Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Road Trips

French Riviera Road Trip – Itinerary 7 Days (Côte d’Azur Road Trip)

21/09/2024

Article written by Elisa
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Driving the French Riviera

The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur in French) is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Southern France. The coastline between Toulon and Menton is dotted with picturesque towns, world-famous beaches, and pristine coves, perfect for a weekend getaway or a week in France.

The best way to explore the French Riviera is by car. Driving the French Riviera gives you the freedom to visit the best places in the region at your own pace, and you are not restricted by set timetables. If you plan to spend 7 days in French Riviera, go on reading for the ultimate French Riviera road trip itinerary.

Are you planning a French Riviera trip last minute?

Below are some of the best French Riviera tours, hotels, and more!

Do you need to rent a car for this Côte d’Azur road trip? Click here for the best rental car rates

Top Experiences and Tours:

Top Places to Stay along the road:

Don’t leave for the French Riviera without travel insurance!

Safety Wing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.

Road Trip French Riviera Overview

  • Start: Nice
  • Finish: Cannes
  • Duration: 7 days
  • Suggested Route: Nice – Èze – Montecarlo – Menton – Antibes – Cannes
  • Total distance: 100 km, 2hrs 15min drive in total
  • Regions covered: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
  • Best for: sightseeing, beach, landscapes, small towns.

This road trip French Riviera begins in Nice. The itinerary is for seven days, but you can spend much longer delving into this stunning area in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Nice is easy to reach by train from Paris or Lyon. The journey from Paris to Nice takes around 5 hours 45 minutes, while Lyon to Nice by train is only 4 hours 50 minutes (some options include a transfer). You can also fly to Nice from abroad; click here for flight destinations and prices to Nice Airport (NCE).

With more time available, you can drive from Paris to Nice to see more of France.

This road trip to the French Riviera is included in the South of France by Car e-book. Get recommendations on where to play, eat (local cuisine), and stay (all budgets), as well as suggestions on how to extend or shorten your trip depending on your availability.

The road trip itineraries come with specially designed maps, both printed and available to be downloaded to your mobile device, so you’ll always know where you are and where you’re going!

French Riviera Road Trip Map

French Riviera road trip map. French Riviera itinerary 7 days. Côte d'Azur itinerary 7 days. Côte d'Azur road trip map
French Riviera Road Trip Map made with Google My Maps

Click here to view this French Riviera Road Trip Map on Google

This Côte d’Azur road trip is one of the best road trips in France, with some of France’s most scenic drives. Read more about road-tripping in France:

Road Trip Côte d’Azur Itinerary 7 Days

This 7-day Côte d’Azur itinerary starts in Nice, one of the must-visit cities in Southern France, where you will spend two nights. For this French Riviera road trip, you don’t need a car until day 2, so if you need to hire a car, wait until then to pick up your rental car in Nice.

I recommend booking your car with Discover Cars. This site is great because it takes all major rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, and more, and compares prices for you. Check out our best tips for renting a car in France.

Click here to compare car rental prices in Nice or use the yellow box here below.

Day 0 | Arrival in Nice

As this Côte d’Azur road trip itinerary begins in Nice, take this opportunity to explore the French Riviera’s capital before hitting the road. For your stay in Nice, book a room at Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges. This lovely 4-star hotel nestled into the Colline du Château comes with Nice’s best view over the Baie des Anges and beautiful, comfortable rooms with Mediterranean decor – Click here to book at Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges

Days 1–2 | Nice

Nice - France

Nice is a beautiful Mediterranean city with ochre-colored Baroque architecture, sunny beaches, and an interesting cultural scene. With two days in Nice, you can spend one day exploring the city’s narrow streets, bustling markets, and main tourist sites and use the second day for a day tour.

The list of fun things to see and do in Nice includes:

  • Old Port
  • A stroll through the Promenade des Anglais
  • The Castle Hill
  • Old Nice
  • Cimiez Hill
  • Matisse Museum
  • Chagall Museum

TIP: Immerse yourself in the traditional Mediterranean flavors influenced by the Alps of the Côte d’Azur with this Nice Food & Wine Walking Tour

Villefrranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer

The list of best day trips from Nice includes the oh-so-pretty Villefranche-sur-Mer (no car necessary), picturesque hilltop villages, or the Gorges du Verdon. You can also explore the French Riviera from the water with this lovely sunset boat tour from Nice to Cap Ferrat.

If you visit the French Riviera in July or August, you can consider a day trip to Valensole to see some of the best lavender fields in Provence.

Day 3 | Èze

Day 3 of this road trip Côte d’Azur leaves the coastline to visit one of the most picturesque hilltop villages in the region.

Èze is a picture-perfect medieval village with winding cobblestone streets, small galleries, and lush gardens. Its dramatic location on a hilltop 400 meters above the sea comes with exceptional views of the coastline.

Take your time exploring the town and admiring the superb stone houses, little squares with refreshing fountains, and numerous boutiques selling beautiful crafts. If you are in the mood for a walk, the scenic Nietzsche Path down to the beach is perfect.

I recommend spending the night at Èze so you can enjoy this wonderful place when the day crowds are gone. For a night in Eze, the Hotel La Chèvre d’Or is perfect. This top-rated hotel in the heart of the town offers spectacular views of the coast, and it has excellent facilities like private gardens, a well-rated restaurant, a pool, and comfortable air-conditioned rooms – Click here to book your stay at Hotel La Chèvre d’Or

Day 4 | Monte Carlo (Monaco)

This French Riviera itinerary continues east to the Italian border. From Èze, drive to Monte Carlo, Monaco’s capital and also part of the French Riviera. Monte Carlo is home to many worlds’ fortunes, and you can get an idea of the city’s wealth by strolling around the port dotted with luxurious yachts.

In Monte Carlo, there are also some interesting sites. The list of best things to see and do in Monte Carlo includes:

In the afternoon, drive to Menton, where you will spend one night. For your night in Menton, book at Hotel Napoléon, located on the seafront. This top-rated hotel offers an outdoor pool, a garden, a 24-hour bar, and bright rooms with ocean views – Book your stay at Hotel Napoléon

Day 5 | Menton

Menton - French Riviera

Day 5 of this French Riviera itinerary by car explores Menton, France’s sunniest city. Menton is also famous for its Lemon Festival (in February), and I have it listed as one of our favorite winter destinations in France.

Visit Menton’s Old Town, with its colorful houses, fabulous staircases, beach stone mosaics, and pretty gardens. The port and the beach are perfect for a last lazy day on the French Riviera. If you are curious to know more about Menton’s culinary delights, join this top-rated Menton food tour.

Day 6 | Antibes

From Menton, drive west to Antibes, a lovely city where you will spend one night.

Antibes is one of the best places on the French Riviera. It is a popular beach destination with a picturesque historic center and golden beaches. The city is dominated by Château Grimaldi, one of my favorite castles in Southern France, which hosts the Picasso Museum. Antibes also encompasses the coastline of Cap d’Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, with pretty sandy beaches surrounded by pine trees.

For your stay in Antibes, book one night at the Hotel Belles Rives. This Art-Deco hotel, located right on the waterfront in Juan-les-Pins, has an onsite bar and restaurant, a beautiful terrace with sea views, and a private beach –Click here to book your stay at the Hôtel Belles Rives

The list of fun things to see and do in Antibes includes:

  • The Old Town
  • Picasso Museum in medieval Château Grimaldi
  • Antibes’ beaches (sandy beaches)
  • Chemin des Douaniers, a 3.7km-seafront walk
  • Archaeology Museum in the Bastion Saint-André

Day 7 | Cannes

Carcassonne Castle - France

As this road trip French Riviera ends in Cannes, take this opportunity to explore this wonderful city. Cannes is a place filled with glitz and glamour, perfect for ending your French holiday in style!

For your stay in Cannes, book two nights at the Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes Mgallery. One of the best French Riviera resorts, this charming 4-star property is set just 150 from La Croisette’s beaches, and it comes with a private pool, beachfront bar restaurant, and access to a private beach at an extra cost – Click here to book your stay at Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes Mgallery

Spend the day in Cannes, soaking up the atmosphere of this chic city on the French Riviera. There are many places where you can relax, but also some interesting cultural attractions.

The list of fun things to see and do in Cannes includes:

  • Promenade through Boulevard de la Croisette
  • Fourville food market
  • La Croix des Gardes Park
  • Sunset drink at the Old Port
  • Notre Dame d’Espérance Church
  • Medieval Castle – Musée de la Castre

If you can add an extra day in Cannes, consider a day trip to the Lérins Islands. You can book your ferry tickets or rent a kayak to explore the islands independently or take this private boat tour, which includes snorkeling, stand-up paddles, and wine and snacks on the islands.

So, what are you waiting for? Book this fun French Riviera itinerary 7 days today!

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