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

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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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. Go on reading for the perfect French Riviera road trip itinerary.

French Riviera Road 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. It’s a French Riviera itinerary 7 days, but you can spend much longer delving into this stunning area in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

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.

Days 1–2 | Nice

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 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 coast 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 French Riviera 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 road trip Côte d’Azur 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.

Day 5 | Menton

Day 5 of this French Riviera itinerary by car visits Menton, France’s sunniest city. Menton is also famous for its citrus and the Lemon Festival, and we have it listed as one of our favorite winter destinations in France.

Explore Menton’s Old Town, with its colorful houses, fabulous staircases, beach stone mosaics, and pretty gardens. The port and the beach resort 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. 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
• Chemin des Douaniers, a 3.7km-seafront walk
• Archaeology Museum in the Bastion Saint-André

Day 7 | Cannes

As this French Riviera road trip ends in Cannes, take this opportunity to explore this wonderful city. Cannes is a place filled with glitz and glamour, perfect to start 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.

So, what are you waiting for? Book this fun Côte d’Azur itinerary 7 days today!

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