If vacation in France rhymes đś with Provence, a road trip that is fun for sure rhymes with CĂ´te dâAzur đ¤Ł! From Menton to Saint-Tropez via Nice and Monaco, SIXT takes you on a drive across the coastline and the hinterland of the South of France with this incredible French Riviera itinerary. Nature, culture, history, and luxury are all on the menu. Join us for a ride, wind blowing through your hair, on the most beautiful roads in the southeast of France đŁď¸!
Summary
- Nice: Get lost in Old Town
- Menton: Treat yourself with a fruity moment
- Monaco: Leisure meets luxury
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Find your villa
- Saint-Paul-De-Vence: Reveal your inner artist
- Antibes: Immerse yourself in history, beachside
- Cannes: Get an award
- Saint-Tropez: Last but not least!
- Tips for your road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur
- French Riviera. 7-day itinerary: What to do?
- What to do during a 10-day road trip on the French Riviera?
- How to organize a road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur?
- What are the most beautiful roads on the Cote dâAzur?
- Rent a car for a French Riviera road trip
Nice: Get lost in old town đď¸
We begin our journey in a land of sun, beaches đď¸ and cicadas: Nice. The drive starts along the coast on the famous Promenade des Anglais. Despite the name, nobody drives on the left, and the main spoken language is not English. Follow the road nestled between the beach and the prestigious hotels and enjoy the sights along the coast.
After a few minutes on this memorable avenue, we recommend that you to take your first break during your French Riviera road trip. Park your car to begin exploring the city by foot.
Once you find a place to park đ żď¸ (and it may take a little while), start your tour of the city with the Old Town, Le Vieux Nice. Here, the walls are adorned with yellow and orange, the streets are narrow and immerse you in the history and traditions of the city.
What is the best way to discover this neighborhood? Switch off your GPS! Open the door to serendipity, even if you get lost. While immersing yourself in the beauty of the architecture, you might end up walking a few kilometers before you know it while finding hidden gems along the way. As the day winds down, you will be rewarded with delicious local treats. Nibbling on some pissaladière, socca, pan bagnat, or tapenade will quickly restore your energy levels đ for the rest of your road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur.
Menton: treat yourself with a fruity moment đ
If you are looking to discover an underrated destination in the CĂ´te dâAzur, head to Menton. The city offers a perfect mix of beach fun, colorful houses, and lush greenery that includes fruit trees đł. The city of the lemon encapsulates the regionâs beauty. Here, as in Nice, we recommend that you let yourself be carried away.
Walk along the beach and the port đĽď¸. Then, venture into the steep streets of the city. Along the way, you can open the doors of the Jean Cocteau Museum, visit the Saint-Michel-Archange Basilica, storm Le Bastion or stroll through the market.
When you need a nature break during this French Riviera itinerary, Menton is the perfect stop. Between its gardens, its beaches and its numerous hiking trails đĽž, adventurers will find plenty to do.
Want to discover France by car? Check our guide to the most beautiful villages in France
Monaco: Leisure meets luxury đ
It is now time to add a princely touch to our road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur. But donât swap your car for a horse-drawn carriage đ . Itâs much faster to drive to the Principality of Monaco from your last destination.
As soon as you arrive on the Rock (Le Rocher), between the sports cars, prestigious hotels and luxury boutiques đ¤Š, a real red carpet is rolled out for you. Follow it to arrive at the Princeâs Palace of Monaco. After a visit to the main courtyard and stately apartments, head back down to the city to discover the Oceanographic Museum đ , the exotic garden or the Princess Grace Rose Garden.
If luxury and race cars đď¸are more appealing to you than exotic plants and fish, in front of the cityâs palaces and on the tracks of the Monaco Grand Prix, you should find what you are looking for. It is possible that when you see these major automobile brands, you will want an upgrade for your ride. In this case, head to the casino â ď¸. Who knows, if you win big, you might be able finish the rest of this French Riviera itinerary behind the wheel of a luxury sedan! Unless, of course, you already started your journey in southeastern France with one from SIXT. đ
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Find your villa đĄ
The next stop on our road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur leads us to the commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat! Upon arrival, youâll see that although the landscape may have changed, the relaxing atmosphere remains the same. Located on a peninsula beside Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, you will find villas, yachts, palaces, gourmet restaurants and beautiful cars. But rest assured, it is not necessary to have a title of nobility to enjoy the landscapes and beaches âąď¸ of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
At the northern end of the cape, you can drive past some of the most beautiful resorts on the CĂ´te dâAzur, such as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild or the Villa KĂŠrylos.
After that, find a place to park at the port and stop by the portside observation deck before heading down to the semaphore for another scenic view. At the south end of the peninsula, you can snap a few of your best selfies beside the iconic lighthouse that looks out to the sea.
Finally, finish with a swim in the Mediterranean from one of the cityâs many beaches. Plage des Fossettes, Cros deĂŻ Pin or la Paloma⌠Pick your pleasure. On the sands of Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, you will find the perfect place to enjoy the best that Mediterranean beaches can offer đ.
Saint-Paul-De-Vence: Reveal your inner artist đ¨
A French Riviera road trip is also an opportunity to admire paintings from some of historyâs finest artists đźď¸! To do this, you have to leave the seaside for a moment and venture inland to the charming village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. After the beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, you can trade your breaststroke for a brushstroke đď¸ and follow in the footsteps of the great artists linked to the town. Chagall, Modigliani and Matisse enjoyed Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Here is your chance to draw inspiration from the greatest!
To admire their masterpieces, as well as those of other artists, open the doors of the Maeght Foundation. This museum displays the work of some of the greatest painters of the 20th century. But the city is not only a mecca for art. It also has a rich history! Once you have finished visiting the museum, go for a stroll in the narrow streets of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Must-sees: đ the ramparts, a stately tower and around ten churches and chapels which can serve as a model for your first sketches!
Antibes: Immerse yourself in history, beachside đ
On many vacations, you might find yourself choosing between museums and beaches or culture and nature. The good news about an itinerary in CĂ´te dâAzur is that you donât have to choose!
In Antibes, you can combine sightseeing with relaxation. Archaeological museum, fort, aqueduct, Greek and Roman ruins, Provençal market, medieval houses⌠In other words, visiting Antibes is like opening a history book đ!
Obviously, between lessons, you should take a break. No problem! When it comes to relaxation, Antibes has plenty to offer! Once you are done exploring the city, you can go for a walk on the Cap dâAntibes trail, lie down in the sand of Salis beach or enjoy a delicious cocktail đ¸ in the Old Town to wrap up this wonderful day.
Cannes: Get an award đ
Donât you deserve a reward after racking up so many kilometers during your road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur? In this case, Cannes sounds like the perfect destination! Even if your trip doesnât line up with the schedule of the cityâs famous film festival, you will be able to visit the city of festivals and discover all its secrets.
Start by walking along the Croisette to the famous Chemin des Ătoiles âwhere nearly 400 actors and directors have left their mark on Cannes. Who knows, one day, you might add yours too if acting is your cup of tea!
If you prefer the pleasures of nature to fame and glory, the seaside offerings in Cannes can quench your thirst for adventure. From the port, take a boat đ¤ to Sainte-Marguerite Island or Saint-Honorat Island. In the heart of the Mediterranean, with the Cannes palaces in the background, enjoy a day in this haven of tranquility.
Saint-Tropez: last but not least! đ
It is quite possible that at the end of your French Riviera Itinerary, after having tasted the delights of Monaco and Cannes, you will have become accustomed to luxury đ. Therefore, letâs end this trip on a refined note with a final stop in the Var port of Saint-Tropez.
Like its Riviera neighbors, you will find yachts, gourmet restaurants, sumptuous villas, beaches and private parties đş in this former fishing village that has become a hot spot for jet-set fun-lovers đ.
And as always on the CĂ´te dâAzur, behind the palaces, nature is never far! Saint-Tropez is located a few steps from the massif de lâEsterel, a hiking paradise.
Whether you put on your walking or evening shoes đ , Saint-Tropez is the perfect place to end your French Riviera road trip!
Tips for your road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur đ¤
FRENCH RIVIERA. 7-DAY ITINERARY: WHAT TO DO? đ¤
Overall, distances are rather short on the CĂ´te dâAzur. For example, from Menton, it takes only 2.5 hours to reach Saint-Tropez. This makes it easy to visit all the must-sees, from the Var to the Alpes-Maritimes, in a week. However, if you travel during the summer peak season âď¸ (July-August), keep in mind that the roads will be congested, and you may need to keep your itinerary flexible in case of long travel times.
In one week, you wonât want to miss the Riviera capital of Nice as well as the Principality of Monaco. Also plan a day at the beach, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or in Menton, then a day in the hinterland in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the city of perfume đ§´: Grasse. In one week, you should have enough time to get an overview of the most beautiful scenery on the CĂ´te dâAzur. Your pace will also dictate what you will be able to see or not.
French Riviera: what to do during a 10-day itinerary? đ§
In 10 days, you will have ample time to drive from the Var to Menton and the Italian border. We recommend stops in Nice, Cannes đĽ, Antibes and Monaco and also the hinterland to take in its villages and greenery. Even though weâre a car rental company, we recommend that you give yourself a break from the road, every so often, to have quality days of rest by the sea. In our opinion, Menton is the ideal place. You can also have a few days inland, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, for example.
When planning a 10-day trip in Southern France, the time of the year will influence the number of stops you can realistically do given traffic and how busy it is in your desired sightseeing destinations. Even if you are going on a 10-day road trip, in summer, it is more time consuming â to travel and sightsee on the CĂ´te dâAzur.
How to organize a road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur? đ
The French Riviera is a very popular region year-round. If you want to ensure having a room at accommodations at each stage of your road trip, we recommend booking ahead of time in addition to preparing your itinerary. Before you take off, remember to get some rest before spending a week or more on the road in Southern Franceđ¤.
Although there are many magnificent places to discover on the CĂ´te dâAzur, holidays are made for relaxing. Choose the towns, villages and beaches you donât want to miss and come back another time to visit the rest. Anyway, you will want to!
What are the most beautiful roads on the Cote dâAzur? đŁď¸
Beyond legendary avenues like the Promenade des Anglais or the Croisette, the Cote d’Azur is full of scenic roads to enjoy during your road trip, such as:
Beyond legendary avenues like the Promenade des Anglais or the Croisette, the Cote dâAzur is full of scenic roads to enjoy during your road trip, such as:
- The TĂŞte de Chien Road from Cap-dâAil to La Turbie: for superb views of Monaco
- The road to the hills in Aubagne, celebrated by Marcel Pagnol in his books. A must-do trip by car to experience the Garrigue
- The Mimosa Road from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse
- The Esterel Corniche from Saint-RaphaĂŤl
- The Corniche Road from Nice to Menton
- The NapolĂŠon Road from Golfe-Juan to Grenoble
Rent a car for a road trip on the French Riviera
For your road trip on the CĂ´te dâAzur, SIXT offers you a wide choice of cars đ in its local branches. Book yours today.
Car rental on the French Riviera
Thanks to their strategic locations in the heart of the action, you wonât miss a single moment along the Mediterranean Sea even as you put your luggage 𧳠in the trunk!
