The French Riviera city of Nice is a nice place to visit. But there comes a time in any holiday when it’s time for a change of scenery, to escape to the environs for a change of pace. The French Riviera is a good place to do this.
With just a few day trips from Nice you can go celebrity-spotting in Cannes and Monaco, playgrounds for the rich and famous; visit a medieval castle; learn how perfume is made, and take a stroll along the Mediterranean into neighboring Italy.
9. Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small town that lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. It has one of the deepest natural harbors on the Mediterranean coast, so you might see large ships and yachts anchored in the bay. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a good place to go deep sea diving and sailing.
If you get tired of water activities, you can see St. Peter’s Chapel, a 16th century church that was later used to store fishermen’s supplies, and was restored in the mid-20th century. The historic old harbor is now the home of several research institutes. A 17th century fortress houses the city hall.
Getting to Villefranche-sur-Mer
- At it lies so close to the center of Nice, there really is no need to drive to Villefranche-sur-Mer; you can easily get there in just 15 minutes via public transport. Just hop on a train at Gare de Nice Ville; two stops later, you’ll find the Mediterranean glistening before you.
8. St Tropez
Once upon a time, St Tropez was a military stronghold, the first French Riviera town to be liberated after World War II and fishing village. Today, it’s a ritzy resort that attracts jet-setters of the world. Like its sister cities on the coast, St Tropez is extremely scenic, both on and off the beach.
It became a haven for topless sunbathers with the invention of the monokini in the 1960s. Its Tahiti beach was immortalized in Bridget Bardot’s 1955 film, And God Created Woman. At the old harbor, you’ll find morning farm and fish markets; nearby is Old Town and the citadel.
Getting to St. Tropez
- To get to St Tropez using public transport from Nice, the quickest and easiest way is to take an hour-long train to Saint-Raphael. From here, hop on bus line 7601. While this does take another hour and a half, you will at least pass through some lovely scenery on the way to St Tropez.
7. Grasse
If you like smelling nice, Grasse is a good place to buy perfumes: It’s considered the perfume capital of the world, and makes more than two-thirds of perfumes made in France. You can tour a perfume factory to see how fragrances are made.
August sees a festival dedicated to jasmine, one of the flowers used in perfume here; the fire department even sprays jasmine-scented water over the crowds. Perfume aside, Grasse’s most famous attraction is an 11th century cathedral, dedicated to Notre Dame de Puy and home to three Rubens’ paintings. Famous French cabaret singer Edith Piaf died here in 1963.
Getting to Grasse
- Lying to the west of Nice, Grasse is surprisingly easy to get to by public transport; direct trains run from the Gare de Nice Ville. The journey takes about an hour and 15 minutes and trains depart very frequently – if you don’t mind taking indirect ones as well.
- Another option for visiting Grasse is to take a guided tour of the delightful Provence countryside. In addition to visiting Grasse, you’ll also stop by the artsy Saint-Paul de Vence and Gourdon, which has stunning views on offer. (More info and bookings)
6. Saint-Paul de Vence
St Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera. It is a retreat for many famous people, including French actor Yves Montand, French artist Marc Chagall and American author James Baldwin, who died here in 1987.
The walled city is a popular tourist destination any time of the year, which can sometimes make seeing the medieval sights a little difficult. Many people come here to see the fine art galleries and museums the town is famous for. It’s a good place to buy Provencal handcrafts or go walking in the French countryside.
Getting to Saint-Paul de Vence
- To get to Saint-Paul de Vence by public transport takes about an hour, despite the lovely town being only 20 kilometers away from Nice. Bus 400 departs every 30 to 45 minutes from Nice Albert 1er on the outskirts of the Vieille Ville, and everything is within walking distance once you arrive.
- Many people who want to visit Saint-Paul de Vence opt to take a guided tour of the region, as this enables you to see a number of picturesque towns in just one day. As well as exploring Saint-Paul, you’ll get to visit Grasse and Gourdon. The day trip culminates with a wonderful sightseeing tour around Cannes. (More info and bookings)
5. Menton
Menton is located along the Mediterranean Sea between Nice and the Italian border. Inhabited since Paleolithic times, Menton is not as hectic as Nice. If you go to the harbor and head east, you can stroll across into Italy in a short while. You’ll walk by gracious old villas that are now hotels.
Menton is famous for its gardens, including an exotic garden, and St. Michael the Archangel, a 17th century baroque basilica. Mention also has some nice beaches, an historic covered market, and a town hall wedding room pained by Jean Cocteau, who also decorated the Bastion Museum. Menton is just 30 km (20 miles) east of Nice, making it a convenient and quick day trip.
Getting to Menton
- By train, it is straightforward to get to Menton from Nice, as direct trains run between the two cities. The trip should take around 40 minutes.
4. Antibes
Founded by the Greeks 2,000 years ago, Antibes has been a playground for the wealthy since the 19th century. Antibes has a charming old town that hosts a daily (except Mondays) covered market where you can buy fixin’s for a picnic on the beach or a walk around the scenic cape.
The old town in enclosed with 16th century ramparts and Fort Carre. If you get tired of the beach, watching yachts at Port Vauban or scuba diving, you can take in the Picasso Museum housed in his former home, visit a botanical garden with an olive grove or browse through shops and art galleries.
Getting to Antibes
- From the Gare du Nice Ville in the city center, it only takes 15 minutes by train to get to Antibes, and direct trains run very frequently from one to the other.
- To get more of a feel for the glitzy Cote d’Azur, it is not a bad idea to take a guided tour; this not only takes you to see the ancient Antibes but also to the mesmerizing medieval villages of Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence. (More info and bookings)
3. Eze
If you’re looking to capture stunning views for your memory scrapbook, Eze is the place to make them. Eze is a medieval village perched on a hill high above the Mediterranean. Reached by a winding road about 30 minutes from Nice, this charming medieval village is definitely a treat.
You’ll need comfortable walking shoes for this, as the cobblestone walkways up the hill aren’t always even. Boutiques and art galleries fill the old stone buildings along the way. Expect the unexpected at the top: a botanical garden complete with cactus and succulents. Oh, and, of course, stunning views of the sea and Nice below.
Getting to Eze
- While it is only 12 kilometers away from Nice, Eze takes about 40 minutes to get to by public transport, as the bus stops off at lots of places along the way. From the Gare Routiere in Nice, take either bus 82 or 112 to the charming village.
- A great way to see both Monaco and Eze in one day is to take a guided tour to the two places, which couldn’t be more different in terms of their look and feel. (More info and bookings)
2. Cannes
From Nice, a half-hour journey west will take you to Cannes, a playground for the rich and famous who seek luxury in this seaside resort. It’s a good place to go celebrity-spotting any time of the year, but especially during the annual Cannes Film Festival.
While looking for the famous, you can stroll the Promenade de la Croisette, a tree-lined waterfront avenue; check out Le Suguet, its old town, or the landmark Russian Orthodox Church. Cannes has many fine museums and art galleries, such as the Musee de la Castre. You’ll also find grand 19th century villas to ooh and aah over.
Getting to Cannes
- Cannes is just a short distance away from Nice by public transport, so it should only take you 30 to 40 minutes to get there. From the Gare de Nice Ville, trains run very regularly.
- To really get a feel for this wonderful part of France, you may want to consider taking a guided tour; in just one day, you’ll get to see the many different sides of Provence. As well as visiting Cannes’ main sights, you’ll also be taken to a perfumery in Grasse, to the scenic village of Gourdon, and the picturesque Saint-Paul de Vence. (More info and bookings)
1. Monaco
Monaco is a tiny principality where fairy tales du come true, such as when American actress Grace Kelly became a princess by marrying Monaco’s ruler, Prince Rainier. Monaco is a glamorous place, with some pretty awesome yachts filling the harbor. It’s known for fast cars, i.e., the Formula One; casinos and expensive shopping.
But the second smallest country in the world does have other sights which are worth the visit during a day trip from Nice. The list includes Japanese and exotic gardens plus one dedicated to Princess Grace, the Oceanographic Museum, St. Nicholas Cathedral with its neoclassical exterior and baroque interior, antique cars owned by Prince Rainier, and the Prince’s Palace.
Getting to Monaco
- To get to the principality from Nice by public transport is very simple, as the two cities only lie 20 kilometers apart. Simply hop on a train at Gare de Nice Ville, and you’ll find yourself in the center of Monaco just 20 minutes later..
- A lovely way to visit Monaco is to take a guided tour to the city; this not only takes you to explore Monte Carlo’s fabulous Old Town but also takes you on a lap of the principality’s famous Formula One Grand Prix circuit. (More info and bookings)
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