Ultimate One Week Itinerary French Riviera | Top places to visit South of France
So, I think we have 100% found our favorite spot on the French Riviera. This has just blown us away. Welcome back to our channel, guys, and welcome to the French Riviera. And in this vlog, we’re going to be giving you the perfect itinerary to see some of the best spots on the French Riviera. We’ll be including places like Nice, Monte, Monontton, Monaco, and more. Including places where to eat, what to see, and how to get around. I love it. It’s amazing. And before we get started, a quick thank you to today’s sponsor, Wise. We’ve been using Wise for years for all of our travels. And honestly, we wouldn’t travel without it. It lets you spend in over 40 currencies, and we even use it for sending and receiving money, too. It has way lower fees and real exchange rates. We’ll share more about how it works later on in the video. And if you want more info, then hit the link in the description and how to sign up. Let’s get started with the perfect 7-day itinerary in the French Riviera. Welcome to the south of France. So, for the first half of this itinerary, we based ourselves in Nice. It’s the unofficial capital of the French Riviera, but it was a perfect base for day trip to surrounding towns, which we’ll cover throughout this video. And the chances are you’ll probably be flying in and out of Nice as well, so it’s a great place to start off. I love Nice. I love Nice. And on day one, we are kickstarting in Plus Masa. So, Plus Masenna is a public square. It’s kind of where old meets new. beautiful colorful buildings, sculptures, fountains, and from here you can jump on a tram to pretty much anywhere in Nice. But it’s also a few steps away from our next stop, which is the old town. For us, we love an old town. It always just oozes history, and there is always so much to do. Here, you can get lost in the laneways, shop for some souvenirs, and sit down at Buloni Jano. If you want a quick grab and go, it’s a great pit stop. The choice inside is absolutely unreal. But take our recommendation. Just grab a seat, people watch, and enjoy those French pastries. You cannot come to France and not have a croc monsure. The price was also very reasonable at just under €11. You won’t be wandering long before you stumble upon N’s markets. And now we find ourselves in Marsh or Flur, which we think means market of flowers or just flower markets. In our opinion, this is a must. It’s a market packed full of amazing things for sale. So much color, so many smells, and everything from flowers, fresh produce, artwork, lavender, soaps, and so much more. We guarantee you’ll leave with at least one souvenir. Oh my gosh, smells so good. Be using that later. And conveniently located just beside the market is the beach. The prominard beach runs parallel with the market. So just walk through one of the many cutthroughs and you’ll find yourself in a bustling part of Nice. It stretches for 7 km and it’s where everyone comes to soak up the sun. And on a sunny day, we cannot think of a better place to be in Nice. At the very top end is the iconic I love Nice sign. You can’t come to Nice and not come to the I heart Nice sign. Have to do it is I love I love Nice. Same thing. I love Nice. I love Nice. And right beside the I love Nice sign is a viewpoint which is definitely worth the 3 to 5 minute walk up the stairs because you get amazing views of that whole coastline of Nice. Look for the staircase leading up to Blander Tower. It is around 300 steps. So take your time, but trust us, it’s totally worth it for one of the best panoramic views of the city. [Music] For those of you that need assistance as well, apparently there is an elevator hidden around the corner and it’s also free. And after all of those steps, it’s definitely time to treat yourself to a good feed. Head back to where the markets were and you are spoiled for choice with restaurants. We were just walking past Mamame Mia and the pizzas looked so good, we just had to go in and they didn’t disappoint. We actually ended up sharing one because they were just so big. It doesn’t even fit on the plate. The plate’s massive. The pizza’s too big. She’s gone in. That’s so thin. That is amazing. Really well. How much you reckon? 25. How much? 25. Is it? Bang on. And for dessert, a crepe, of course, because we are in France after all. We found this small hole in the wall where the crepes are being made right in front of us. I mean, just look at that. How can you refuse? Hope you like sugar. Naughty. Thank you. Have a nice day. So, we’ve ticked off pan chocolate. Of course, we had to try the crepe. I went for the traditional lemon and sugar. So, I’m going to cover it with lemon. Is that okay, D? It looks dense. I mean, it’s just a really great pancake. It was so good. That’s the end of day one, and now time to head into day two on this itinerary. We recommend checking out one of the many coastal towns along the French Riviera. And what better place than Vil Franchare. [Music] Now, there’s two ways of getting here. Either by train or by bus. Both will take a similar amount of time, but we opted for the bus for this reason. You get dropped off at this incredible viewpoint, and the views are just out of this world. The water is just insane. those sapphire and aqua blues. Mix that with the old town in the background, you can see why this is a popular spot to visit for the day. From up here, it’s just a short walk down to the beach. But take our advice, maybe avoid visiting on a weekend because a spot on the beach can be hard to come by. That was a lot harder than we thought it was going to be. Beautiful, but it’s hot. You can reserve a dayb bed at the beach club, but at €4, it is pretty pricey. There’s a handful of places open that sell food and drinks, but we recommend bringing a pack lunch or maybe just some snacks so you can save some room for lunch because as you can see the old town is full to the brim of restaurants to choose from. So, we’ve just finished up at the beach. We’ve had an amazing couple hours, literally just silent ourselves. The ocean is so fresh, so amazing. And one of the best things about this beach is you are literally a 5 10-minute walk from the old town. But don’t make the same mistake that we did. Most places were about to close since it was at the end of lunch servings. I mean, we did have a valid excuse as we were enjoying the beach a little too much. So maybe research in advance any you’d like to visit and time it right. Franch was one of our favorite places on the French Riviera and it’s the perfect day trip where you can see pretty much everything in a day. We actually decided to head back to Nice for dinner as there was a place on our bucket list. Now this place was called Lavia and as you can see by the queue, it was on everybody else’s too. All right, so we’ve just joined the end of the line, but it does seem to be moving very quickly. So fingers crossed it won’t be long till we’re sat on the table ordering Italian food in France. To be honest, the line went down super quick, but the tables filled up just as quickly. So definitely get there early. Now, the reason why we went for this place is cuz it had a very famous dish, which was the riatoni. We’ve also gone for the lasagna as well. We are very close to the Italian border, so the Italian cuisine here is fantastic. Oh my god. Oh my gosh. Are you eating for a family of six? I feel rather sick right now. That was incredible. But the portions were so huge. I honestly did not expect it to be a size for a family of four. Are we in France or are we in Italy? I mean, we could be in either, right? It feels so Italian here. It’s so weird, but I love it. It’s amazing. Since we already had creps, it was time to try, you guessed it, gelato. Now, there’s a place called Finocio, a three generation gelatia that has every flavor imaginable. And €250 for a scoop. And that’s a generous scoop as well. That’s pretty good. Come on. [Music] Day three, we are exploring another new town which is only 20 minutes from Nice and that is on. [Music] And we’ve made it to so that actually only took 20 minutes from Nice, which was actually really straightforward. We had actually never even heard of the town on Tib until my sister told me that she was going here on holiday. So, we decided to nick her idea and head first. On might just be one of the most charming towns on the French Riviera. The old town is a short walk from the station. It’s a maze of narrow alleyways, cute boutique shops, souvenir stands, and cozy restaurants that just spill out onto the streets. We’d only been here for a few minutes and we were already in love. Large Pro Plans is the heart of the town in every sense. It’s a proper local market packed with character and unbelievable smells. Herbs, spices, lavender, fresh fruit, fresh veg, cured meats, cheeses, you name it, it’s here. There’s this amazing mix of locals doing their weekly shop and tourists like us just soaking it all in. It’s a little chaotic, but that’s what makes it so awesome to experience. From the market, we wandered over to Plus National, one of the main squares in on. Around lunchtime, there’s a buzzing atmosphere with restaurants lining the edges and tables filling up the center. We grabbed lunch at Laustik. Pizza and pasta seems to be our go-to on the French Riviera at the moment, but when it looks this good, you can see why. We also might be carolics. It’s so good. One more thing to note is actually a lot of restaurants open and close at certain times throughout the day. Most open around 12 and close around half past 2 and reopen again around about 6. So definitely do your research in advance if there is a particular restaurant you want to eat at. And so that bill came to €33.50 and that was for pasta, a pizza, and we shared a bottle of water. After lunch, we walked to the Picasso Museum. It’s set inside the Chateau Grimmaldi building which is an old medieval fortress right on the coast. What we didn’t realize is actually until we got there, this is actually where Picasso lived for a short time in the ‘ 40s. It’s definitely worth paying for a ticket because inside there’s a mix of paintings, sketches, and ceramics done by Picasso himself. But I think I could actually do that. I think you could do a better job than that. Picasso, what were you thinking? And on a hot summer’s day, it’s quite nice to cool off inside and then soak in that sea breeze and coastal views from the terrace outside. It’s actually extremely peaceful here. And from here, it’s just a short walk to Plage Devette. This is a small beach tucked into the old city walls. We actually wish it was a hot summer’s day because that water looked so tempting. The beach isn’t massive, but it is sheltered, familyfriendly, and the water is that perfect turquoise. Of course, we could not leave on tea without having gelato. We found Gelatia del Porto. It had a queue, so that’s always a good sign. And it didn’t disappoint. And they are generous with their scoops as well. These have to be the prettiest gelatoes we have ever ordered. That was just one scoop. This is a mango sorbet. And this is mint chop chip with vanilla. Now, this is the taste test. [Music] Oh my god. [Music] Oh my god. That is so fresh. I’m never going to be able to eat all this. And it’s melting already. Not bad for €4. On really surprised us. It’s small, walkable, full of life and history. You probably could do everything in a day. However, if you had a bit more time, you might even want to stay in on as well. Day four is going to be a travel day, and in this itinerary, we are spending the second half of our trip in Montton. By the way, the train has proven to be the best mode of transport across the French Riviera. There’s always heaps of trains leaving in every direction throughout the day. One thing we recommend is timing your journey though, because leaving at the wrong time, that train can get absolutely packed. After arriving in Montton, we literally dropped off our luggage and went straight out. So, guys, this is our view. Look how sick that is. One thing you’ll come to learn is the town’s affiliation with lemons. There are lemons everywhere. Apparently, because of the mild subtropical climate here, it’s perfect for growing lemons, which is why they are larger and sweeter. Alex is a little bit in love with Montton because she is stopping at every opportunity to get a video of absolutely everything. On a sunny day, there really is no better way to spend the day than at the beach. The beach on our list was Plage Delet. I think I’m pronouncing that correctly. This is the beach that’s plastered all over the internet whenever you search Montton online. Take the short walk down the jetty because you get this incredible view of the Montton skyline. It honestly has to be one of the most impressive and beautiful skylines, not just in the French Riviera, but possibly in the whole of Europe. So, I think we have 100% found our favorite spot on the French Riviera. This is just blown us away. If you walk up past the beach, you just get this incredible view of the whole of Menon Town. Mon, I should say James feels like it’s giving Chinkera vibes, which I guess it does a little bit, but it doesn’t feel as Italian. It definitely still has that French vibe. It’s honestly just stunning, and I cannot wait to go and lie down on the beach and jump in the water because it looks amazing. The beach itself is huge, so you won’t struggle to find a spot to sunbake. Take our advice, bring an umbrella, towel, and a book, and just relax here for the whole day. Ultimate relaxation. And because the beach is closed off in this kind of bay, the water was super calm, crystal clear, and just perfect for swimming. You get a real mix of locals, tourists, kids playing in the shallows, and you can see why people love it here. After the beach, it’s definitely worth heading back into the old town. If you know us, we couldn’t resist a naughty crepe. I mean, we are in France after all. And if you’re looking for a nice place for dinner, we went to Il Capriio. When the kitchen uses guanchal in their carbonara, you know it’s legit. I mean, look at this. You know what I want to sing right now? The bolognese also looked and tasted amazing. Not going to lie, it didn’t last long and we only wish we ordered two. That was absolutely delicious. We definitely need this walk home after all that pasta. Day five. We really recommend spending another day in Montton. Let’s be honest, it can be pretty exhausting when you are hopping from town to town. And Montton really is so beautiful, so it’s worthy of another day. We found this cute bakery called John Luke Pelle. It’s in a good spot between the train station and the old town. We like this place so much, we actually came here a couple of times. They’ve got lots of options inside from savory to sweet sandwiches, wraps, cookies, desserts, bread, and of course, coffee. Price-wise, we thought this was very reasonable, too. Remember that cathedral that sits at top the Montton skyline? It really is worth exploring up close. There’s a route that will take you through the back streets of the old town, and when you arrive, it is absolutely stunning. And I think we’re nearly there cuz I can see the uh steeple above me and it is so beautiful. It also happens to be at the very top of that beautiful staircase from the prominard which you can use to take you right back down to the beach. Montton Oldtown is so beautiful. So definitely spend more time getting lost in the streets because you will 100% end up stumbling across something that will catch your eye. Alex, I found you. Now I know we said town hopping can be tiring, but hear us out. There is a town only 20 minutes away by train and it also happens to be in Italy. This town is called Venti Millia and it sits just across the border for Montton. This is also an opportunity to tick another country off your list during your vacation. Italy. Italy. It’s a simple small seaside town and we didn’t get chance to visit the old town, which is something that you might want to look into. But what did we eat? You guessed it, pasta. I mean, it is Italy and they always know how to do it right. Does pasta taste better in Italy? Let’s see. It does taste better. We ate at ill gutapado, but there’s heaps of other options, too. Carb overload. Now, day six, we will be exploring another new place and another new country. The second smallest country in the world, to be precise. Monaco. Both of us had never been before, and like most traveling here for the first time, we had our bucket list tourist spots to tick off. Monaco is actually only a 20inut train ride from Montton. And once you’re there, make sure you read the signs on the platform because the exits will take you in different directions. So perhaps sus out in advance what you plan to see first because one wrong turn and you are starting on the back foot. We grabbed a sweet treat from this place called Artisan Bologan. They had a bunch of fresh options inside to choose from. These strawberry tarts just looked naughty and it was equally delicious. Oh no. Oh no, it’s gone over your shirt. Then we made our way to Monte Carlo Casino. This was where we realized Monaco really has money. It is oozing money. Supercar after supercar after supercar. We have never seen so many expensive luxury cars in one spot. You don’t even have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy these cars. They’re also parked right outside the casino and the whole square is buzzing. It’s free to enter the lobby of the casino and inside is gorgeous. And welcome to Monte Carlo Casino and it is definitely oozing James Bond vibes. It’s pretty impressive. If you did want to dabble a little bit with betting, there is an entry fee of €19 per person, but you do get back a€ 10 voucher, which you can use in the casino. It’s casual dress code in the day, but after 7:00 p.m., it is a smart dress code. And right beside the Monte Carlo Casino, you can shop till you drop. You have some of the most luxury brands you can think of. They are sandwiched together. I dare to think how much people spend when they come here. It is ridiculous. And if you’re like us and you are on somewhat of a budget, they also have a Zara. There’s a sale. By now, you’re probably building up an appetite. For lunch, we found this spot called Steak and Shake. It’s only 10 minutes from the casino and in a great spot on the harbor. It’s also one of the more reasonable restaurants-wise, as Monaco can be expensive. The burgers were pretty good. I mean, we do love a smash patty, so we’re always going to be biased. And just across the road is Hercules Harour, where it’s time to admire the super luxury yachts. Let’s go have a look at the yachts that we’re never be able to afford. I don’t think I’ve ever seen yachts that have like four stories. It just smells of money. Wonder how much a yacht like this costs. We actually just spoke to one of the members of the staff and I asked, “How much is it?” He went, “Cash in hand.” I was like, “Yeah.” He went 20 mil and it’s 10 years old. For the best views of Monaco, walk up these steps to Pale Muse. It’s a bit of a clump, but plenty of chances to relax on the way up. And once you’re at the top, the views are your reward. Up here you will also be rubbing shoulders with royalty because this is where the prince of Monaco lives in his castle and built in 12:15. So this is pretty old and beautiful. There is also a change of guard that happens at around 11:55 every single day. Jot down that time. And right in front of the castle is the old town of Monaco. It has the signature beautiful French Riviera architecture, colorful buildings, cute laneways, and plenty of places to grab some souvenirs. Day seven. Today is a sad day because it’s the day of departure. Now, this is an itinerary designed to be loose. Depending on the amount of days you have in the French Riviera, you can either slow down or squeeze in more sites and towns. Eza is a worthy mention which we didn’t get the chance to visit among a few other places. But let us know if you have a favorite part you’d like to visit from this vlog or if you have been to the French Riviera before. And guys, for further information on Wise, please check the link below in the caption. We hope you enjoyed this itinerary. We’d really appreciate a thumbs up and we hope to see you on the next video. What a day. What a day. What a day. the whole stretch of that coastline. It kind of curves around like a big banana. We definitely need this walk home to walk. [Laughter] And welcome to the p said Paris. Okay. Sorry cat around here. Alex and I have not been to France together. Fantastic. I’m so fat. Now we’ve done our research. Vent, what’s it called? Ventilia. Ventilia. Ventilia. Ventilia. Ventilia. Ventilia. I think Venti Ventilia. Ventilia. This restaurant. Coming. [Music]
#SouthOfFrance #FrenchRiviera #nicefrance #monaco
Are you planning a trip to the South of France? This 7 day itinerary takes you through the absolute best places to visit in the French Riviera — including Nice, Monaco, Antibes, Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer and more South France highlights!
Whether it’s your first time in the Côte d’Azur or you’re looking to level up your European summer, this travel guide is packed with must-see highlights, local tips, and mistakes to avoid.
This 7-day French Riviera itinerary covers:
* Where to base yourself
* Top things to do in each location
* Day trips you can’t miss
* Transport tips (how and where to get the train)
* How we pay for things on our travels
* Destinations in this video:
* Nice
* Monaco
* Antibes
* Menton
* Villefranche-sur-Mer
A big thanks to today’s sponsor on this video Wise. If you sign up today you can grab a FEE FREE TRANSFER or a FREE CARD via the link below.
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SKIP TO:
00:00 INTRO
01:00 DAY 1 – NICE
04:58 DAY 2 – VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
08:07 How we pay for everything overseas
08:50 DAY 3 – ANTIBES
12:19 DAY 4 – MENTON
14:51 DAY 5 – MENTON & VENTIMIGLIA (ITALY!)
16:38 DAY 6 – MONACO
19:35 DAY 7 – ROUND UP
20:06 BLOOPERS!
Hi, we’re Alex and James — an Australian family with a passion for travel. After exploring Australia in our campervan and adventuring around the world as a couple, we recently welcomed the newest member of our travel crew, baby Lennox, in 2024. Our journey doesn’t stop here — we’re excited to keep discovering the world, now as a family of three. (You’ll still see a few videos from our travels as a duo — filmed while Lennox was still baking in Alex’s belly!)
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