🇫🇷 The Perfect 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary ☀️🌊

🇫🇷 The Perfect 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary ☀️🌊

 

🇫🇷 The Perfect 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary ☀️🌊

The French Riviera offers a delightful blend of luxury, history, breathtaking views, and laid-back beach life. This 5-day itinerary is designed to provide a perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences, with Nice as your home base.

✈️ Where to Fly In

🏨 Where to Stay in Nice (Recommended Home Base)

  • 💎 Luxury: Hotel Negresco – A historic icon of the Riviera.
  • 🏡 Boutique: Hotel La Pérouse – Tucked into a cliff with stunning sea views.
  • 💰 Mid-range: Le Meridien Nice – A modern, stylish stay right on the Promenade des Anglais.

🏖 Day 1: Rest & Relaxation in Nice

☀️ Beach Club Day – Recover from Jet Lag & Lounge in Style

Nothing says French Riviera luxury like lounging at a private beach club:

  • Option 1: 🌊 Plage Beau Rivage – A trendy beach club with sunbeds, great food, and cocktails.
  • Option 2: 🏝 Negresco Beach Club – Exclusive luxury with views of the famous Promenade des Anglais.
  • Option 3: 🏖 Ruhl Plage – Classic Riviera experience with chic white parasols and clear waters.
  • For Adventurers: 🏞 Coco Beach – A local favorite with cliffside spots for sunbathing and quiet swimming coves.

📍 Photo Spot: The Promenade des Anglais – perfect for a golden-hour shot of the coastline.

🍽 Dinner in Vieux Nice (Old Town)

  • 🌿 Bocca Nissa – A chic rooftop spot with Mediterranean sharing plates & cocktails.
  • 🍝 Di Più – Seaside Italian restaurant with fresh pasta & seafood.
  • 🍷 Bistrot d’Antoine – A cozy French bistro known for its authentic Provençal dishes.

🍦 Best Gelato in Nice

  • 🍨 Azzurro – Our favorite! Family-run, creamy, and full of unique flavors.
  • 🍦 Fenocchio – The crowd-pleaser, with over 90 flavors, from lavender to tiramisu.

🏝 Day 2: Antibes & Juan-les-Pins

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By Train: TER train from Nice to Antibes (20 min).
  • By Car: 30 min drive along the scenic coast.

🌊 Top Attractions in Antibes:

  • Billionaire’s Bay (Baie des Milliardaires) – A hidden paradise with crystal-clear waters.
  • Vieil Antibes (Old Town Antibes) – Stroll through cobbled streets, boutique shops, and the Provençal market.
  • 🖼 Picasso Museum – A must-visit for art lovers, housed in the Château Grimaldi.

🍽 Lunch: Must-Visit Seafood Spot

  • Mer Sea – Fresh seafood market-to-table experience. 🦞 Limited seating, so call ahead for a reservation!

📍 Photo Spot: The Antibes Harbor, where superyachts meet medieval rampart walls.

🍹 Nightlife in Juan-les-Pins

  • Pam Pam – A fun tropical-themed cocktail bar.
  • Le Crystal – A vibrant lounge with music & drinks.

🏛 Day 3: Monte Carlo, Monaco

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By Train: 20 min TER train from Nice.
  • By Car: 30 min drive via the scenic Moyenne Corniche.

🛍 Luxury & Attractions in Monaco:

  • Casino de Monte-Carlo – A James Bond-worthy casino experience.
  • Café de Paris – Perfect for a people-watching espresso.
  • 🏎 Formula 1 Track Walk – Walk the famous Grand Prix circuit.

🛍 Where to Shop in Monaco

  • Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo – High-end luxury brands.
  • Le Dressing Monaco – A vintage thrift store with designer finds.

🏝 Day 4: Cannes & Iles de Lérins

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By Train: 30 min TER train from Nice.

🏰 Morning in Cannes:

  • La Croisette Boulevard: Stroll along this world-famous promenade lined with luxury boutiques, cafes, and stunning views of the Mediterranean.

  • Le Suquet (Old Town): Explore the historic quarter with its cobbled streets, offering panoramic views of the city and harbor.

🍽 Lunch:

  • Marché Forville: Visit this vibrant market to sample local produce, cheeses, and charcuterie. It's an excellent spot to gather picnic supplies.

🛥 Afternoon on Îles de Lérins:

🚨 Important Warning! If you miss the last ferry, you will need to call the emergency line for a boat back—and it will cost you!

🍽 Dinner in Cannes:

  • Le Maschou: A renowned restaurant in Le Suquet offering a rustic ambiance and a fixed menu featuring grilled meats and fresh vegetables.

🏨 Optional Accommodation in Cannes:

🌿 Day 5: St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat & Menton OR St-Paul-de-Vence

Option 1: St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat & Menton

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By Train: From Nice, take the TER train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer (about 10 minutes), then a short bus ride or a scenic 20-minute walk to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

🌿 Morning in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat:

  • Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: Visit this magnificent villa and its nine themed gardens.

  • Coastal Walk: Enjoy the scenic trail around the peninsula, offering breathtaking sea views.

🍽 Lunch:

🚆 Afternoon in Menton:

  • How to Get There: From St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, return to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, then take the TER train to Menton (approximately 30 minutes).

  • Old Town Exploration: Wander through the pastel-colored streets, visit the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, and enjoy the seaside ambiance.

  • Jean Cocteau Museum: Discover works by the famous French artist in this dedicated museum.

🍽 Dinner in Menton:

  • Mirazur: A three-Michelin-starred restaurant offering innovative cuisine with panoramic sea views. Reservations are essential.

🏨 Optional Accommodation in Menton:

  • Hotel Napoleon: A stylish hotel located near the seafront, offering comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

Option 2: St-Paul-de-Vence

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By Bus: From Nice, take bus number 400 to St-Paul-de-Vence; the journey takes about an hour.

🏰 Morning in St-Paul-de-Vence:

  • Maeght Foundation: Explore this renowned modern art museum featuring works by artists like Miró and Giacometti.

  • Village Walk: Stroll through the medieval streets, visit local art galleries, and enjoy the historic architecture.

🍽 Lunch:

  • La Colombe d’Or: A historic restaurant known for its art collection and traditional Provençal cuisine. Reservations are recommended.

📸 Photo Opportunity:

  • Ramparts: Capture panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the village's ancient walls.

🍽 Dinner in Nice:

  • Le Canon: Located on rue Meyerbeer, this Michelin gourmand restaurant offers an innovative menu focused on local produce & natural wines in a simple dining room with exposed bricks.

End the Night with Latin Dancing 💃🕺

  • After dinner, keep the energy going at La Havane, a vibrant Cuban-style bar and nightclub in Nice. Enjoy live Latin music, sip on strong mojitos, and dance the night away to the sounds of salsa, bachata, and reggaeton! It’s the perfect way to close out an unforgettable day on the Riviera. 🌟🔥

🚍 Navigating the French Riviera

To make the most of your trip, understanding the transportation options is crucial. For a comprehensive guide on getting around the French Riviera, including details on trains, buses, trams, and more, please refer to our French Riviera Transport Guide.

🚀 Want to Extend Your Trip?

🌊 More Destinations to Explore:

  • Ventimiglia (Italy) – Just across the border, known for its vibrant markets. 🇮🇹
  • Aix-en-Provence – A charming city with beautiful architecture and markets. 🏛️
  • Saint-Raphaël – A coastal town with lovely beaches and a rich history. 🌅
  • Saint-Tropez – A glamorous destination known for its beach clubs and nightlife. 🛥️

✨ Final Thoughts

This 5-day French Riviera itinerary gives you the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and luxury. From historic villages to stunning beaches, Michelin-star dining to breathtaking hikes, the Côte d'Azur never disappoints.

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Bon voyage! 🚊🌊🍷

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