How To Get Around The French Riviera

Wander through the medieval rabbit hut of the old town, walk along the famous Promenade on the seafront and see the fin de-siecle residences which made Nice one Europe’s most fashionable winter retreats. Nearby Cannes is probably the most glamorous spot on the Cote d’ Azur.

The beautiful bay, sandy beaches, and port are all great attractions. They are well-known for their film festival and casinos. Villefranche-sur-Mer is not only a beautiful town, but it’s famous for its gorgeous bay, unlike the typical French Riviera stone beaches.

From the Old town with its maze of cobbled streets and picturesque squares and marketplaces, and the new town with its wide boulevards and grand hotels and apartments, there is something to please everyone. But if you are planning to spend a few days in Nice, why not put aside some time to visit the surrounding area. Antibes is a great place to visit on the French Riviera for those who are not happy with Nice’s pebbly beach and want sandy beaches as a summer vacation requirement. Plus, the drive from Nice only takes about 40 minutes, and the train ride is less than 30 minutes. The distance between two destinations on Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera is16 miles , traveling southwest along the coast. The quickest way to get there is by train. It takes only minutes and isn’t subject to traffic.

Is Nice worth visiting?

Most cities and towns in the French Riviera have SNCF train stations that sell tickets for travel throughout the region and elsewhere in France. You can reserve tickets, browse schedules, and make reservations in English at the official SNCF website. For fares and times, simply type in the desired destination and departure place. You can also find routes and schedules for stations. If you are looking to rent a car, and are willing to drive a lot, you may be able to find great deals if your destination is not in the center of the city.

From the beach of Beaulieu-sur-Mer to lunch with a view at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc on Cap d’Antibes. You can easily reach the French Riviera by plane, train, bus, or automobile. Nice’s international airport is located close to the city centre. The public transportation system is excellent and easy to use. Transit will be easy no matter where you land.

Samantha discovers the local culture of Old Town by walking through its charming neighborhoods, sampling its favorite snacks and discovering its outdoor markets. Promenade des Annglais is Nice’s iconic boulevard. If you’ve ever been on Miami’s South Beach, this is the French equivalent. But the highlight of her stay on the French Riviera is definitely – Carnival! A small-group day trip departing from Nice will take you to the best of beautiful Provence. Spend some time in Cannes, the home of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. You can take a guided tour of Grasse’s perfumery, visit Gourdon, a medieval hilltop village, and browse the galleries and boutiques at Saint Paul de Vence.

Searching for my joie de vivre in the French Riviera – The Globe and Mail

Searching for my joie de vivre in the French Riviera.

Posted: Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Take a day trip from Nice to Eze or Monaco to discover the beautiful French Riviera towns. Take a tour of a perfumery in Eze and lap the world-famous circuit of the Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco. This tour is limited to eight people and takes place in an air-conditioned coach. This small-group day trip departs from Nice and takes you to all the highlights of France’s Riviera, from Cannes up to Monaco. Enjoy the beauty of the road, which runs between cliffs, towns, and the Mediterranean Sea.

However, there are good bus services between the towns and even some trains that take you from Nice into Italy. From quaint country towns to posh seaside around Nice make visitors want to extend their stay. Our top-rated day trips from Nice will help you plan your adventures.

The bus service from the coast to the inland villages is less frequent, especially on weekends. Nice la Belle is the name of Nice, which means Nice the Beautiful. This song is also known as the unofficial anthem for Nice. The city has inspired the works of many famous artisans including Toulouse Lautrec, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Nietzsche and Tolstoi. Although Nice is known for its beaches, most are rocky rather than sandy.

From June to September, the guided voyage on the Trains des Merveilles (15EUR round-trip) runs from Nice to Tende in the Valley of the Marvels, with stops in perched villages like Peille. The two-hour journey through lush Mercantour National Park takes the train up nearly 3,280 feet. The Cote d’Azur is protected by hills in the west and the Mercantour Alps in the northwest, meaning a mild Mediterranean climate year-round. Expect almost 300 days of sunshine, with stretches of rain around the shoulder months of March and April, as well as October and November.

  • These are the top picks for side trips if you only have two days.
  • But Carnival is the highlight of her stay at the French Riviera!
  • Nice lies within easy reach of medieval villages and glamorous destinations including Antibes, Cannes, Eze, and Monaco–and half-day tours are a great way to see the best of the areas of your choosing.
  • And thanks to the new Promenade du Paillon, Nice has an alluring public park in its heart.

Marseille offers a City Pass, which covers entry to many popular attractions and some transportation. Low season is a great time to save money on your flights, trains, hotels, and tours to the Riviera. Just be sure that the attractions you’re most interested in remain open during your planned dates, as many close outside of peak season.