One Week in Nice, Monaco and the French Riviera-
Arriving in Nice
We visited Nice in July, and the weather was hot and sunny. Nice is a major city on the southeastern coast of France, known as the capital of the French Riviera. It’s located on the Mediterranean Sea, close to the Italian border and the Principality of Monaco. Nice has a mix of French and Italian influence, with a relaxed seaside atmosphere and plenty to explore.
Nice
Nice is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille. The city sits on the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges), surrounded by the Alps. It’s known for its pleasant weather, beautiful views, and rich history. Some of the main attractions include:
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The seafront promenade on the French Riviera
- Promenade des Anglais, a 7 km-long walkway along the seafront
- Old Town (Vieux Nice), a historic area with narrow, winding streets
- Castle Hill (Colline du Château), offering panoramic views of the city and the bay
- Cours Saleya Market, a lively market in Old Town
- Museums, including Musée Matisse and Musée Marc Chagall
Nice is easy to explore on foot, and for longer distances, the tram system is convenient and affordable. If you’re curious about where we stayed in Nice, you’ll find all the details below.
Day 1: Beach and Promenade des Anglais
We spent the first day relaxing on the beach and walking along the Promenade des Anglais. The beach was pebbled and very hard to walk on.
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Pebbled beach at the French Riviera
The 7 km seafront promenade runs right along the Bay of Angels and is one of the city’s main highlights. We made sure to walk the full length every day while we were there. Sitting on the famous blue benches that overlook the Mediterranean became one of our favorite things to do. Watching cruise ships pass by in the distance and soaking up the sun quickly became part of our daily routine.
Day 2: Day Trip to the Principality of Monaco
The Prince’s Palace of Monaco
The next day, we took a local train from Nice to the Principality of Monaco. The train was crowded, so it’s good to be prepared for that. Monaco is the second smallest country in the world after Vatican City. We visited The Prince’s Palace of Monaco, which is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince. The flag was up when we visited, meaning the Prince was in the palace, which was exciting to see. If you plan to visit the Oceanographic Museum as well, you can buy a combined ticket that includes both the palace and the museum at a discounted rate.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
The museum has several levels with exhibits on ocean life, marine research, and conservation.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco was one of the highlights of our visit. It’s built right on the cliffside, overlooking the Mediterranean, which gives it an incredible setting.
Outside, there’s a large water tank where a turtle swims
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Blacktip reef shark in the Shark Lagoon
peacefully with a magnificent view of the sea behind it. It’s absolutely stunning. We were all joking about how lucky the turtle must be to have the best view in Monaco. The museum has also been a pioneer in coral cultivation for decades. The rooftop terrace offers 360° views of Monaco and the Mediterranean, and there’s a small restaurant and playground up there too. It’s definitely worth spending a few hours exploring.
Day 3: Exploring the Principality of Monaco
We walked along the Grand Prix streets of Monaco, officially called the Circuit de Monaco. It’s a famous Formula One street circuit that winds through Monte Carlo. The route passes Casino Square and the tunnel, surrounded by luxury yachts, hotels, and cafes.
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Walking on the Grand Prix race track.
We also visited the Car Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco, located near Port Hercule. The collection includes around 100 historic and luxury cars displayed in a 3,500-square-meter space. It’s an interesting stop for anyone who enjoys cars.
Day 4: Lavender Fields in Valensole
We rented a car and drove to Valensole to see the lavender fields. The drive took a few hours, but the scenery was beautiful. The endless lavender fields in full bloom were definitely worth the trip. (You can read more about that in my separate Valensole post.)
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Lavender Fields of Valensole
Day 5: Old Nice, Castle Hill, and Museums
We spent the day exploring Old Nice and Castle Hill. Old Nice has narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and small cafes. The Cours Saleya Market is lively and full of flowers, fresh produce, and local goods.
Later, we climbed up Castle Hill (Colline du Château). There are stairs that lead all the way up, and it’s a bit of a workout, but the views from the top make it completely worth it. If you don’t want to climb the stairs, there’s also a free elevator from the Promenade des Anglais that takes you up. From the top, you get a great view of Nice and the Bay of Angels. It’s one of the best viewpoints in the city and a perfect spot for photos.
From the castle walls, the French Riviera unfolds below.
In the afternoon, we visited two of Nice’s well-known art museums:
Musée Matisse – located in a quiet area with olive trees, it houses a large collection of Henri Matisse’s paintings, drawings, and sculptures, showing how his style developed over time
Musée Marc Chagall – focuses mainly on Chagall’s biblical-themed paintings with bright colors and large canvases, providing a peaceful experience
Day 6: Morning Trip to Èze and Evening Cruise
We took a short morning trip to Èze, a medieval village located on the hills above the Mediterranean.
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Eze, above the Mediterranean.
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Pretty flowers and stone walls in Èze village
Eze is one of the most dramatic and picturesque of the medieval hilltop towns along the French Riviera. The village has narrow cobblestone streets winding through stone houses with lots of flowers hanging from the stone walls. The Bougainvillea flowers crawling down the walls with its vibrant colors make it even more beautiful. A walk through these medieval narrow lanes underneath these flowers is very scenic and peaceful.
In the evening, we returned to Nice and took a boat cruise around the Bay of Angels. The cruise passed by the Promenade des Anglais, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Cap Ferrat. Seeing the coastline from the water was a great way to end the day.
Day 7: Beach morning and winery
We started the day with a relaxing morning on the beach, enjoying the fresh air and gentle waves, followed by a peaceful walk along the promenade. The calmness of the morning set the perfect tone for the day.
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Chateau de Cremat Vineyard in July
In the evening, we visited the Chateau de Cremat winery and vineyard. Although it wasn’t the harvest season, the grapevines were full and ripe, creating a lush, vibrant landscape. The estate itself had a glamorous feel, reminiscent of Beverly Hills, with elegant architecture, manicured gardens, flowers fully blossomed, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills.
We tasted a selection of their wines, each with its own distinctive character. The combination of beautiful scenery, relaxing surroundings, and flavorful wine made it a truly memorable experience.
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In the heart of the vineyard, Chateau de Cremat alive in a glass
Our Take on Nice
Nice turned out to be the perfect base for exploring the French Riviera. It’s easy to get around, has plenty to see and do, and offers a mix of beach time, cultural experiences, and day trips to nearby attractions like Monaco, Èze, and Valensole. Spending a week there allowed us to enjoy both the city and the surrounding region at a relaxed pace, and it left us wanting to return again someday.
Tips and FAQ
Tours We Recommend in Nice
Vineyard and Wine Tasting: We booked this Chateau de Cremat and Chateau Ste Roseline tour. This tour includes a visit to the chateau’s vineyard and winery. It was really a beautiful place. They let us go around the vineyard and we had lots of time in this tour. It took little over 20 minutes by Uber to get there from the Promenade.
Eze Monte Carlo: With this tour, you’ll explore the French Riviera and beyond, journeying from Villefranche-sur-Mer to the Provençal village of Eze, and on to the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo. It was just a half a day tour, so we got to explore Nice more after the tour.
Where to stay?
In France, staying in tourist apartments is far more common than hotels, as hotels are limited and cost much more, not surprising for the most visited country in the world with over 60 million visitors annually.
Below, we’ve shared details of where we stayed during our trip.
We spent the first four days of our stay in Nice at Hotel Le Saint Paul. We booked a sea-view room and it was great, and the hotel was also within walking distance of the beach and the promenade.
For the next three days, we stayed at Hotel Villa Victoria, a very cozy, clean, and cute boutique hotel. The location was great, with the beach, shops, and plenty of eateries all within walking distance.
How to go to Nice from Paris?
Nice is about 685 km (425 miles) from Paris, on the far eastern side of the French Riviera. Traveling between the two cities is simple. There are high-speed trains that take around four hours, or direct flights that take about an hour and a half. Driving takes about nine hours.
Getting Around Nice?
Getting around Nice is straightforward. Most places can be reached on foot, and the tram covers the main parts of the city, including the airport. For longer trips, Uber is available, and for exploring the surrounding areas, renting a car is the best option.
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