What you’ll find in this article:
The French Riviera was one of those destinations we’d been putting off for a long time. It’s close by and easy to reach by car, but we always ended up choosing more distant trips instead.
Thanks to a long weekend in April, we decided to go with almost no expectations—and perhaps that’s exactly why it surprised us.
In four days, we explored some of the most iconic spots on the French Riviera, alternating between medieval villages, seaside towns, and more glamorous resorts, with Cannes as our base (centrally located relative to the other destinations, it offers plenty of lodging options and is a pleasant place to be even in the evening).
A perfect itinerary if you have just a few days and want to make the most of them.
🚗Our itinerary
Day 1
Departure from the province of Pavia → Èze Village → Nizza
Day 2
Antibes → Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Day 3
Saint-Tropez → Cannes
Day 4
Mentone → return to Bologna
What to See on the French Riviera in 4 Days:
✨ Èze Village
We started at one of the most picturesque spots of the entire trip: Èze is a small medieval village perched above the sea, with narrow alleys, stone buildings, and views that look like something out of a postcard.
As you stroll around, you’ll come across beautiful spots, including the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, but the most spectacular spot is the Jardin Exotique, which offers an incredible view of the coast.
It’s one of those places where it’s worth taking your time to get lost.
🌊 Nizza
In the afternoon, we headed to Nice.
We started at Place Masséna, then made our way into Old Nice, among the stalls and vibrant colors of Cours Saleya and the Cathedral of Saint-Réparate.
Climbing up toward the Castle of Nice, you reach one of the city’s most beautiful views. We then ended our tour at the Promenade des Anglais, a must-do at least once on foot while gazing out at the sea.
Nice struck us as elegant yet lively, more authentic than we had imagined.
⚓ Antibes
One of the highlights of the trip.
We started at Port Vauban, passing by Le Nomade, then headed into the city center through:
- Marché Provençal
- Musée Picasso
- Quartiere Safranier
- Place Nationale
Antibes has a relaxed yet lively atmosphere.
🎨 Saint-Paul-de-Vence
In the afternoon, we arrived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Small, artistic, and beautifully maintained.
With its cobblestone alleys, art galleries, and panoramic views, it’s one of those villages you can explore in just a short time but that leave a lasting impression.
🌴 Saint-Tropez
Here we have seen:
- Vieux Port
- Place des Lices
- Place aux Herbes
- Rue du Portail Neuf
- Rue de la Citadelle
- la Cittadella di Saint-Tropez
We also walked part of the Sentier du Littoral, which adds a more natural touch to the visit.
It’s very beautiful, but also very touristy.
🎬 Cannes
After Saint-Tropez, we finally spent some time in Cannes.
In addition to the famous Croisette, with its elegant promenade and iconic hotels, we saw:
- Palais des Festivals, with the famous staircase
- the Le Suquet neighborhood, the old part of town, which we liked better than the glamorous area
- the viewpoint on Le Suquet hill, overlooking the harbor
- the Marché Forville market, which is very authentic
And perhaps it is precisely this contrast between luxury and the local spirit that makes Cannes so interesting.
🍋 Mentone
The last stop before heading home, and it was a wonderful surprise: colorful, bright, and with an almost Italian atmosphere.
We strolled through:
- the historic center with its pastel hues
- Saint-Michel Basilica
- the scenic stairways of the Upper Town
- the boardwalk
But the place that left the deepest impression on me was the Cimetière Monumental du Vieux Château, built on the site of the ancient castle.
More than just a scenic viewpoint, it’s one of those places with a special atmosphere. From there, an extraordinary view opens up over the sea and the rooftops of Menton, and there’s something deeply poetic about the idea of eternal rest with such a panorama before you.
If you have time, the famous gardens of Menton are also well worth a visit.
Where to Eat in Cannes
Although he mainly used Cannes as a base, he also treated us to two excellent dinners that are worth mentioning.
🧀 The Epicurieux
A very pleasant atmosphere and creative French cuisine.
We were particularly impressed by the honey-roasted Camembert—truly unforgettable—but overall, we had a wonderful meal.
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a relaxed dinner with beautifully presented dishes, I’d highly recommend it.
🥙 Beryte
A Lebanese restaurant where we had a truly wonderful meal, with beautifully presented dishes and authentic flavors. It’s perfect if you’re looking for an alternative to French cuisine and want to treat yourself to a dinner that’s a little different from the usual.
It was a lovely surprise for us.
💡 Practical tips
🚗 How to get around
For this itinerary, a car was the best choice.
Pros:
- maximum freedom
- It’s easy to combine multiple stops
- easier access to the villages
Cons:
- traffic during peak season
- often expensive parking lots
📅 When to go
April was perfect for us: pleasant temperatures, beautiful light, and still few crowds.
Probably one of the best times to visit the French Riviera.
⏳ How many days does it take?
Four days are enough for a complete first itinerary.
If I had more time, I would add:
- Monaco
- Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Cap Ferrat
Final Thoughts
The French Riviera surprised us: it’s not just about luxury and glamorous resorts, as people often think, but also about authentic villages, incredible views, and towns with very distinct personalities.
Of all the places we visited, our favorites were Antibes, Èze, and Menton.
If you’re looking for a trip close to Italy that’s easy to plan but full of variety, this is the perfect destination.
