The world famous French Riviera is a stretch of coastline in southern France that runs 550 miles from the western end of Cassis, near the second largest city in France, Marseille, to the Italian border. In addition to the natural beauty of the region, the shimmering water of the Mediterranean Sea, for example, there is so much to see and do. World class museums and cultural events, fine dining, relaxation and fun in the sun. As a French Riviera couples and engagement photographer, I know the Riviera so well and I’m confident that these locations will delight you and be so enjoyable for your stay in the South of France. Here are The 5 Best Towns to Visit on the French Riviera!
Nice
The grand dame of the region, Nice has it all. As the fifth largest city in France, you’ll find incredible city amenities here, such as great southern France inspired shopping.
Not only will you find elegant and chic clothing to help you get that French Riviera style, but regional specialities at the weekly markets on the Cours Saleya will delight you. Here you’ll find lavender, great smelling soaps, beautiful flowers, hand woven baskets, and antiques too.
Nice is the gateway to the French Riviera, with excellent train connections to everywhere you’ll want to visit (no rental car necessary!). Make Nice your base for day trips on the Riviera, and then return to the city for a delicious dinner!
Some of the city’s most exclusive hotels, like the Art Deco gem, Le Negresco, serves dinner on the beach in summer, so you can watch the sun set as you’re drinking a rosé.
No visit to the French Riviera is complete without a stop in Nice, and personally, I think it’s the absolute best place to stay! In addition to Le Negresco, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel and the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée are favorites.
Villefranche sur Mer
Right next to Nice, you’ll find what I refer to as “Little Nice”, the charming seaside town of Villefranche sur Mer. Just a ten minute train ride from Nice, you can also walk along the sea from Nice if you love to walk and reach Villefranche by foot.
Villefranche has some of the most colorful and beautiful buildings on the French Riviera and is so compact, you can explore it in a few hours.
There are also some activities you might like:
Visit the Old Town, a small maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with pastel-colored buildings, small boutiques, and cozy cafés. One of the must-see spots is Rue Obscure, a 13th-century covered street that runs under the buildings. I love this spot, and its even been used as a filming location!
Visit Villefranche Bay, one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean, making it a favorite stop for yachts and cruise ships. The bay’s crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches, like Plage des Marinières, are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Check out Saint-Elme Citadel, built in the 16th century to protect the town from pirates and invaders, this fortress now houses museums, an open-air theater, and the town hall.
Stop by Chapelle Saint-Pierre, a small but stunning chapel with frescoes painted by artist Jean Cocteau, depicting scenes from the life of Saint Peter and local fishing traditions.
Monaco, Monte Carlo
When you talk to people visiting the French Riviera, most of them say they want to visit the principality of Monaco, and its town called Monte Carlo. But the truth is, most people don’t know a thing about this place, just that’s a haven for the wealthy, and then they arrive really disappointed.
The truth is, Monaco is a stunning little spot on the French Riviera, and very unique. On the top of the “rock” you’ll find the prince’s palace (and yes, he still lives there to this day). But the principality is also unique in its modernity, as there are also a lot of skyscrapers. To me, this juxtaposition of old and new makes Monaco interesting. To get the most out of your trip to Monaco, its best to understand some of its history beforehand. Make sure to have a read here on Wikipedia before you go.
Monaco is a short train ride from Nice, but beware, the trains in summer are packed and uncomfortable. Go early or later, to avoid the crowds. When you get to Monaco, here are some of the best things to do.
Where to Start Your Visit in Monaco
Most people love to start their visit to Monaco with a visit to the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Designed by the same architect that designed the opera house in Paris, it’s ornate and beautiful. There is an entry fee for part of the casino, and you must be properly attired to enter (no t-shirts and shorts). Even taking photos outside is fun.
My favorite thing to do is hike up “the rock” and visit old Monte Carlo, where you’ll find the prince’s palace, which you can tour. There’s a daily changing of the guard that’s interesting to watch, and who doesn’t love to snoop around a palace? The history here is mind-boggling.
Not far from the palace is the Monaco Cathedral, which is just gorgeous. Go in and have a look around. If you’re into museums, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is a must-visit if you love to learn about marine life.
Just adjacent the the museum is the most stunning garden you absolutely must visit. It’s called the Jardins Saint-Martin, and you’ll find many variety of cacti, other plants, as well as beautiful sculptures and sea views. It’s a great place to relax and breathe in the sea air.
Monaco is famous for its Formula 1 races in May each year. If you love cars, you’ll love the private car collection of the Prince of Monaco. This is a museum where you can see gorgeous cars of yesteryear, as well as some of the top racing cars from the prince’s collection. It’s really a must-do if you love cars!
Lastly, a stroll around the marina is always fun because you’ll see some of the most grandiose yachts you’ve ever seen in your life!
Roquenbrune Cap Martin
No one stops here, and that’s a huge mistake. Just east of Monaco, you’ll find the most gorgeous hillside town called Roquebrune Cap Martin. Unlike it’s neighbors, it’s filled mostly with locals, which means it’s still authentic and peaceful.
There are two parts to the town, the bottom, where there’s a small beach area, and the main town on a tall hill that feels like you’ve been transported back into time.
A medieval village perched on a hill, Roquebrune offers narrow streets, stone houses, and panoramic views. Wander through its alleys, visit small art galleries, and enjoy the old-world charm.
There’s the remains of a castle to visit, with incredible views of the sea, and on a clear day you can even see Monaco. There’s also a super charming clock tower, this village literally oozes with charm.
Roquebrune has small, narrow streets to climb, that are charming and with great views. It’s really a paradise for photographers, too and I’ve spent a lot of time joyfully photographing here.
You’ll find a few restaurants in this charming villages and a lot of artisans like potters, painters and jewelry makers, make sure to stop in, say hello and take home a beautiful and unique souvenir from your time on the French Riviera.
Menton
Last but not least, one of the jewels of the Riviera, the town of Menton. It’s the last town in France before you cross into Italy and it can easily be reached by train from Nice. Menton is a must–see town!
The town is a bit spread out, you’ll want to go to the eastern side of Menton to see the most beauty. If you’re like me and love walking around old, colorful towns, then you’ll want to head to the old town as your first stop.
Wander through the colorful old town, which has super charming, narrow streets, with beautiful pastel-colored buildings and magnificent views of the coastline.
There is a beautiful basilica you can also visit and on the very top of the old town is the cemetery of the old chateau, which also has stunning views of the surrounding area. Allow yourselves a few hours just to roam around the old town, it’s that beautiful.
When you’re done exploring the old town, come back down and have a seat on the beach and enjoy the views. There are also plenty of places to grab snacks and a drink.
Any fans of art will also love the Jean Cocteau Museum. If you’re not familiar with Jean Cocteau, here’s a brief history of this artist.
Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) was a French writer, artist, and filmmaker, renowned for his contributions to the avant-garde and surrealist movements. He was a polymath, known for his work in various fields, including poetry, playwriting, painting, and filmmaking.
Cocteau’s creative output spanned many genres, and he is perhaps most famous for his surrealist and symbolic approach to both literature and cinema.
Cocteau also made significant contributions to the world of visual art, often incorporating surreal and dreamlike imagery into his paintings and drawings.
Don’t Forget to Schedule a Photo Shoot
There are so many things to see and do on the French Riviera, these are my top choices as someone who’s been living in France for a long time.
With all that there is to do and see on the French Riviera, it would be an absolute shame to not capture your wonderful memories here with a professional photo shoot. As a professional photographer on the French Riviera, I capture the love stories and joy of couples!
Choose from a fun walking tour photo session in Nice, or one of the other towns on the French Riviera. The beautiful sunlight here makes everyone look like a movie star!
Contact me to reserve your photo session, I can’t wait to meet you on the Riviera!
bonjour, i'm karina!
Your incredible English speaking Wedding & Couples professional photographer in France!
I'm here to help you plan & capture your precious memories & moments in Paris, Provence & the French Riviera.
