What to See and Do on the Côte d’Azur

During the winter months, as the days get shorter and our commutes less pleasant, it’s only natural for our minds to wander toward our next sun holiday escape! With so many options to choose from, there is perhaps no better place to catch some rays at the seaside and eat delicious food than the Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera. If the south of France is on your radar as a tourist destination, you’re in the right placeToday at Civitatis we’re sharing some of our favourite things to see and do!

France’s south-eastern coast, specifically the coastline of Provence, is home to one of the country’s most beautiful seaside areas. This, of course, is the famous Côte d’Azur. The Principality of Monaco, one of the smallest states in Europe, also sits on this coastline.

The Côte d’Azur encompasses a long coastline that stretches from the beaches of Marseille and Cassis to the coves of Menton, a town on the Italian border. If you’re wondering how you can explore as much of this vast territory as possible, don’t worry! You can find out what to see and do in the Côte d’Azur here. Let’s go!

1. Marseille to Toulon, with a Stop in Cassis

What better place to begin your trip than in Marseille – the capital of the Côte d’Azur?

While the city isn’t exactly famous for its urban beaches, Marseille’s famous calanques are most certainly worth a visit. These beautiful coves are well-known for their, warm, blue waters, which make for a beautiful and refreshing dip! There are lots of ways to experience these coves – however, there is perhaps no better way than this hike through the Sormiou Calanque.

Just an hour’s drive from Marseille, you can find the popular resort of Cassis – considered to be the true starting point of the Côte d’Azur. Other than the beach, Cassis has plenty to offer. In particular, the town is famous for the Calanques National Park, which you can thoroughly explore on this hiking activity!

Continuing on from Cassis, you’ll soon arrive at Toulon. Here, you can visit the National Museum of the French Navy. There’s more to the Côte d’Azur than just beaches!

2. Hyères to Cannes, with a Stop in Saint-Tropez

From Toulon, the town of Hyères is just a 30-minute drive away – definitely another destination worth visiting on the Côte d’Azur. From the town’s port, you can take a boat to the Islands of Hyères, a paradisiacal Mediterranean archipelago which many tourists aren’t yet aware of. Or, explore the islands’ coastlines from the water on this cruise around Hyères Bay!

Beyond Hyères, the coastline of the Côte d’Azur stretches along the beaches of elegant villages such as La Londe-les-Maures, Bormes-les-Mimosas and Cavalaire-sur-Mer. However, the most exclusive and famous resort in this part of the French Riviera is Saint-Tropez – a destination frequented by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Elton John and also the title of one of Post Malone’s hit songs.

When you walk along the port of Saint-Tropez, your eyes will be opened to the luxury exuded by the town – incredible luxry yachts, super cars and designer clothes galore!

If you continue north from Saint-Tropez and follow the course of the Mediterranean for 2 hours, you’ll find yourself in Cannes – definitely one of Côte d’Azur’s must-see destinations! This vibrant city is world-famous for its Film Festival, but it also has plenty more on offer. The Boulevard de la Croisette is the true heart of the city, which you can explore in a fun way on this segway tour of Cannes.

3. Antibes to Niza

If you’re spending a few days in Cannes, you might consider taking a boat to the Lérins Islands. Alternatively, you could hop on a 10-minute train from Cannes to Antibes. Its port is also one of the most exclusive on the Côte d’Azur. While chartering a yacht is a terrific option, the Antibes Tourist Bus is a fantastic way to discover the city.

Another destination which is certainly worth visiting is Nice – just a 30-minute train trip from Antibes. A visit to the French Riviera wouldn’t be complete without a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. During your visit, you can’t miss out on the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption or the Opera House. You can make sure you’re hitting all of the main stops on this electric bike tour of Nice!

4. Villefranche-sur-Mer to Èze, with a Stop in Beaulieu

Cruise ships travelling through the Mediterranean that pass by Nice usually dock at the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. If this applies to your cruise, you could visit the picturesque St. Peter’s Chapel and sample some beautiful fresh fish dishes at one of the numerous local restaurants.

Right next to Villefranche, you’ll find the neighbouring village of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Here, you can skip the lines to visit the Villa Kérylos or go on a private boat trip along the French Riviera.

The next village east of Beaulieu is Èze, a beautiful town where car enthusiasts will have a great time on this Ferrari or Lamborghini tour of the French Riviera.

5. Monaco’s Coastline

To round off our tour of the French Riviera, we’ll make a stop in the Principality of Monaco – just a 30-minute drive away from Èze!

The glamour of the Grimaldi family permeates everything in Monaco, from the Principality Palace to the Monte-Carlo Casino. You can admire this last spot lit up at night on this night tour of Monaco.

If you’d prefer to see the marine life of this part of the Mediterranean, we recommend getting a ticket to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Whether you want to simply relax at the beach, or expand your cultural horizons, the French Riviera truly has something for everyone!

There’s so much to see in this part of the country, and there are lots of ways to enjoy it to the max with Civitatis. Check out all of our tours & experiences on the Côte d’Azur, and fill your itinerary with the best activities!