The 8 Cities You Should Be Visiting From Nice, France | Your Guide to The French Riviera

If you’re visiting the South of France, there are so many incredible cities along the coast to visit in your trip. I recommend staying in Nice as your base, as it’s the biggest of the cities and has a central location to the following cities. Nice is also very lively throughout the day with so many great restaurants and bars, has multiple train stations throughout the city, and has a wide range of accommodations. These are the best cities to visit from Nice, France.

To travel to and from all of these cities below, it is very accessible by train. The train is well connected to all cities mentioned below and cost only a few euros each trip. Be sure to get your tickets online so you don’t have to wait in the queues that form at the stations during peak travel times. The stations are also beautiful, with the one below being at the Èze stop.

Disclaimer: A lot of stores close down along the French Riviera on Sundays. Make sure to keep this in mind when planning which days you will be visiting the cities below; this can really impact your experience if you plan to go shopping and/or see the full liveliness of these towns.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer is just one train stop away from Nice (~6 minutes ride). It is one of the most colorful towns along the French Riviera, charming any visitor with bright colored homes, narrow streets, and relaxed cafes lining the harbor. I recommend grabbing coffee or lunch at Dry Restaurant and Cocktail Bar which is right along the water.

Villefranche is also is home to one of the nicest sandy beaches on the Southern coast so it’s perfect for a beach day.

Èze

Perched high above the Mediterranean, Èze is a medieval village known for its breathtaking views and enchanting atmosphere (you really feel like you are living in a fairytale). You must walk through the narrow cobblestone streets, visit the exotic garden at the top, and tour the Fragonard perfume factory.

Be sure to take the line 83 bus up to the village so you don’t need to do the strenuous hike up! The bus leaves right from the train station every 70 minutes so be sure to time the train properly so you don’t have to wait too long. Note that entrance onto the bus is cash only and payment is closely checked for each person entering.

Monaco

Monaco, home to the famous Monte Carlo, is actually a city-state with its own government separate from France. This is the place for luxury – yachts, limited edition sports cars, designer shops, F1, and more are what makes this city the unique place it is. You have to go into Monte Carlo if you’re here to see the grand casino; but remember to bring your passport as this is required to enter. Right beside the casino is a beautiful casino that sits in the same square as Monte Carlo. This is Café de Paris which is a must do if you have time to stop for a coffee and pastry!

Fun Fact -Monaco residents are actually not allowed to play at the Monte Carlo casino because the royal family doesn’t want them losing their money in gambling.

Menton

Menton, often called the “Pearl of France,” is famous for its gardens and lemon groves. You’ll find orange trees throughout the city along with various lemon/orange shops. I recommend grabbing food in the heart of Old Town and then walking to the Eastern side of the town to walk along the harbor. This is where you’ll find the picturesque staircase, stunning views of the water, and more shops/restaurants.

Antibes

Antibes has some of the most beautiful beaches along the Riviera, a charming old town, and the Picasso Museum. This is a very laid back town to visit in where you can find yourself strolling through the various shops in old town, walking through the Provençal market, and getting gelato at the famous Gelateria del Porto.

Grasse

Grasse is known as the perfume capital of the world, so it’s a must-see stop if you are looking to buy any French fragrances while traveling. The shopping here is thus amazing and you can also plan to tour factories like Fragonard and Molinard. Similar to the other cities, there is also a charming old town here and a beautiful scenic backdrop of the hillside.

Cannes

You’ve probably heard of Cannes before in reference to the Cannes Film Festival that takes place here every May. Beyond this, this city is absolutely stunning! It has incredible shopping, dining, beaches, and more. It feels more upscale here, similar to Monaco, compared to a lot of the other cities along the Riviera.

Verdon Gorge

Verdon Gorge is a natural wonder with turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs. Hike the trails for stunning views, rent a kayak to explore the river, or simply enjoy the scenic drives along the gorge. It’s a perfect spot if you’re looking to get deeper in the nature in the South of France. From here, you can then drive another 20 minutes to the lavender fields if you are here during blooming season (end of June to August).

I recommend getting a rental car to come here so that you have the freedom to do activities on the water itself like kayaking, as a lot of organized tours only stop for views. This is about a 1.5 hour drive from Nice!