Are you planning to spend one week in the French Riviera but wondering how to go about it? This ultimate 7-day itinerary for the French Riviera is exactly what you need to plan an amazing trip to the Côte d’Azur.
If you only have one week on the French Riviera, you want every day to count. That’s what this itinerary is built for: one home base in Nice, easy hops to nine destinations, no wasted mornings packing and unpacking.
I’ve used Nice as my home base for over three decades, and this exact loop is the one I come back to when someone asks me to plan their first week on the French Riviera. I’ve done every leg of it myself: the ferry to Monaco, the bike ride to Villefranche-sur-Mer, the last bus back from Èze after the Exotic Garden had closed. What follows isn’t a checklist assembled from research; it’s the itinerary that’s actually held up, trip after trip.
Discover the captivating attractions of Nice, see the sights in Villefranche-sur-Mer, experience the tranquility of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, take in the views from Èze Village, soak in the charm of Antibes, stroll the streets of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, cross the border to Monaco, rub shoulders with celebrities in Cannes, and discover the allure of Saint-Tropez or the low-key vibe of Menton.
Ready to discover how to plan the most fabulous week-long French Riviera trip? Let’s go!
This article features an experience-based 7-day French Riviera itinerary. With Nice as a home base, there’s no need to rent a car. This guide solely relies on public transport, ferries, and guided tours.
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French Riviera itinerary at a glance
Where to stay in Nice
Here’s an overview of hotels that sit close to the city’s transportation hubs.
Planning your French Riviera itinerary
Before you lock in the days, a few things are worth sorting out first: when to go, how to move between towns, and where to base yourself. Here’s what I’ve learned covers it.
If you’re building a longer trip and want the full picture of how the French Riviera cities and towns connect, this French Riviera travel guide brings everything together in one place, from destinations and transport to practical planning tips.
When to visit the French Riviera?
Anytime is a good time to visit the French Riviera. Two events are worth planning around, though: the Cannes Film Festival from mid-May, and the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix on the first weekend of June. Both send accommodation prices soaring across the coast. Unless you’re attending one of them, there’s no reason to let your stay coincide with these events.
Outside that window, the right time depends on your expectations. Beach days call for late spring through early fall. If you’d rather hike or explore on foot, summer heat can work against you.
For a full month-by-month breakdown, see my guide to the best time to visit the French Riviera.
How to get around the French Riviera?
Nice connects easily to every other town on this itinerary, making traveling around the region a breeze. That’s especially true along the coast between Cannes and Menton, where trains run every 20 to 40 minutes. Saint-Tropez is the outlier: it only works by ferry, and only in the warmer months.
If you’ll rely on public transport more than once or twice, the SudAzur Explore Pass pays for itself fast. The 7-day option runs €50 per person (€40 for kids) and covers every train, tram, and bus in this itinerary. It’s not sold online, but the points of sale are listed on the SNCF site.
I only recommend renting a car if you’re staying more than a week and want to go further, into the wider Saint-Tropez peninsula or inland toward Grasse and the Gorges du Verdon.
Here’s how to get to each stop on this French Riviera itinerary:
| 📅 Day | 🗺 Destination | 🚆 Transfer | ⏱ Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nice | – | – |
| Day 2 | Nice | – | – |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer | Walk, bike rental or hop-on-hop-off bus | 30 minutes | |
| Day 3 | Èze | Bus | 20 minutes |
| Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Bus | 30 minutes | |
| Day 4 | Antibes | Train | 20 minutes |
| Saint-Paul-de-Vence | Bolt ride-share | 35 minutes | |
| Day 5 | Monaco | Ferry or train | 20 minutes |
| Day 6 | Cannes | Train | 40 minutes |
| Day 7 | Saint-Tropez | Ferry | 2.5 hours |
| Menton | Train | 35 minutes |
Where to stay for this French Riviera itinerary?
This itinerary runs from one base: Nice. It’s the most practical anchor point on the coast, and staying close to the train station, the bus stops, and the ferry pier is what makes a week without a car actually work.
Hotels near the main transport hubs:
Just as well connected, near a different hub:
Nice is increasingly popular as a year-round destination, so book well ahead to get the best rate.
The hotels above are picked specifically for this itinerary: all within easy reach of a transport hub, nothing more. If none of them fit your budget or style, or you’re extending your stay past a week, my quick guide to the best areas in Nice pairs each neighborhood with a couple of go-to hotels, while my complete guide to where to stay in Nice breaks down every area in depth, with pros, cons, and picks for every budget.
7-day French Riviera itinerary
You’ve got the logistics down. Now let’s put the days together.
There’s no single right order here. Swap days around to fit your flight times or your energy levels, this is your trip. Just double-check opening hours for anything you don’t want to miss.
If planning it all still feels like a lot, I also offer Côte d’Azur consultations and personalized itineraries.
Here’s how I’d spend seven days on the French Riviera.
Psst… Further down in this article, you’ll find a map that plots out this entire itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival & Nice
Keep day one light. Whatever time you land, this is about settling in and getting a first feel for the city, not checking off a list.
Highlights of the day: Markets, museums, and coastal views. These things to do in Nice set the tone for the whole week.
Morning
If you’re using public transport, pick up your SudAzur Explore Pass or a multi-day Lignes d’Azur pass at a vending machine or point of sale. Settle into your hotel, then have a slow lunch. No agenda yet.
Afternoon
Walk the Promenade des Anglais first, then let the Old Town pull you in. Vieux Nice rewards wandering: pastel façades, baroque churches, socca stands, narrow alleys that open onto small squares. I’ve walked these same streets for decades and still find corners I hadn’t noticed before.
Evening
Vieux Nice is also where the best dinners are. La Merenda is intimate and affordable, run by a well-known Michelin chef who cooks with almost no fuss. Meraki leans into color and world cuisine if you want something different on night one.
Time it so you’re on Castle Hill for sunset. On the way back, pass the Sun Fountain in Place Masséna, lit up after dark.
Getting there & more
Self-guided tour of Vieux Nice · Tourist attractions in Nice · Promenade des Anglais · Guide to Castle Hill
Day 2: Nice & Villefranche-sur-Mer
Day two mixes a Nice market morning with a half-day escape to Villefranche-sur-Mer. Cycling is my favorite way to get there, but train, bus, or a scenic hike all work.
Highlights of the day: From Cours Saleya’s market stalls to Villefranche-sur-Mer’s colorful harbor, these things to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer capture the day’s shift from city to coast.
Morning
Start your day in Nice at Cours Saleya, the heart of the Old Town. It’s a flower market most days, an antique market on Mondays. Pick up something for an afternoon picnic while you’re there.
If culture or shopping is more your speed, Carré d’Or and the Cimiez museums are close by too.
Afternoon
Rent an e-bike and head for Villefranche-sur-Mer. Lime and Pony bikes are allowed to ride there, but there’s no docking station, so be sure to opt for a half-day rental. Start at Port Lympia, pass the Puces de Nice antique market, then follow the Boulevard Franck Pilatte out toward the cape.
Stop for a picnic and a swim at Coco Beach if the weather’s warm. I’ve done this ride and walk more times than I can count, and the stretch past the port, where the crowds thin out and the water opens up, never gets old.
If you’d rather skip the bike, train, bus, and the hop-on hop-off bus all connect Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer directly. Walking the coastal path takes about 90 minutes and is one of the prettiest ways to arrive.
Once there, explore the Old Town, the Saint-Elme Citadel, and the Cocteau-decorated Saint Pierre Chapel. Marinières Beach is the spot to swim.
Evening
Have dinner at one of the seafood restaurants on the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet, right on the harbor. It’s one of the most pleasant places on this whole itinerary to end a day.
Getting there & more
Cours Saleya market · ow to get from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer · Walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer · Villefranche-sur-Mer day trip guide · Best beaches in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Day 3: Èze & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This day pairs two very different half-days: a medieval hilltop village, then a quiet, exclusive peninsula.
Highlights of the day: A clifftop village in the morning, an exclusive peninsula in the afternoon; see things to do in Èze and things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for the full rundown of each.
Morning
Take the bus up to Èze Village, about 20 minutes from Nice. Explore the cobbled streets, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, and the small galleries tucked into the walls. The Exotic Garden at the top has the best views on this entire itinerary. Even after so many visits, they still take my breath away.
Past the entrance to Château de la Chèvre d’Or, one of the French Riviera’s most prestigious hotels, you’ll find the trailhead for the Nietzsche Path down to the coast.
Afternoon
From Èze Bord de Mer, catch the train or bus toward Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, hopping off at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Walk the rest of the way to the peninsula, then head to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Its panoramic jardins are my favorite gardens on the French Riviera, especially in spring when the roses are out.
Afterward, walk part of the Tour du Cap Ferrat coastal path toward Passable Beach, where, even in high season, you can usually find a quiet stretch to yourself. Or hike (part of the) Cap Ferrat coastal trail, one of the most stunning coastal walks on the French Riviera, until you reach Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat once again.
Evening
Spend the evening at Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, then take the bus back to Nice.
Getting there & more
How to get from Nice to Èze-Village · Èze half-day trip guide · How to get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat · Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat half-day trip guide · Cap Ferrat coastal walk
Day 4: Antibes & Saint-Paul de Vence
This day heads west: a coastal market town in the morning, then inland and uphill to a hilltop village known for its art.
Highlights of the day: Markets and yachts in Antibes, art and ramparts in Saint-Paul de Vence; my guides to things to do in Antibes and things to do in Saint-Paul de Vence cover both in full.
Morning
Take the 22-minute train from Nice-Ville to Antibes. Browse the Provençal market in the Old Town, tour Fort Carré, and stop into the Picasso Museum inside Château Grimaldi. The Safranier Quarter, just past the museum, is one of my favorite corners of the whole coast: quiet, flower-lined streets that most day-trippers walk right past.
Afternoon
Walk the Sentier du Littoral around the Cap d’Antibes. The trail ends at Billionaires’ Bay, one of the best beaches on the French Riviera and a great spot for a cooling swim on a hot day, and Villa Eilenroc‘s rose garden, a charming place to visit when it’s in season.
Getting from Antibes to Saint-Paul de Vence by public transport means three buses, so I’d call a taxi or a ride-share instead. It’s the one stretch on this itinerary where public transport genuinely isn’t the easier option.
Once there, walk the ramparts, pass the cemetery where Marc Chagall is buried, browse the galleries, and discover the beautiful Folon Chapel. If you have time, the Maeght Foundation is worth the detour for its modern art collection and sculpture garden.
Evening
Reserve your taxi or ride-share back to Nice before enjoying dinner in the village. I try to time this around sunset; the light over the ramparts is worth planning around.
Getting there & more
How to get from Nice to Antibes · Antibes day trip guide · Cap d’Antibes coastal walk · How to get to Saint-Paul de Vence · Saint-Paul de Vence half-day trip guide
Day 5: Monaco
A full day in the tiny principality. The train is fastest; the ferry is more scenic if you’re willing to trade some time for the view.
Highlights of the day: Palaces, museums, and casino glamour define a day in Monaco.
If the weather is nice, you could take the Nice-Monaco ferry instead of the train. It takes closer to an hour but returns by 5 pm, so it works only if you’re happy to leave Monaco earlier.
Morning
Start at Monaco’s Exotic Garden for the best panoramic view in the principality, then head to Villa Paloma, one of two sites of the New National Museum of Monaco, for its rotating modern art shows.
Walk to Monaco-Ville, the oldest part of the principality, perched on The Rock. Time it for 11:55 am if you want to catch the changing of the guard outside the Prince’s Palace. I’ve watched this ceremony several times, and it still draws a crowd every single day. From there, head to the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate.
Afternoon
The Oceanographic Museum sits on a cliff above the sea and is worth the entry fee for the building alone. From there, take the elevator down to Port Hercule and walk into Monte Carlo.
This is where the Casino of Monte Carlo sits, along with the famous hairpin turn from the Formula One Grand Prix circuit. Even if you don’t go inside, the building is worth seeing up close.
Evening
If you came by ferry, you’ll need to catch the 5 pm return; plan your afternoon around it. If you’re on the train, stay for dinner. La Condamine is my pick for the evening: a real neighborhood feel, a good market, and no shortage of restaurants.
Getting there & more
Day 6: Cannes
Strike a pose on the red carpet, then trade it for an unexpected island escape.
Highlights of the day: Glamour on the Croisette and a ferry hop to the Lérins Islands; these things to do in Cannes capture both sides of the day.
Morning
Take the train from Nice to Cannes. Explore Le Suquet, the old quarter, and take in the view from the Notre-Dame d’Espérance Church. Stop for a photo at the Cannes sign, then swing by the Forville market to pick up lunch.
Head to the Old Port and catch the ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite, one of the two Lérins Islands. It’s a 15-minute crossing, with a ferry back roughly every hour.
Afternoon
Have your picnic on the island while overlooking Cannes from across the water.
Wander Sainte-Marguerite’s eucalyptus and pine trails, then visit Fort Royal, the fortress where the Man in the Iron Mask was held. There’s an underwater eco-museum here too, with submerged statues you can see snorkeling, though I’d skip that if you’re dining out in Cannes tonight and want to keep your evening dry.
Evening
Browse the boutiques on Rue d’Antibes, grab a drink at one of the beach clubs, and walk La Croisette for the yachts and the red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals. Have dinner in Cannes before the train back to Nice.
Getting there & more
Day 7: Saint-Tropez or Menton
Your last day, and the one real fork in this French Riviera itinerary: glitzy but far-flung Saint-Tropez, or easy, laid-back Menton. Pick based on how much travel time you want to spend.
Highlights of the day:
- Saint-Tropez: Cobbled lanes, a hilltop citadel, and pétanque at Place des Lices define a day in this jet-set town.
- Menton: Pastel alleys, Cocteau’s art, and a lush botanical garden. These things to do in Menton show off the town’s Franco-Italian charm.
Getting there
Saint-Tropez has no train station, so the ferry transfer from Nice is your best option, about 2.5 hours each way. It’s a long day on the water for a shorter day in town, so go in knowing that trade-off.
If you’d rather see more of the coast along the way, this guided day tour is worth a look. It swaps the direct ferry for a scenic drive, a shorter crossing, and stops in beautiful towns nearby. You’ll get even less time in Saint-Tropez itself, about 2.5 hours, but get to see Pampelonne Beach and the surrounding coastline.
Menton is a straightforward 35-minute train ride, no planning required.
If you choose St-Tropez
Wander La Ponche, the old town, then climb to the Citadel for views over the terracotta rooftops and the yacht-filled harbor. Spend the afternoon watching pétanque at Place des Lices or browsing the boutiques, then treat yourself to a Tarte Tropézienne before the ferry back.
Bouillabaisse Beach is the only one within walking distance of the center; the iconic Pampelonne is too far for a day trip, unless you opt for the guided tour mentioned above, which includes a stop there.
If you choose Menton
Wander the colorful old town up to the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, then visit the Jean Cocteau Museum by the sea. In the afternoon, stroll the Val Rahmeh botanical garden or relax on Plage des Sablettes. The train gives you the flexibility to stay for dinner before heading back.
More
How to get from Nice to Saint-Tropez · How to get from Nice to Menton · Menton day trip guide · Best beaches in Menton
See the Whole Week on a Map
Here’s how it all connects: seven days, one base in Nice, and a loop around some of the best the French Riviera has to offer.
Day 1: Nice · Day 2: Nice & Villefranche-sur-Mer · Day 3: Èze & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat · Day 4: Antibes & Saint-Paul de Vence · Day 5: Monaco · Day 6: Cannes · Day 7: Saint-Tropez or Menton.
More add-ons to consider
Seven days covers the highlights, but the French Riviera has more depth than one itinerary can capture. If you have extra time, here’s where I’d send it next.
Without a car
These stay within the same no-car framework as the rest of this itinerary.
If you rent a car
Renting a car opens up places this itinerary can’t reach on public transport.
FAQ about this French Riviera itinerary
When are you planning a trip to the French Riviera?
This 7-day French Riviera itinerary has taken you from Nice’s Old Town to Monaco’s casino steps, without a single hotel change or rental car. That’s the whole point of using Nice as a base: you get the region’s best towns without losing a single travel day to logistics.
And if a week isn’t enough, and it usually isn’t, my complete Nice travel guide and best day trips from Nice will help you build out the rest.
Bon voyage!
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