As important to French culture as Paris and paté, the art of perfume is on display at the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse, one of the oldest-running perfumeries in France. Dating to 1926 and featuring plenty of artifacts from the original distillery, the historic factory functions as a modern artisanal perfume factory deeply rooted in tradition.
Right in the heart of Provence, the Château Font du Broc is both an award-winning winery and a villa whose scenery typifies the region’s splendor. With a focus on classic varietals like syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, and cabernet sauvignon (as well as rolle, or vermentino), it produces a range of red, white, and rosé wines.
Fort du Mont Alban, a 16th-century hilltop fort in miraculous condition, is one of the most striking viewpoints along the French Riviera. You can walk up here from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer—once you get to the top, clear days mean views of Corsica. You’ll also get the honor of stepping foot on one of the most key landmarks of the former States of Savoy.
Our Lady of the Assumption Church in St-Tropez might not be as grand as its name suggests, but this charming little church by the sea is worth a look. Instantly recognizable by its pink-and-yellow bell tower that graces many St-Tropez postcards, the 18th-century church is a great find for those wanting a peaceful moment or a prayer while exploring the town.
Grasse in Provence has long been considered the heart of the French perfume industry—and Molinard Perfumery (Maison Molinard) has been one of its essential stops since its founding in 1849. Today, its headquarters are home to a perfume museum, historical laboratory, and shop, where visitors can pick up scents or even blend their own.
Place Garibaldi is a large public square in Nice Old Town. With bars and cafes lining the square it’s a popular place for people to gather for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
Set between the dramatic landscapes of the Verdon Gorge and the Valensole plateau, the man-madeLake of Sainte-Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix) is among Provence’s most popular vacation spots. With sandy lakeside beaches, water temperatures rivaling those of the Mediterranean Sea, and fewer crowds than the French Riviera, it’s the ideal summer destination.
The Marc Chagall National Museum (Musée National Marc Chagall) in Nice hosts the largest public collection of the Russian-born artist's works. Within the space, fans encounter a range of works—from practice sketches to some of Chagall’s largest and most iconic paintings and stained glass pieces—but the centerpiece is the artists' Old Testament scenes.
On a corner amongst Nice’s trademark French Beaux-Arts style along the Promenade des Anglais, is this gorgeous visual anomaly—the fanciful onion-shaped domes and bright red exterior of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, built by Tsar Nicholas II for the Russian community exiled to the French Riviera. These days, it is the most important Orthodox cathedral outside Russia.
On a hill overlooking Cannes, Le Suquet is the city’s historic district. The Romans built the soaring fortified settlement, and later in the 12th century, monks took ownership and built a castle, which is now a must-see museum. Exquisitely atmospheric, this ancient quarter has narrow cobblestone streets filled with picturesque cafés, restaurants, and shops.
An Italian-style mansion on Cap Ferrat in the French Riviera, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the former home of socialite and banking heiress Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. The villa and its extensive gardens are now open to the public.
For avant-garde art in a historic waterfront setting, the Annonciade Museum in St-Tropez is the place to be. This small chapel-turned-gallery boasts an impressive collection of impressionist and expressionist paintings and sculptures, all linked to St-Tropez and its Cote d’Azur surrounds. Works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Signac, and Georges Seurat are among the star finds.
Rising above the port of Nice, Mt. Boron (Mont Boron) is a green wilderness with spectacular views over the great views over the city, and the entire Côte d’Azur, especially nearby beauties, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat. Sign-posted trails for hiking and mountain biking make this nature reserve a popular place to escape the city.
Constructed a mere century ago, Château de Crémat is one of the younger castles along the French Riviera. Looking out over the Var Valley between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alpes, the estate and its rolling vineyards offer spectacular views of Nice, as well as a lovely place to enjoy wine made and bottled on site.
Running along the waterfront of Nice Old Town, the Quai des Etats-Unis (Wharf of the United States) is a pedestrian pathway that divides the seafront from the shops, restaurants, and hotels of Old Town and provides access to the beach. The quai was named in honor of the United States after its decision to join the Triple Entente in World War I.
Inspired by the lavish villas of ancient Greece but built in the early 20th century, Villa Kerylos is the vision of French archaeologist Théodore Reinach. Now preserved as a National Monument, it’s a striking sight, perched on the seafront of the French Riviera against a backdrop of the soaring cliffs of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse), an homage to the life and work of Nice’s hometown art hero and world-renowned French painter Henri Matisse. Though small, the museum provides detailed information about Matisse’s life and examines the evolution of his work through key sketches, paintings, and sculptures.
Wander amidst the picturesque splendor of a ruined chateau at one of the French Riviera’s top botanical gardens, the Exotic Garden of Eze (Jardin Exotique d’Eze). Poised 1,408 feet (429 meters) above the sea, the garden’s views overlooking the Mediterrean are as much of a draw as its many succulents, cacti, and other plant species.
Steep cliffs, waterfalls, and the turquoise hue of the Loup River make Gorges du Loup one of the most popular natural escapes from the French Riviera. The area is a hub for hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor adventurers.
This French Riviera city’s glamor is on full display at the Port of Cannes, whose docks are crowded with sleek motorboats, elegant sailboats, and luxurious yachts. Even if you’re not setting sail, the harbor—also known as the Old Port (Vieux Port)—is worth visiting in its own right, with its canopied cafés along the Quai Saint-Pierre and close proximity to La Croisette promenade and Le Suquet, the city’s historic quarter.
Housed in an Italianate neoclassical villa fronting the Promenade des Anglais, the Massena Art and History Museum (Musée Masséna) focuses on the shared history of the city of Nice and Napoleon Bonaparte, through the personal effects, artifacts, and artwork of the Masséna family. The manicured grounds are also a high point.
Housed in the former Hugues-Aîné perfumery, the International Museum of Perfume in Grasse takes a deep dive into the world of perfume with fun interactive touches. It’s a great place to learn about the history of perfume making, in France and around the world.
Originally founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks, Cimiez Monastery (Monastère de Cimiez or Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez) is now a Franciscan monastery with a small museum explaining the austere Franciscan way of life throughout the centuries, with ancient artwork, frescoes, documents, and a replica monk's cell. Its gardens have sweeping views of Nice.
The French Riviera reaches its glamorous pinnacle at Antibes' Port Vauban. Fortified by Louis XIV’s military engineer, Marquis de Vauban, in the 17th century, the harbor is now a hub for jetsetters and their superyachts. The port is home to the International Yacht Club Antibes, and is big enough to accommodate the record-breaking Dilbar superyacht.
A modern-art gallery in Vence, near Nice, the Maeght Foundation (Fondation Maeght) has a special connection to Miró and features a wide variety of 20th-century artworks by the likes of Chagall and Kandinsky. Even the building itself is impressive, with clean-lined modern architecture and a mix of futuristic and Mediterranean elements, as well as indoor and outdoor spaces.
Even if you’re not familiar with Pampelonne Beach, you may well know the names of the upmarket beach clubs that line the shore: Club 55, Nikki Beach, La Voile Rouge—ring any bells? Here, rich and famous don their finery (or take it off—topless sunbathing “originated” here) and enjoy languid days in the Tropezienne sun.
Villages don’t get much tinier than Opio. A half-hour's drive from Cannes, this ancient spot—humans have been here since the Iron Age—has only a handful of buildings: the 12th-century St-Trophisme Church and one of the country’s last remaining olive-oil mills. In stark contrast, on the outskirts of “town,” you’ll find world-class golfing and a Club Med.
Just a short trip from the bustle of Nice, the hilltop Château de Bellet produces some of the Riviera’s finest wines. A historic winery, which dates to the 18th century, the château produces top-rated wines using the region’s indigenous grape varietals, including rolle, folle noire, and braquet. A tasting session and tour of its pretty grounds is a must.
A picturesque medieval town with panoramic views, St. Paul de Vence is quintessential Provence and one of the most loved hilltop villages in the South of France. Visitors come from far and wide to stroll the winding streets, relax in the charming cafés, and soak up the bright sunshine.
Villefranche Cruise Port (Port de la Santé) serves as a gateway to the French Riviera, including Villefranche-sur-Mer, a medieval village with pastel buildings and sloping streets. The port also makes a strategic jumping-off point for trips to glamorous Cote d’Azur resort towns, including Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, as well as the enchanting villages of Provence.
