The most beautiful towns on the French Riviera are scattered around the 550-mile span of coastline along the Mediterranean in the southeast part of France.
It is also known as the Cote d’Azur because of the blue water. With over 300 days of sunshine, it is no surprise that the French Riviera is a popular destination.
The beautiful coastal climate makes for the perfect winter getaway for Europeans and a year-round tourist haven.
With its pristine beaches, clear blue water, charming cities, and diverse culture, there is a little something here for everyone.
This guide includes some of the best towns on the French Riviera to visit during your South of France itinerary.
Towns on the French Riviera Map
Towns on the French Riviera
Nice
The unofficial capital of the French Riviera and the largest city on the Cote d’Azur makes Nice one of the most visited Riviera destinations.
The Old Town, or “Vieux Nice” is the heart of the city and where you will find historic buildings and pedestrian streets. Old Town is home to some exquisite antique stores and the Cours Saleya market.
Spend the morning walking along the Promenade des Anglais up to Castle Hill for spectacular views o the city. Cool off with a refreshing cocktail at a beach bar and take a dip in the cool Mediterranean water.
End your day getting lost in the picturesque streets and dinner at a rooftop bar with sunset views.
Due to Nice’s location on the Riviera, many people like to use it as their home base during their stay. It is an easy train ride to the surrounding villages. Nice is also a great deal cheaper than the towns of Cannes and Monaco.
Monaco
Monaco is one of the most famous towns on the French Riviera. Known for its wealthy inhabitants, million-dollar yachts, exclusive resorts, and world-class casinos, it is no wonder Monaco is on most people’s itineraries.
This luxurious city is also home to the annual Monaco Grand Prix at the end of May where you can watch the cars race through Monte Carlo.
Due to its Mediterranean climate, Monaco can be visited year-round. Only a short 25-minute train ride from Nice, I highly recommend you take a day trip. Monaco is very small, so one day is plenty of time to sight-see.
Because of the sheer expense of everything here, most people opt to visit Monaco for just the day. It is more than enough time to explore the city and take in some of the main sites. Take some time to ogle at the megayachts in the marina and walk around the old streets.
While you are in Monaco, stop by Palace Square. Here you will find the Prince’s Palace, Oceanographic Museum, and Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Grab some food and drinks in the Old Town, enjoy the beautiful harbor views, and even stop by a casino.
Cannes
Known primarily for its film festival, Cannes is another glamorous. It is another great day trip from Nice.
Unlike some of the other neighboring towns, Cannes is full of sandy beaches stretched along the Mediterranean.
Enjoy lounging on the beach and taking a dip in the sprinkling blue water. Some of the best beaches around include Croisette Beach, Plage Mace, and Plage du Casino.
The city also has terrific restaurants, luxury hotels, and shopping streets. It is pricier here, so expect to spend much more on your meal.
One thing to see in Cannes is the Allee des Etoiles where you will find handprints of hundreds of movie stars.
The Allee des Etoiles is France’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Another area to explore is the Promenade de la Croisette. The path stretches about 2 miles along the coast. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade with many lively beach clubs and bars along the way.
Le Palais de Festival hosts many concerts and events for visitors and locals to enjoy during the summer months.
Saint Tropez
The upscale seaside town is known as a popular vacation spot for the rich and famous. Only an hour and a half from Nice, the famous town can be visited as part of a day trip or a luxurious weekend getaway.
With it’s pristine beaches and luxury resorts, it is not surprise that Saint-Tropez is one of the best towns of the French Riviera.
There is more to the town than just beaches, however. Stop by the Museum of Maritime History or stroll around the center of town at Place des Lices.
One of the best things to do is take a walk down the Sentier du Littoral and watch the large yachts docked in the water.
Of course, the restaurants here are spectacular as well. There are numerous fresh delectable restaurants around town. Grab dinner at La Brigantine or a refreshing a drink at Club 55 on the famous Pampelonne beach.
Antibes
Antibes is located between Nice and Cannes. This destination is known for its variety of public beaches and centuries of history.
One of the most interesting sites is the 16th-century rampart and fort that remains. Either spend the day here or stop for a short time before continuing your trip to Cannes.
Stroll around Old Town, enjoy beautiful sea views, and stop by Port Vauban, where some of the biggest yachts in the world dock. Another popular attraction in Antibes is the Picasso Museum.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
This vibrant seaside port town is located between the Cap de Nice and the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on a hillside with a bustling waterfront full of delicious restaurants.
Stroll along the winding streets, admire the colorful buildings, relax at the port, and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor.
If you have time, hike the 50 minutes to Fort du Mont-Alban. This building sits above the town and offers magnificent views of the Cote d’Azur.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The fortified medieval village is an art lovers paradise that sits high on top of a hill. Here you will find both contemporary and modern galleries scattered throughout the city. The famous painter Chagall called this charming place home for 20 years.
If you have time, ask for the free shuttle to the Fondation Maeght Museum. The entrance to both the indoor and outdoor exhibits is just €16. The outdoor collection includes a large sculpture garden and labyrinth.
Although Saint-Paul-de-Vence is connected primarily with the art world, there are other activities to enjoy. The city also has some beautiful streets to get lost in, historic churches, homey shops, and views of the Cote D’Azur.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
For its small size, Beaulieu-sur-Mer has a lot to offer. Full of museums, quiet beaches, and lively markets, there is lots to keep you busy. Best of all, this sleepy city is still unknown, which means it is mostly free of crowds and tourists.
Most people come to Beaulieu-sur-Mer to see the Villa Kerylos museum. The museum is popular for its large collection of Greek artifacts and views.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a wonderful place to spend a few hours getting away and enjoy being on the Riviera.
Like many other small towns nearby, the main reason people come here is to eat, relax on the beach, marvel at the town’s architecture, and get lost in the historic streets.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
For a quiet getaway, check out the hilltop village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup. It is not nearly as crowded as many other towns on the French Riviera but has lots to offer. The village was built around the old 15-Century Chateau des Villeneuve.
This lovely city is nicknamed the “Violet Village” for its vast number of violets that are found growing everywhere. If you plan on visiting in March, stop by the Flower Festival that takes place every year.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is surrounded by a crumbling fortress wall and home to cozy stone houses, craft shops, quaint cafes, and galleries.
The city center, known as the “Grand Rue” is home to over 30 workshops and galleries alone.
There is not much to see here in terms of attractions, but you could easily spend half a day wandering the narrow streets and relaxing at a quiet cafe.
Èze
Èze Village is a medieval fortified city that dates back to the 14th-century. Citing high on a hill looking over the Mediterranean, Èze Village has some of the best views of the French Riviera. Le Jardin Botanique d’Èze is one of the only attractions here.
The main highlights of this city are the sheer beauty of the cobblestone streets, picture-perfect views, and laidback atmosphere.
You can get to Èze Village by either taking the #112 or #82 bus. The ride takes about 40-minutes.
From Èze Village, you can make the hike down to Èze-sur-Mer. There is a 1.2-mile Nietsche Path that will take you there. You can also take bus #32 down if you do not feel like hiking.
If you are looking for a splurge, grab a bite at the Château Eza while you are there!
Menton
Close to the Italian border sits the town of Menton. This lovely destination is full of colorful houses, small alleyways, and cozy cafes. Menton is about 40 minutes past Monaco by train and can be accessed by car.
There are some delicious restaurants, unique shops, and some delicious products made from the town’s famous lemons.
The majority of your time here will be spent strolling around the streets and enjoying a bite at a cafe.
If you are looking for something a little more lively, Menton does have a casino!
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is another charming town on the French Riviera that can be visited while exploring the nearby town of Menton.
The quiet town has attracted wealthy visitors over the years, and the water is filled with luxurious yachts during the warm months.
One of the best things to do here is spend time outdoors. From sprawling on the sandy beaches, swimming in the cool water, or exploring the hiking trails surrounding the town, there is a number of outdoor attractions.
Once you are done soaking up the sun, explore Old Vence, visit the 15th century Fontaine de Saint-Paul-de-Vence and take a trip to the Renoir Museum.
Conclusion
Enjoyed this post? Here are some other French destinations!
South Of France
- 10 Best Towns in Provence, France
- How to Spend 3 Days in Provence, France
- 3 Day Nice Itinerary & Travel Guide
- Day Trip to Monaco Itinerary and Guide
Paris
- The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris
- Ultimate 5 Days in Paris Itinerary & Day Trip Ideas
- Top 20 Best Things to Do in Paris
- Visiting the Palace of Versailles: First Timer’s Guide
- The Most Charming Cities Near Paris
- 20 of the Prettiest Streets in Paris
Loire Valley
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Oh my goodness – I was just learning about the French Riviera the other day and then saw your post…love!!! Thank you so much for sharing what cities are along the coast here. All of them look gorgeous and I’m so excited and thankful to be able to visit and experience the magic there this year!! Gorgeous post!