French Riviera
Old towns, art & the Mediterranean
There is plenty of wealth on display on the French Riviera, but you don’t have to organise a visit around it.
Old-town streets, markets, museums and stretches of public coastline offer a different way to spend your days. Antibes became my favourite base because those things fitted together so naturally. The guides here will help you choose your own base, with the greatest detail on Antibes and the coast around it.
Plan your French Riviera trip
Plan your stay
Choose the town you want to come back to
Antibes is my choice for a balanced stay: an old town with everyday life, art, food and beaches close by. Nice makes more sense if you want a larger city, a wider cultural programme and more transport options. Cannes may appeal if polished hotels and its glamour are part of what draws you to the coast. The accommodation guide compares the settings, so you can choose for your interests rather than the fame of the name.
An old-town base
Spend time in Antibes
The Picasso Museum, ramparts and Marché Provençal give an Antibes visit substance, while the sea is close enough to become part of an ordinary afternoon. What I liked most was how easily the town supported both: a morning out, a good lunch, perhaps a few hours on the beach. Three or four days gives you room to get a feel for it; a longer stay allows selected excursions without turning Antibes into somewhere you only sleep.
Beyond the old town
Walk the coast of Cap d’Antibes
The Sentier du Littoral was one of the strongest experiences of my time here. Rocky coves and clear water sit beside some conspicuous private wealth, yet the coastline gives you a very different perspective from the marina. It is a walk to plan for, with exposed stretches and uneven ground, rather than an extension of an easy seafront stroll. Use the route guide to judge whether it suits your day.
A useful rule
Keep some days close to your base
The towns along the coast can look conveniently close together. That doesn’t mean you will enjoy spending every day travelling between them. Choose a few excursions you care about and leave room for the place you have paid to stay in: a repeated morning walk or an afternoon by the sea can be a substantial part of the pleasure.
Add a wine-led day
If you would like to explore the region through its wine, the Nice tour comparison sets out options for an arranged excursion. It is by wine consultant Anna Caidan, whose expertise adds a different perspective to the first-hand Antibes guides here.
Every published guide
All French Riviera guides
Browse all 6 French Riviera guides
- 10 Fantastic Nice Wine Tours Worth Taking
- 23 Unforgettable Things to Do in Antibes: Travel Guide
- Is Antibes Worth Visiting? A Considered Yes from Two Weeks There
- Visiting Antibes: Insider’s Guide to a Riviera Gem
- Walking the Sentier du Littoral of Antibes – Essential Guide
- Where to Stay on the French Riviera: 11 Best Locations (& Hotels)
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