Are you familiar with the most iconic French Riviera towns but unsure where to find them on the map? The French Riviera map in this article is what you need to visualize this stunning Southern French region!
Does it entail the entire French Mediterranean coast? Is it part of Provence or a separate region?
Discover where to find the French Riviera, its famous cities such as Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco, and its smaller towns such as Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Èze.
Plus, get insight into what makes the French Riviera so alluring and when it was put on the map as a luxury travel destination.
So, are you ready to discover the French Riviera? Then let’s dive in!
This guide features a beautiful French Riviera map and points out the most popular French Riviera destinations and airports. It also offers a glance at the region’s history.
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FRENCH RIVIERA AT A GLANCE
Where to stay on the French Riviera
If you’re deciding where to base yourself, my guide to where to stay on the French Riviera will help you decide.
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Map of the French Riviera
Here’s a map of the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur, to help you visualize the region.
Detailed city maps of Nice, Cannes, and other French Riviera cities and towns can be found in the dedicated travel guides.
Where is the French Riviera?
The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur is the stretch of Mediterranean coastline in the southeast corner of France and the easternmost section of the Provençal coast. It marks the shoreline of the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments that are part of the wider Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
The city of Menton near the Italian border marks the easternmost border, but there’s no consensus as to the westernmost border of the Côte d’Azur or French Riviera.
Originally, it used to be Cannes, world-famous for the Cannes Film Festival, but when Saint-Tropez gained fame, and other towns west of Saint-Tropez saw their chance to shine, the border was moved. The term Côte d’Azur is a marketing concept, after all.
So, each has their idea of the modern westernmost border. Some consider it to be Marseille, some Cassis, some Toulon, some Hyères, and some Saint-Tropez. I consider the French Riviera to be the coastline between Menton and Saint-Tropez. My French Riviera map, as well as the articles in this blog, reflect that.
This same coastline holds some of the best beaches in the south of France, from Nice’s pebbles to the sandy stretches around Cannes and Saint-Tropez, and even the rare handful of hotels that sit directly on the beach.
Fun fact: Even though it’s known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur actually includes a second country: the Principality of Monaco, with the renowned Casino of Monte Carlo.
Did you know that the French Riviera is part of a wider Mediterranean Riviera? The easternmost border of the French Riviera connects to the Italian Riviera, which includes two sections: the Ponente Riviera (west of Genoa) and the Levante Riviera (east of Genoa). It coincides with the Ligurian coastline and includes tourist magnets Cinque Terre and Portofino. The word “riviera” is Italian for “coastline”.
Getting to the French Riviera
The South of France is well-connected both by air and rail. So, whether you’re traveling from an international destination or Paris, you’re in for a smooth journey.
Here’s an overview of the main transportation hubs in the French Riviera and some tips on navigating them.
Traveling to the French Riviera by plane
The main international airport for the French Riviera is Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport in Nice. It connects to many European capitals, the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport is situated on the Mediterranean and at the southern tip of the iconic Promenade des Anglais. The center of Nice is within easy reach regardless of your transportation options. Whenever I fly in myself, landing right on the water at Nice’s airport, with the Baie des Anges stretched out below, is still one of my favorite moments of any Riviera trip. I’ve written a detailed guide on how to get from Nice airport to the Nice city center.
Airport transfers are available from Nice Airport to your hotel in Nice or your accommodation in Cannes, Antibes, or Saint-Tropez. Make your booking in advance, especially during the high season.
Two other international gateways to the French Riviera are Marseille Provence Airport and the smaller Airport of Toulon Hyères. There are also two smaller airports – one in La Môle near Saint-Tropez and one in Mandelieu-la-Napoule near Cannes – that accommodate private flights.
From any airport except La Môle, you can take a train to the town of your choice, book a private airport transfer, or rent a car for maximum flexibility. Read about the various transportation options in my article on getting around the French Riviera. If you’re traveling through to Monaco, then I have a dedicated guide on how to get there from Nice.
Traveling to the French Riviera by train
If your French Riviera itinerary is part of a larger trip to France, then you could just as well arrive by train.
You can get from Paris to Nice and Marseille by high-speed train in less than six hours. In France, high-speed trains are known as Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGV).
There are two types of TGV that you can take: the regular TGV INOUI or the low-cost OUIGO. Both high-speed networks are operated by the French National Railways (SNCF).
If you’re traveling to a smaller town, then you can jump on a local TER train in Nice or Marseille. Continue reading to find out more.
The SudAzur Explore Pass is a very economical way to travel around the French Riviera by public transport. It’s not available online, but the points of sale are mentioned on the website.
French Riviera history
Even though the history of the French Riviera dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, most of today’s historic landmarks date from the Middle Ages.
It wasn’t until the late 18th century, when British novelist Tobias Smollett published his travel narrative “Travels through France and Italy” after his Grand Tour, that the French Riviera was put on the map as a tourist destination.
By the second half of the 19th century, the French Riviera had become a popular winter retreat for the British upper class. Around that same time, the railway was introduced, making the French Riviera much more easily accessible.
Soon, the European aristocracy flocked to this iconic coastline. They spent their days enjoying the warming winter sun in the exotic gardens with imported tropical plants from far-flung destinations and in the casinos, which were called “health spas” to mislead the Church.
By the time French politician and poet Stephen Liégeard came up with the name “Côte d’Azur”, the French Riviera had become even more popular in the wealthiest European circles.
During the Belle Époque period, grand hotels and opulent villas arose along the scenic coastline. Many of those palaces still adorn the grand coastal avenues, such as the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the Croisette in Cannes, and are now luxurious French Riviera hotels.
But it wasn’t just the upper class who were attracted by the beauty of this stretch of Mediterranean coast; artists were too. Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso… all were inspired by its magnetic beauty.
By the interbellum, the French Riviera had become an established European playground for the elite.
French Riviera FAQ
Conclusion
Now that you know exactly where to find the French Riviera and what it includes, you’re ready to start planning. My 7-day French Riviera itinerary walks you through the best way to see it all, from Nice to Saint-Tropez, at a comfortable pace.
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