French Riviera tour Nice to Monaco: Small group van with guide

See four coastal towns and the Formula 1 circuit in one guided van ride

A small-group van tour departing Nice or Monaco with a live guide in English, Italian or French, visiting Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Monaco. The driver stops at viewpoints and photo spots throughout the route, takes you through the medieval streets of Eze and the Fragonard Perfumery, walks the Monte Carlo Casino square and the Prince's Palace, and ends with a stop in Nice's old town or vice versa depending on your checkout location.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Prince's Palace of Monaco15m
2. Monte Carlo Casino45m
3. Fragonard Perfumery50m

Explore French Riviera highlights

• Discover Monaco Principality Palace
• Walk Monaco old town and cathedral
• Walk Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit
• Visit Monte-Carlo Casino and shopping
• Explore medieval village of Eze
• Visit Fragonard perfumery in Eze
• Enjoy panoramic views at Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Discover Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula
• Stop for dinner in Nice old town

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel or a central point and travel in a van with no more than six or seven other people: small enough that the driver can pull over at the best vantage points without holding up a full coach. The route runs between Nice and Monaco, so you can start from either end depending on where you're staying. The driver is a real guide who knows the area and will point out the stops worth photographing and the quieter spots where you can actually stand still and look.

The van climbs to Eze, a medieval village perched on a hilltop with narrow cobbled streets and views down to the sea. You walk through the craft shops and stop inside the Fragonard Perfumery, where you learn how the scents are made. Entry is free and you can buy soaps and perfumes if you want. From there you drop down to Villefranche-sur-Mer, where the bay opens up. The natural harbor is ringed by a 16th-century citadel and lined with fishing boats. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a peninsula between Nice and Monaco known for its turquoise water and the villas tucked into the hillside. The van stops so you can see the coastline and the hiking trails that run along the cliffs.

Monaco comes next. You walk the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit (the same streets the cars race down every May), and end up at the Place du Casino, the legendary square in Monte Carlo where the Casino sits. The Prince's Palace is nearby, the official residence where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly were married. The cathedral where they wed is also in the old town. If your checkout is in Nice, the van takes you to the old town at the end of the day, where you can be dropped in front of a restaurant in the narrow alleys near the Cours Saleya market, or if you started in Nice, the route runs backward and ends in Monaco.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a small van.
• a live guide in English, Italian or French.
• stops at Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Monaco and Nice.
• free entry to the Fragonard Perfumery in Eze.
• photo stops at the best viewpoints along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tour privé d'une journée sur la Côte d'Azur

Is this one for you?The tour runs anywhere from two to ten hours, so you can book a short afternoon loop or a full day depending on what else is on your schedule. If you have a free afternoon and want to see four towns without renting a car or navigating public transport, this van fits the time. If you're short on hours, you can start and end in the same place and skip the longer route to Nice or Monaco.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

How long does the tour take from Nice to Monaco?

The tour runs between two and ten hours depending on how many stops you make and how long you spend in each place. The driver will adjust the pace to fit your interests and the time you have available.

What is the Fragonard Perfumery visit like?

Fragonard is a working perfume factory in Eze where you learn how traditional French scents are made. The visit is free and you can walk through the production area and shop for soaps, perfumes and decorative items on site.

Can I walk around Monaco and Eze on my own, or does the guide take me through?

The guide stops you at the key spots (the Prince's Palace, the Formula 1 circuit, the Casino square in Monaco, and the cobbled streets of Eze), but you walk through these places yourself. The driver points out what to see and where the best views are, then gives you time to explore.

Do I need to book entry tickets to the Prince's Palace or the Casino?

The tour includes stops at both the Prince's Palace and the Monte Carlo Casino, but entry to the interiors is not included. You can photograph the exteriors and the squares around them, and you're free to buy tickets separately if you want to go inside.

What is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat like?

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a peninsula with turquoise Mediterranean water, luxury villas built into the cliffs, and hiking trails that run along the coast with sea views. The van stops so you can see the landscape and walk the trails if you want.

Is the van comfortable for a full day?

The van seats six to seven people, so there is room to move and you're not packed in. The driver knows the area well and stops at peaceful spots throughout the day, so you're not sitting the whole time.