French Riviera West Coast tour from Nice: 6 villages and Grasse

Six medieval villages and the Riviera coast in one morning and afternoon

A 9-hour shared minibus tour from Nice visits the West Coast and countryside of the French Riviera with a qualified guide and driver, stopping at Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Paul de Vence, Tourettes-sur-Loup, Gourdon and Grasse. The group stays under eight travelers. You photograph the Palais des Festivals, walk the old towns, visit a perfume factory, and see the violet flower capital.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Fragonard Perfumery30m · entry included
2. Gourdon40m
3. Palais des Festivals30m

Explore French Riviera towns and villages

• Visit parfum factory or old town
• Visit medieval village with artist gallery
• Visit medieval village with Riviera view
• Take pictures at movie festival place
• Visit old town of fishing village
• Take pictures of violet flower capital

The experience

How do you fit six villages, two coastal towns and a perfume factory into one day without renting a car? The tour picks you up from your hotel in Nice and moves through the region in an air-conditioned minibus, stopping long enough at each place to walk around, take pictures and see what makes it worth the detour. Cannes gets time at the Palais des Festivals and the Croisette. Antibes is the fishing village with the old town. The smaller places (Saint-Paul de Vence, Tourettes-sur-Loup, Gourdon) are the ones most travelers miss, and they are where the day opens up: medieval streets, artist galleries, views that reach across the Riviera. Gourdon sits highest and has the most dramatic perspective.

The route also includes Grasse, the perfume capital, where you can either tour the Fragonard factory to see how scent is made or spend the time in the old town. The guide provides live commentary on the road between stops and speaks English, Spanish, French or German depending on the group. Timings shift with traffic, so the itinerary is flexible. The driver handles all the navigation and toll fees. Food and drinks are available for purchase along the way, but are not included.

Groups max out at eight people, which means the minibus does not feel crowded and the guide can answer questions without shouting. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nice are included, so you do not need to find the meeting point or arrange transport to the start.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nice.
• transport in an air-conditioned minibus.
• a qualified guide and driver.
• live commentary on board.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• driver's meal and toll fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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 due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Smartour Riviera

Is this one for you?The 9-hour day means an early start and a full afternoon on your feet moving between villages, so it suits travelers who are comfortable with a steady pace and want to cover ground rather than linger in one place. Groups stay under eight, which keeps the minibus intimate and the stops manageable without long waits.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Gourdon like, and why is it on this tour?

Gourdon is a medieval village perched on a hilltop with the most dramatic view of the French Riviera below it. The tour includes it because it is one of the most beautiful vantage points in the region and most visitors to Nice never find it on their own.

Do I get to go inside the Fragonard perfume factory, or just walk past it?

You visit the Fragonard factory itself and see how perfume is made. If you prefer, you can spend that time exploring the old town of Grasse instead. The choice is yours when you arrive.

How much walking is involved across the six villages?

Each village stop is a walk through the old town on foot, but none requires climbing or long distances. The terrain is uneven in places because the villages are medieval, so comfortable shoes matter more than fitness.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the stops, and you have time to eat at a café or restaurant in one of the villages if you want to.

Can I take photos at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes?

Yes. The tour includes time to photograph the Palais des Festivals and walk the Croisette, the famous seafront promenade where the film festival takes place.