The French Riviera, also called the Côte d’Azur, is the southern coastline of France along the Mediterranean Sea. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches and stylish towns like Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco. In the 18th century, it was a health getaway, later becoming popular with the wealthy, artists, and celebrities. Today, it’s a top vacation spot with scenic walking paths linking seaside towns. Saint-Tropez is known for lively nightlife and its charming harbor, while nearby Sainte-Maxime is great for water sports. Cannes has luxury stores, fancy hotels, and hosts a world-famous film festival. Antibes is quieter, with a large marina and a Picasso museum. Nice, the main city, offers museums, an old town, and food with Italian flavors. Monaco is famous for its luxury casino and its Formula One Grand Prix race.
places to visit in French Riviera
Porquerolles
Porquerolles is a beautiful island in the Îles d’Hyères group, in southern France.
Its southern side has steep cliffs, while the northern coast has sandy beaches like Notre Dame and Plage d’Argent.
The island is known for its clear blue water and peaceful coves.
Porquerolles is perfect for swimming, biking, and walking.
You can enjoy calm nature and amazing views all around the island.
Cars are not allowed, which keeps the island very peaceful.
It’s a favorite spot for a quiet and relaxing getaway.
Calanques National Park
Calanques National Park is located in southern France between Marseille and Cassis.
It features rocky cliffs, deep blue bays, and hiking trails.
Famous calanques include Sormiou, Morgiou, Port-Miou, and Sugiton.
The park is great for swimming, climbing, and boat tours.
It’s also home to the Cosquer Cave with ancient paintings.
Nature lovers enjoy the dramatic views and peaceful waters.
It’s one of the most beautiful natural spots on the Mediterranean.
Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais is a seaside walkway in Nice, France.
It stretches along the Mediterranean Sea and is popular for walks and biking.
People love to come here to relax, enjoy the view, or skate.
There are cafes, palm trees, and benches along the way.
On Sundays, it’s filled with families and tourists.
It’s also a great spot to see the sunset by the sea.
This promenade is one of the most famous places in Nice.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a pink mansion in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
It was built by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the early 1900s.
She filled the villa with fine art, rare porcelain, and antiques.
The house sits on a hill with views of the sea on both sides.
Its gardens are famous and include different themed sections.
You’ll find fountains, flowers, and beautiful pathways to walk through.
The villa is now a museum and open to visitors.
Lérins Islands
The Lérins Islands are a group of four small islands near Cannes.
They have a long history, dating back to Roman times.
The two main islands are Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat.
These islands are known for their peaceful beaches and nature.
You can explore old buildings, chapels, and forests here.
Boats run regularly from Cannes to the islands.
They’re perfect for a quiet escape from the busy mainland.
Île Saint-Honorat
Île Saint-Honorat is one of the Lérins Islands, close to Cannes.
It has been home to monks since the 5th century.
Today, about 30 monks still live and work on the island.
Visitors can see old chapels and ruins built over centuries.
There are peaceful walking paths through trees and along the coast.
You can also visit a fort and historic cannon site.
The island offers quiet beauty and a rich spiritual past.
Flower Market (Marché aux Fleurs)
The Flower Market in Nice is one of the city’s oldest markets.
It sells fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables, and local produce.
You can find colorful blooms and delicious scents all around.
It’s located in the charming Cours Saleya street in Old Nice.
Locals and tourists love to shop or stroll through the stalls.
The market is open most days and has a lively feel.
It’s a must-see spot for a real taste of local life.
Musée Picasso (Antibes)
The Picasso Museum is located in Antibes, in an old castle.
The castle was once called Château Grimaldi and is very historic.
Pablo Picasso lived and worked here for a few months in 1946.
He donated some of his works to the museum afterward.
Now, it holds paintings, drawings, and ceramics by the artist.
It was the first museum in the world dedicated to Picasso.
The view from the museum also overlooks the beautiful sea.
Îles d’Hyères
The Îles d’Hyères, also called the Golden Islands, are near Hyères in southern France.
These four islands are known for their natural beauty and calm seas.
People come here for hiking, swimming, and exploring nature.
The islands have ancient history, with past owners including the Greeks and Romans.
Today, they’re a peaceful escape from the busy mainland.
They are popular for their clean beaches and beautiful sea views.
Hyères town nearby is also a famous spa and resort area.
Île Sainte-Marguerite
Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands, near Cannes.
It is famous for the Fort Royal, where the “Man in the Iron Mask” was held.
The island is covered in pine forests and walking trails.
Boats gather in the quiet waters around the island during summer.
There are many water activities like swimming, kayaking, and paragliding.
It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy nature.
Visitors also explore small museums and historic ruins on the island.
Best Time to Visit French Riviera
The ideal time to visit the French Riviera is from June to August.
During these months, the weather is sunny and perfect for beach activities.
It’s the peak season with lively festivals, nightlife, and outdoor fun.
You can enjoy swimming, sailing, and exploring charming coastal towns.
Just be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices.
