French Riviera Road Trip: Our Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

On a French Riviera road trip, you’ll get the chance to explore the stunning French Mediterranean coast and the gorgeous hinterlands. This French Riviera 5-day itinerary will help you discover both the charming hilltop villages and small coastal towns that many tourists don’t normally visit, as well as the glamor of Nice and Monte Carlo.

We arrange for our travelers to stay at a lovely boutique hotel in the heart of Nice. Or, if you prefer to be away from the main crowds, we can arrange for you to stay in a gorgeous B&B within easy driving distance of Nice. At both, you’ll receive a warm welcome and be conveniently located for the highlights of the French Riviera. 

For more inspiration, we invite you to browse our self drive tours in the French Riviera

Here’s our suggested 5-day itinerary for a Cote d'Azur road trip:

Day 1: Nice

Highlights: Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, Castle Hill, Matisse or Chagall Museum

On your first full day in the French Riviera, you’ll want to explore the beautiful city of Nice. You can start your walking tour of Nice with a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, soaking in the sun and the views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

In Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice), the narrow streets are lined with colorful buildings and boutiques. Visit the Cours Saleya Market and stock up with fresh produce and local treats for a picnic or souvenirs to bring home.

At the top of Castle Hill (Colline du Château), there are some fantastic views over the city of Nice and the sandy coastline. 

In the afternoon, you may like to visit one of the city’s art museums. These include the Matisse Museum and the Marc Chagall museum.

For dinner, we recommend nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, a colorful port that will give you a taste of the Mediterranean way of life. It’s only a few minutes by train, in case you prefer not to drive so you can enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal. For a great meal at a good price, there are lots of options in the small streets around the port. Then you may enjoy a drink or a stroll afterwards to enjoy the views of the port.

When you book one of our French Riviera tours, we’ll arrange for a lovely local guide to give you a private tour of Nice. She’ll take you to her favorite places in the old town and introduce you to Niçoise food and wine!

Contact us now to start planning your trip to the south of France!

Day 2: Hilltop Villages

Highlights: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, Gourdon

Escape the hustle and bustle of the coast and immerse yourself in the local way of life in the picturesque hilltop villages near Nice.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Just a 30-minute drive from Nice, this medieval village is renowned for its art galleries and cobbled streets. It was a popular haven for the rich and famous, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. You may park outside the village walls and enjoy wandering through the old lanes.

For a less touristy and equally lovely village, drive fifteen minutes further inland to the medieval walled village of Vence.

Tourrettes-Sur-Loup

Fifteen minutes’ drive from Vence, Tourrettes-Sur-Loup is another quaint hilltop village where the friendly locals will greet you with a 'bonjour' as they pass by. The town will stimulate your senses, with spectacular views of the Mediterranean in the distance, the sound of the river flowing below, and the scent of jasmine in the air. 

The local artisans welcome visitors to come into their studios, and are a good place to find authentic French souvenirs. 

Candied fruits are a regional specialty and make great gifts. For an haute cuisine meal, try Clovis or Spelt (you may need to make a reservation).

Gourdon

If you continue along the scenic mountain road between Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Gourdon, there are some magnificent views from the road. Overlooking the Gorge du Loup, Gourdon has breathtaking views of the Riviera. In this gorgeous village, you’ll be able to explore its boutiques and perfume shops, and see some lovely floral patios.

From Gourdon, it’s about an hour’s drive back to Nice, passing through more villages and beautiful countryside.

You may be interested in our Paris and French Riviera tour (which also includes a stay in Provence).

All our itineraries can be fully customized according to your wishes.

Day 3: Coastal Villages

Highlights: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Èze

Driving east along the coast from Nice, you’ll discover some of the Riviera’s most beautiful coastal destinations.

About a 20-30 minute drive from Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is an upscale peninsula known for its luxury villas and manicured gardens. 

We recommend visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a pink seaside mansion surrounded by nine beautiful themed gardens, and stunning sea views. You can also visit the villa virtually beforehand, if you like. 

Afterward, you can take a stroll along the Cap Ferrat coastal path for more breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.

If you would like to visit some more beautiful gardens in France, we recommend the exotic botanical garden in Èze (Le Jardin Exotique). Fifteen minutes’ drive further on from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Èze’s botanical garden is situated 400 meters (1,300 ft) above the sea, and is famous for its cactuses and succulents. The garden also offers more gorgeous panoramic views of the Mediterranean coastline below. These gardens are definitely worth a visit if you're exploring the coast, or are a nice place to stop if you're driving between Nice and Monaco.

If you have an extra day to explore the coast, be sure to visit the beautiful town of Menton too! There you’ll enjoy a sandy beach, admire the colorful seafront buildings, and enjoy delicious French-Italian cuisine! This is a good alternative if you’re not interested in visiting Monaco.

You’ll return to Nice in the afternoon and have time to relax before dinner.

Check out our Provence and French Riviera itinerary, which we can adapt for you based on your wishes and the time you have available

Day 4: A Day at the Lérins Islands

Highlights: Fort Royal, Lérins Abbey, secluded creeks

Drive 30 minutes west from Nice to Cannes, where you’ll board a 30-minute ferry to the Lérins Islands. This is a lovely option if you want to escape the Riviera’s tourist crowds. You’ll find reasonably priced parking near the ferry terminal in Cannes.

There isn’t a ferry going between the islands, so if you want to visit both, you’ll need to take a boat back to Cannes and board another one. For this reason, it’s best to choose to visit one island in a day, based on your interests.

Île Sainte-Marguerite 

On Sainte Marguerite island, you can visit Fort Royal, and see the prison cell that once held the mysterious “Man in the Iron Mask.” In the museum, you can see some Roman relics. 

After, there are walking trails through pine and eucalyptus forests around the island, which you may enjoy exploring. 

Île Saint-Honorat

On Saint Honorat island, you can visit Lérins Abbey, an 11th-century monastery that has been home to a community of monks for over 1,500 years. You may like to sample some of the wine and honey produced by the monks. 

It is also peaceful to explore the island on foot and enjoy a quiet picnic by the water (bring the picnic with you). There’s a restaurant on the island, but expect the prices to be on the higher side. 

Both islands offer secluded creeks for swimming and plenty of spots for relaxation.

Our Paris to Nice tour will take you through various stunning French regions as you drive to the south of France

Day 5: Monaco

Highlights: Monte Carlo Casino, Prince’s Palace, Exotic Garden

Conclude your French Riviera road trip with a visit to glamorous Monaco. Take the scenic Lower Corniche (Basse Corniche) coastal road for the best views.

Start your day at the Monte Carlo Casino, an iconic landmark of grandeur and opulence. Even if you’re not interested in gambling, the stunning Beaux-Arts architecture and ornate interior is a sight to behold!

From late March through mid-October, you may visit the Prince’s Palace of Monaco in the old town, where you can catch the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Again, if you like visiting gardens, you may like to see Monaco’s Exotic Garden perched high above Monaco. Keep in mind that if you’ve already visited the exotic garden in Èze, you’ll find that the one in Monaco isn’t so different. It also offers panoramic views of the coast and has a collection of succulents and cacti. The difference is, it also has a prehistoric cave with various types of rock formations, which you may explore.

For travelers on one of our tours of the French Riviera, we will recommend a place to enjoy a drink and a meal with a view of the port, before heading back to Nice.

For more inspiration, we warmly invite you to browse our tours of the French Riviera. 

All our sample itineraries can be customized to suit your preferences

Explore the French Riviera on one of our driving tours

At France Just For You, we – Emilie, Laura, & Clélia – specialize in crafting custom self-drive tours of France that help you discover the hidden gems of our country that you wouldn’t find on your own. 

With a detailed itinerary, premium accommodations (that we have tested ourselves) booked for you, your personalized guidebook and MyFrance smartphone app, and phone or email support from us if you need it, you’ll have the confidence to explore France by car at your own pace. 

We handle all the planning and share with you all our best recommendations. All you have to do is look forward to, and then enjoy, your trip!

If you’re ready for us to plan your French Riviera road trip, we would love for you to contact us today!