How To Explore The French Riviera On Any Budget

This little, coastal town on the French Riviera was a military base and a fishing village in the past. Now, Saint Tropez is a great destination with beautiful beaches, charming old town with good restaurants with traditional tropezien food. The town became famous thanks to Brigitte Bardot and comedies with Louis de Funes from the movie “Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez”. Saint Tropez is perfect for a day tripfrom Cannes, or even longer stay if you would like to spend some time on its idyllic beaches.

• Next, the easiest way to reach all of the destinations in this Riviera guide is by public transportation.
• Explore this site.
• Most of Europe is on vacation, and prices for flights and accommodations tend to skyrocket.
• With that said, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze are arguably half-day destinations each, allowing for another day to do a couple of those other coastal towns.
• July and August are peak tourist season, with busier beaches and forward planning recommended if you’re looking for affordable accommodation.

I made my way towards the famous flower market when it started to rain a little. The flower market is so beautiful and colorful, you feel like you’re buying everything. If you like the atmosphere of peak seasons, then head to the French Riviera in.

With the Ticket Azur (1.50EUR), you can hop on buses that link Nice to nearby towns like Grasse, Saint-Paul de Vence, Eze Village and Monaco. The ride from Nice to Menton on the line 100 bus is a scenic trip east along the rugged coastline with stops in beachside towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, Cap d’Ail and Monaco. Travelers planning on doing a fair amount of sightseeing can visit 180 attractions on the French Riviera with the Cote d’Azur Card (45EUR for a 3-day adult pass; 72EUR for a 6-day adult pass).

Before I went, I did extensive research and made a list of the most important places. Although it was a risky move, it ended up being a good decision. Summer – August especially – is the worst time to visit Nice if you want to remain budget conscious.

Because of its sunny weather and resort atmosphere, the French Riviera (or Cote d’Azur) is one of Europe’s most loved travel destinations. This planning guide will give you tips and tricks for vacation, what to do, when to go, and which cities in Southern France are worth day trips. My “affordable” getaway included a two-bed, two-bath apartment with yacht-like views overlooking the sea in Villefranche sur mer, a sleepy old town just east of Nice, France. The trip included many lunches and dinners out, where we enjoyed local favorites like ravioli nicoise and steak frites.

Nice hosts a 15-day carnival parade in February that draws huge crowds. The pass includes Old Nice guided tour as well as Lascaris Palace. Winter is far from beach weather, but temperatures rarely hit freezing. Traditional Christmas markets are held in large towns as well as smaller villages, selling local specialties and mulled wines.

It’s particularly nice to choose from one of the hotels that look out over the sea and wake up to beautiful views! Cassis is small, but there are many great places to stay. If you’re looking for a little more luxury, there are some incredible hotels that sit high above the town on the surrounding cliffs, with views of the sea. You can also find local guest houses, which are a great place to stay in the heart of Cassis. December through April are considered winter months. Temperatures average around 12degC (55degF) This time of year, prices are lower and streets are quieter.

St Raphael, like many French Riviera resort towns, was a haven for writers and artists in the early 20th-century. Best of all, it’s much cheaper than elsewhere on the coast. Nice is the main city of the French Riviera and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. It’s known for the long beach with turquoise water, old, picturesque streets of the old town, and great architecture.

From this city, you can easily move around the French Riviera. You should spend at least 2-3 days in Nice to feel its great vibe. Make sure to bring water shoes and go to the beach bars after sunset. Menton is small, but it is perfectly formed. It is a great place to stay.