The French Riviera – a dream destination offering gorgeous beaches, luxurious cities, astonishing views, and even some relaxed old towns. The French Riviera really has it all! If you’re reading this we probably don’t have to convince you to visit. Instead, you’ve already decided on the French Riviera and now you just want to know where to stay and what towns to visit. We hope this article will help clarify that decision for you!
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Where should I stay in the French Riviera?
First things first – you want to decide where to stay in the French Riviera. In order to decide where to stay, you’ll want to figure out what you want to do. If you want to use a city as a base for other towns, it’s hard to beat Nice. If you want luxury and opulence, Saint-Tropez is nearly unmatched. Here are the four cities we recommend staying in for your French Riviera vacation.
1.) Saint-Tropez
This might be controversial to some, but for us the absolute best place to stay in the French Riviera is Saint-Tropez. Yes, it’s located quite far from the other major towns of the region so it does not make a good base for exploring any other areas, especially without a car. However, the town itself is just delightful and there is plenty to do in the immediate region to overcome the inability to visit the other main cities in the French Riviera on a day trip.
While expensive (even by Riviera standards) Saint-Tropez will not disappoint you. We highly recommend renting a car for at least this portion of your trip so that you can easily visit the beach clubs of Pampelonne and the wineries of Provence. You can always Uber or take a taxi as well if that is more appealing, though travel to your next destination is likely to be much simpler with a car. Whatever you choose, make sure you stay in Saint-Tropez to experience all it has to offer!
Budget options:
- Maison d’Orange: Located just outside of Saint-Tropez at an affordable rate
- Hotel Playa: Perfect location in old town that won’t break the bank
Midrange options:
- Hotel Le Y Saint-Tropez: Highly rated in an excellent location
- Hotel le Mandala: Spacious rooms and easily walkable to old town
Luxury options:
- Hotel de Paris Saint-Tropez: A 5 star hotel conveniently located in Old Town
- Hotel la Ponche: 5 star luxury in a perfect location
2) Nice
Staying in Nice is almost a given in the French Riviera due to it being the fifth largest city in France (a fact that surprised us initially!) and its central location along the major train route through the region. This centrality means that you can reach each town (with the exception of St. Tropez) in the French Riviera within an hour via train. If you plan to visit multiple towns along the coast, it’s difficult to pick a better city to stay in than Nice.
That’s not to say that Nice itself isn’t a great city to visit. Nice has many excellent attractions and aspects that make it very appealing as a destination. Perhaps the most recognizable and alluring feature of Nice is the 4.3 mile “Promenade des Anglais” (“Walkway of the English”). Strolling along the promenade in a summer evening is one of the best experiences we had during our France trip.
Add in the Nice Cathedral, excellent restaurants, charming Old Town, and easily accessible beaches/beach clubs and you won’t run out of things to do in Nice!
Budget options:
- Hotel Rossetti: Centrally located for a great price
- Hotel de la Mer: On the edge of old town and an easy walk to the train
Midrange options:
- Le Meridien Nice: Excellent room sizes right along the shore
- Hyatt Regency Nice: Great location with expected quality
Luxury options:
- Hotel Le Negresco: Definition of luxury at the end of the boardwalk
- Hotel la Perouse Nice: Luxurious hotel on Castle Hill with unmatched views
3) Cannes
The third best option for where to stay in the French Riviera was a bit of a tossup for us between Antibes and Cannes as they are very different and both offer something unique. If you want the popular “glitz and glamour” feel of the French Riviera, then Cannes is the place for you. The vibe of Cannes is decidedly luxurious, with an emphasis on the lavish lifestyle from the high-end boutiques to the exclusive Cannes Film Festival. If you want a taste of the high life, Cannes is a great option to soak that in. It’s also a great base for some really fun tours, including trips to other French Riviera towns, Provence wineries, or a day on the water.
Budget options:
- Hotel L’Esterel: Cozy rooms in an excellent location
- Hotel Jardin Croisette: Centrally located with good value
Midrange options:
- Canopy by Hilton: Tons of amenities on the harbor in Old Town
- BW Premier Collection Mondial: Highly rated in a perfect location
Luxury options:
- Carlton Cannes: Upscale hotel featuring its own private beach
- Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic: Luxurious stay in every room
4) Antibes
On the other end of the “vibe spectrum” is Antibes which is much more relaxed and unassuming. Antibes has a great blend of French Mediterranean culture, history, and beaches. That’s not to say there isn’t opulence in Antibes – Port Vauban is famous for the superyachts that pepper the harbor, while the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins is international known for luxury. However, compared to its neighbors Antibes is going to offer a different feel thanks to the quaint old town and medieval ramparts that surround it. If you want a city that will have charm and splendor, Antibes is perfect for you.
Budget options:
- Hotel de L’Etoile: Perfect location with smallish rooms
- Irin Hotel: Affordable stay in the heart of old town
Midrange options:
- Hotel la Villa Port d Antibes & Spa: Extremely highly rated right next to the port
- Royal Antibes: Affordable luxury near old town with beautiful sunrise views
Luxury options:
- Hotel Belles Rives: 1 mile from Antibes with a private beach in Juan-les-Pins
- Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel: Upscale stay on quiet peninsula with private beach
What is the best way to visit the French Riviera?
The easiest way to get around the French Riviera is to use the very convenient train system. Centralized on Nice, the train can get you to any French Riviera town (except for Saint-Tropez) in an hour or less. You can also explore through different tours, boat/ferries, or renting a car if you want to explore areas away from the coast like Provence. In Saint-Tropez, a car is a necessity as it is not well served by a train and many of the best things to do in Saint-Tropez take you away from the city.
The top 10 town in the French Riviera:
1) St Tropez
In our opinion, nothing in the French Riviera can quite compare with St. Tropez. When you think of St. Tropez, you likely think of the glitz and glamour associated with high-end luxury. While St. Tropez certainly exhibits some of that (mostly in the super yachts in the harbor), we found the city to be perfectly picturesque and charming. With incredible restaurants, easy access (by car) to the Pampelonne Beach clubs and the Provence wine region, and a feeling of grandeur around every turn, Saint-Tropez is the absolute best town to visit in the French Riviera.
The one downside to St. Tropez is a lack of easy train access to the other costal towns of the region (the train to Nice will take 3+ hours). Staying here is made much easier with a car, especially if you plan to visit the famous beach clubs or wineries just outside the city.
2) Nice
We’ve already mentioned a bit about why Nice is such a great town to visit, but it’s worth reiterating that walking along the Promenade des Anglais is a can’t miss experience! The volume of excellent restaurants is unmatched along the Riviera, and it’s easy to stroll through Old Town for hours. Perhaps the best part is the plethora of beach clubs to choose from all along the Promenade des Anglais. No trip to the French Riviera is complete without a stop in Nice.
3) Cannes
One of the most famous towns in the French Riviera, Cannes is most known for the annual film festival that takes place every May within the city (unfortunately, this is generally not open to the public). However, there is still plenty to do and see in Cannes which make it an excellent town to visit (though it is likely to be quite crowded). Explore Le Suquet (the old town), shop at high end boutiques on Rue d’Antibes, visit the Palais des Festivals where you can experience a mini “Hollywood Walk of Fame”, or just soak up the sun on one of its pristine beaches. Whatever you are looking for, Cannes is sure to appeal to you in some way. It’s also only a 30 minute train ride from Nice!
4) Antibes
Known for its famous old town surrounded by 16th century walls, Antibes is another great town to visit in the French Riviera. Beyond the enchanting old town, Antibes also offers wonderful museums (the most famous being the Musee Picasso, the former home of Pablo Picasso), beautiful sandy beaches, lively cafes, and a great port for boat tours. For those looking for a calmer, more charming and “traditional” vibe, Antibes is a great option on your tour of the French Riviera.
5) Menton
“The City of Lemons”, Menton is a charming town just 45 minutes away from Nice by train. The reason for its nickname becomes abundantly clear while strolling along rue Longue as each shop has something lemon themed, some with free samples of edible lemon rinds or lemon infused olive oil or limoncello. Beyond that, Menton has some iconic landmarks including the “yellow stairs” (Les Rampes Saint-Michel), the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton, and the Cemetery of the Old Chateau, in addition to great shopping and an endearing Old Town. Menton is a great, less visited and famous option for a different side of the French Riviera.
6) Villefranche-sur-Mer
Similar to Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer is known for its vibrant though more refined atmosphere. In some ways it can be considered a suburb of Nice as it is only 15 minutes away by train, making it extremely easy to visit. The cobblestone streets are lined with colorful Mediterranean style homes for a warm and inviting atmosphere. Like other French Riviera towns, Villefranche-sur-Mer has a beautiful harbor, excellent gourmet restaurants, and adorable boutique shops and hotels. Though on the smaller side of towns in the region, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a great place to visit for beautiful views and good food.
7) Monaco
This might be “cheating” a little bit as Monaco is not part of France, but Monaco makes for an excellent day trip from Nice. The wealth of the principality is on full display, most notably in the myriad of super yachts that are sure to fill the harbor. From the Monte Carlo Cassino to the Prince’s Palace, Monaco has plenty to explore and enjoy. Just make sure to bring your walking shoes! The train will let you off at the top of a hill, and Uber is not allowed to operate in the principality.
8) Ventimiglia
This is technically “cheating” again as Ventimiglia is actually in Italy, but it’s right across the border and easily accessible via a 50 minute train ride from Nice. Ventimiglia is a medium sized town that is often described as classic or authentic and provides a great Riviera experience. Perhaps the best thing to do in Ventimiglia is to visit the Mercato del Venerdi, a weekly market that takes place every Friday. The Mercato del Venerdi is one of the largest markets in Italy, with hundreds of vendors coming together to sell everything from food to homeware to leather to clothing – nearly everything you can imagine! While not the most classically beautiful of the Riviera towns, proponents say it is the most authentic experience you’ll have making it a worthwhile town to visit.
9) Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Only a 45 minute walk from Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a bit more “polished” while maintaining an idyllic feel. While it is one of the less visited towns of the French Riviera, that does not mean you should ignore it completely. Beaulieu-sur-Mer is famous for its architecture and unbeatable coastal walking paths. There is luxury shopping, blissful beaches, and even a casino if you want to try your luck. One day in this quaint village is sure to be a day well spent!
10) Eze/Eze sur Mer
Eze is famous for the incredible views – For us, however, Eze was “just ok.” In Eze itself there isn’t really much to do other than Le Jardin Exotique
and enjoying a restaurant with a view, though wandering through the town did offer some great picture opportunities. If you want to be active on your visit, Eze is a great option thanks to the hour-long hike from the train station to the hillside village. Be prepared! The hike is not exceptionally long but does gain 1300 feet so it is a grueling uphill grind.
No matter where you choose to visit, the French Riviera is a fantastic destination that will not leave you disappointed. We hope you enjoy your trip!
Be sure to also check out our 16 day trip through Spain, Andorra, and France where we spent 5 days in the French Riviera!