If you’re planning a trip to the South of France but feeling overwhelmed with where to start- I can help! This guide will help you map out which cities to hit, how long you need in each location, and what to do! We wanted to ensure our trip still felt like a vacation and not overly exhausting by packing up and leaving hotels every day. After doing much research on my own about the French Riviera, we ultimately decided to get hotels in 3 towns. We spent one night in Provence (in a small town called Riez), 3 nights in the glamorous town of Saint-Tropez, and 3 nights in the beautiful city of Nice. Additionally, we made a pit stop in Cannes and spent a full day in Monaco. Below I will provide details and suggestions for the various towns in this French Riviera travel guide.
If you plan on hitting multiple cities in the South of France (which I definitely recommend), having a car is a must! You could take a bus or train to each city along the coast, but this would become complicated. It was much more convenient to have a car so that we could be on our own time schedule. Furthermore, it gave us the freedom to drive to viewpoints that would not have been possible without a car. Overall, we spent a total of 8 nights on our trip. Although we could have stayed longer, it was the perfect amount of time to see everything we wanted without feeling exhausted or rushed.
If you are flying into France and Provence is your first stop, you will most likely fly into Marseille. If you are coming straight to the south of France, Nice will be the biggest airport with the most flight options.
We came from Frankfurt, Germany, where we live, and took a train into Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg is where we picked up our rental car and started our 8.5-hour road trip to the south of France! Our first stop was Riez.
I have been seeing the beautiful lavender fields all over my Instagram for yearrrsss now, so it was definitely a bucket list location of mine, and it did not disappoint! Something to note is that the lavender only blooms between the end of June through mid-July. So consequently, this leaves you a small window to visit.
After doing much research on which area in Provence to visit, I kept coming across Plateau De Valensole. From here, we started searching for hotels. We stayed at Hôtel Les Deux Lions in Riez, located 10 minutes from this specific lavender field.
I highly suggest going at sunrise, so having a hotel nearby makes a difference! Sunset photos are beautiful as well, but definitely more crowded. There are so many lavender fields and plenty of space for everyone, but if you want to avoid having people in the background of your photos, I suggest going first thing in the morning. We arrived around 7 am and had the whole field to ourselves. Furthermore, another reason why I suggest the morning is because of the bees! This wasn’t something I had even thought about until we arrived. They are everywhere, but they won’t bother you as they are more interested in the lavender. Just beware if you are flying a drone, they may try to attack it. (This happened to us).
After we wrapped up, we made our way into the small town of Riez where we had breakfast and spent some time roaming around. The towns in Provence are so small that you don’t need more than 1 night here. In addition to this, many of the locals do not speak English, making it harder to get by. By late morning we were in the car and on our way to the next location…..SAINT-TROPEZ!
If Saint-Tropez isn’t already on your bucket list, it needs to be! It is the most beautiful and charming little town, filled with glitz, glamor, and the rich and famous. We loved people watching, celebrity sightings, and seeing all of the yachts along the harbor. While there, we saw a few celebrities- which being from Ohio was exciting to us! We saw Connor Mcgregor, Dale Ernheart Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Jessie James Decker, Eric Decker and Arod were also there at the same time as us, but unfortunately, we never got to run into them.
You will find that the prices of pretty much everything in Saint Tropez are much more expensive compared to other cities. When we spent 24 euros on avocado toast, it wasn’t exactly reasonably priced, but “when in Saint-Tropez”, right??
Below, I will share my important tips on St. Tropez that you’ll want to read before visiting! Additionally, I will tell you the best restaurants to dine at and fun things to do!
TIP 1– Book all reservations as early in advance as possible!! Places fill up quickly, especially if you’re going in high summer.
TIP 2– Make your dinner reservations for 9:00pm at the earliest. This was a rookie mistake on my end, and something I wish I would’ve known ahead of time. I made all of our reservations for around 8/8:30, and places weren’t busy yet. So, if you enjoy a livelier atmosphere, then I definitely recommend a late dinner.
TIP 3– Beach / pool party is a must in Saint-Tropez! Nothing says St. Tropez in the summertime like one of their day clubs. There are many to choose from, but we went with one of the most popular- Nikki Beach Club, which I can highly recommend. Club 55 is also a popular hot spot that I have heard great things about. Again, make sure you book a reservation in advance.
TIP 4– If you can, try to stay somewhere in Old Town. If you are driving into Old Town every day, having to deal with parking can become a little bit of a headache. Additionally, being in the heart of the town was amazing. We were able to walk to and from our Airbnb several times throughout the day, and leave our car parked. The only time we needed to drive was when we went to the beaches and day clubs.
Senequier– You definitely won’t miss this restaurant when walking along the harbor. It’s on the corner, with rows and rows of bright red tables and chairs. It was more of a pricier breakfast (11 euros for a cappuccino & 24 euros for avocado toast), but if you grab a seat along the first row of tables, it’s a great spot to hang out, people watch, look out at all the beautiful yachts, and enjoy your breakfast. They also have a great dinner menu, so you’ll want to come here at least once for breakfast or dinner!
Dior Cafe– If I’m being completely honest, my cappuccino was good, and the food was average. It was fun to go, people watch, and be in a really pretty atmosphere. This is definitely a celeb hot spot, so you might get lucky and be dining next to someone you recognize. It’s one of those places that you go more for the experience.
L’Opera– If there is one restaurant you HAVE to go to during your time in Saint-Tropez- this is it! This was definitely the highlight of our trip, and we loved every minute of it. Expect to pay a little higher price on dinner, but to us it was well worth it because you get dinner and a show. L’Opera is a restaurant that also puts on a show with live performers during dinner. They have 2 dinner time slots: 7:30 and 10:30. I recommend the 10:30 showing but book your reservation as far in advance as you can. I tried for the 10:30 time slot 2 weeks in advance and it was booked, but we were lucky enough to get a reservation for 7:30. The performers are amazing, the singing, the dancing, the acrobatics, all of it! You won’t be disappointed.
Pablo– We shared the guacamole as an appetizer, and both ordered the wagyu tacos which were amazing! Our dinner reservation was at 8pm and there were only a few other tables dining as well. So, if you want a little bit of a busier atmosphere, book a later dinner reservation. It also becomes a bar / club at midnight, which we came back for later that evening, and it was a lot of fun!
Salama– If you’re a fan of Moroccan cuisine, this place was amazing! The portion sizes were pretty large- we both couldn’t finish our meals. The restaurant is also a little outside of the main square and down a few side streets, so we definitely wouldn’t have known about this place if we hadn’t found it online. Once you’re inside, the restaurant feels like a little hidden oasis- which we loved!
Le Quai– We came here after midnight once it became a bar / club scene and had such a fun time! The music and overall vibe were great! We did notice the bouncer turning some people away and becoming more selective once it became pretty busy, so if you do want to check this place out, I suggest trying to get there closer to midnight before it fills up.
La Petite Plage– We came here for a few drinks while their dinner was still going on and before it became a club at midnight. They already had a DJ playing and the music and atmosphere were fantastic. We did not have a chance to eat dinner here, but the food looked amazing, so I would recommend this place for dinner or drinks!
In conclusion, St. Tropez is known for its beaches, day clubs, shopping, restaurant scene, and of course, the hub for the rich & famous. The town is pretty calm and low-key during the day and definitely comes to life at night. With 3 full days here, we had time for one beach day, 1 beach club, and one day of exploring / shopping. We could have easily stayed a few more days for additional R&R, but we wanted to see as much of the South of France as we could. Additionally, St. Tropez gets expensive- quick!
Of all the towns we visited on this trip, St. Tropez was my favorite! I already cannot wait until my next visit. This picturesque and quaint little town live up to the hype!
(Pronounced “Can”)
After three amazing days in Saint-Tropez, it was time to say goodbye and head to our next location. On our way to Nice, we stopped in Cannes for a few hours to grab lunch and explore the town. Cannes is most known for the famous film festival that takes place here every year. It is filled with great restaurants and beautiful beaches. Although we did not spend any time at the beaches in Cannes, one thing that we preferred was the beautiful white sand in comparison to Nice’s rock beaches. It was fun to walk along the harbor, as well as see where the famous Cannes festival takes place!
If you plan to spend longer than a few hours here, I put together the best things to do in Cannes! If we had more time, we would have loved to spend a few days in Cannes exploring the town and laying by the beach!
(Pronounced “Niece”)
We spent 3 nights in Nice, but we really only had about 1.5 days to explore since we wanted to take the time to see Cannes and Monaco. We stayed in a hotel that was about a ten-minute walk from the Old Town. In hindsight, we wish we would have actually stayed in Old Town. The Old Town of Nice is so charming and filled with so much character. It actually reminded us of a lot of towns in Italy we have visited. Below I compiled a list of the best things to do in Nice!
We happened to be in Nice on June 21st, which is World Music Day, and the streets of Old Town were absolutely PACKED. Every restaurant, bar, and even gelato shop had DJ’s or musicians playing in the evening which was so fun. We wandered around the town, listened to all the different musicians and enjoyed the nightlife.
Cours Saleya Market: Going to the Cours Saleya Market is a must while visiting Nice! It’s a little farmers market in the heart of Old Town that is open every day from 9am to 1pm, except for Mondays. I recommend stopping at Theresa’s booth and trying her famous socca! You can find socca at most restaurants, but we really enjoyed Theresa’s. Socca is a delicious savory chickpea crepe and a Nice specialty. Pan Bagnat is also a Nice local specialty and sold in most cafes. Pan Bagnat literally translates to “bathed bread”, because the bread is intended to soak up all the flavors. If you’re a fan of tuna, definitely give it a try while visiting.
Walk along the Promenade des Anglais: This 7km long promenade definitely won’t be missed during your visit to Nice. It is lined with beaches, luxury hotels, restaurants and more. The promenade flocks with tourists, street musicians, locals and more!
Castle Hill: This is the best viewpoint in Nice! You have a few different options of getting here. First, you are able to get here by car and then will only need to climb a few steps. Second, if you do not have a car, you can climb the staircase starting on the Promenade des Anglais. And lastly, they also have a lift which is located next to the staircase. I suggest coming first thing in the morning, as it gets very crowded and hot during the summer months!
See the I Love Nice Sign: Situated towards the top of the Promenade des Anglais, you won’t be able to miss the iconic sign!
Having at least one beach day in Nice is a must! We opted for Ruhl Plage when deciding on where to rent our sun loungers. This one is definitely the most popular, and because of this, a tad more expensive. There are several beach clubs along the water where you can rent sunbeds for the day and truly you can’t go wrong with any of them. On average, they will cost you about 25-30 euros per sunbed, but the more luxurious beach clubs can be upwards of 45 euros per bed. Here is a list of some other great beach clubs to check out.
Explore Old Town: Vieux Nice (Old Town) was my favorite part of Nice! It is so picturesque, you will be taking photos everywhere you turn. Old Town is filled with restaurants, gelato shops, boutiques, and charm.
Visit Place Massena: My favorite square in Nice is Place Massena. It is the largest and most iconic! It’s surrounded by beautiful red buildings with large arches and black & white tiled flooring.
Visit Place Garibaldi: A beautiful square in Nice, surrounded by yellow buildings, cafes, and restaurants.
Gusto Slice Pizzeria– If you’re in the mood for some hearty pizza, then this is the place for you! The pizza was AH-MAY-ZING, the music was great, and the atmosphere was fun.
Le Bistro d’Antoine– Unfortunately they were closed all 3 nights we were in town, but this was a restaurant I kept hearing about, and people raved about the food! They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Book your reservation in advance, as it is a small and popular restaurant, and they fill up quickly!
La Petite Maison– It is more of a pricier restaurant, but the food and drinks were great. I was actually recommended to this restaurant from a friend who visits Nice regularly and it did not disappoint. I was looking at La Petite Maison’s Instagram after we left and saw pictures of Jay-Z and Beyonce eating here. Tyson Furry was also there only a few days before us. So, if you are looking for a nicer meal and possibly a celeb sighting- this would be the place!
Le Plongeoir- This jaw dropping restaurant sits on a rock overtop of the water! You won’t find a more stunning view while dining in Nice! Make sure to book a reservation in advance.
Fenocchio – Fenocchio has multiple locations, tasty ice cream and offers 100 flavors!
Glacier Rossetti– You will find this gelato shop in Old Town!
Crema di Gelato– Another delicious gelato shop located in Old Town.
Pastisserie Lac– Their pastries are delicious! Highly recommend if you’re looking for something other than gelato!
With Monaco only being a 30–40-minute drive from Nice, we knew a day trip was a must! Monte Carlo is exactly like what you picture in the movies. The beautiful views, expensive yachts, the infamous casino, glamorous people- everything about Monaco was amazing. We parked our car in a parking garage for the day and saw the city by foot. Parking for the day will cost you anywhere from 15-30 euros- depending on how many hours you stay.
Start your day by strolling along Port Hercules, getting a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea and admiring all of the amazing yachts.
Afterwards, make your way up to Old Town. The streets in Monaco are steep and if you’re planning to see the town on foot, it’s important to wear comfortable walking shoes! Once you arrive in Old Town, you will see The Prince’s Palace, where the current prince of Monaco resides. We decided not to go inside, but you can in fact purchase tickets to view the inside of the palace.
From the Palace, you are only about a 6-minute walk from the most amazing view of Monaco (Port de Fontvieille Viewpoint). This exact spot is a little hidden, but if you keep walking towards the end of the park, you will see it!
After getting some amazing pictures of the viewpoint, we grabbed lunch and some gelato in Old Town, strolled around some more, then made our way to the infamous Casino. It will take you about 30 minutes to get to the casino if you’re walking, but it is a great way to see the city. Additionally, you’ll be able to get some amazing pictures and soak in the views! You can also walk along the Formula 1 racetrack which is pretty amazing! If you are worn out from all the walking, there are buses that you can also hop on.
Take in the view at Fort Antoine: From here, you will have a beautiful view of over Port Hercules and Monte Carlo!
Jardin de Saint-Martin (Japanese Garden): If you have the time, the Japanese Garden is beautiful! You don’t need a lot of time for it, but it is fun to walk through and nearby to the casino.
Musee Oceanographique: This amazing museum sits on the edge of a cliff, making it jaw dropping when you see it!
Cathedrale de Monaco: Located in Old Town, the Monaco Cathedral is small, but beautiful! Definitely worth snapping a picture and viewing the inside. You will need your shoulders covered to enter.
Palais de Justice: Located next to the Monaco Cathedral, you will find the Palace of Justice!
Rue des Remparts: Just another stunning spot to admire the views! You will find this spot in Old Town.
If you came to Monaco with a car, another viewpoint I highly recommend visiting is Tête De Chien. Unfortunately, this viewpoint is only accessible by car, so if you came by bus or train this part of the day will have to be left out.
It will take you about 20-25 minutes from the city, but well worth it! Type in “Tête De Chien” into your maps, and it will lead you there. We reached a point where the road was blocked off, so we parked our car in the parking lot to the right and walked for about 10 minutes before reaching the destination. It is the most amazing view of Monaco and the coastline.
After our third night in Nice, our trip in the French Riviera had unfortunately come to an end. We made the drive back to Strasbourg, where we spent one night before heading back to Frankfurt. This vacation was the perfect mix of relaxing beach days, fun pool parties, amazing food, and lots of exploring in the most beautiful towns.
Overall thoughts and takeaways about the French Riviera.
-It was definitely a more expensive vacation spot. I would compare prices to places like Paris and Mykonos.
-Each town is close enough together that you can easily do day trips to each location or continue along the coast and do a few days in each spot!
-Reservations, reservations, reservations! Start booking reservations for dinner far enough in advance, because places book up quickly- especially in Saint-Tropez.
-In my opinion, renting a car is a must! If you had to, you could get from place to place by bus, but it would make things a lot more difficult, and you lose the freedom of being on your own time schedule.
-Our trip took place at the end of June, and we are so happy we went when we did. We got great summer weather, but nowhere near the August heat. Places were definitely busy, but not unmanageable. You may also find it much harder to find hotels and book reservations in July and August. And you will most likely be paying a premium at places because of the time of the year.
-All in all, I 100% recommend a vacation to the French Riviera. It was by far one of my favorite trips we have been on, and I already cannot wait to go back!
Please feel free to reach out to me via email or Instagram with any questions you may still have! This was one of my favorite trips we have taken so far, so I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
Are you heading anywhere else in France during your trip? If so, be sure to check out my other France travel guides in Strasbourg and Paris!
If you’re like me and need help keeping all of your travel plans and itinerary organized, be sure to check out my travel journal that I designed for just this reason! It’s how I plan every single trip and keep organized. It has everything you need from a packing list, a page for your accommodation info, travel itinerary, budgeting on your trip, journaling each day and more!
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