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Top Destinations on the French Riviera in the South of France

Best places to visit on the French Riviera.

Category: Travel Guide

The South of France is gorgeous in every aspect! It’s packed with picturesque cities and towns, exquisite landscapes, luxurious beach clubs, and breathtaking seaside views. All thanks to the perfect beach vibes, this resplendent region is ideal for summer holidays. And when it comes to the most renowned area in the region, every traveler’s list includes the French Riviera (also known as Côte d’Azur) at the top. This popular coastline along the Mediterranean Sea includes some of the best French cities, towns, and villages, filled with enthralling beauty.

Known for its temperate climate, stunning beaches, enchanting views, nightlife scenes, and mouth-watering cuisine, the French Riviera attracts millions of tourists every year. From natural wonders to historical towns, it’s got a lot to explore! To make the most of your trip to Southern France, you can spend some quality time at a luxury resort, visit all the major attractions around, and explore off-the-beaten-track places in the area.

Now let’s take a look at some of the most charming and beautiful cities and towns on the French Riviera –

Nice 

Nice

Nice is the most popular and largest city on the French Riviera. La Colline du Chateau, Vieille Ville (Old Town), and Promenade des Anglais are some of the must-visit attractions in the city. 

La Colline du Chateau is the perfect spot to enjoy the best views of Nice. This park is located at the top of Castle Hill and features a lot of shady trees, an artificial waterfall, and some archaeological remains. It offers mesmerizing views of the Mediterranean Sea, Old Town, and other places around.

Vieille Ville (Old Town), a neighborhood in Nice, has got a completely different vibe. With narrow streets, pastel-colored old buildings, architectural gems, and authentic French restaurants, this place is full of vibrance, elegance, and charm. When you’re in Nice, make sure to walk along the Promenade des Anglais, the city’s famous coastal stretch, and enjoy soaking up the sun and urban vibes. The clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea offer stunning views of the bay. Bustling with activities all the time, this area has loads of restaurants, cafes, and bars and is also great for people-watching.

Cannes

Cannes

Think of Cannes and you’ll picture the popular and glamorous Cannes Film Festival! But this glitzy resort city has got much more for both locals and travelers. It offers sophisticated luxury with some of the best posh hotels and fine dining restaurants in the country. Since there is a myriad of things to explore in Cannes, it’s among the topmost destinations on the French Riviera. The famous tourist spots in Cannes include Boulevard de la Croisette, Le Suquet, and the red carpet at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès .

Just like Promenade des Anglais, Boulevard de la Croisette stretches along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and offers great views of the city. This coastline is renowned for the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the Cannes Film Festival venue. You can add some fun to your trip by taking pictures on the red carpet at the Cannes Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. And if you want to explore a place away from the city’s hustle and bustle, visit Le Suquet, a breathtakingly beautiful place in Cannes. Walk through the streets of the Cannes Old Town and admire the candy-colored buildings built hundreds of years ago. 

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez

Once just a humble fishing village, Saint Tropez has now become a glitzy and glamorous destination magnetizing millions of tourists every year. Regardless of the weather, the coastal town retains its charm all year round. With exclusive nightclubs, luxury yachts, designer boutiques, and expensive restaurants, it’s certainly a paradise for the rich and famous. But it’s not just a party place! There’s a lot more to discover in this world-renowned Mediterranean town.

The Old Town of Saint-Tropez (La Ponche) is considered to be the most beautiful place in the town. Stroll through the small streets, designer boutiques, and colorful houses, and take a bite at one of the cute cafes in the Old Town. You can then visit the Plage de Pampelonne, Saint Tropez’s finest beach with crystal clear waters, fine white sand, and great views!  Next set off to see Musée de l’Annonciade, a popular art museum in the town displaying the artworks of famous artists like Signac, Matisse, and Bonnard.

Antibes

Antibes

From pristine beaches and private beach clubs to world-class museums and historical monuments, Antibes has got it all. You can easily lose yourself in the charm of Old Town Antibes and the artwork of Pablo Picasso at the Musée Picasso. Start exploring this exquisite town by sunbathing and swimming at the best beaches in Antibes. After that visit the lovely Old Town of Antibes (Vieille Ville) and walk through its narrow cobblestone paths filled with old facades, cozy cafes, cute specialty shops, restaurants, and bars.

Musee Picasso and the Cathedral Notre Dame are among the famous tourist spots in Vieille Ville. In addition to the works by Picasso, Musée Picasso displays paintings by many other popular modern artists, such as Balthus, Arman, Alexander Calder, Pol Bury, Nicolas de Staël, Eduardo Chillida, and Yves Klein. Your next stop should be Cathedral Notre Dame, a beautiful old church close to Musée Picasso. Make sure to spend some time in the church to soak in the peaceful vibes. 

Menton

Menton

If you are looking for a less crowded destination on the French Riviera, Menton is the perfect place to visit. This lovely town is known for its lemons as well as beautiful beaches and pleasant weather. Thanks to the golden fruit of Menton, the town is also called the ‘Lemon Festival Capital of the World’. Menton has stunning, pastel-colored buildings and magnificent gardens such as Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh, Les Jardins Biovès, and Jardin du Palais Carnolès.  

At the Old Port of Menton, you can enjoy great views of the aqua-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful city in the backdrop. Next, head out to explore the old town of Menton adorned with small cobblestone streets and colorful medieval buildings, just like the old towns in other Mediterranean towns. Constructed in the 17th century, Basilica Saint Michel is another attraction located in the center of the old town. This beautiful church has an impressive interior and features a clock tower (35m-high) and a steeple (53m-high). The Menton Cemetery or the Old Chateau Cemetery is also worth visiting as it’s stunningly beautiful and offers equally amazing views of the Menton Harbor and nearby areas due to its hilltop location.

Best time to visit the French Riviera

The best time to visit different cities and towns on the French Riviera is between June and September. During summer time you can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea to the fullest. If you want to visit the French Riviera during the peak season, plan your trip well in advance to save money.

It’s best to book a cheap car rental in Southern France with CarsRentalFrance to comfortably travel from one Mediterranean town in the region to another. Thanks to the huge fleet of quality rental cars offered by our car rental supplier partners, you can easily find your preferred wheels with us, that too at a great price. So, reserve your ideal rental vehicle with us today.

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