Honestly, the French Riviera can be a total headache if you time it wrong. You've seen the photos of people squeezed onto pebbles like sardines in Nice, or the gridlock traffic in St. Tropez. But there's a reason everybody keeps coming back. It's the light. It's that specific shade of "Cote d'Azur" blue that actually looks like the postcards, even without a filter. If you're looking for things to do in french riviera france, you have to look past the influencers posing in front of Ferraris.
The "Riviera" isn't just one vibe. It's a messy, beautiful mix of billionaire playgrounds, medieval villages where people still play pétanque, and quiet islands that smell like pine needles and salt.
Nice: More Than Just a Famous Walkway
Most people start in Nice. You'll probably walk the Promenade des Anglais. It’s three miles of pavement, blue chairs, and sea spray. It's iconic. Do it once, then move on.
Head into Vieux Nice (the Old Town) early. Like, before the sun gets too hot. The Cours Saleya flower market is where the locals actually buy their produce, though it gets touristy by noon. If you want a real snack, find a stall selling socca. It’s basically a chickpea pancake, crispy on the edges and soft in the middle, seasoned with a lot of black pepper. Don't overthink it; just eat it with your hands.
The Hill With the Best View
Skip the elevator and walk up Castle Hill (Colline du Château). There’s no castle left—Louis XIV saw to that—but the view over the Baie des Anges is the best in the city. You can see the rooftops of the old town on one side and the port on the other. It's a great spot to catch your breath while staring at yachts that cost more than your house.
The Art Trail: Picasso and Matisse
The light in this part of France has been obsessed over by artists for centuries. You can see why.
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- Musée Picasso in Antibes: This isn't just a museum; it’s the Château Grimaldi. Picasso actually lived and worked here in 1946. Seeing his ceramics and sketches in the very room where he looked out at the Mediterranean is... well, it’s a lot.
- Matisse Chapel in Vence: Officially the Chapelle du Rosaire. Matisse designed everything here—the stained glass, the murals, even the priests' vestments. It’s small, quiet, and feels like walking into a painting.
- Fondation Maeght: This is tucked away in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It’s a modern art museum built into the nature. It’s got Miró sculptures in the gardens and Giacometti statues in the courtyard.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence itself is a fortified medieval village. It’s incredibly preserved. Walking its narrow, stone streets feels like a movie set, but be warned: the galleries there are pricey.
Finding a Beach That Isn't Packed
If you want soft sand, don't stay in Nice. Nice has pebbles. Large, uncomfortable pebbles. For sand, you need to head toward Cannes or Antibes.
Plage de la Garoupe on the Cap d'Antibes is a local favorite. It’s tucked into a cove and has that turquoise water you're dreaming of. A lot of it is private in the summer, which means you’ll pay for a sunbed, but it includes a waiter bringing you rosé. Sometimes that's worth the 30 Euros.
If you want something wilder, go to Plage de l'Escalet near St. Tropez. It’s a bit of a hike, but the rocky coves and clear water are perfect for snorkeling. You won't find many umbrellas here, just salt and sun.
The Hidden Islands
Take the ferry from Cannes to the Îles de Lérins. Most people ignore them. Big mistake. Île Sainte-Marguerite has the fort where the "Man in the Iron Mask" was supposedly held. Île Saint-Honorat is even better. It’s owned by Cistercian monks who have lived there for 1,500 years. They make their own wine and honey. It’s one of the quietest places on the entire coast. No cars. No noise. Just the sound of the wind in the eucalyptus trees.
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Monaco: High Stakes and Winding Roads
Monaco is weird. It’s the second-smallest country in the world and basically a giant limestone rock covered in luxury apartments.
You should see the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Even if you don't gamble, the Belle Époque architecture is wild. Just remember there's a dress code. If you're wearing flip-flops, they won't let you past the lobby.
Driving the Corniches
There are three roads between Nice and Monaco: the Basse Corniche (bottom), the Moyenne Corniche (middle), and the Grande Corniche (top).
- The Grande Corniche is where they filmed the car chases in To Catch a Thief. It’s high, it’s narrow, and the views are dizzying.
- Èze Village is a stop on the Moyenne Corniche. It’s an "eagle's nest" village perched on a cliff. The Jardin Exotique at the very top is filled with cacti and offers a 360-degree view of the coast. It’s steep. Wear good shoes.
Things To Do In French Riviera France: The Seasonal Events
The 2026 calendar is already looking packed. If you're coming in February, the Nice Carnival is a huge deal. It’s one of the oldest in the world. Expect massive floats and "flower battles" where people throw mimosas and lilies into the crowd.
In May, the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix usually happen back-to-back. It’s the busiest time of year. Prices triple. Traffic stops. If you love the energy and the celebrities, it's the place to be. If you hate crowds, stay far away.
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Later in the summer of 2026, the Tour de France Femmes is finishing in Nice. Seeing the pro cyclists sprint down the Promenade des Anglais is going to be electric.
Practical Tips for the Coast
Don't rent a car if you’re just staying in the main cities. The TER train line runs along the entire coast. It’s cheap, reliable, and the views from the window are better than anything you'll see from the highway. You can get from Nice to Cannes in 30 minutes for a few bucks.
Eat where the locals eat. Avoid the restaurants with pictures of food on the menu. Look for Le Plongeoir in Nice if you want a "splurge" meal—it’s literally built on a pillar over the sea. For something cheap, get a Pan Bagnat. It’s basically a Nicoise salad inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread soaked in olive oil. It’s messy. It’s delicious.
Things to do in french riviera france usually involve a mix of high-end luxury and very simple Mediterranean pleasures. The trick is not to rush. Spend a morning in a market, an afternoon on a boat, and an evening with a glass of local Bandol wine.
To make the most of your trip, download the SNCF Connect app for train tickets and try to learn at least three words of French. A "Bonjour" goes a lot further than you think in a local bakery. If you're planning for 2026, book your accommodation at least six months out, especially if you're targeting the festival season in May or the peak heat of August.