The Best 7-Day Itinerary for a Visit to the French Riviera

If you want to discover the French Riviera, we have created the ideal itinerary for you. This region contains some of the most beautiful and sunniest places in France. Rent a car, drive along the coast, and indulge in all that the French Riviera has to offer!

Here is our itinerary, including all of the must-see sights and places:

 

If you don’t have 7 days, I recommend checking my article 3-Day Itinerary for a Visit to the French Riviera.

 

Day 1: Nice

Morning: Take a Stroll Through the City

Welcome to the French Riviera! Start your visit to this wonderful region with coffee at a small café in the city center like Café des Chineurs or Bar de la Victoire (website in French), one of the oldest in Nice. You’ll need a hearty breakfast to give you enough energy for the day!

From the old town of Nice, walk through the markets in the Cours Saleya, then stroll through the narrow streets and enjoy the beauty of Nice. Next, go to the Place Masséna and admire the Sun Fountain and its 7-meter high statue of Apollo. From there, the Albert I garden is just a few steps away!

At the end of the morning, go to the Promenade des Anglais to have an appetite-stimulating drink by the sea and enjoy the mild weather.

For lunch, enjoy a delicious meal in one of the city’s palaces or a family restaurant like Patoch’s Family Restaurant or That’s Amore, where you can taste fresh, quality Mediterranean food.

 

Afternoon: Encounter Culture and History

We recommend devoting your afternoon in Nice to visiting museums such as the Matisse Museum, where you will find nearly 600 works and 130 objects created and owned by the famous painter Henri Matisse.

There are 12 museums and galleries (website in French) in the city of Nice, each of which will enrich your knowledge.

Don’t forget to take a short break to enjoy homemade ice cream at Peccati di Gola (website in French) or one of the many other local ice cream parlors!

If you want to take in all of Nice and its surroundings, you can book a two-hour NiceCar excursion. The cars are equipped with a GPS that will guide you from Alban to Villefranche sur Mer, then to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat before returning to Nice.

 

Evening: Mini Golf & Disco

For the more adventurous, we encourage you to spend an evening in one of the many bars or nightclubs in Nice such as the Calypso Club with a Latino atmosphere or the High Club (website in French), the most popular nightclub in Nice. You can have fun until sunrise!

If parties that last until the early morning are not your thing, you can spend a calm evening at the Mini Golf of Nice (website in French) with family or friends. This activity is a fun and playful way to wind down for the night.

 

Day 2: Monaco

Morning: City Tour

This day will be dedicated to discovering the principality of Monaco.

The City of Princes is a modern city that is constantly expanding, and the activities offered are numerous and varied.

Start your visit with a tour in a small train, ideal for discovering the whole city and its most emblematic places. The tour is guided, so you will learn many interesting things about the city and its history.

Stop on the Rock of Monaco and admire the Palais Princier while observing the changing of the guard, which occurs every day at 11:55 am in the Palace Square.

When you come down from the Rock, stop for lunch at the port with a view of some of the most luxurious yachts in the world.

 

Afternoon: Shopping and Culture

After lunch, continue your visit by going to one of the principality’s 10 museums. There is something for everyone, including the Car Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco, where no less than 100 cars are gathered, from Rolls Royces and Ferraris to Formula 1 cars that have competed in the Monaco Grand Prix.

There is also a museum of prehistoric anthropology, where you will find prehistoric remains that have been unearthed in the principality.

After taking in a museum or two, end your afternoon with a little shopping in Monaco’s many luxury boutiques.

To continue your day in Monaco, you can book a 30-minute private tour in a Ferrari or Lamborghini to discover Eze, the Moyenne, and Haute Corniche before returning to Monaco. This tour combines a pleasant drive with exceptional landscapes.

There are also several public swimming areas in Monaco, such as the Plage des Pêcheurs or the Réserve du Larvotto.

 

Evening: All Bets Are Off!

End your day in Monaco by entertaining yourself in the famous Monte-Carlo Casino. Get dressed up, roll the dice, and try to win big! Soak up the essence of the City of Monaco with a cocktail in your hand!

 

Day 3: Grasse

Morning: Perfume

For your third day in the French Riviera, head to the charming town of Grasse and learn about the art of perfume making for which the town is famous.

Visit the emblematic and historical Fragonard factory and its museum, where you can learn, discover, and smell. You can also experience the International Museum of Perfumery Grasse, where you will be given an audio guide. In a 2 hour visit, you will learn about the history of fragrances, the raw materials they are made from, and the manufacturing process.

After the visit, stroll through the narrow streets of this charming city and stop at one of its traditional restaurants for lunch.

 

Afternoon: An Outdoor Excursion

In the afternoon, refresh yourself by visiting the Saint-Cézaire Cave, only 20 minutes from Grasse. With an average temperature of 15°C in both summer and winter, we recommend wearing a light jacket and a good pair of walking shoes. The route is arranged for easy access for the whole family.

The Cave of Saint Cézaire is 6 million years old, but wasn’t discovered until 1890 when a farmer’s pickaxe revealed it to the outside world.

 

Evening: Casino & Night Club

There are several options for going out in Grasse. You can spend the evening in one of the city’s bars or in the nightclub Le SOFT. If you are a gambling enthusiast, you can go to the Casino Victoria (website in French), where you can play roulette, poker, and many other games.

During the high season, many events are organized by the city. Check the agenda (website in French) to see what events will be taking place during your visit!

 

Day 4: Cannes

Morning: The Island of Saint-Honorat and Diving

The city of Cannes is the focus of this day. This former fishing village became a must-see on the French Riviera in 1946 when the first film festival took place.

Start your visit with a guided tour of the Abbey of Lérins on the small island of Saint-Honorat. 

To complete your morning, book your first diving experience just 20 minutes from the center of Cannes and discover the underwater wonders the area has to offer.

 

Afternoon: Culture and Croisette

Continue your discovery of Cannes by taking a short walk on the Croisette. Stop in front of the Palais des Festivals before heading to the old town.

You can spend the rest of your afternoon in one of the city’s museums, such as the Musée de la Castre on the heights of old Cannes in the remains of the medieval castle of the monks of Lérins. We also recommend the Musée de la Mer on the island of Sainte-Marguerite.

If you prefer to spend your afternoon outdoors, Cannes has no less than 13 public beaches, including the Bijou Plage with gently sloping water access that is suitable for families. There are also 33 private beaches in the area.

 

Evening: Discotheque and Games

Cannes’ evening activities are similar to those of the rest of the Riviera. Multiple bars and discotheques stay open until the early morning, as do the city’s three casinos.

 

Day 5: Fréjus

Morning: Roman Ruins and the Historical Center of Fréjus

When visiting Fréjus, a 2000-year-old city, we recommend that you book a guided tour of the Roman ruins that are still visible in the city, such as the aqueduct or the Roman amphitheater. These monuments chronicle the history of the city.

Later in the morning, go to the historical center of Fréjus to have a drink on the terrace before enjoying a refreshing sea salad.

 

Afternoon: Relaxation and Water Activities

In the afternoon, go to the beach to relax and enjoy the year-round mild weather. There are many water activities available, such as parasailing, jet skiing, and flyfishing.

If the water is too cold for your taste, you can also visit the ruins of the Malpasset dam a few kilometers from the city.

 

Evening: Sightseeing & Funfair

In the evening, the Luna Park Fréjus (website in French) awaits you. You will be able to ride thrill rides, go go-karting, play chamboule tout, and eat candy apples and cotton candy. What a way to feel like a child again for an evening!

If you would rather learn more about the history of the city of Frejus, you can also take a nighttime guided tour of the historic city center.

 

Day 6: Saint-Tropez

Morning: Walking Tour

In the morning, drive to Saint-Tropez, where you will spend your 6th day in the French Riviera.

Upon arrival, walk around this charming town and visit the Museum of the Gendarmerie and the Saint-Tropez Cinema. This emblematic building is the scene of the movie Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez, shot by Jean Girault in 1964.

Stroll through the narrow streets until you reach the port where majestic yachts are moored, then enjoy a pistou soup or a Provencal-style sea bream, both of which are typical dishes of the region. And don’t forget to have the inimitable tarte Tropézienne, a brioche topped with sugar grains and filled with cream!

 

Afternoon: Relaxation at Sea

After a good meal, discover the Gulf of Saint-Tropez by renting a boat (accompanied by a skipper or not) from which you can relax and admire the view of the city. Discover your surroundings and the coast from a new angle.

Before leaving, be sure to visit the Citadel of Saint-Tropez and its museum of maritime history, which dates back to the 18th century.

If you would rather relax on the beach, we recommend perfecting your tan at the Fontanette beach or the Garnier beach.

 

Evening: Party With the Jet Set

Saint-Tropez is the place to party with dozens of bars, lounges, and discotheques. You’re sure to find a party that suits you any day of the year!

 

Day 7: Port-Cros & Hyères

Morning: Port-Cros National Park

Start your day at the Port-Cros National Park. This green area surrounded by the sea is a soothing and relaxing place.

You can reach it by boat from the port of Hyères or the port of Le Lavandou. The trip takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the boat.

With an incredible variety of fauna and flora, the park hosts much research and scientific work. Exhibitions are organized every year to raise public awareness, each with a different theme.

 

Afternoon: Discover Hyères on Foot

Stroll through the narrow streets in the shadow of the ruins of the medieval castle of the Lords of Fos and discover the old town of Hyères. A meeting place for creators, painters, and fashion designers, the town center is a place of constant effervescence.

As you walk, you will pass by the Templar Tower, the rue des Porches, the vaulted passage under the old ramparts, and the impressive Saint-Paul collegiate church.

There is so much to see that we recommend following one of these ideal routes (page in French) so that you do not miss anything in this delightful city.

 

Evening: Cabaret and Nightclub

For your last evening in the Côte d’Azur, we encourage you to visit the club Le Millenium. This club in Hyères is one of the city’s must-see locations.

You will find an oriental cabaret on the 1st floor. In there, you can start your evening as early as 8 pm in a cabaret atmosphere with a catering service.

Around midnight, you can go down to the discotheque on the ground floor of the establishment. Now you can dance until the early morning.