I just returned from a lovely, long girls trip to France. The first part of our journey was spent in the Côte d’Azur, where we used Cannes as our home base to explore the nearby towns and coastal spots. With easy day trips, good food, and time by the water, it was a perfect mix of relaxing and sightseeing. From quiet mornings wandering hilltop villages to long lunches and beachside dinners, here’s how our time in the French Riviera unfolded.

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Cannes

First, the logistics: We flew into Nice and made the 30-minute drive to Cannes, which served as our home base for the trip. Most days, we’d venture out on day trips to nearby towns, then return in the afternoon for some beach time or shopping before dinner. Many of the coastal cities are easily accessible by train, car, or boat — most within an hour’s reach.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Mondrian Cannes, a modern hotel right on La Croisette, which is the main beachfront road in Cannes. The rooms are updated, bright and stylish, and the hotel faces the ocean. They had an on-site beach club for relaxing days by the water. We loved the hotel — it was a chic and comfortable home base.

What We Did

Shopping

Our hotel was on the iconic La Croisette, which is Cannes’ iconic palm-lined promenade that stretches along the Mediterranean, flanked by luxury hotels, beach clubs, and designer boutiques, with stunning sea views on one side and that beautiful Belle Époque architecture on the other. If you want glam shopping this is your spot, with luxury boutiques like Chanel, Dior, Cartier, and Vuitton sprinkled in between the hotels.

We also loved our proximity to Rue d’Antibes — one of Cannes’ best shopping streets — which was directly behind our hotel. This has more accessible stores and a mix of French high-street brands like Maje, Sandro, and The Kooples, plus skincare and beauty like Sephora and Caudalie.

Where We Ate

Zuma

Dinner at Zuma was a highlight. This Japanese-fusion spot has a terrace with stunning views over the city and the bay, and not much beats dinner while watching the sunset here! We happened to be there during the fireworks on July 4th and, despite not being in the U.S., had front-row seats to an incredible show over the water, making the night even more memorable.

Riviera

Dining at Riviera, at the newly restored Carlton, felt like a classic French experience. The hotel itself is a Cannes landmark on La Croisette, recently renovated but still full of old-school glamour. The setting was elegant, with thoughtful dishes and great service. We opted to eat outside overlooking the water, which was perfect for a more relaxed evening.

Annex Beach

Annex Beach is a really fun beach club, also right on La Croisette, known for its Mediterranean menu and nightly live show. The setting is classic Cannes —outdoor tables, twinkling lights, and the sea just steps away. The show started shortly after we sat down, with dancers and live music creating a fun, high-energy atmosphere. It was a unique way to spend our final night in town!

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Antibes

Just a quick 20-minute drive from Cannes, Antibes is a charming blend of old-world charm and seaside glam.

What We Did

During our first day trip, we visited Port Vauban and the Bay of Billionaires, checked out the luxury yachts, and walked along the Sentier du Littoral at Cap d’Antibes for sea views. We also wandered around Old Town on the cobbled streets lined with historic buildings, markets, and cafes—a perfect way to soak up local life.

Picasso Museum
Our highlight was the Picasso Museum. In 1946, Picasso lived and worked here, creating over 60 pieces, most of which he later donated to the museum. Housed in a castle, this museum offers a unique collection of Picasso’s work, tying art history to the town’s character.

Where We Ate

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc’s Grill Bar
Dining cliffside at this legendary spot was truly unforgettable — the food matched the stunning views, but the views are worth it alone!

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Eze

Èze, about 45 minutes from Cannes, is a really unique hilltop village with medieval charm and panoramic views.

You feel like you have stepped into a medieval storybook here! The climb through the old town is made up of narrow, winding stone paths that twist steeply uphill, passing under ancient archways and between ivy-covered stone buildings. The streets are pedestrian-only and often just wide enough for two people to pass.

What We Did

Jardin Exotique
At the very top of the climb through the town of Eze is a very cool botanical garden perched dramatically on cliffs, overlooking the Mediterranean. I would recommend going early in the morning if you visit here. It tends to get crowded, and because it’s set high on a narrow mountainside, there isn’t much space to spread out.

Where We Ate

Lunch at Château de la Chèvre d’Or
This lunch might be my top dining experience of our entire trip! As a part of Château de la Chèvre d’Or, which is both a historic castle and a luxury hotel, le Café du Jardin offers the most spectacular views alongside refined cuisine. Thre are few seats, so reservations are a must.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
On our way back to Cannes from Eze, we made a great little detour through Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to see this stunning villa and gardens, built by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the early 1900s

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Nice

What We Did

Though our time in Nice was brief, we got a great taste of its laid-back coastal vibe and beautiful architecture. We visited a few times between airport runs and during day trips to other spots.

Old Town (Vieux Nice)
The Old Town is charming — winding alleys, colorful facades, and lively cafés.

Promenade des Anglais
This is the celebrated seaside boulevard that stretches along the Baie des Anges, with one of the most picturesque and vibrant waterfront experiences we saw on the French Riviera.

Where We Ate

Le Galet
Located on the Promenade des Anglais, this spot is perfect for a relaxed meal with sea views. It’s close to the airport and convenient for a quick stop. We absolutely loved our meal here!

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Monaco

I ended up in Monaco by accident when I missed a train stop, but am so glad I got to experience it. Monaco is the world’s second smallest country, but packs a huge reputation for luxury, glamour, and high-stakes excitement. Even with just a short visit, it was easy to see why this spot is such a classic.

Here’s the thing I will always remember about Monaco — even when you’re just strolling through the streets, you hear almost nonstop the thrilling roar of engines zooming past. This is the place for luxury cars, and you can hear the engines echoing off the tall buildings and narrow lanes, creating an electrifying atmosphere that’s impossible to ignore.

What We Did

Casino Square
Surrounded by luxury hotels, designer boutiques, and the famous Monte-Carlo Casino, the square is pure Monaco glam. The best thing to do is wander around to take in the scene — there are SO many luxury shops, sleek cars, palm trees, and beautifully manicured gardens.

Jardin de la Petite Afrique
Located immediately east of Casino Square, these lush tropical gardens feel exotic and the dense foliage and winding paths are a peaceful contrast to all the activity around the Casino.

Port Hercules
The other thing you see a lot of in Monaco is super-yachts, and the port waterfront is a scenic promenade perfect for a leisurely stroll. Palm trees line the walkway getting there, and you’ll find cafés and shops where you can stop for a coffee or gelato while watching the luxury boats come and go.

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We got off to a strong start exploring the Côte d’Azur! If we’d had one more day, St. Tropez was high on the list. It’s a bit farther south and a little longer to reach from Cannes. Definitely a great excuse to come back and explore more of this stunning coastline — here’s hoping, anyway!

Our next stop was Provence — slower in pace, timeless charm and impossibly picturesque. Read more in South of France: Part 2.

Cheers!
xx—BB