You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to gorgeous French Riviera towns. But that also means knowing where to go on your first visit can feel overwhelming.
After several trips there over the years, I’ve rounded up my favourites to help you plan the ultimate Côte d’Azur itinerary.
This guide ticks off 10 of the best towns in the French Riviera, and the type of traveller they suit best. I’ve included a map, so you can pinpoint locations and plan an itinerary that works for you.
90% of these towns can be reached by train, making it easy to squeeze them all into a South of France itinerary by train.
Map of French Riviera Towns
Top 10 French Riviera Towns at a Glance
- Menton – Best overall
- Villefranche-Sur-Mer – Best atmosphere
- Eze Village – Best views
- Monte Carlo – Best glitz and glamour
- Beaulieu-Sur-Mer – Best chill vibes
- Antibes – Best Old Town
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Best beaches
- Saint Tropez – Best nightlife
- Cannes – Best events
- Nice – Best restaurants
Which French Riviera Town is Right for You?
| Town | Why Stay Here |
| Menton | Colourful, relaxed, and less crowded than its neighbours, Menton offers a perfect mix of beaches, Old Town charm, and Italian influence. Ideal if you want a bit of everything. |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer | With its pastel harbour, waterfront restaurants, and intimate feel, Villefranche has one of the most charming and authentic atmospheres on the Riviera. |
| Èze | Perched high above the coast, Èze Village delivers breathtaking panoramic views, winding stone streets, and a truly fairytale setting. |
| Monte Carlo | Think luxury hotels, designer boutiques, superyachts, and the iconic casino… Monte Carlo is pure Riviera glamour at its most extravagant. |
| Beaulieu-sur-Mer | Calm, elegant, and understated, Beaulieu is perfect for a slower-paced stay with beautiful beaches and a more local feel. |
| Antibes | Antibes combines a lively marina with a characterful Old Town full of markets, cafés, and historic streets. A great all-rounder! |
| Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Known for its crystal-clear water and scenic coastal paths, this peninsula offers some of the Riviera’s most beautiful and peaceful beaches. |
| Saint-Tropez | Famous for beach clubs, luxury parties, and late nights, Saint-Tropez is the go-to for high-energy, glamorous nightlife. |
| Cannes | Home to the Cannes Film Festival and a packed events calendar, Cannes blends beaches with a lively, upscale social scene. |
| Nice | Nice is a true foodie hub with everything from local Niçoise cuisine to Michelin-starred dining, all set against a vibrant city backdrop. |
1. Menton
Best overall
I really do feel like Menton has it all. Beautiful boutique hotels, stunning beaches, and gorgeous Provençal things to do, from browsing the daily market to browsing in the pop-up library.
It’s located right at the eastern end of the French Riviera, nudging up to the border with Italy. That means you can expect the ultimate chef’s kiss of French and Italian food combined.
Menton is only a 40-minute train ride from Nice, so you can easily do a day trip if you like. However, I recommend staying at least one or two nights to explore the gorgeous lemony old town in the early morning light.
Top tip: the sun sets behind the old town, so morning is the best time for photos.
Menton is known for its history in lemon production, so everything is citrussy sweet, from the homemade lemonade stands to the sunshine yellow Old Town.
If your idea of the perfect trip is nipping between wine bars in a drop-dead gorgeous old town and strolling the markets, then add this to your itinerary now!
2. Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Best atmosphere
Villefranche-Sur-Mer is easily one of my favourite French Riviera towns.
It has a gorgeous harbour lined with waterside restaurants, a laidback vibe, cool bars, and a postcard-perfect old town.
In fact, the Old Town is where I snapped my favourite pictures of the whole Riviera.
Villefrance also has a small sandy beach, which is rare for the French Riviera. You can reach this little town in under 10-minutes on the train from Nice, so you can pop over for the day or even just the evening.
If you’re heading there for dinner, I definitely recommend booking a table at DRY, and then Achill’s rooftop bar for drinks afterwards!
3. Eze Village
Best views
Not to be confused with Eze-Sur-Mer, which is a micro-town on the coast, Eze Village is situated on the hilltop above, famed for its maze of Medieval streets and history of perfume production.
It’s about 20 min taxi ride from Nice, which makes it perfect for day trips.
Go to the Botanical Gardens on the very top of the hill, with incredible views over Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and book a table at Hotel Chèvre D’or for lunch.
The Fragnard perfume factory is also worth popping into, and you can even book a class to make your own signature scent to take home, which is just the chicest souvenir.
Read my full Eze day trip itinerary here.
4. Monte Carlo
Best glitz and glamour
Of course, Monte Carlo is nothing new, but if you’re looking for glitz and glam gone mad, it’s ideal for a special evening out.
It’s just 30 minutes on the train from Nice and even closer from Menton, so you can easily spend the day and evening there without paying sky-high accommodation prices.
The over-the-top vibes might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely somewhere worth ticking off the bucket list. You can make like James Bond in the Monte Carlo casino, or take a walking tour of the famed F1 circuit if that’s your thing.
Or you can explore the clifftop old town and dig deeper into the fascinating history of this city-cum-country.
Top tip: Don’t forget your passport if you want to go to the casino.
5. Beaulieu-Sur-Mer
Best chill vibes
Beaulieu-Sur-Mer is all laid-back charm and natural beauty. The beach here is one of my favourites on the French Riviera; calm, uncrowded, and bookended by stunning scenery.
Also known as the Pearl of the French Riviera, this beauty spot is only a 10-minute train ride from Nice.
Beaulieu-Sur-Mer is known for being one of the more family-friendly towns in the French Riviera, so you might want to consider staying here if you’ve got little ones in tow.
There’s also a pretty harbour and seafront promenade made for strolling, while the town is crammed with charming boutiques and antique shops. La Javanaise is a lively beach club if that’s more your scene.
Behind the marina, there’s a row of classy restaurants to dip in and out of – I recommend Ambrosia for a special evening out!
6. Antibes
Best Old Town
Antibes – or Cap d’Antibes – boasts a famous port for yacht-watching and a gorgeous walled old town, all a 10-minute train ride from Cannes.
It makes a popular day trip from the city, but there’s so much to do in Antibes that you could easily stay for a few nights.
From the Picasso Museum to the dreamy beaches, coastal walks, sculpture parks, and art galleries, you’ll be spoilt for things to do.
Don’t miss the famous Provençal markets in the heart of town! There’s also a flea and antiques market a couple of times a week, so check the dates if you’d like to be in town on market day.
Port Vauban is also one of the biggest ports in the French Riviera, home to most of the coastline’s megayachts, which makes for some fantastic people watching!
7. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Best beaches
An exclusive peninsula jutting out into the azure sea right next door to Nice, Cap-Ferrat is famous for being home to some of the Riviera’s most exclusive hotels.
There’s not much to see here in the main town, which has a small marina and a handful of restaurants, but most come for the beaches.
It can be reached in about a 20-minute taxi ride from Nice, so it’s perfect for a beach day. Paloma Beach has the best views, while Plage Passable gets the afternoon sun. So, maybe make that two beach days!
Both have beautiful beach clubs where you can lounge amongst the billionaires while a waiter pours your rose… bliss. Just remember to reserve your sunbed well in advance if you’re travelling in peak season!
8. Saint-Tropez
Best nightlife
I could hardly write a guide to the best towns on the French Riviera without mentioning Saint-Tropez.
Honestly? I find it a little touristy and overcrowded, but it’s still fun to come for a day at a beach club or to spot celebrities in their natural habitat.
If you’re not staying in town, it can be one of the trickier French Riviera towns to get to from Nice or Cannes. I recommend getting the ferry or heading there on a day tour to maximise your time.
9. Cannes
Best events
Cannes has got to be one of the coolest cities in the world. It’s just got that cool girl energy, from the vast, seashell-shaped beach to the Belle Époque boutique hotels and beautiful people that frequent them.
Cannes is definitely worth staying a few days in to soak up all the atmosphere, and if you time it during the famous Film Festival, you might just be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.
Keep an eye on the events calendar for summer fireworks; they’re usually launched over the bay every weekend from late July through August as part of an international competition.
If you came to the Riviera for the beach clubs, then don’t forget to book ahead for a party at the famous beach club La Guerite – located on a tiny island just off the coast of Cannes.
10. Nice
Best restaurants
Nice is no secret – it’s often considered the gateway to the entire Côte d’Azur and is one of the biggest French Riviera cities.
However, I felt it was important to include, as it might be the place you end up basing yourself, and therefore, somewhere you’ll spend a significant portion of your trip.
While the city is large, the Old Town is small and walkable, and this is exactly where you’ll want to stay to have access to the best restaurants and most beautiful photo opportunities. You can also stay on the iconic Promenade des Anglais if you want to have direct access to the beach.
If food is a priority on your French Riviera trip, Nice is also hard to beat. The city strikes the perfect balance between refined dining and laid-back Mediterranean charm, with everything from traditional Niçoise bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants and buzzy wine bars.
Le Plongoir is the famous restaurant perched on top of a rock in the ocean, but it’s often impossible to get a table. You can try and walk-in for drinks, but sometimes the queue is crazy too.
Thankfully, there are lots of other options.
For a special occasion, Le Chantecler offers Michelin-starred elegance inside the Negresco; for a more modern, sociable feel, Les Agitateurs is one of the city’s standout contemporary restaurants; and for a classic taste of local cuisine, Le Panier is a favourite for traditional Niçoise dishes in the Old Town.
French Riviera Towns: FAQs
What are the best places in the South of France for young adults?
For a lively, social atmosphere, Nice is a top choice with its beach clubs, restaurants, and nightlife, while Cannes offers a more glamorous party scene, especially in summer. Antibes strikes a great balance with a charming Old Town and a buzzing bar scene, and Saint-Tropez is the go-to for high-energy beach clubs and luxury nightlife.
What is the prettiest town in the French Riviera?
It’s hard to choose just one, but Villefranche-sur-Mer is often considered the prettiest, thanks to its pastel-coloured buildings, curved bay, and relaxed, postcard-perfect setting. It feels quintessentially Riviera without being overly polished or crowded.
What are the prettiest towns in the South of France?
Beyond the Riviera, some of the most beautiful towns include Èze (a Medieval village with panoramic sea views), Saint-Paul-de-Vence (known for its art galleries and stone streets), and Gordes in Provence, with its dramatic hillside setting. Along the coast, Antibes and Menton are also standout favourites.
What is the nicest part of the French Riviera?
The stretch between Nice and Monaco is often considered the most beautiful, combining elegant cities, scenic coastal roads, and charming villages like Èze and Villefranche-sur-Mer. This area offers the perfect mix of beaches, culture, and classic Riviera views.
What is the best time to visit the French Riviera?
The best time to visit is May to June and September to early October, when the weather is warm, the sea is swimmable, and crowds are more manageable. July and August are peak season — vibrant but busy and expensive — while spring and early autumn offer a more relaxed, refined experience. If it’s your first time visiting, I recommend going in early summer.
Browse my Europe guides for more travel tips, or follow me on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest!
Have more questions about the best towns in the French Riviera? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply