Your Day by Day French Riviera Itinerary
While we will be happy to tailor this itinerary to your wants and desires to ensure it’s perfectly suited to you, the following is our suggested itinerary for those who wish to experience a bit of everything the Riviera has to offer.
Day 1: Nice, French Riviera
Your chauffeur will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall and take you and your luggage to your hotel, which will be your base for the next 3 days.
Nice was originally named after the Greek Goddess Nike, and so was possibly the original Nike Town! Nice was an Italian city until relatively recently (1860) when the Italians gave the City to France as recognition of French support in helping the Italians against the Austrians. The strong Italian influence is evident throughout the city, and many locals speak both French and Italian.
Guided Walking Tour of Old Town Nice (Vieux Nice)
Depending on when you arrive, we start your tour in the old town of Nice, a myriad of winding, narrow streets leading to gilded, shaded squares with little bistros and cafés.
Your private tour will also include visits to the magnificent Opera House, the Town Hall, and Rossetti Square, home to Nice Cathedral.
The Cathedral is unlike many French Cathedrals, rather modest from the outside, but once inside, admire the lavish Baroque designs, gilded ornate chapels, sculptures, and paintings, all with a distinctly Italian feel.
Day 2: St Paul de Vence
Explore deeper into the Riviera with a day trip to St Paul de Vence, one of the region’s oldest fortified villages.
Enter the town through its stone gate and follow your guide through winding medieval streets lined with stone houses, vaulted passageways, and small fountains. You’ll learn how the village evolved from a military outpost to a retreat for painters and writers in the 20th century.
Art Galleries & Village Church Visit
Visit a selection of small galleries and ateliers showcasing local painters, sculptors, and ceramic artists. Your guide will explain the village’s artistic heritage and why Chagall, Matisse, and other major figures chose to make St-Paul-de-Vence their home.
Step into the 12th-century Church of the Conversion of St Paul to see its Baroque chapels and carved wooden altarpiece while your guide outlines the building’s layered history.
Lunch at Place de la Grande Fontaine
Enjoy a relaxed lunch in the charming square built around the historic washhouse and fountain. Your guide will recommend local Provençal dishes or light café options.
Your driver-guide returns you to your hotel for a relaxed evening in Nice.
Day 3: Nice – Markets & Wine Tour
This morning, we head out with our driver guide to visit some of the many open-air markets Nice has to offer, from the world-famous ‘Marche aux Fleurs’ flower market to the ‘Puces de Nice’ (flea market). There is always a market open and worth visiting in Nice.
Tour of Marché de la Libération (Local Food Market)
Head away from the more touristy markets and let your driver-guide take you on a tour of the Marché de la Libération, not unlike a flower market but significantly bigger and a favourite with the locals. Sample local artisan-produced bread and cheeses and grab a coffee in one of the pretty bars adjacent to the market.
Transfer to Provence Rosé Region
In the afternoon, your driver guide will take you west towards the area that produces Côte d’Azur rosé.
Your tour will give you a complete behind-the-scenes look at the planning and work that is involved in creating delicious crisp rosé wine, pink, sparkling, or still. There is no better place to enjoy rosé than in the stunning setting of Provence.
Sommelier-Led Rosé Masterclass & Tasting
Your sommelier will give you a masterclass on wines from this specific part of Provence.
Your workshop ends with a food/wine pairing with locally selected award-winning cheeses, pâtés, and charcuterie.
Day 4: Antibes & Juan-les-Pins – Beaches, Coastline & Picasso Heritage
Your driver-guide collects you in Nice and takes you along the Riviera coastline toward Antibes and Juan-les-Pins.
Along the way, you’ll learn how this area was transformed into a fashionable seaside resort in the early 20th century by American millionaire Frank Jay Gould and developer Édouard Baudoin, attracting icons like Picasso, Chaplin, and Dietrich.
Tour of Cap d’Antibes, Beaches & Coves
Spend the morning exploring the golden beaches and sheltered coves that made Antibes famous.
Your guide will drive you along the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, pointing out the best viewpoints, coastal paths, and the chic neighbourhoods that fringe the water. Enjoy a relaxed beach stop or a walk along the shoreline.
Break for lunch at one of Antibes’ stylish beach clubs, recommended by your guide for Mediterranean seafood and excellent sea views.
Afternoon Visit to Château Grimaldi (Picasso Museum)
If you prefer cultural touring over beach time, your guide will take you to Château Grimaldi, built on the site of the ancient Greek acropolis of Antipolis.
Picasso worked here for six months in 1946, producing sketches, paintings, and the famous Keys of Antibes. Today, the museum houses a significant Picasso collection alongside modern French and European art.
After exploring the museum or spending additional time at the beach, your guide returns you to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
Day 5: Cannes – Old Town, Film Festival & La Croisette
Begin your day in Cannes’ original Roman settlement, Le Suquet. Your driver-guide leads you through its pastel streets and hillside lanes, stopping at viewpoints overlooking the Bay of Cannes and for refreshments in one of the traditional cafés.
Private Tour of the Cannes Film Festival Venue
Next, head to the Grand Auditorium for a private visit to the world-famous festival site. Learn how the festival was created in response to political controversy at the 1938 Venice Film Festival, and enjoy a photo moment on the iconic red carpet steps.
Stroll Along La Croisette
Walk or drive along the legendary La Croisette, lined with luxury boutiques, grand hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, and private beaches. Your guide will share stories of Cannes’ evolution from a quiet port to an international centre of glamour.
End the day with a dinner reservation at one of Cannes’ fine-dining venues, where your guide can arrange priority booking or suggest waterfront favourites.
Day 6: Fréjus – Roman Heritage & Riviera Coastline
Travel east with your driver-guide to Fréjus, founded by Julius Caesar around 50 BC as a significant Roman naval base. Begin with an overview of the town’s Roman history and surviving archaeological sites.
Guided Tour of Fréjus Cathedral & Cloisters
Explore the Old Town and its remarkable cathedral complex. Your guide will explain the dual nave layout, pointed arches, and the discovery of the 5th-century baptismal font—one of the oldest Christian structures in France.
Visit the cloisters to see the painted wooden ceiling panels depicting medieval symbols and animals.
Old Town Walk & Lunch
Stroll through Fréjus’ narrow streets and relax over lunch in a shaded square lined with cypress trees and local cafés.
Roman Sites: Aqueduct & Amphitheatre
In the afternoon, visit key archaeological remains, starting with sections of the 40-km Roman aqueduct in Parc de la Villa Aurélienne.
Continue to the restored Roman amphitheatre to learn about its original function and modern preservation.
Private Boat Tour & Apero in Saint-Raphaël
Before dinner, enjoy a short private boat tour from Fréjus marina to neighbouring Saint-Raphaël for an early-evening aperitif.
Your driver then returns you to the harbour for dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the water.
Day 7: St Tropez & Port Grimaud
Your driver-guide takes you west along the coast to St Tropez, explaining the town’s origins, the legend of Saint Tropez, and how the 1956 Brigitte Bardot film And God Created Woman transformed it into a global symbol of glamour.
Guided Walking Tour of La Ponche (Old Town)
Begin in the historic fishermen’s quarter, navigating its narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques, cafés, and small galleries.
Visit the Église de Notre-Dame, where your guide highlights the Italian Baroque bell tower and the statue of Saint Tropez.
Musée de l’Annonciade
Continue to the 16th-century Annonciade Museum, home to an exceptional collection of post-impressionist works, including Seurat, Signac, Matisse, Braque, Bonnard, and Gauguin.
Stop for lunch in one of La Ponche’s busy cafés and, if you wish, try Bouillabaisse, the region’s iconic Provençal fish stew made with the day’s catch.
Afternoon Tour of Port Grimaud (“Little Venice of Provence”)
Head to nearby Port Grimaud, a port town built in the 1960s by architect François Spoerry.
Explore its colourful canals, bridges, and islands, learning how Spoerry designed a modern marina inspired by Mediterranean villages. Your guide will also explain the prehistoric menhir stones found in the Grimaud area.
Day 8: Marseille – Basilica, Old Port & Mucem Museum
Begin your private tour in Marseille with a visit to the city’s most famous landmark.
Your guide explains the basilica’s 19th-century construction, its role as a protective presence overlooking the port, and the significance of the Virgin Mary statue crowning the hilltop. Enjoy far-reaching views across the Mediterranean.
Vieux Port – Marseille’s Historic Harbour
Descend to the Old Port, the city’s original Greek harbour dating back to 600 BC.
Explore the waterfront markets and restaurants, and, if you wish, taste traditional Bouillabaisse made with freshly landed fish.
Museum of European & Mediterranean Civilisations
In the afternoon, visit the Mucem, opened in 2013 to mark Marseille’s tenure as European Capital of Culture.
Your guide will lead you through its striking modern galleries, built beside Fort Saint-Jean, and explain how Mediterranean and North African cultures have developed and interacted over the centuries.
Return to Your Hotel in Marseille
Day 9: Aix-en-Provence – Art, Fountains & Historic Mansions
Travel north to Aix-en-Provence for a private tour of the Musée Granet, home to works by Cézanne, Ingres, Rembrandt, and other European masters. Your guide explains Aix’s long-standing connection with artists.
Continue to the Caumont Centre d’Art, a beautifully restored mansion featuring rotating exhibitions and a formal French garden. Your guide will share stories of the building’s elegant restoration.
Cézanne Trail – Following the Artist’s Footsteps
Walk through the streets of Aix to locations central to Cézanne’s life, hearing how the city influenced his work and personal history.
Spend the afternoon along the city’s most iconic tree-lined boulevard, filled with fountains, cafés, and local boutiques. Your guide can help select the best spot for a relaxed Provençal lunch.
Your driver-guide returns you to your hotel for dinner in the Old Town or by the waterfront.
Day 10: Airport Transfer
Your driver collects you from your hotel and ensures a smooth, comfortable transfer to the airport or rail station for the next stage of your journey.
FAQ: Your 10-Day Private French Riviera Tour
1. Will We Stay In One Hotel The Entire Time?
No, this itinerary includes multiple bases to minimise daily travel:
- Nice (first 3 nights)
- Cannes or Saint-Tropez corridor (middle portion – optional)
- Marseille or Aix-en-Provence (final nights)
You may keep a single base if you prefer, but moving once or twice reduces drive times and enhances comfort.
2. Can The French Riviera Itinerary Be Customised?
Absolutely. Every day can be adjusted, whether you’d prefer more art, more beaches, extra wine experiences, slower pacing, or exclusive reservations.
We can add yacht charters, helicopter transfers, perfume-making workshops, Michelin dining, or additional Provence touring.
3. How Long Are The Driving Distances Each Day on the Riviera Tour?
Drives are short and scenic. Typical times:
- Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence: 25 min
- Nice to Provence Rosé region: 1 hr
- Nice to Antibes: 25 min
- Cannes to St-Tropez: 1 hr 20 min
- Marseille to Aix-en-Provence: 30 min
Only the Saint-Tropez peninsula can be busy in July–August, your guide knows alternate routes to avoid congestion.
4. What Kind of Vehicle Will We Travel In?
You’ll enjoy all touring and transfers in a luxury, air-conditioned Mercedes (V-Class or E-Class). Water, charging ports, comfortable seating, and luggage space are standard. Larger groups can request executive minibuses.
5. Are All Tickets Pre-Arranged?
Yes. All key visits — Picasso Museum, Annonciade, Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, Mucem, Granet Museum — are pre-booked with priority where available.
Your guide handles every detail.
6. Can You Arrange a Luxury Yacht or Private Boat?
Certainly. We regularly organise half-day and full-day yacht charters around the Riviera, Saint-Tropez, the Lérins Islands, or Monaco.
