Top 15 Cities on the French Riviera You Should Not Miss

Discover our selection of the most beautiful cities of the French Riviera where you can spend your next vacation relaxing under the sun.

But first of all, here’s a map to locate the cities of our selection:

 

Cannes

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Cannes, France 🇫🇷 (@cannescity)

The city of Cannes is the emblematic city of the French Riviera.

Famous for its festival and its red carpet that celebrities from all over the world have been walking on for decades.

If you want to have fun, this city is for you. It offers many activities and visits. For example, the Museum of the Sea and the Bellini Chapel of the 19th century and its park as well as the many bars and restaurants where you can dance until the sunrise.

And don’t forget the Croisette which runs along the coast and the fine sandy beaches which are ideal for relaxing and perfecting your tan.

We love:

  • The city is very green and well maintained.
  • The architecture of the buildings
  • The famous Croisette

 

Saint-Paul de Vence

As a small picturesque town, Saint-Paul de Vence will charm you and transport you out of time.

Built on top of a small hill surrounded by ramparts built under Francis I, it fully represents the southern villages nestled on the hills.

There are many events like the truffle market in December, the white picnic in July or the Mountain Festival in November, there is something for everyone all year long.

We love:

  • The hundred-year-old ramparts.
  • The intimate and warm spirit of the city.

 

Grasse

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Ville de Grasse (@villegrasse)

Nestled in the hills north of Cannes, Grasse is the capital of French perfume.

In the heart of the old town, you will find the Grasse Cathedral, an ancient Roman Catholic cathedral that houses paintings by Rubens.

Stroll through the streets and let yourself be transported

It is possible to visit emblematic perfumeries such as Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard.

We love:

  • The heritage and the mansions.
  • The discovery of the history of perfume.

 

Saint Tropez

As a former fishermen’s town, Saint Tropez has been frequented by artists and the international jet set since the 1960s.

It still seduces people today with its beaches and its nightlife.

Stroll through the narrow streets with a drink in hand on a terrace by the sea. there is nothing better to relax and enjoy the summer evenings.

Visit the citadel dating from the beginning of the 17th century and the Maritime History Museum of Saint-Tropez.

We love:

  • The town’s iconic gendarmerie, now transformed into a museum.

 

Antibes

Discover the old town of Antibes surrounded by its 16th century ramparts that house the star-shaped Fort Carré.

Antibes is a quieter town than its neighbors, ideal for families, known for spectacular views, it is also less crowded and therefore ideal for resting, lying down on the beach.

We love:

  • The Picasso museum
  • The market of the old town

 

Mandelieu-la-Napoule

Whether in winter or in summer, Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the city of activities and entertainment.

Throughout the year the city offers its stays and sports activities, such as aquatic or pedestrian excursions around and in the city.

Don’t forget to visit the majestic Château de la Napoule at the seaside and the Parc Emmanuelle de Marande.

We love:

  • A small size city
  • A landscaped seaside and the mountains which are just a stone’s throw from the city

 

Nice

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Ville de Nice (@villedenice)

A little corner of paradise where the weather is always nice: this city between the sea and the mountains has an unusual history and an incredible mix of cultures.

On the pebbled coastline of the Baie des Anges, enjoy the sunshine as you walk along the coastline along the Promenade des Anglais, before enjoying a Niçoise salad on the terrace and admiring the sunset.

We love:

  • The proximity with Italy
  • The Henri Matisse museum

 

Menton

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Ville de Menton (@villedementon)

A small pleasant town close to the Italian border, known for its colorful facades, has very rare plants in the greenhouse of the Madonna, moreover, not far from there you can join the museum dedicated to the poet Jean Cocteau.

The Lemon Festival also called Carnival of Menton is organized by the Tourist Office of the city of Menton every year at the end of winter. You will find floats and sculptures created from lemons and oranges, produced in Menton.

We love:

  • Clean and flowery city
  • Beautiful museums

 

Monaco

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Monaco 🇲🇨 (@monaco.monte.carlo)

Visit the principality of Monaco, nestled on the cliffside between Nice and Menton.

This state occupies an area of 2.02 km2 which makes it the second smallest independent state in the world after the Vatican.

Monaco is THE city of luxury and splendor, you will find luxury stores and sports cars, each more beautiful than the others at every corner.

After visiting the Princely Palace on the Rock, go to one of the many casinos such as the Belle Époque style Monte-Carlo Casino and try your luck at roulette.

We love:

  • The oceanographic museum
  • The architecture of the buildings
  • The greenery and cleanliness of the city

 

Villefranche-sur-Mer

This small coastal town near Nice is the ideal place to rest and stroll by the sea.

Take a walk in the Citadelle Saint Elme dating from the 16th century, this imposing fortress was built in 1557 by order of Emmanuel-Philibert of Savoy.

Then go through the rue obscure, the obscure street classified as a historical monument, located along the rampart on 130 meters.

We love:

  • Small, intimate and welcoming city
  • The Royal Port of the dock
  • The numerous museums

 

Cassis

In this fishing port, you will find the atmosphere of the south. With its pastel-colored houses, Cassis is famous for its pebble beaches and its steep limestone cliffs.

The city is overlooked by a centuries-old castle from which you can admire a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea.

We love:

  • The Calanques
  • The port with its small authentic fishing boats

 

Fréjus

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Ville De Fréjus (@villedefrejus)

In this 2000 year old historical city, dive into a bath of history and culture.

You can discover the vestiges of the creation of the city under Julius Caesar, with its Roman amphitheater and its Roman aqueduct which extends over no less than 42 km.

In the evening, the city moves and wakes up, walk along the port and enjoy the long summer evenings on the terrace.

We love:

  • The history of the city and the mixture of cultures over the centuries
  • Its numerous monuments in a good state and its museums

 

Hyères

Facade hyères batiment

At the mouth of the Gapeau River, discover the peaceful and quiet city of Hyères.

If you want to explore the underwater world, this is the place to be. You will discover a rich and diversified fauna and flora, as well as the most beautiful wrecks in the Mediterranean sea.

The old salt marshes of the city are now an ornithological reserve which shelters more than 200 species of migratory or sedentary birds. You will be able to admire them from the many observation posts made available.

We love:

  • The farmers’ market
  • The luxuriant vegetation

 

Le Lavandou

Facing the Golden Islands and at the foot of the Massif des Maures is the pretty town of Le Lavandou.

This city, full of traditions, will transmit you its joy of living and its gaiety.

Visit Le Lavandou during the traditional festival of the Corso Fleuri organized in March before the arrival of spring where the lavandourains and lavandouaines put themselves to work to make floats decorated with thousands of fresh flowers.

We love:

  • The traditions of the city
  • The paradisiacal beaches

 

Saint-Raphaël

In this seaside resort, go, with your family or friends, spend unforgettable vacations.

Relatively less crowded than its neighbor Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël is the ideal place to rest and recharge your batteries after a year of work because it is relatively quiet all year round.

We love:

  • The mini-golf
  • The Louis de Funès museum