Five Not-So-Obvious Things to Do at the Côte d'Azur
The first thing that probably comes to mind when you think of the blue shores of the French Riviera is that it must be some kind of exclusive seaside resort with nice beaches, cocktails, and expensive stores. But that’s just – to use an appropriate word – a cliché. The French Mediterranean coastline from Menton to Toulon offers so much more than that. Let us suggest five not-so-obvious things to do there.
The French Mediterranean
One of the best things about the Côte d’Azur is that it represents a mix of Mediterranean and French lifestyles, a unique blend you won’t find anywhere else. In Antibes, you can enjoy medieval architecture with Greek roots. In Nice, explore an old town shaped by once-busy seaside trade and Italian influence. And perhaps the most beautiful and colorful of them all: Menton’s old town.
Still, all of these places offer a quintessentially French experience that feels a little reminiscent of Paris. Picture elegant turn-of-the-century architecture, a vibrant café culture, charming promenades, and restaurants serving traditional French cuisine.
Breathtaking Geography: National Parks, Forests, Bays
As stunning as the azur-blue sea is, the natural beauty doesn’t end there. Be sure to explore national parks filled with tropical flora, discover hidden bays surrounded by epic, photogenic cliffs, and follow secret trails through forested peninsulas.
Visit the beautiful Jardin Botanique in Menton, home to a variety of local citrus trees. Walk around the Cap d’Antibes peninsula and take a swim halfway at Billionaires Bay Beach. Or marvel at the reddish, ridiculously beautiful rocks of the Massif de l’Esterel between Cannes and Fréjus.
( photo: https://www.jardinbotaniquevalrahmehmenton.fr/ )
Specialty Coffee Houses
Specialty coffee shops are quietly thriving here. While these tiny, hipster havens of world-class coffee might not be traditionally French, you can now find them in almost every town along the coast.
Try Amamo in Cannes, run by a super-friendly guy from Romania, serving what might be the best coffee on the coast. Visit the cafés of the European chain Copenhagen Coffee Lab in Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, or Nice. In Antibes’ old town alone, you’ll find at least four specialty cafés. Our top pick? La Torref de Fersen (photo), with its own roastery, spectacular espresso machines, and heavenly flavors.
Local Museums
If the sun has already given you a good glow, take a break in the shade of a museum or two. The Côte d’Azur is home to several impressive collections of art and craftsmanship.
As the biggest town on the Riviera, Nice offers institutions celebrating major artists like Matisse and Chagall, alongside many contemporary collections. In Antibes, there’s the famous Picasso Museum, and in nearby Cagnes-sur-Mer, you’ll find a Renoir exhibition. These artists all lived and worked here at some point in their lives.
And since you're in France, you're probably thinking about getting yourself a signature scent. Founded in 1926, Fragonard Perfumery is located in the nearby town of Grasse. One of the oldest French perfume houses, it offers a plethora of natural scents and classic formulas. Don’t miss the Musée du Parfum to learn more about its fragrant history.
(photo: @objetpetitago )
Visiting Italy
Okay, we’re definitely cheating here—but how could we not include this? Riviera is, after all, an Italian word originally used to describe the coast from La Spezia to Ventimiglia. So Italy deserves a shout-out.
Craving a really good pizza or some traditional Italian dishes? Just hop over to Sanremo or Imperia. For an incredible view of the Menton–Roquebrune–Cap-Martin peninsula from a wide, peaceful pebble beach, check out Ventimiglia, just across the border.
The Italian province of Liguria has its own collection of unbelievably photogenic, historic towns and villages, not to mention some epic mountains. Much of it feels similar to the French Riviera, just with a unique local twist. And honestly, experiencing two cultures in one trip? Not the worst thing ever.
( photo: https://www.italia.it/en/liguria/imperia )