and sandwich shop for a takeaway picnic on the beach
Google Maps Link: THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Views from the hike along the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Peninsula
