French Riviera: Day Trips and Tours from Nice

What do you get when you combine 500 kilometers of beautiful coastline with picturesque towns, grand old cities, breathtaking panoramas and an expert guide? The answer can only be a French Riviera day trip from Nice.

The legendary waters of the Cote d’Azur have been enchanting tourists since Roman times — and with its blend of the old and the new, the luxurious and the deceptively simple, it’s not going to stop anytime soon.

One of the best aspects of exploring the French Riviera from Nice is the proximity to other towns and attractions. And, if you are the type of traveler that chooses experiences over destinations, the French Riviera won’t disappoint.

From a walking tour in Cannes to perfumery tours in Grasse and exploring the local cuisine on a food tour in Nice — the French Riviera has it all and more.

Here's all you need to know about French Riviera, one of the most exciting day trips from Nice.

How to get to the French Riviera from Nice?

The French Riviera is the name given to France’s southeast coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. The area is approximately 550 kilometers in length, stretching from the Italian border in the east to the city of Toulon in the west.

In French, the area is referred to as the Cote d’Azur, literally meaning the Azur Coast.

From Nice to the French Riviera by car

One of the most vaunted drives in the world is the route that hugs the Mediterranean Sea as you travel from Nice to the western coastal town of Saint Tropez.

This area is widely considered to be the heartland of the French Riviera and is perfect to explore on a self-drive journey.

From Nice, head southwest, staying on the coastal route. The journey from Nice to Saint Tropez is 110 kilometers long and will take 3.5 hours to complete.

Alternatively, you could make use of an inland highway, which will be quicker, but nowhere as scenic.

From Nice to the French Riviera by bus

It’s entirely possible to explore the French Riviera by train from Nice. All you need to do is to travel to the Nice-Ville train station and purchase a ticket for the Nice-Valence service.

There are 10 trains available every day, with the first one leaving Nice at 7 AM and the last train departing just after 7 PM. This train route visits all the major towns and destinations on the French Riviera.

Guided tour to the French Riviera from Nice

Does the idea of renting a car and navigating your way through the French Riviera leave your palms sweaty?

Does your vision of a relaxing holiday not include the constant and anxiety-inducing checking of train schedules? Don’t worry, a guided tour of the French Riviera is just the ticket.

Not only will a team of experts take care of the logistics and nitty-gritty for you, but you’ll also have an experienced guide at your side throughout! In fact, all that’s left for you to do is to choose the tour that best tickles your fancy.

What is the typical itinerary?

The itinerary of a French Riviera day trip will start with a pickup service from your hotel in Nice. The vehicle will range from comfortable to luxurious, depending on the type of tour you’ve booked — but it will always be air-conditioned.

The first stop from Nice is usually the enchanting medieval village of Èze, followed by the principality of Monaco. Given the close proximity of towns on the French Riviera, some towns will only be passed through en route.

It is best to confirm with the tour operator when booking. You will enjoy some free time to explore Monaco or Èze, before meeting back with your group for lunch.

After lunch, you’ll follow the coastline southwards and make your way to Antibes and the glitzy city of Cannes. In Antibe, you can marvel at the yacht-filled harbor, colloquially called “the port of billionaires,” and try to match the luxurious vessels with their famous owners.

Finally, imagine yourself a star as you take a jaunt down the streets of Cannes or pose on the famous red carpet. After a day full of unforgettable experiences, you’ll make your way back to Nice just in time to take in the sunset.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the French Riviera?

Guided day trip to the French Riviera from Nice

A guided day trip of the French Riviera hits the sweet spot between experience and value for money. This tour starts off with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Nice.

From there, you’ll head to the medieval town of Èze, where you’ll visit a perfumery and learn the trick of the scent trade on a tell-all tour.

Next, Monaco beckons — and at the first site, you’ll understand why the world’s most densely populated state became, and remains, a destination for the rich and famous.

From Monaco, you’ll head inland, visiting Saint Paul de Vence, known as the “Jewel of Provence.” Walk the streets of this fascinating fortified village before exchanging the old for the new and heading to Cannes.

End your tour by posing on the red carpet before heading back to Nice.

French Riviera small group tour on electric bikes from Nice

Life on the French Riviera is all about leisure — and what can be more leisurely than a bike tour that doesn’t require you to peddle?

And as an added bonus, the trip only accommodates 9 people — making it the perfect way to explore the French Riviera at your own pace.

This small group tour of the French Riviera starts from the tour operator’s office in Nice’s Old Town. After a quick briefing, you’ll hop on your bike for a half-day tour to places that can only be reached by bike.

Your guide will lead you to places like Mont Boron Park, Fort du Mont Alban, the ancient citadel of Villefranche and Cap Ferrat.

Along the way, you’ll take in breathtaking tableaus of the Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea. The best part is, if you see something interesting along the way, you can just park your bike and explore some more!

A self-drive tour of the French Riviera from Nice

The French Rivieria just begs to be explored by car, or in this case, a Scoot — a two-seater, three-wheeled scooter that is as easy to drive as it is fun and safe.

You’ll set the itinerary on this self-drive tour that comes with unlimited mileage for the day, as well as an on-demand audio guide.

Always dreamt of having the wind in your hair and the Cote d’Azur next to you as you zip around a bend? Look no further, your chariot awaits!

French Riviera Private full-day tour from Nice

A private full-day tour of the French Riviera is the optimal way to discover this legendary coastline.

Your party will be the only participants on the tour, meaning you’ll be able to determine how long you stay at an attraction — and this tour is filled to the brim with things to see and experience.

From the beautiful old towns of Saint Paul de Vence and Èze to the glitz and glamor of the Cannes red carpet — this tour features over 10 different stopping points.

You’ll even visit the Musee Picasso, the erstwhile Grimaldi Castle, where the painter spent a portion of his life. In the end, you’ll enjoy an elegant soiree, to cap your tour off in fitting French Riviera fashion.

Full-day tour from Nice to the French Riviera plus Cannes and Monaco

Given the close proximity of towns and destinations on the French Riviera, it’s little wonder that some 1-day tours combine destinations into one trip. This full-day French Riviera tour from Nice is one such tour.

On this guided group tour, the cities of Monaco and Cannes become more than a quick stop, and you’ll be able to spend significant time exploring them. In Monaco, you’ll visit the Prince’s Palace and the beautiful old cathedral.

You’ll finish your tour in Cannes, but not before stopping at the charming medieval town of Saint-Paul-de-Vance — a town so beautiful that it served as inspiration for Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.

Finally, it’s lights, camera and action as you strut your stuff on the Cannes red carpet.

How much does a day trip to the French Riviera from Nice cost?

The self-drive tour of the French Riviera from Nice costs €40 per person. Each vehicle can accommodate two people, and the price includes a full tank of fuel, an audio guide, and unlimited mileage for the day.

The French Riviera small group tour from Nice on electric bikes costs €55 per person. Included in the price is a bottle of water and safety equipment.

A guided day trip to the French Riviera from Nice will cost around €75 per person, but you will usually be part of a fairly large tour group.

The full-day tour from Nice to the French Riviera, plus Cannes and Monaco, will cost €105 per person.

The French Riviera Private full-day tour will cost €850 per group of up to 7 people. This tour is limited to three days a week, so booking in advance is advisable.

What will you see and do?

Monaco

Monaco became famous during the 1960s when celebrities used the Principality as the perfect place to escape the limelight.

Today, Monaco remains synonymous with the rich and the famous — the yachts of celebrities and billionaires pack the harbor and the annual F1 race features many a famous face.

Cannes

In 1946 the whos who of the European film scene came together to celebrate each other’s work — and at that moment, the modern-day city of Cannes was born.

Cannes is, of course, much older, dating back to before the Romans — but the modern version of the city is inseparable from the film festival that bears its name.

Simply mention the word Cannes, and it conjures up images of flowing gowns, immaculately tailored tuxedos and photographers howling for a photo.

So, it’s understandable why thousands of tourist visit Cannes to pose where their favorite actor or actress once stood.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a picturesque harbor city with breathtaking views of the Cap Ferrat peninsula. This historic city is perfect to explore on a walking tour (or even a segway tour) and offers memorable surprises down every alleyway.

The restaurants here also offer some of the freshest seafood in the entire Riviera.

Èze

Imagine the quintessential town on the French Riviera. Now ramp it up by a hundred — the image still doesn’t do Èze justice. This medieval town is perched on a rocky hill, and it offers amazing views of the coastline.

The view may be nice, but the town itself is the actual selling point. Galleries and coffee shops on cobbled stone streets, winding alleyways charming stone-built houses combine into an unforgettable impression.

When is the best time to visit the French Riviera?

June and September are the best months to visit the French Riviera — you’ll enjoy pleasant weather, and it won’t be as crowded as it gets during July and August.

May and October are also quite pleasant, although the weather becomes a little bit more unpredictable.

Are there any tours to the French Riviera from other cities in France?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in France:

• Day Trips to French Riviera from Cannes

Travel tips

• Book your tour ahead of time to ensure you get your preferred time slot.
• Confirm what is included on the tour with your tour operator.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes when exploring the French Riviera.
• Take extra drinks and snacks, you never know when they will come in handy.