🇫🇷 Best Things to Do in Nice & French Riviera Itinerary

Planning a trip to the French Riviera? You’re going to love it!

Some of the best things to do in Nice and the beautiful cities of the French Riviera include eating delicious food and seeing amazing art and architecture.

Oh, and did I mention the gorgeous beaches lining the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean? Yeah. The views are pretty much #1 on the list!

I’ll be helping you to explore the cities of Nice, glamorous Monte Carlo, and tiny-but-charming Antibes.

We visited all three of these charming cities on our first Mediterranean cruise, after spending a few days in Nice. They each have their own unique vibe and are well worth visiting!

Wondering what to do in Nice and the French Riviera? Lace up your shoes and let’s go explore!

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Best things to do in Nice France

Nice is the fifth largest city in France and one of the top tourist destinations.    It’s easy to see why — Nice makes a perfect home base for your French Riviera itinerary. 

I recommend spending at least three days in Nice, and then taking a few day trips by train to visit nearby cities. There is a lot more to do and see in Nice — at least, of the activities that I like the best!

One of the best times to visit Nice is during Carnaval — it’s one of the best Carnival celebrations in Europe — and in the world! (And it’s fun to experience celebrations and holidays in France!)

1. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais

Strolling down the Promenade des Anglais is one of the best things to do in Nice. The lovely boulevard with its picture-perfect Mediterranean views is one of the most romantic places in France!

This boulevard spans seven kilometers all the way from the airport on the west, to the Quai des États-Unis on the east.  It hugs the coastline, separating the beaches on its south side from the glittering hotels, casinos, restaurants, and cultural attractions on its north side.

In the 18^th century, Nice, France was a popular spot for the English aristocracy to spend their winters.  (It’s the perfect warm-weather getaway in Europe in the chilly winter months!)

Desiring a nice place to walk along the coast, the idea for the promenade was born.  And so, the resulting boulevard that we enjoy today was named the ‘Promenade des Anglais’.

Nice is actually recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its history as a winter resort town of the French Riviera.

The Promenade des Anglais is a great place to while away the hours — whether you prefer to sit on a bench and do some people watching, or work off your meal with an evening constitutional walk.  If you want to feel like a local, call it ‘the Prom’!

Save some wear and tear on your feet and take this guided Segway sightseeing tour of Nice! Whiz along the Promenade des Anglais and the beautiful coastline, and enjoy the panoramic views from Castle Hill!

2. Enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Nice

Simply put, Nice is stunning.  Framed by a curve of hills in the background, Nice’s string of beaches sparkle like jewels in a necklace.    

You can soak up some sun on one of Nice’s public beaches or spend a little cash to access more amenities at one of the private beaches.    

Note that the beaches in Nice are made of pebbles rather than sand.  This is fine for a day spent relaxing in a chaise or on a beach towel (it’s kind of like getting a hot stone massage). 

However, if you’re like me and love walking along the shoreline and having the waves lapping at your toes, it’s a little more challenging to do that on a pebbly beach.

Spending a an afternoon on the beach is one of the best things to do in Nice!

3. Take a selfie with the ‘I Love Nice’ sign

Overlooking the beaches from the eastern edge is the popular #ILoveNice sign.   This is definitely one of the most beautiful settings I’ve found for one of these signs, with the sunlight sparking off of the waters of the Mediterranean as the background.  

4. Explore Castle Hill (Colline du Château)

To the east of Nice’s beaches, you’ll find Castle Hill (Colline du Château).  We’re big fans of exploring a city by foot to get great views, so we of course headed up this hill.  Not in the mood for a climb? You can take the Ascenseur du Château, an art-deco styled elevator to take you up to the top.

As you ascend Castle Hill you’ll discover several scenic viewpoints.  (That’s where I took that fantastic photo of Nice’s beaches that you saw above.) 

See the best of Old Nice and Castle Hill on this 5-star walking tour of Nice. Let your local guide take you beyond the guidebook and explore the hidden gems of Nice!

Located on the other side of Castle Hill, near the port of Nice, you will find the Monument aux Morts de Rauba-Capeù.  The Rauba-Capeù Memorial is a monument honoring the citizens of Nice who were killed during the first World War.

We happened to visit this memorial on a day when a commemoration event was taking place.  The classically styled memorial was draped with a massive French flag for the ceremony.

If you follow the main road counter clockwise, you can circle your way around the hill and view two cemeteries.  The Cimetière Israélite is a Jewish cemetery and Holocaust Memorial.   The adjacent Cimetière du Château is built on the site of the old citadel of Nice.

5. Check out a Museum

The city of Nice boasts nearly twenty museums and galleries; some of the best museums in France. There is certainly something to suit anyone’s interests.  Here are a few top picks to consider:

Love the classical arts? The Musée des Beaux Arts Jules Chéret is Nice’s Fine Arts Museum. This museum is a striking example of 19^th century neo-classical architecture and is beautiful in its own right.  One its most recognizable pieces of artwork is the Rodin sculpture ‘The Kiss’.

Nice’s Musée National Marc Chagall showcases the work of Russian-born French artist Marc Chagall.  Most of the works displayed here focus on religious themes.  I most enjoyed the brilliant stained-glass windows.

Interested in ancient history?  Take a big step back in time at the Archaeological Museum. Or visit the adjacent Gardens of the Arena featuring ruins of a Roman Amphitheater.

Nice’s Matisse Museum focuses on the vibrant works of French painter Henri Matisse.  Even the building catches your attention, painted in bold hues.  This museum houses one of the largest collections of Matisse’s works in the world.

In the mood for something more modern?  You’ll want to visit the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, Nice’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC for short).

6. Visit the Cours Saleya Marché Aux Fleurs

There is a big focus on high quality, fresh ingredients in Nice.  Don’t forget to visit a local market to check out the freshest local products yourself!  There is a fantastic flower and food market in Old Town Nice, the Cours Saleya Marché Aux Fleurs (open daily except Mondays). 

We love to stroll through a market and pick up a loaf of bread, some cheese, and whatever else looks good – and have ourselves a picnic.  It’s always a good idea to carry some French currency, particularly for small vendors at the market!

The market is also a great place to pick up some tasty food souvenirs from France to carry back home with you. Check out regional specialties such as lavender-based products, flavored salts, soaps, and much more.

Note: On Mondays, the Cours Saleya turns into an antiques market, where you can search for a unique memento of your visit to Nice.

For a truly special souvenir of your trip to Nice, enjoy this hands-on perfume-making workshop. You’ll learn about history and technique and have a custom scent to take home with you!

7. Sample delicious Niçoise food

When traveling, we always try to sample a few regional specialties.  You’ll of course have heard the term Niçoise before – such as salad Niçoise.  But this more generally refers to cuisine made with regional ingredients such as black olives, tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. 

“The air in Provence is impregnated with the aroma of garlic, which makes it very healthful to breathe.”

Alexandre Dumas (this is one of the best quotes about France)

Being on the coast, it is no surprise that you’ll find a lot of seafood.  One of the dishes we ran into everywhere was moules frites, or mussels with fries. The mussels are often cooked in a luscious wine and butter sauce with herbs.

You’ll want to try socca, a specialty of the French Riviera, mostly found in Nice.  A popular snack, socca is an enormous thin pancake made from chickpea flour.   After baking, it is sliced into strips to make individual portions.

Socca is the main reason that Nice is one of the best places for street food in France!

Savor local specialties (and wine!) on this small-group walking food tour of Nice. You’ll enjoy some sightseeing of Nice’s top attractions as you taste your way through the region’s unique flavors!

Best Things to do in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo brings to mind all kinds of glamourous images.  The celebrities, the royal family, the fancy casino, million-dollar yachts and sports cars — quite the ‘lifestyles of the rich and famous’ vibe.

The Principality of Monaco is a tiny sovereign state, weighing in at just under two square kilometers.  (The Vatican City takes the crown as the world’s smallest country.)   Monaco sits on the Mediterranean and is completely surrounded by France on its land borders.

It’s super easy to take a day trip from Nice to Monaco. You can hop on a train in Nice and be in Monte Carlo in only thirty minutes (and for about 5 Euros). 

So, it’s easy to tackle the best things to do in Nice and Monaco all in the same vacation!

For a more scenic trip, enjoy this round-trip ferry ride from Nice to Monaco! The cities of the French Riviera are gorgeous from the water — this is the best way to view spectacular scenery of the Mediterranean coast!

1. Visit the Musée Océanographique de Monaco

There is a walkway on the hillside with lovely views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean waters.  Follow this path and you’ll get an incredible view of the Musée Océanographique de Monaco.  This is a museum and a large aquarium.  The stunning building appears as if carved from the rock of the cliffs:

Continue onwards and you will reach the Jardins de Saint-Martin.  This is a lovely hilltop garden overlooking the sea.  You’ll find statues poised against the lush greenery and vibrant flowers.  Take a moment to enjoy the shade and the views.

2. Admire the architecture of Old Monaco

Atop the hill you’ll find Old Monaco.  Old Monaco is home to some amazing buildings that you can explore.  Romanesque Saint Nicholas Cathedral is the final resting place to many of Monaco’s royal family, including Princess Grace (Grace Kelly).

Another interesting building in Old Monaco is the Palais de Justice.  This courthouse is circular with sweeping symmetrical external staircases flanking its central doors.

3. See the Palais des Princes de Monaco

On the westernmost edge of Old Monaco lies Le Palais des Princes de Monaco, the Prince’s Palace.  Built as a fortress, this palace served as the stronghold of the Grimaldi family for centuries. 

This palace isn’t a fanciful château like Versailles, but an actual defensive fortress.  You can just imagine warriors atop the towers preparing for battle.

Nowadays things are a bit quieter at the Prince’s Palace.  It is still the residence of Monaco’s royal ruling family.   If you want a closer look at the royal life, you can tour the state apartments in April through October.

Head eastward through the shops and restaurants of Old Monaco.   From the Rue des Ramparts, there is a fantastic panoramic view of the harbor and the city of Monte Carlo with its modern high-rise buildings. 

Enjoy the view, then head down the hill to the lower level of Monte Carlo.

4. Get a Monaco Passport Stamp

One, we picked up a free souvenir from Monaco’s tourist office:  a passport stamp!  We’re rather old school and like having passport stamps from different countries.  With the Schengen Zone, you now don’t get stamps when traveling within the Zone.   

Monaco has an elaborate design on their passport stamp.  It is the Monaco coat of arms, imprinted in bright scarlet ink.  The design features two monks holding swords while supporting a central shield.

This image has red bunting in the background and is topped by an elaborate crown.  This scene represents the conquest of Monaco by the Grimaldis, in which soldiers entered the city dressed as friars.

Nowadays, the process has changed a bit.   They won’t stamp your actual passport due to concerns with invalidating it.  However, they have created a ‘souvenir passport’ that you can request.  It features pictures of Monaco, and they’ll stamp it with the date of your visit.

5. Test your luck at a fancy Casino

Just a short stroll from the tourist office you’ll find Monaco’s famed glamorous casinos:  the Casino Café de Paris and the Casino de Monte-Carlo.   

If you want to see if Lady Luck smiles upon you, be sure your attire meets the dress code.  Or, just enjoy the complimentary views of the casino’s palatial architecture and all the luxury supercars parked out front.

Best things to do in Antibes, France

Looking for a quieter, more laid-back town along the French Riviera?  Then you’ll enjoy a visit to Antibes, Nice’s neighbor to the south.  Antibes is another easy day trip from Nice, as it is just a half-hour away by train.

There are a lot of terrific things to do in Antibes, France.  As we were there on a cruise, we only had a teaser half-day to explore.  We didn’t get to see everything Antibes has to offer, but we still had a great time exploring this cute little town.

Interestingly, even though Antibes has a small-town feel, its port (Port Vauban) is one of the top superyacht harbors in Europe.

1. Tour Fort Carré

Fort Carré is located on the north side of Antibes’ port.   This 16^th-century fort was built during the reign of King Henry II and has the rather unique shape of a four-pointed star.  It was originally a French defense against the neighboring County of Nice (before Nice became part of France).

The fort is surrounded by large gardens filled with plants and trees, which is a nice shady place to enjoy the views.   A statue of a WWI soldier stands guard at the western edge of the fort’s grounds. 

Some Fort Carré trivia:  Napoleon was imprisoned at Fort Carré for a short time during the French Revolution.  Also, Fort Carré was one of the filming locations for the James Bond movie ‘Never Say Never Again’ – it served as the villain’s fortress.

Entry to the fort is fairly inexpensive, although when we visited you could not explore on your own – only as part of a tour.    Fort Carré is open to the public Tuesdays-Saturdays (always check the web site for hours of operation).

2. Shop at the Marché Provençal

Marché Provençal, Antibes’ fantastic traditional covered market, runs daily from 7:30am-1:30pm (closed Mondays). 

You can find everything from fresh fruits, meats and cheeses, to spices, breads, and prepared foods. You’ll want to get there early for the best selection. 

You may know by now how much I enjoy these types of markets.  I love getting a fresh baguette, some cheese, and of course something sweet — and then finding a gorgeous spot for a pique-nique. 

And, Antibes certainly has plenty of scenic oceanfront locations to enjoy spectacular views while you enjoy your delectable market finds.

You’ll want to get to the market early for the best selection. 

After your visit to the market, head east towards the ocean.  Here you’ll find a cluster of some of Antibes’ top attractions.

3. Admire the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception, or the Antibes Cathedral, is famous for its intricately carved wooden doors.  The cathedral’s façade, painted with a striking red ochre color, stands out amongst the rest of Antibes’ buildings which are mostly stone or off-white. 

As the story has it, this cathedral stands on the site of a temple dedicated to the Roman goddesses Diana and Minerva.  Another local legend tells that St. Paul preached here in 63 A.D. as he was making his way to Spain.

4. Visit Musée Picasso

Just south of the cathedral, you’ll find Musée Picasso.  This museum is located in the château where Picasso lived and worked in 1946, Château Grimaldi at Antibes.  Picasso left behind many sketches and works of art at the Château when he returned to Paris, and this became the foundation of the museum’s collection.

But the museum is not solely dedicated to Picasso.  You’ll also find works by artists such as Joan Miró as well as a permanent collection of sculptures by Germaine Richier which are on display on the terrace.

Musée Picasso is open daily (other than Mondays – I sense a theme here with Antibes and Mondays..)

5. Take a walk along the coast

Next, you’ll want to stroll along Antibes’ sea wall, along the Promenade Amiral de Grasse.  This road has a pedestrian walkway alongside, although in some areas the pedestrian portion is fairly narrow so use caution and keep an eye on the traffic.

After this street merges with others, keep hugging the coastal edge and you’ll find the Musée d’Archéologie d’Antibes. 

This museum of archaeology features Roman artifacts and is located in the former defensive structure of the Saint-André bastion.  (Open Tuesday-Saturday in the months of November-January, and Tuesday-Sunday in the months of February-October).

To the south of the museum, you’ll find Square Albert 1er (Prince Albert the First).  This public park boasts fantastic scenic views. 

Looking to the northeast, you can see the fortifications of the bastion, the waves crashing against the sea wall – and on a clear day you can see all the way to the foothills of the Alps.

And, of course, give yourself some ‘free time’ to explore.  Wander the narrow pedestrian lanes in Antibes and you may find some hidden local gems when you get off the beaten path.  That is part of its charm!

French Riviera Travel Tips

Traveling by train to the French Riviera

It’s really easy to travel across France by train. For trips of only a few hours, it’s more convenient to travel by train than plane. You have more space on a train, and you can carry on more luggage on a train than a plane.

Plus, you can generally arrive to the train station 15 minutes before your departure time (rather than arriving 2 hours in advance for taking a flight!)

You can take the TGV (high-speed train) to Nice from several large cities in France including Avignon and Lyon.

You can take the TGV from Paris all the way to Nice, although that is nearly a 6-hour journey. (I’ve taken that train trip twice, since there are a lot more flight options from Paris than Nice.)

The length of that trip always takes me by surprise.

It shouldn’t — Nice is on the southern coast of France. And although it seems like Paris is in the heart of France, the location of Paris is really in the northern part of the country.

Prefer to fly into Nice? Nice also boasts an international airport (the third busiest in France) for easy access to the Côte d’Azur. 

Pro Tip: While it is not a problem to purchase tickets for regional trains on the day of travel, TGV tickets should definitely be purchased in advance. (Seat reservations are required, and the train may be fully booked.) Purchase your train tickets in advance!

If you’d rather have more flexibility in exploring the French Riviera, consider the pros and cons of renting a car in the French Riviera.

French Riviera FAQ

No matter which city you choose to visit, you will find many excellent things to do in the French Riviera.  Gorgeous beaches, interesting museums, royal palaces, historic forts, delicious cuisine – the French Riviera has it all!

Planning a trip to the beautiful French Riviera? Pin this for later!

You might also enjoy these posts about my favorite places in France:

• Nice vs Marseille: Which is the Best City to Visit?
• Nice to Monaco Day Trip
• Perfectly Paris: 21 Best Paris Attractions
• Amazing Paris Night Tours You’ll Love
• Jardin du Luxembourg: Paris’ Best, Most Beautiful Garden
• Perfect Lyon Weekend: Best Things to Do in Lyon
• Châteaux and a Fantastic Loire Valley Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Best Things to Do in Avignon and Arles (3 Day Itinerary)
• 23 Fantastic Day Trips from Paris by Train You’ll Love
• What to Do in Nîmes France

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• Perfect Weekend in Spain: Best Things to Do in Barcelona
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