Top French Riviera Tips

Moving around:

Towns like Nice, Antibes, Menton, Villefranche are very walkable.

Via Train:

• Use TER regional trains (cheap, frequent, scenic)

• Main route: Cannes → Antibes → Nice → Villefranche → Monaco → Menton

• Trains run every 15–30 min

• Best tip: Sit on the right side heading east (Nice → Monaco) for sea views

• No need to pre-book unless you're planning in advance

Via Bus (backup):

• Cheaper (€1.70–€2.50), but:

  • Slower

  • Affected by traffic

• Useful for Eze Village (hilltop)

About towns:

• NICE (Base City): best for sunset, shopping, mix of beach and city vibes

• Ville-franche-sur-mer: best for sunset, relaxed vibe, swimming in warm months

• Menton: colorfully vibrant; near Italy, so it has the Italian coast vibes. Famous for lemon, lemon sorbet, limoncello (Maison Gannac), homegrown jams (Maison Herbin). Best for colors, photos, quiet atmosphere. PS: Go earlier in the day

• Antibes: old town + coastal hike with amazing views and crystal clear gems

• Monaco: expensive but good for visiting the famous Casino and see harbor views

• Eze: hilltop village with breathtaking views, even for sunset. Go morning or late afternoon.

• Cannes: polished with glamorous vibes

• Cassis: charming and relaxed + Gateway to Calanques via sailboat

• Marseille: More “gritty” than Nice; stay aware but worth the visit

About Time allocation:

• Small towns: 1.5–2 hours

• Medium (Nice/Antibes): 2–6 hours (could use a full day, especially with beach/sunbathing time)

• Don’t try more than 2–3 stops per day

For Sunset views:

• Best sunset spots:

  • Villefranche-sur-Mer

  • Cannes

  • Eze

  • Nice promenade/hill

• Avoid Menton (wrong direction)

Food to try:

• Pastries (croissant and pain au chocolat) + granola at Blend Coffee & Vinyl Shop

• Socca (chickpea pancake)

• Salade Niçoise

• Moules et frites (if a fan)

• Pissaladière