The French Riviera
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The French Riviera - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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16 Recommendations
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1. Cathédrale de la Nativité de la Vierge
In the center of the Old Town, the Cathédrale de la Nativité de la Vierge was built in the 11th and 12th centuries on the site of a Roman military drilling field and is a hybrid of Romanesque and Baroque styles. The smallest cathedral in France, it has been expanded and altered many times over the centuries. Note the rostrum added in 1499—its choir stalls are carved with particularly vibrant and amusing scenes of daily life in the Middle Ages. In the baptistery is a ceramic mosaic of Moses in the bulrushes by Chagall.
Pl. Godeau, Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06140, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
2. Cathédrale Notre-Dame-du-Puy
On a cliff top overlook at the Old Town's edge, this Romanesque cathedral contains no fewer than three paintings by Rubens, a triptych by the famed 15th-century Provençal painter Louis Bréa, and Lavement des Pieds (The Washing of the Feet) by the young Fragonard.
Pl. du Petit Puy, Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06130, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
3. Citadelle St-Elme
Restored to perfect condition, the stalwart 16th-century Citadelle St-Elme anchors the harbor with its broad, sloping stone walls. Beyond its drawbridge lie the city's administrative offices and a group of minor gallery-museums, with a scattering of works by Picasso and Miró. Whether or not you stop into these private collections (all free of charge), you're welcome to stroll around the inner grounds and circle the imposing exterior.
Harbor, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06230, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
4. Colline du Château
Although nothing remains of the once-massive medieval stronghold but a few ruins left after its 1706 dismantling, the name château still applies to this high plateau-like park, from which you can take in extraordinary views of the Baie des Anges, the length of Promenade des Anglais, and the red-ocher roofs of the Old Town. Children can blow off energy at the playground, while you enjoy a picnic with panoramic views and a bit of shade. You can also partake in the Communist party's annual Fête du Chateau in June or try yoga from May to October every Tuesday (€10, meetup at the snackbar "La Citadelle"). It's 213 steps to the top or you can use the free elevator next to the Hotel Suisse; alternatively, ascend the hill slower from the port side, near Place Garibaldi, which is a more gentle climb.
View Tours and ActivitiesPromenade des Anglais, east end, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06000, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
5. Fragonard
Built in 1782, this perfume factory is open to the public daily for free guided tours, and it has the best boutique: look for the Ma Fougassette (My Sweet Fougasse)—your home will have the wonderful scent of a Provence sweet, soft fougasse bread. Sign up for a do-it-yourself-perfume (DIYP) workshop for a more specialized memento of your visit.
View Tours and Activities20 bd. Fragonard, Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06130, France04–93–36–44–65Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Galimard
Tracing its pedigree back to 1747, Galimard is one of the world's oldest perfume houses. Today, its factory is open to visitors 365 days a year, where for €58 you can create and name your own perfume in a two-hour workshop. They're held daily at 10, 2, and 4 in Galimard's Studio des Fragrances around the corner ( 5 rte. de Pegomas); for those with more time, try the Haute-Parfumerie workshops with your very own nez to accompany your creations and a decadent Champagne break.
73 rte. de Cannes, Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06131, France04–93–09–20–00Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
7. Jardin Albert Ier
New TownAlong Promenade des Anglais, this luxurious garden stands over the delta of the River Paillon, underground since 1882. Every kind of flower and palm tree grows here, thrown into exotic relief by night illumination. Home base for many city festivals with its Théâtre de Verdure and also Ciné Prom in the summer, the garden is the starting point for Nice's Promenade du Paillon.
2–16 av. de Verdun, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06000, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
8. Jardin Thuret
To fully experience the Riviera's heady hothouse exoticism, visit this glorious garden, established by botanist Gustave Thuret in 1856 as a testing ground for subtropical plants and trees. Thuret was responsible for introducing the palm tree, which forever changed the look of the French Riviera. On his death, the property was left to the Ministry of Agriculture, which continues to dabble in the introduction of exotic species. Tours from 90 minutes up to three hours can be reserved in advance.
90 chemin Raymond, Antibes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06160, France04–92–38–64–70Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
9. Molinard
Established in 1849, Molinard offers an extensive tour that includes visits to the Soap Factory, the Distillery (witness "the nose" at work concocting new fragrances), and the Cream Room, where the packaging team hand-labels each bottle or pump. For €30—and without a reservation—you can create your perfume in a few basic steps (20 minutes).
60 bd. Victor Hugo, Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06130, France04–93–36–01–62Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
10. Monastère de Cimiez
CimiezThis fully functioning monastery is worth the pilgrimage. You can find a lovely garden, replanted along the lines of the original 16th-century layout; the Musée Franciscain, a didactic museum tracing the history of the Franciscan order; and a 15th-century church containing three works of remarkable power and elegance by Bréa.
Pl. du Monastère, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06000, France04–93–81–00–04Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Museum closed Sun. -
11. Musée Archéologique Marin
On the same quiet square as Église San Rafeu, this intimate museum has a fascinating collection of ancient amphorae gleaned from the shoals offshore, where centuries' worth of shipwrecks have accumulated. By studying this chronological progression of jars and the accompanying sketches, you can visualize the coast as it was in its heyday as a Greek and Roman shipping center. Take advantage of the temporary exhibitions held throughout the year (€4).
Rue des Templiers, St-Raphaël, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 83700, France04–94–19–25–75Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. Other hrs vary throughout the year. -
12. Notre-Dame-de-Vie
To find Picasso's final home, where he lived for 12 years until 1973, follow the D35 south of Mougins 2 km (1 mile) to the ancient ecclesiastical site of Notre-Dame-de-Vie. From his room, Picasso could see the 13th-century bell tower and arcaded chapel, a pretty ensemble once immortalized in a painting by Winston Churchill. The chapel, listed as a historical monument since 1927, is said to date from 1655. Approached through an allée of ancient cypresses, the former priory house Picasso shared with his wife, Jacqueline, overlooks the broad bowl of the countryside (now blighted with modern construction). Unfortunately, his residence was bought by a private investor and is now closed to the public.
Chemin de la Chapelle, Mougins, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06250, FranceSight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekdays in May, June, and Sept., and Mon.–Sat. Oct.–Apr. -
13. Port de Nice
Old TownIn 1750, the Duke of Savoy ordered a port to be dug to shelter the approach of the city's maritime traffic. It's still a safe harbor for freighters, fishing boats, and yachts, and its redevelopment has made it easier to take in the area's Genoese architecture or peruse the antiques at the Puces de Nice emporium and other shops along Rue Robilant, near the large Port Lympia parking lot. From June to mid-October (daily 10–7), the free shuttle Lou Passagin ferries you across the port from the Quai Lunel to Quai d’Entrecasteaux. In June, keep an eye out for the Fête du Port—a gastronomical explosion (and one of the rare occasions when you'll witness the French walk and eat simultaneously) outmatched only by fire-eaters and fireworks. From the port, you can take Bus 33 to visit the 16th-century Fort du Mont-Alban, which has exceptional views of Bordighera and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat all the way over to Baie des Anges (those curvy white buildings) and Antibes.
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06300, France -
14. Promenade du Soleil
Stroll the length of Menton's famous beachfront along the Promenade du Soleil: broad, white, and studded with palm trees, from Plage du Fossan in front of the covered market Marché des Halles westward to Plage de la Piscine, next to the indoor municipal swimming pool Les Bains du Cap (€7.50 entry). A little farther along the seaside walkway, Le Paradis de la Glace ice cream parlor is a reward any time of year.
Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06500, France -
15. Théâtre Romain
Northeast of Old Town and near the Porte de Rome is the Roman theater (circa 1st century). Its remaining rows of arches are mostly intact, and much of its stage, including the orchestra and substructures, are still visible at its center. Today, the site is known as the Théâtre Philippe Léotard (he was born in Fréjus), and it hosts Les Nuits Auréliennes every July.
Av. du Théâtre Romain, Fréjus, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 83600, France04–94–51–83–83Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. yr-round and Sun. Oct.–Mar. -
16. Villa Musée Fragonard
This museum headlines the work of Grasse's own Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806), who was one of the great French "chocolate-box" artists—so called because they were known for their maudlin artwork of a type that was found on boxes of chocolate at the time. The lovely villa contains a collection of Fragonard's drawings, engravings, and paintings; also on display are works by his son, Alexandre-Evariste, and his grandson, Théophile.
23 bd. Fragonard, Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 06130, France04–93–36–52–98Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free. €2 includes entry to Museum of the Art and History of Provence, Closed last 3 wks of Nov.
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