Things to do in Nice, France: day trips along the Riviera

Nice is the perfect spot for a summer holiday destination: close to the sea, not too big, not too small and with more restaurants, wine bars and patisseries than you could ever eat from.

The real gem about Nice however is the excellent transport links the city has along the southern coast meaning there are plenty of French Riviera day trips during your time in the city. The train line along the Côte d’Azur is fast, frequent and relatively cheap meaning you can explore most of these towns without breaking in the bank.

Here’s ten of the best for you to get our and explore the beauty of Provence and the south of France.

Antibes

Located only half an hour by rail from Nice, Antibes is one of the many stunning seaside towns that dot this coastline. The old port features a stunning seventeenth century fortress while the town, was once home to the artist Pablo Picasso. The museum of his work here is a must-see for anyone interested in art from the region while the beaches of nearby Juan-les-Pins are a sandy and stark contrast to the pebble beach of Nice. The annual jazz festival, Jazz à Juan also takes place here every July.

Cannes

Venture a little further west along the Riviera coast from Antibes and you’ll come to Cannes, the town best known for its international film festival. While the town certainly has got a rather glamorous feel (and potentially price tag) it is still a lovely place to spend the day without spending a fortune. As with Antibes, the beaches here are stunning and a stroll along the seafront with an ice-cream is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Monaco

Most of us will not be able to afford the glamorous lifestyle of Monaco, but as the principality is only a brief train ride away, it would be a shame to miss it while visiting Nice. The entire country is only a handful of square kilometres in size making it easy to explore. Gaze at the mega yachts in the port of Monte Carlo, and enjoy the many beautiful parks that dot this region: the Jardin Japonais on Avenue Princesse Grace, and the Jardin Exotique are both stunning spaces with the latter containing a Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology examining into the prehistory of this region.

Villefranche sur Mer

Situated on the opposite side of the bay in which Nice is located, Villefranche-sur-Mer is everything you think of when it comes to the Côte d’Azur: tranquil blue seas, boats bobbing in the harbour and cobble-lined streets for you to explore. The beaches here are pebbled rather than sandy but it is a bit easier on your feet than the beach in Nice. Rent a bike and cycle along the coast to this charming town or walk there if you have sensible shoes.

Grasse

Unlike the other towns on the list so far, Grasse is not a seaside resort but is instead located about an hour’s drive inland from Nice. Grasse is the home of perfume making in France and the countryside around here is some of the prettiest and most sweet-smelling that you will ever see. Tours of the perfumeries are inexpensive and are definitely worth it if you are in any way curious about the industry or the history of these scents.

Èze

Image courtesy of Roman Prykhodchenko.

If you happen to have an interest in hill walking or landscape photography then Èze is the place to be. The village is located about half way between Nice and Monaco and set atop a rocky cliff that provides spectacular views of the Mediterranean coast. While there is a train stop called Èze, it is still quite a way from the village so anyone with trouble walking should try and catch the bus instead. The views here a truly magical, especially from the Jardin Exotique. The village itself is cobble-lined and quaint and is a great place to relax over a glass of locally-made rosé.

Menton

If you have seen colourful seaside images of the south of France then most likely, you have seen images of Menton. The town is located just over the border from Italy and was once part of the Republic of Genoa which may account for the slight Italian feel to the buildings here. These days however the town is firmly French and was even home to famed French artist and filmmarker Jean Cocteau and a museum in his honour can be found on Quai de Monléon. Menton’s most famous export however are its citrus fruits and the Menton Lemon Festival which takes place at the end of February each year is a fantastic celebration of this. Think relief sculptures, parades and large floats all made from the humble lemon.

St. Paul de Vence

Another slightly inland spot, St Paul de Vence is a beautiful medieval village located inland from Cagnes-sur-Mer. Like most of the towns along the Côte d’Azur, St. Paul de Vence has a rich history of artists in residence and there are plenty of small private galleries and museums to take a peak in and pass the time. The Fondation Maeght contains works by Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky and Juan Miró among others and can be found on the edge of the city on Chemin des Gardettes.

Further Afield

Most of the towns and villages listed here are no more than an hour or two away from Nice by public transport. If you have a bit more time in Nice, or are prepared to get up a bit earlier for that matter, you could consider taking a day trip to somewhere a little further afield.

Marseille

Image courtesy of niall62.

Marseille is about two and a half hour’s drive from Nice, although there are direct buses and trains between the towns. While Nice is more of a town, Marseille is very much a city: stroll around the old port which has a local feel even in a big city, while the Le Panier district is a great place to wander and get lost in the city. Try Pizzeria Chez Etienne on Rue de Lorette for a beautiful fusion of Provençal and Italian palettes.

If you want to combine food and culture then check out the Museum of European and Mediterranean cultures (MuCEM) and its adjoining restaurant, La Table. Or for something a bit more budget-friendly, try Le Grain de Sel on Rue de la Paix Marcel Paul, on the opposite side of the old port.

Genoa

The Italian city of Genoa is about three hours from Nice by train, but really the journey is worth it. The port city’s stunning architecture, wealthy past and mouth-watering cuisine are all good enough to make the city a holiday destination in its own right, so if have a day or so to spare, try and make the journey. Genoa is the birthplace of pesto and this, along with cheese-covered focaccia, are two of the local dishes that have to be tried. The palaces and churches of this city deserve exploring but if you’re not an architecture connoisseur, try Les Rouges on Piazza Campetto, a cocktail bar in a former palazzo.

Are you interested in visiting the South of France? We have homestays in Nice and all along the French Riviera.

French Riviera Homestay