50 Best things to see & do in French Riviera

The world’s most prestigious automobile races, with a track winding through the winding streets of this billionaires’ playground. Monaco is the height of Formula One glamour.

The world’s most famous and prestigious casino – in one of the world’s casino capitals – oozes glamour, history, and class.

Parades, costumes, flower ‘battles’, lights, and sun: Nice holds one of the world’s best carnivals – second only to Rio.

Home to many world-renowned 20th century artists, then later to big spenders founding museums, Nice finds itself home to the best art collections outside of Paris. A veritable feast for art lovers.

A remarkable fantasy villa, complete with exquisite exotic gardens, built in 1912 by the flamboyant art collector Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild to house her fabulous collection of 18th-century art and furniture.

Take one of Europe’s most scenic, exhilarating drives, with eagle-eye views of the sparkling French coastline.

Discover the secrets of French perfume at some of France’s oldest perfume factories, in the fragrance capital of Grasse.

Beaches are an integral part of this French coastal scene – so hang out at a swanky beach club, ordering rosé and seafood, swim and people watch like everyone else.

Nice expert Dana Facaros summarises the typical foods, ingredients and flavours, cooking styles and dining scene in Nice – and its best foodie experiences.

The world’s top film festival, held in the South of France. Though designed for professionals, it can be just as fun for fans with free and ticketed screenings.

Nice’s food and flower market, held along the pedestrianised Cours Saleya esplanade, is packed with all the vibrant, sensuous colours, flavours and scents of the south: lavender, marzipan, sugared almonds, spices, herbal teas, takeaway socca and pissaladiere snacks. Held Tuesday to Sunday, around 6.30am to 1.30pm.

An architectural jewel, this museum between Nice and Antibes is filled with world-class modern and contemporary art, inside and out.

This superb late 20th- and 21st-century art collection features many artists associated with Nice and the French Riviera. Nice’s answer to Paris’ Pompidou Centre.

The famous Belle Epoque café, with its lovely outdoor terrace, is the place for a rendez-vous (and people watching) in Monaco. In a prime central location, go for lunch, dinner or a well-deserved cocktail. After some ‘Dutch courage’, try your luck at one of Monaco’s famous casinos nearby.

This modern museum showcases Chagall’s joyful series of artworks inspired by the Bible – an explosion of colour and light. It’s the biggest public collection of works by one of the greatest 20th-century artists.

A delightful collection of Picasso’s works, brimming with joie de vivre – housed in the castle once used by the artist as a studio.

A spectacular train ride on a narrow-gauge railway through scenic French countryside, that you can ride from Nice on the Cote d’Azur to Annot in Haute Provence.

The Cote d’Azur is home to dozens of glorious walking trails – from rugged coastal hikes to pine-fringed peaks. Perfect for escaping the crowds and enjoying the surprisingly wild, verdant scenery.

A beautiful 17th-century Genoese mansion that now houses a museum dedicated to the art of Nice’s longtime resident, Henri Matisse.

Cannes’ iconic seafront promenande. Join the locals by shopping the luxury boutiques, then stopping for a drink and people-watching at one of the many canopied cafés.

One of France’s most splendid Belle Epoque villas, donated to the city of Nice by the aristocratic Massena family, is now home to a compelling collection of art, furniture and artifacts that track Nice’s rich history.

Founded in 1906 by Prince Albert I, Monaco’s Musee Oceanographique is one of the oldest scientific marine institutes anywhere. Spectacular aquariums and treasures from ocean voyages, located in a remarkable wedding-cake building cascading over cliffs.

This character-filled, medieval village is one of the oldest in the South of France, and arguably the loveliest of all the ‘perched’ villages. It’s long been a haven for famous actors, film stars, and artists (including Picasso, Matisse and Chagall). The Maeght Foundation and several other top-notch modern and contemporary art museums are located here.

Set scenically on a cliff, the palace home of the Monaco monarchy has opulent state apartments, family portraits and unrivalled views over the yacht-packed marina.

A superb collection of art from France’s ‘Naive’ art movement, housed in a delightful pink mansion. Over 600 works from 27 countries.

An opulent Baroque palace from the 17th century, containing lavish interiors, 17th and 18th-century decorative and fine arts collections, and a collection of 500 musical instruments.

This magnificent former private mansion – built by a Russian princess – contains a fine collection of paintings and sculptures from the 16th to 20th century, by artists who lived in the Cote D’Azur.

If you want to escape the crowds, cross the water to this peaceful island, the second largest of the Lerins. There’s a 3rd-century abbey, where St Patrick once studied; there are lovely walks, swims and the monks’ wine to purchase. See the ferry website for departures and tickets.

In a medieval castle with superb views over  La Croisette, rare items from the Himalayas, Arctic, Pre-Colombian America and the Pacific islands, along with the ancient Mediterranean artefacts, musical instruments from around the world and historic paintings of the Riviera.

If it all gets too much, head to the stunning 75-year-old Jardin Exotique, with its surreal collection of cacti, a stalactite Observatory Cave inhabited 250,000 years ago, and an anthropology museum. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Guided tours on Saturdya by appointment.

The big covered market in the heart of Cannes dates from the 1930s, and overflows with the fresh produce and flowers of Provence. It’s open daily until 1pm and closed Monday – although sometimes there’s a flea market in there instead.

This pretty 16th-century chapel turned gallery has one of France’s top collections of post-Impressionist art. See paintings by Matisse, Derain, Braque, Vlaminck, Bonnard, Utrillo, Roualt and Vuilllard. Open daily, except Tuesday.

Just outside the capital of bling, Saint-Tropez, this 18km coastal path, starting at beautiful Gigaro beach and signposted in yellow, is one of France’s wildest, most beautiful coastal paths.

A 4.8km circular coastal walk around the glittering coast of the Riviera’s most exclusive ‘cap’ – a favourite of jet-setting billionaires.

Escape civilization along this surprisingly wild, circular 5km coastal path that winds around Cap d’Antibes. Start at Garoupe Beach and pass rocky cliffs, high over the crashing waves.

A 3-hour 6.6km coastal walk, 15 minutes’ drive east of Monaco, features spectacular views and iconic 20th-century Modernist architectural treasures at Cap Moderne.

A dramatic 1.6km, one hour descent down from the clifftop village of Eze to Eze-Bord-du-Mer by the sea. Glittering views all the way.

Nicknamed ‘the Bunker’, this giant building on the Croisette hosts the Cannes Film Festival, with its famous red carpet and 24 steps where the paparazzi line up to take snaps of the movie stars: 150 have left their handprints, Hollywood style, in front.

Built in 1908 in an ancient-Greek-style, this villa in a ravishing seaside garden setting features replica 2nd-century AD interiors typical of the island of Delos. The project of two scholars obsessed with the period.

High above Monaco, Emperor Augustus erected a 147ft monument in the 1st century BC to celebrate his victories over the Ligurian tribes. In spite of damage over the centuries, it is still a remarkable sight, with breathtaking views.

Discover Cannes the easy way on the Movie Train, starting from the Palais des Festivals: it takes in the Forville Market, Le Susquet, La Croisette, the casinos, and Rue d’Antibes.

The biggest theme park on the Cote d’Azur – a sea-inspired water park – has dolphin shows, aquariums and fairground rides. In summer there’s also Aquasplash, an enormous water park and a mini-golf course.

Located in the city’s posh ‘Golden Square’ shopping district, cheesemonger Nery’s is a legend in Nice. Go for the finest fresh and perfectly ripened cheeses from across France, along with specialities made on the Cote d’Azur.

The Cote d’Azur’s most famous and atmospheric beach, with public sands and private clubs for every taste. The sea here is a lovely turquoise. Among the beach clubs, 55 is for serious star-spotting, Les Jumeaux is for families, Moorea and Aqua Club are laid-back, and Nikki Beach is for blingy party types.

A stunning white sand and pebble beach under pale golden cliffs just west of Monaco. Accessed by steep steps, this shallow cove is both glamorous and exclusive. Mala has two public areas and two chic beach clubs: Eden Plage and the Reserve de Mala – both romantic at sunset, serving cocktails by candlelight and playing music after dark.

Sheltered from the wind, child-friendly Garoupe is a good choice for beach lounging. There’s a free, public section (Plage Municipale) with sunbeds and parasols, as well as multiple private beach clubs. Plage Keller is the trendiest. Petit Plage and Plage Joseph are also good, and family-friendly.

Sheltered from the wind, this shingle beach in a beautiful, wooded cove is a laid-back favourite of both locals and celebrities. Views across to the Alps are sublime. It’s part public, but best to splurge on a lounger at the delightful Paloma Beach Club – a local institution with an excellent restaurant.

Tucked between chi-chi St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Nice, the charming Medieval village of Villefranche-sur-Mer is the relaxed, boho antidote to the moneybags Riviera. A kilometre of coarse, gently shelving golden sand and crystalline waters, it’s all free and open to the public.

Chosen as the best wine cellar in France in 2020,  the ‘Angels’ Share’ specialises in natural wines and organic beers,  with great snacks at the wine bar; the bistro offers ten different wines daily by the glass to go with lunch.

Since 1966, the Fenocchio family has produced Nice’s favourite ice cream and sorbets and sold them from their shop in the historic centre. The only downside is trying to decide which of the 94 flavours to try.