French Riviera, France - 10 day Itinerary
Expert Guidance
Even through the distances between the cities in the itineraries do not look much its best to split your stay into 3 logical clusters to avoid long drives:
- West Riviera (Var coast): Canadel-sur-Mer, Bormes-les-Mimosas, St. Tropez
- Central Riviera: Cannes, Antibes, Grasse
- East Riviera: Nice, Èze, Monaco
This region is compact (≈80 km stretch), making it perfect for slow travel with multiple bases
This is coming from our experience where we stayed in Canadel-sur-Mer for the entire duration and spent couple of hours daily travelling to different corners of this region. Also, that killed our hopes of spending late evenings in towns just because we had the compulsion to travel back.
Accommodation Strategy (Very Important)
- Base 1 (3 nights): Bormes / Le Lavandou (for Canadel + St Tropez coast)
- Base 2 (3 nights): Cannes or Antibes
- Base 3 (4 nights): Nice (best hub for Èze + Monaco)
This minimizes packing while keeping drives scenic and short.
Smart Travel Tips
- Use car for west + mountain drives
- Use train between Nice–Monaco–Cannes if needed (fast & scenic)
- Avoid long daily drives—your split bases solve this perfectly
- Start beach days early (less crowded)
Food Trail Summary (Don’t Miss)
- 🥘 Bouillabaisse (seafood stew)
- 🫓 Socca (street food)
- 🥗 Salade Niçoise
- 🍰 Tarte Tropézienne
- 🍷 Provençal rosé
- 🍨 Lavender ice cream (Grasse region)
- Crepes (along the scenic D559)
Routemap
Why this itinerary works
- Minimizes hotel changes (only 3 bases)
- Balanced mix of:
- Beaches 🌊
- Villages 🏘️
- Glam cities ✨
- Mountain drives ⛰️
- Includes slow mornings + relaxed afternoons
Scenic Drives You MUST Do
- Corniche des Maures (Bormes coast) - This is D559 route along the coast that takes you almost to Saint Tropez. Highly recommended!
- Esterel Coastal Road (red cliffs near Cannes)
- Grande Corniche (Nice → Èze → Monaco) ⭐ BEST
Day by Day Plan
Days 1–3: Canadel-sur-Mer, Bormes & St Tropez (Slow Coastal Living)
🚗 Stay: Bormes-les-Mimosas / Le Lavandou
Day 1: Arrival & Settle In (assuming many of you will be land on Nice the first day)
- Arrive (Nice airport → 2–2.5 hr scenic drive)
- Sunset walk in Bormes old village
- Dinner: Provençal cuisine
👉 Food: Ratatouille, bouillabaisse, rosé wine
Pro tip for Nice: Good to carry water shoes as most of the beaches along the Nice coastline are pebble beaches.
Day 2: Canadel-sur-Mer + Beach Time
- Morning: Plage du Canadel (less crowded, turquoise waters)
- Afternoon:
- Coastal drive via Corniche des Maures
- Evening: Le Lavandou promenade
👉 Food:
- Salade Niçoise
- Fresh seafood + aioli
Day 3: St Tropez (Glam + Old Charm): Party capital of Saint Tropez
- Early scenic drive (~45–60 min)
- Explore:
- Old port & pastel streets
- Citadel views
- Relax at Pampelonne Beach
👉 Food:
- Tarte Tropézienne (must-try dessert)
- Light lunch at beach clubs
🎬 Days 4–6: Cannes, Antibes & Grasse (Culture + Coastline)
🚗 Stay: Cannes or Antibes
Day 4: Drive to Cannes (via Esterel Mountains)
- One of the most beautiful drives in France
- Stop at:
- Red rock cliffs (Esterel massif)
- Evening in Cannes:
- Walk La Croisette
- Beachside sunset
👉 Food:
- Provençal tapas + rosé
Day 5: Antibes + Beach + Old Town
- Morning:
- Explore Antibes Old Town
- Port Vauban (yachts)
- Afternoon:
- Beach time (Plage de la Gravette)
👉 Food:
- Socca (chickpea pancake)
- Fresh gelato
Day 6: Grasse (Perfume + Hills)
- Short inland mountain drive (~30–40 min)
- Visit:
- Perfume houses
- Old town views
👉 This gives you your mountain experience (quiet + scenic contrast)
👉 Food:
- Lavender desserts
- Local olive oils
🌊 Days 7–10: Nice, Èze & Monaco (Iconic Riviera)
🚗 Stay: Nice (Best base)
Nice is ideal as a hub with easy access to all major towns within ~20–40 minutes
Day 7: Nice – Culture + Promenade
- Walk Promenade des Anglais
- Explore Old Town (Vieux Nice)
👉 Food:
- Socca, pissaladière, gelato
Day 8: Èze (Hilltop Magic) + Coastal Drive
- Drive the Grande Corniche (must-do!)
- Explore medieval village
👉 Highlight:
- Panoramic views over Mediterranean
👉 Optional:
- Perfume factory visit
Day 9: Monaco (Optional but Highly Recommended)
- 20 min from Nice
- Visit:
- Prince’s Palace
- Monte Carlo Casino
- Harbor
👉 Monaco is compact but luxurious and iconic
👉 Food:
- Fine dining or café-style Riviera lunch
Pro tip for Monaco: Monaco is a different country, connected with France, so be sure to carry your passports. Monaco is a Schengen state but not part of the EU. Therefore you might also be charged additional on your mobile data service provider if you have taken an EU only pack.
Day 10: Relax + Departure
- Morning beach / café hopping
- Optional:
- Cap Ferrat coastal walk
Like this itinerary? Make it Yours!
Planning something completely unique?
Planning something completely unique?
Planning something completely unique?
Planning something completely unique?
Planning something completely unique?
Want expert support while you travel?
Planning something completely unique?
Want expert support while you travel?
Our French Riviera Holiday Experience
Dijon - A surprise find on the way!
Dijon is the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France, one of the country’s principal wine-making areas. It’s known for its traditional mustard, vineyard tours, autumn gastronomic fair and building styles ranging from Gothic to art deco. The distinguished 1787 Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the vast Palace of the Dukes, holds a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, crafts and antiquities.
Exploring the beautiful Provence Region
This is our onward journey from Dijon to a community in Provence region of France called Volx. We stayed in the night in Volx to get chances closer to watch the lavender fields. The next morning we started from Volx to our abode in French Riviera - Canadel-sur-Mer. In this Episode we will be mostly on the road travelling through the gorgeous Massif Central range of France with some thrilling drive experiences while enjoying the nature all around.
Modern and Medieval Cities side by side !
We explore the ultra modern, flamboyant and buzzing city Monaco and Èze, a stunning medieval hilltop village on the French Riviera, perched like an "eagle's nest" over 400 meters above the Mediterranean Sea between Nice and Monaco. Known for its narrow, flower-filled cobblestone streets, art galleries, and panoramic coastal views, the village offers a glimpse into history, including the 12th-century castle ruins and the exotic garden.
Beautiful Nice and Glamorous Cannes !
Here we explore Nice, a premier city of the Côte d'Azur, celebrated for its 7 km pebble beach along the iconic promenade, sunny Mediterranean climate, and unique blend of French and Italian culture. After Nice we head to Cannes renowned for its blend of, high-end luxury, and Mediterranean charm, anchored by the famous Cannes Film Festival
The party capital of Saint Tropez!
Here we explore Saint Tropez, renowned as a luxurious, "pearl of the Mediterranean" that seamlessly blends high-end celebrity glamour with traditional Provençal charm. Key attractions include exclusive beach clubs on Pampelonne Beach, a yacht-filled harbor, upscale shopping, and a, historic, pastel-colored old town, offering a, vibrant, “good life” experience
Copyright © 2026 Beerman Travels - All Rights Reserved.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.