Guide to the Côte d'Azur ¶

The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d’Azur, is a beautiful region in southeastern France known for its glamorous beach resorts, stunning coastline, and picturesque hilltop villages. One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to the French Riviera is trying to decide which of the towns or villages to choose from during your visit. Even after living in the area for years, we’re still constantly finding new places to add to our never-ending list of places to visit.

Nice ¶

Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera and is known for its charming old town, beautiful promenade, and vibrant atmosphere. Some of the top attractions in Nice include the Promenade des Anglais, the Musée Matisse, and the colourful Cours Saleya market.

Restaurants ¶

After living in Nice for a few years, I’ve also put together a small list of my favourite restaurants that I have tried so far.

Vegetarian and Vegan ¶

For vegetarian option (and some vegan options), I’d recommend:

• SAJ Nice in Old Nice ( Maps ): Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine with delicious mezzés. Try the flatbread special and the white Lebanese coffee.
• Alounak close to Avenue Jean-Médecin ( Maps ): Mediterranean food with delicious hummus and local French dishes from the region. Try the ratatouille with potatoes or one of the many tagine dishes that they offer.
• Utopia close to Old Nice ( Maps ): 100% vegan and Italian restaurant with amazing pasta and dessert. Do yourself a favor and try their carbonara or risotto and finish your meal with a tiramisu!

PS: For the following restaurants, I would recommend making reservations ahead of time especially if you are visiting during the high season as they fill up very quickly.

French ¶

For local French food, I would recommend the following:

• Our favourite in Nice
  Le Séjour close to place Masséna in a quiet street ( Maps ): Authentic French food that is classic but also refined. Make sure you taste the lobster risotto (or ask for the truffle risotto if it is in season!) and finish your meal with their lemon soufflé (you will need to ask at the beginning of the meal as it takes a while to prepare).
• Rated no.1 in Nice on TripAdvisor
  La Cucina in the Carré d'Or ( Maps ): Italian and mediterranean spot, you really can't go wrong with any dish. I recommend the truffle pasta, lamb shank or sea bream, but it's honestly too hard to choose!
• Les Sens close to the pedestrian street ( Maps ): Homemade French food with a very well priced lunch menu for €29 (starter, main & dessert).
• Bistrot d'Antoine in Old Nice ( Maps ): Bistrot ambience with friendly service and good prices. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available when ordering.
• Citrus in Old Nice ( Maps ): Vegan and vegetarian friendly, make sure to finish your meal with the Chef's dessert.
• Le Panier in Old Nice ( Maps ): Creative French restaurant with beautiful presentation and an endless wine list at affordable prices. A 4-courses lunch menu is €45 and a 7-courses dinner menu is €75.

Upscale ¶

• Le Plongeoir close to the Nice Port ( Maps ): I’m recommending this last one more because of the view than the food. The food is good quality but on the pricier side for what you get. However, if you love a good ambience and view, then it’s all worth it!
• 1-star Michelin Restaurant
  Les Agitateurs in the Nice Port : ( Maps ): Simple and elegant French dining focused on locality and sustainability from local markets which dictates their everchanging menu. A lunch set menu starts at €59.
• 2-star Michelin Restaurant
  Flaveur close to the pedestrian street ( Maps ): Brotherly duo in the kitchen focused on sustainability and organic ingredient sourcing turned into high-end French fine dining. A set menu (starter, main & dessert) will set you back at least €150, but it's truly a unique experience.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer ¶

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a charming coastal town located between Nice and Monaco. Visitors can explore the colourful old town with its narrow streets and pastel-coloured buildings, or relax on one of the town's beautiful beaches.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat ¶

Cap-Ferrat is a peninsula located near Nice that is known for its stunning villas and gardens. Visitors can take a walk along the coastal path, visit the beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild , or simply soak up the views of the Mediterranean.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

If you like visiting beautiful villas, check out Villa Kerylos in the bordering town of Beaulieu-sur- Mer as well!

Villa Kerylos

Antibes ¶

Antibes is a picturesque town located between Nice and Cannes that is known for its beautiful beaches and historic old town. Visitors can explore the Musée Picasso , stroll through the bustling Provençal market, and take a boat tour around the Cap d'Antibes peninsula.

Èze ¶

Èze is a charming hilltop village located a short distance from Nice. It is known for its narrow streets, ancient castle ruins, and stunning views of the coastline. Visitors to this town can explore the beautiful Jardin Exotique, which is home to a variety of rare plants and cacti. You can also sample the perfumes of the region at the Fragonard Factory, challenge yourself to a hike up the Nietzsche Path, or just work on your tan at the beach.

Monaco ¶

While not technically part of France, Monaco is located along the French Riviera and is a popular destination for visitors to the region. It is known for its luxurious casinos, upscale shopping, and the stunning Palace of the Prince.

Menton ¶

Located near the Italian border, Menton is a picturesque town known for its beautiful gardens and mild climate. Visitors can explore the colourful old town, stroll along the seaside promenade, or visit the famous Menton Lemon Festival in February.

Grasse ¶

Grasse is a historic town located inland from the coast that is known for its perfume industry. Visitors can tour the Fragonard, Molinard, or Galimard perfumeries, or explore the beautiful old town with its winding streets and charming squares.

Saint-Tropez ¶

Saint-Tropez is a chic resort town that has been attracting artists and celebrities for decades. While it can be quite crowded in the summer months, it is worth a visit to see the stunning beaches and harbour, as well as the colourful old town and charming market.

Saint-Raphaël ¶

Saint-Raphaël is a beautiful coastal town located in the south of France, known for its stunning beaches, picturesque port, and idyllic Provençal charm. It is situated in the Var department, between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, and has been a popular holiday destination for many years.

Although these next spots are farther into Provence, I thought they were both worth mentioning as they are absolutely gorgeous places. They both are a little bit of an adventure to get to, but totally worth it!

Gorges du Verdon ¶

While not located on the coast, the Gorges du Verdon is a beautiful natural attraction located inland from the French Riviera. Visitors can hike along the rim of the gorge, rent a kayak or paddleboat to explore the turquoise waters of the Verdon River, or simply enjoy the stunning views.

Porquerolles ¶

Porquerolles is a small island located off the coast of the French Riviera, near the town of Hyères. It is part of the Îles d'Hyères archipelago and is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled natural beauty.

The island is only 7.5 square kilometres in size and is largely uninhabited, with only a few hundred permanent residents. Most of the island is protected by the Port-Cros National Park, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare birds, reptiles, and plants.

Calanques de Cassis ¶

The Calanques de Cassis is a natural park located on the Mediterranean coast of France, near the town of Cassis. It is a series of steep-sided inlets and rocky cliffs that are carved out by the sea, forming beautiful fjord-like formations. The area covers over 20 kilometres of coastline, and it is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and beachgoers.

These are just a few of the many wonderful places to visit on the French Riviera. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or just soaking up the sun, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this beautiful region of France.