13 Jaw-Dropping Places to Visit on the French Riviera That Are a Traveler’s Dream
The French Riviera is something of a dream destination – filled with sun-soaked beaches, historic towns, adorable villages, rocky coastlines and coves, and a vibe that’s this perfect combination of elegant and laidback.
I’ve traveled all around France and the Rivera just continues to delight me – it’s still one of my favorite regions in the country. It’s absolutely worth a visit and can be enjoyed during all seasons of the year.
In this guide, we’re sharing the best place to visit in the French Riviera, from big cities to small villages. Hopefully this list helps you narrow down what places will be the best fit for your travel preferences!
Helpful note: I’ve written detailed guides for most of the places on this list, so be sure to click through the links in the text to read more about the cities or towns that interest you.
13 Incredible Places to Visit on the French Riviera
1. Nice – “The Capital and Jewel of French Riviera”
If you need a perfect home base for exploring the French Riviera, there’s no better place to be than Nice.
Aside from offering a great introduction and convenient access to other French Riviera cities and villages, it has a relaxed Mediterranean vibe that is quite the change from the bustling environment of major French cities.
More than anything, Nice is known for its long stretch of pristine beaches, expansive sea views, palm-lined streets, and beautiful buildings.
While there are a lot of things to see and do in Nice, wandering Old Town is a must.
Nice has one of the best old towns in the region, with adorable narrow winding streets, beautiful squares, pastel-color buildings, and plenty of chic cafes and restaurants with wicker tables spilling out onto the walkways.
Walking down the wide Promenade des Anglais which borders the sea is the best way to start or end your day in Nice. And don’t miss the views from Castle Hill – the castle is gone but the panoramic views over the beach and port are incredible.
2. Antibes – “The Luxurious Town of French Riviera”
Antibes is truly a postcard-worthy French Riviera town with rugged natural beauty and historical allure. Thanks to its scenic views, it has become a notable hub for many artists, writers, celebrities, and the ultra-wealthy.
Some of the iconic artists who have lived here are Picasso, Monet, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. You can see their artwork in many museums and galleries across the town, such as the Picasso Museum in the old Grimaldo castle.
Meanwhile, on the waters of Port Vauban, you can see over 1900 different boats, from small speedboats to mega yachts, owned by the rich and ultra-wealthy.
Of course, the old town of Antibes is not to be missed. Its narrow streets are lined with charming buildings with free-growing vines and flower pots, some of them displaying artisanal goods and Provencal wares.
For the best views, walk its ancient ramparts, which lead to the stunning Renaissance-built Fort Carré.
3. Juan-les-Pins – “The Chic Resort Town”
Juan-les-Pins is the destination for those looking for the ultimate Mediterranean beach experience. It’s a small coastal town with a strong resort feel, boasting a long stretch of sandy beaches and private beach clubs.
There are a few free public beaches in the area, but if you want access to resort amenities, private beaches are the way to go.
Juan-les-Pins has a wide promenade that runs along the sandy beaches—this is also where you can find many of the most popular beach-front cafes, restaurants, and boutique stores.
Shopping is a major activity in JLP, so you may want to come with extra money on hand. If you want to visit lively restaurants, cocktail bars, and nightclubs, there are plenty of options surrounding the beaches.
That said, Juan-les-Pins is not for those looking for a quiet experience but for those who want a fun, unforgettable summer vacation.
4. Cannes – “The Capital of Cinema”
One of the most popular cities in the French Riviera, Cannes is known for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival. It’s also a playground for the rich and famous, so seeing high-end stores, hotels, and restaurants across the city is pretty standard.
Its top attraction is the Palace of Festivals, with its iconic red-carpeted grand stairway. In front of it is the Chemin des Etoiles, inspired by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you can spot nearly 400 handprints of top film celebrities like Quentin Tarantino, Angelina Jolie, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
For those looking to shop, head to La Croisette—a seaside promenade lined by upscale hotels, grand casinos, and haute-couture boutiques like Chanel and Dior. Rue d’Antibes is also a great spot for budget shopping and meeting with locals.
However, if you want a taste of history, visit Le Suquet, a Roman settlement home to a medieval castle-fortress, a historic watchtower, and a Gothic church.
5. Monaco – “The Most Expensive Residential Location in the World”
As the number one most expensive city in the world, Monaco screams nothing but luxury. The tiny city-county is chock full of world-class hotels, luxury shopping centers, Michelin-star restaurants, and upscale neighborhoods.
Moreover, despite being the world’s second-smallest independent state, this glamorous country is rich in history, culture, and entertainment.
Monaco-Ville is one of its most popular areas, offering overlooking views of the Mediterranean Sea. This area atop Le Rocher has cobblestoned streets and historic buildings, perfect for picture taking.
This is also where the Palace of Monaco, the residence of the royal family, and the Cathedral of Monaco, where American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier, are located.
If you want to see a fine example of the Belle Epoque architecture of Monaco, visit Casino de Monte-Carlo, which also happens to be the film location of the movies Golden Eye and James Bond’s Never Say Never Again.
6. Saint Tropez – “THE Mediterranean Holiday Destination”
Saint Tropez has long been the international “jet-setting destination” since the early 1960s, turning the cobblestoned fishing village into a luxury destination for celebrities (like Leonardo DiCaprio) and the wealthy.
Today, it attracts all kinds of visitors thanks to its stunning beaches, exclusive beach clubs, lavish lifestyle, and vibrant nightlife. It’s interesting to see the old but well-maintained pastel-colored buildings right next to expensive yachts docked at the old port.
Besides the luxurious attractions, Saint Tropez is famous for its colorful bell tower, which can be seen from all sides.
There’s also the 17th-century citadel at the topmost part of the town with a moat, a donjon, cannons, a drawbridge, and a small maritime museum, and the ruins of the four towers of Saint Tropez that once protected the city.
All of this makes Saint Tropez an interesting and beautiful place to visit in southern France.
7. Menton – “The Citrus City of French Riviera”
Menton is the easternmost city of the French Riviera and is known for its citrus production. Every February, Menton hosts a Lemon Festival, where parades filled with floats made of lemons and citrus products fill the streets.
You can also see over 130 varieties of citrus trees across the city, particularly at Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh and Jardin D’Agrumes Du Palais Carnolès.
Moreover, it’s famous for its charming old town built up the side of the hill, filled with picture-perfect narrow cobblestoned streets lined up by pastel-colored buildings, mostly with yellow, red, and pink facades.
Its most popular picture spot is Rue Longue, with beautiful zigzag stairs leading to the square in front of the basilica. However, for the best views, head to Cimetière du Vieux Château, an old castle cemetery on top of the old town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Italy.
Finally, Menton has some of the most charming beaches on the Riviera – right underneath the Old Town and in a protected cove on the sea.
8. Villefranche-sur-Mer – “A Colorful Old Town”
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a tiny village located on the outskirts of Nice. It’s one of the most idyllic towns on the French Riviera, with a few sandy beaches, a quaint waterside walkway, and pastel-colored buildings.
While the old town is pretty small, it’s unbelievably pretty (and you can explore it in less than 45 minutes).
Rue Volti is one of the scenic cobblestoned streets in the old town, lined up with plants and buildings with deep red, gold, tan, and peach-painted facades. However, if you want a backdrop with vibrant staircases, head to Rue de May.
Their old fortified citadel is also an iconic spot for exploring small gardens, museums, courtyards, pen plazas, and a historic drawbridge-like gate. Don’t skip walking the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet in the evening for beautiful coastal views and terrace dining options galore.
9. Eze – “The Artists’ Haven in French Riviera”
Eze is another haven for artists in the French Riviera, perched high on a hill overlooking the sea. It’s a well-preserved medieval town with narrow, cobblestoned streets and ancient stone buildings.
What makes its medieval streets lovely and vibrant are the vivid bursts of flowers spilling from balconies and crawling ivy plants against the old walls—making you feel like stepping into a fairytale!
Walking around the quaint old town, you will find plenty of ateliers, workshops, art galleries, and boutiques, some of which have displays that spill out onto the streets. Interestingly enough, Eze also has a flourishing perfume industry, so you can also spot a good number of perfumeries in the town.
Of course, a visit to Eze wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Jardin Exotique d’Eze, a stunning garden built around the castle ruins on top of the city. While admiring huge cacti and desert plants, you can get breathtaking views of the village and the sea from this location.
10. Saint-Paul-de-Vence – “The Enchanting Hilltop Medieval Village”
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is another hilltop medieval village popular with artists. Its narrow, cobblestoned streets are also filled with potted plants and artists’ workshops.
But what’s more interesting about this town is its quirky sculptures placed randomly on the streets, like the sleeping girl on a hammock hung between buildings.
This fortified city has two gates on its far ends, one of which is Porte de Vence, the northern gate where most visitors enter. Along it is the Place Neuve, where you can find slits and historic cannons built into the medieval city walls.
The other gate is Porte de Nice, where you can access the west ramparts with a more exciting pathway and unique vantage point.
While there are many attractions in this town, two of its must-visit places are the Place de la Grande Fountaine, a large fountain with aesthetic red umbrellas for picture-taking, and Chapelle des Penints Blans, a whimsical chapel with paintings of Jean-Michel Folo.
11. Grasse – “The Perfume Capital of the World”
Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site for its historic perfume workshops and experiences.
The industry first flourished in the late 1500s when a local tanner, Jean de Galimard, gifted Queen Catherine de Medici a pair of scented gloves, which kickstarted a demand for pleasant fragrances.
But even before that, this city has been long favored for its abundance of wildflowers and other flowering plants used for perfume making.
Today, it is home to the top three perfumeries in France: Galimard, Molinard, and Fragonard. Each perfume house has factories, museums, and boutiques in the town that you can visit, where you can learn about the art of making perfumes, or even participate in a perfume-making workshop.
Moreover, Grasse is popular for its charming old town with adorable pink umbrella canopies. Place aux Aires is among the most famous spots—a picturesque central square with a beautiful fountain, umbrella-filled alleys, several sidewalk seating, and dainty cafes.
12. La Turbie – “The Hidden Gem of Cote d’Azur”
La Turbie is a hilltop French Riviera town often overlooked by tourists. More than anything, it’s known for two things: the historic Le Trophee d’Auguste ruins and its incredible views over Monaco.
Before you reach these two main attractions, you must walk through its quaint narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with stone-made buildings and flowering plants.
Additionally, La Turbie has four gates you can visit around the perimeter of the old town. The most picturesque ones are Portail de L’Ouest and Portail du Réduit.
Overlooking the town, you can visit the massive ruins of La Trophée d’Auguste, built to commemorate the victories of then-Roman emperor Caesar Augustus.
Finally, south of town is Tete du Chien, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the small city of Monaco, as well as Nice, Mont Boron, and Cap Ferret.
13. Cap Ferrat – “The Billionaire’s Peninsula”
Dubbed one of the world’s top expensive residential locations and not far from Monaco, the peninsula of Cap Ferrat is a mecca for grand mansions and gorgeous estates.
What’s more, its upscale villas are just a stone’s away from some of the best pristine beaches, creeks, and rocky coves in the Mediterranean region.
One of its most popular attractions is the Sentier du Littoral, a 6-mile-long coastal walkway along the peninsula’s perimeter. It offers spectacular views of the sea and convenient access to stunning beaches and charming villages.
Also, there’s the iconic Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild high-end estate. This beautiful pink Renaissance-inspired palace was built in the early 1900s by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild, a wealthy and stylish heiress who loved collecting art.
Today, you can visit this grand villa and tour its luxurious rooms and beautiful gardens with grand fountains and breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline.
