French Riviera Highlights -

French Riviera Highlights

9 Days | Self-Drive Trips & Tours

Experience the highlights of the French Riviera.

Premium | From $4,299 pp

Discover the beautiful French Riviera. Admire the fantastic panorama and walk by the waterfalls and gardens. Discover the region's famous wines and meals during a guided evening tasting. Take a boat to discover the fabulous Saint Tropez. You'll have the whole day to discover the Principality of Monaco, its museums, its monuments, its walks, and, above all, its magic. This tour would be a wonderful extension to a Provence or Paris trip.

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Day 1: Cadière d'Azur

Pick Up Rental Car

Upon your arrival, a rental car will be at your disposal for the length of your stay. Thus, you can move freely and comfortably. On the day of departure, you will drop off the vehicle in Nice.

Overnight with Breakfast at a Spa Hotel Located between Provence and the Côte d’Azur

Day 2: Sainte Maxime - Grimaud

Morning Suggestion: Visit Sainte-Maxime

The resort of Sainte-Maxime is on the Mediterranean, on the north coast of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, which it faces across the water. This beach town backed by hills has almost the perfect Mediterranean climate – sunny and temperate, sheltered from northerly winds.

The charming and small Riviera town is lovely to visit on foot, letting the gentle ocean breeze relax and comfort you. The small town center can get quite busy and lively during the summer, so there’s never a dull moment. There are numerous restaurants, cafés, and shops to satisfy every taste.

Sainte-Maxime is a pleasant town and makes an enjoyable break from the beach, and the walk around the port is lovely. But people don’t visit Sainte-Maxime for the town, they come for the coast and sunshine!

The main beach in the center of Sainte-Maxime is nice and sandy and there are lots of watersports to keep you amused.

There are several other beaches close by, including Plage de la Croisette, and several beaches as you follow the coast towards Saint-Raphael including the Plage de la Mardrague, the Plage de la Nartelle, and the Plage des Eléphants. All the beaches are sandy, it’s just a question of how far you want to go and explore!

Private Traditional Fishing Boat Tour

In this unusual tour, you will get to enjoy the sunset from a boat on the water. A trip with beautiful views of the coast of Saint-Tropez. Indulge in a platter of cheese and cold cuts along with carefully selected wines. The boat is a traditional Pointu from Provence.

Overnight Stay with Breakfast at a Charming Hotel in the Small Picturesque Coastal Town of Sainte-Maxime, Situated in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Day 3: Grasse - Sainte Maxime

Shared Perfume Workshop

Enjoy the living patrimony by creating your own customized vial of perfume from ninety essences present in the boutique. You will first attend the workshop provided by an expert perfumer and subsequently, with his help, make your own perfume to take home.

Overnight Stay with Breakfast at a Charming Hotel in the Small Picturesque Coastal Town of Sainte-Maxime, Situated in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Day 4: Saint Maxime - Saint Tropez

Boat Ticket Sainte-Maxime – Saint Tropez Round Trip

Take the shuttle boat to Saint Tropez to spend a quiet day

Saint Tropez, city in France

Half-Day Private Guided Tour of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez Wine Region

Discover the oldest wine-growing region in France through a walk in the vineyards, a visit to the wine cellars, and an introduction to wine tasting. Whether they are located next to the sea or on the plains, whether they belong to small family farms or large estates, each winery produces wines of a particular type. There is so much to discover between a walk at Saint Tropez and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

Your local wine-loving guide is ready to share her passion and show you the hidden side of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. At the heart of the Côtes de Provence AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) there are exceptional terroirs only a stone’s throw away from the most renowned beaches of the French Riviera.

Overnight Stay with Breakfast at a Charming Hotel in the Small Picturesque Coastal Town of Sainte-Maxime, Situated in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Day 5: Cannes - Cagnes Sur Mer - Antibes

Entrance Ticket to the Picasso Museum in Vallauris

Within the walls of the priory of Vallauris, in the heart of the old town, the Pablo Picasso National Museum “War and Peace” occupies the space of the Romanesque chapel. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Magnelli Municipal Museum, and the Museum of Ceramics, and is the first step in a journey through the city linking the places where Picasso lived and worked.

A resident of Vallauris from 1948, Picasso chose this chapel to install a monumental mural composition entitled “La Guerre et la Paix.” During the Korean War, as a member of the French communist party, Picasso campaigned for the Peace Movement, designing the dove that would go on to be used around the world. He decided to create a monumental artwork that would express his political views. In 1951, over the course of a dinner in the nave of the castle’s chapel held by the Vallauris potters in honor of his 70th birthday, Picasso expressed his desire to decorate the vaults. He had a vision of turning the old deserted sanctuary into a sort of Temple of Peace.

Day at Leisure on the Beaches of Cannes

Explore the beautiful beaches in Cannes!

On foot, you can reach the beaches that spread all over the city. Here you can enjoy the sun on the beautiful Côte d’Azur, while you relax in a sun lounger and take in the Mediterranean Sea.

five unique summer experiences in france

Suggestion: Shopping at Polygone Riviera

Polygone Riviera is a shopping center located in Cagnes-sur-Mer in the Alpes-Maritimes France and inaugurated in 2015. It has around 100 shops, 20 restaurants, a complete signature dining experience, a 10-screen multiplex cinema, a fitness center, a casino, an open-air theater, artwork, and much more!

Overnight Stay with Breakfast in a 4-Star Hotel on the Beach in Antibes

Day 6: Cannes - Mougins - Antibes

Bay of the Angels – Private Tour with Licensed Driver-Guide

Your licensed driver-guide will pick you up from your accommodation for a full-day tour.

Antibes, Cannes & Mougins: three iconic sites of the French Riviera that include the most beautiful town, the most glamorous city, and the most exclusive village. And as one may expect, there are some exceptional scenic routes with panoramic stops.

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors and shore excursions from the port of Cannes or Antibes.

Overnight Stay with Breakfast in a 4-Star Hotel on the Beach in Antibes

Cannes and its port, city in France

Day 7: Saint Paul de Vence

Private Visit and Wine Tasting in Saint Paul de Vence

The Cave de Saint-Paul dates from the 14th century. It is located on two levels below street level and its walls are more than one meter thick. The temperature is constant (between 12°C and 15°C) and the hydrometry is about 80%, naturally ventilated by traditional cellar aeration. Being sheltered from the sun, the bottles are lit by special lights without producing heat.

All of the wines on offer have been selected during an organoleptic tasting. This rigorous selection favors winegrowers who respect ancestral traditions, their terroir, and nature.

They offer a wide range of organic wines and wines from sustainable agriculture and biodynamic farming.

Overnight Stay with Breakfast in a 4-Star hotel in Saint Paul de Vence

bottles of wine in Burgundy, france

Day 8: Monte Carlo

Suggestion: Visit the Principality of Monaco

Take the day to discover Monaco: the museums, the monuments, and above all, the magic. The Principality, the second smallest country in the world, is located near the border between southern France and northern Italy. Home to a world-famous casino, the Grand Prix, luxury services, and lush gardens, Monaco is a dreamy destination.

Visit the Casino of Monte Carlo, the gardens, and the nearby Hotel de Paris. Day and night, people flock to this mythical place. Explore its impressive architecture and grandiose rooms. It’s a pleasure whether you prefer to play yourself or just watch. Consider a pause at the Café de Paris’ terrace to watch the world pass by and indulge in a cold drink or an ice cream.

Walk through the old city, by the cathedral and the palace. The changing of the guard at 11:55 am is a visitor favorite.

Port Hercule gives off a James Bond feel with its resplendent yachts, the Grand Prix circuit, and the towering Oceanographic Museum, which is also known as “Temple of the Sea.”

Overnight Stay with Breakfast in a 4-Star hotel in Saint Paul de Vence

Monte Carlo, city in Monaco

Day 8: End of Our Services

Drop off Your Car Before Heading Home

Drive to Nice  and return your rental vehicle prior to boarding your onward flight or train.

Map

About this trip

    • Enjoy 24/7 English-spoken telephone assistance while traveling
    • This itinerary includes transport, activities, guides, accommodations with breakfasts, and other listed services
    • Price is in USD per person, assuming double occupancy. Note that prices and availability are subject to change.

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Unique Experiences | Private Transportation (luxury vehicles) | Private Tours | Top Licensed Guides | Meet & Greet | Fine Dining | Luxury 5* Accommodation (hotels, villa rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

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Unique Experiences | Private Transportation | Private Tours | Self-drive | Top Licensed Guides | Authentic & Boutique 4* Accommodation (hotels, apartment rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

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