French Riviera: Eze, Monaco & Cannes Day Trip from Nice

Summary

From Nice to Monaco and beyond—villages, perfume and sea air

You’ll wind through coastal roads from Nice to Eze village for perfume sampling, stroll Monaco’s palace square and glamorous streets, then wander markets in Antibes or art-filled lanes in St Paul de Vence—all with a local guide handling logistics so you can just soak up the colors and sea air.

What’s the experience like?

We were late leaving Nice because I couldn’t find my sunglasses—classic me. Our driver, Alain, just grinned and said the sun would wait for us (it didn’t). As we wound along the coast, he pointed out Villefranche below, all terracotta roofs and that weirdly blue water. I cracked the window for a second and got hit with this mix of salt air and something sweet—maybe jasmine? Alain said it’s everywhere here in spring. He told stories about old movie stars who used to sneak down to Cap Ferrat, but honestly I was mostly distracted by the light bouncing off those villas.

Eze was next, perched so high up I felt like we’d driven into a postcard. The stones underfoot were slippery from last night’s rain and I nearly slipped twice (nobody saw, thankfully). The Fragonard perfumery smelled like a hundred different flowers at once—our guide Marie made us guess which scents were in each bottle. I got one right (lavender) and she gave me a little wink. It’s touristy but fun; even Li laughed when I tried to say “parfum” in French—probably butchered it.

Monaco was…well, Monaco. Shiny cars everywhere, people dressed like they’re going to a film premiere at noon. We walked past the Prince’s Palace and watched some guards change shifts—more ceremony than action. Lunch was quick but decent (baguette with ham), eaten on a bench overlooking the harbor. After that came Cannes (I kept thinking someone famous might just walk by) and Antibes where you can smell fresh bread near the market if you stand close enough. St Paul de Vence was quieter—lots of art galleries and old men playing pétanque under plane trees. The whole day felt like flipping through channels on French TV: every stop its own story.

I still think about that view from Eze—the wind up there is different somehow, sharper maybe. If you’re looking for a day trip from Nice that crams in as much French Riviera as possible without feeling rushed (well, except for my sunglasses), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore French Riviera highlights

• Depart from Nice
• Admire Promenade des Anglais
• Enjoy panoramic view of Villefranche
• Visit village of Eze
• Tour Fragonard perfumery
• Walk Monaco old town streets
• See Prince’s Palace and Cathedral
• Drive along Formula One circuit
• Visit Monte Carlo casino area
• Visit Cannes beaches
• Explore Antibes town and market
• Discover St Paul de Vence village

Top questions

How long is the French Riviera day trip from Nice?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours including transportation to and from your hotel in Nice.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Nice are included in the tour price.

Does this tour visit Monaco and Monte Carlo?

Yes, stops include both Monaco (with Prince's Palace) and Monte Carlo's famous casino area.

Are entrance fees or guided visits included?

The guided visit at Fragonard perfumery is included; other stops are free to explore or view from outside.

Can cruise passengers join this tour?

No, this tour does not provide pickup or drop-off at cruise ports such as Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included; you'll have time to buy your own meal during stops like Monaco or Antibes.

What villages are visited on this French Riviera tour?

You’ll see Eze, St Paul de Vence, Antibes, plus city stops in Cannes and Monaco/Monte Carlo.

Are infant seats available on request?

Yes, specialized infant seats can be provided if requested during booking.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Nice, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver-guide throughout the French Riviera day trip, plus a guided visit at Fragonard perfumery in Eze before returning back to Nice after exploring each stop together.