What to do on the French Riviera in 7 days for your road trip? The Perfect Itinerary

What does a 7-day road trip on the French Riviera actually look like? Here is the itinerary: Day 1 in Hyères / Day 2 in Saint-Tropez / Day 3 on the Corniche d'Or and the Estérel Massif / Day 4 in Cannes and Antibes / Day 5 in Nice / Day 6 in Eze, Monaco, and Menton / Day 7 in Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Seven stops covering the coastline from west to east, from Provence to the Italian border, combining beaches, hilltop villages, scenic cliffside roads, and the Grasse hinterland.

This French Riviera road trip is best taken between May and October, outside of the peak summer weeks to avoid traffic jams on the Corniche d'Or and the seafront. Expect about 125 miles (200 km) of driving between Hyères and Menton, but plan for extra time: the detours are often better than the direct route.

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Day 1 – Hyères and the Hyères Islands: The start of the Provençal coast

The road trip begins in Hyères, the gateway to the French Riviera on the Provence side. The medieval town preserves its ramparts and stone alleys, just a stone's throw from the beaches of the Giens Peninsula. From the port, a shuttle connects to the island of Porquerolles in 20 minutes—a sea trip that makes for an ideal start to the first day.

Porquerolles is part of the Port-Cros National Park, one of the few protected marine areas in the Mediterranean. With Notre-Dame beach, coastal trails, and pine forests, the island is best explored by bike, which you can rent on-site. Plan to spend the morning on the island and return to the mainland in the early afternoon to explore the Giens Peninsula and its salt marshes.

In the evening, stay in Hyères or head to Bormes-les-Mimosas, about twenty minutes away, for your first night in the hinterland.

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Day 2 – Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez: Gulf and peninsula

The second day of the road trip follows the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Sainte-Maxime is often overlooked in favor of its neighbor, but unfairly so: the small port, the markets, and the Nartelle beach are worth a morning stop before crossing the gulf.

Saint-Tropez remains a must-see. Arrive early to walk through the old port before the day's crowds arrive, visit the Citadel and its views of the bay, then head down to the Pampelonne beaches in the early afternoon. The village retains a genuine charm once the crowds disperse in the evening—the Place des Lices, the fishermen, and the shaded terraces.

For the drive, the D559 between Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez runs along the coast with several possible stops. Avoid this stretch on an August weekend: traffic jams can turn 12 miles (20 km) into an hour-long drive.

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Day 3 – Théoule-sur-Mer and the Estérel Massif: The red cliff road

The Estérel is one of the highlights of the French Riviera road trip. The volcanic massif offers a succession of panoramas over the Mediterranean, with its ocher-red cliffs plunging into the sea. The Corniche d'Or (D559) between Saint-Raphaël and Théoule-sur-Mer is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in France.

Start from Fréjus or Saint-Raphaël in the morning. The Pic de l'Ours (1,562 ft) can be hiked in 2 hours round-trip and offers a view of the Gulf of La Napoule and the Maures mountains. On the coast, Le Trayas, Agay, and the small port of Le Poussaï are great stops for swimming in coves accessible on foot from the road.

Théoule-sur-Mer marks the exit of the Estérel. The casino and Belle Époque villas line a quiet waterfront, far enough from the hustle and bustle of nearby Cannes. Overnight stay possible in Théoule or already in Cannes.

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Day 4 – Cannes and Antibes: La Croisette, Picasso Museum, and Cap d'Antibes

Cannes is best explored on foot from the waterfront. La Croisette runs along the beaches for over a mile, from the Palais des Festivals to the Pointe de la Croisette. The Old Port, the Forville market, and the Le Suquet district offer a more authentic image of the city outside of festival periods.

In the morning, a boat excursion to the Lérins Islands (Sainte-Honorat, Sainte-Marguerite) from the old port is a highlight in its own right—plan for 2 to 3 hours on-site. The monastery of Sainte-Honorat, still inhabited by Cistercian monks, produces wine and liqueurs from its own distillery.

Antibes is best visited in the afternoon. The Picasso Museum, housed in the Grimaldi Castle overlooking the sea, holds an exceptional collection, some of which was created on-site. The Provençal market, the old town ramparts, and Port Vauban—one of the largest marinas in Europe—round out the visit. The Cap d'Antibes and the coastal road around the cape offer one of the most pleasant walks in the region.

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Day 5 – Nice: The Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice, and the heights

Nice deserves a full day on your itinerary. The Promenade des Anglais stretches for 4.3 miles (7 km) along the Baie des Anges—a morning stroll is recommended before the crowds arrive. The sea is accessible from public pebble beaches all along the coastline.

Old Nice (Vieux Nice) is the city's historic heart: colorful Baroque streets, the Cours Saleya market, Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, and socca from the stalls in the square. Plan for at least 2 hours to explore this neighborhood on foot.

For panoramic views, Castle Hill overlooks the port and the Baie des Anges—you can walk up from Old Nice or take the free elevator from the waterfront. It offers a stunning view of the entire bay.

In the afternoon, the drive to Villefranche-sur-Mer (10 minutes from Nice) allows you to discover one of the best-preserved ports on the French Riviera, with its 16th-century citadel and colorful houses surrounding the small fishing harbor.

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Day 6 – Eze, Monaco, and Menton: The cliffside roads and the Italian border

The day begins on the Grande Corniche, the highest of the three parallel roads connecting Nice to Monaco—the view of the principality from the Tête de Chien is one of the most photographed in the region.

Eze is a hilltop village 1,400 feet (427 m) above sea level, overlooking the sea between Nice and Monaco. The village's exotic garden houses a collection of cacti on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The restored medieval alleys and artisan workshops are worth an hour of wandering before heading back down to the coast.

Monaco: The Rock of Monaco, the Prince's Palace, the Monte-Carlo Casino, and Port Hercule can be visited in half a day. The principality is compact, and everything is walkable from the port. The Oceanographic Museum, built into the side of the cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, is one of the most important marine institutions in Europe.

Menton, 30 minutes from Monaco, concludes the itinerary near the Italian border. The old town, the gardens (Serre de la Madone, Fontana Rosa), and the covered market are the highlights. The city is famous for its lemon trees and its Lemon Festival every February. The old Menton marine cemetery, on the rock facing the sea, is worth a visit for its views and tranquility.

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Day 7 – Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence: The hinterland finale

The last day of the road trip leaves the coast for the Grasse hinterland. Grasse is the world capital of perfumery—the Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard houses offer guided tours of their workshops and distilleries. The city of perfume deserves a 2 to 3-hour visit, including the museum, perfume-making workshops, and the old town.

The D2085 road from Grasse to Vence passes through a landscape of hills, stone villages, and lavender fields (in season). Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the most visited hilltop village in the Alpes-Maritimes, known for its art galleries and the Fondation Maeght, one of the most remarkable contemporary art museums in France. The village was once home to Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall—the atmosphere still lingers in the alleys and workshops.

Finish with Vence and its Matisse Chapel (Chapelle du Rosaire), a complete work of art designed by the artist in 1951, before heading back down to Nice or the airport via the Gorges du Loup road.

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Where to Stay on the French Riviera During a Road Trip?

Accommodation on the French Riviera can quickly blow your budget if you don't plan ahead. Here are the options based on your priorities.

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Choosing Welkeys for vacation rentals

For a road trip with family, friends, or as a couple, a vacation rental offers much better value for money than a hotel for stays of three nights or more in the same city. Welkeys offers a selection of apartments and villas all over the French Riviera, from city centers to residential neighborhoods near the beaches.

The practical advantage: entire homes with fully equipped kitchens, which allow you to manage your own meals and significantly reduce weekly expenses. Welkeys properties are managed locally—flexible key handovers, a dedicated contact person, and regular maintenance. This is a significant benefit when you arrive at the end of a long day of driving and want a seamless check-in experience.

The cities best represented in the Welkeys catalog for this route are: Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Tropez, and Menton. For a 7-stop road trip, an effective strategy is to book a rental in Cannes or Antibes (centrally located on the route) for two or three nights, with single-night stays at each end of the trip.

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Other accommodation options

Seaside hotels in Cannes, Nice, and Monaco reach high prices during the peak season (July-August). Hostels are available in Nice, Cannes, and Antibes for solo travelers or small groups on a tight budget. In the hinterland (Grasse, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Vence), guesthouses and homestays offer a quiet, more affordable alternative to the coast.

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Practical Tips for Organizing Your French Riviera Road Trip

Car or van? A car remains the most practical way to travel this route. Some sections (Estérel, Grande Corniche) are not suitable for large vehicles. If you are in a camper van, check height restrictions in city parking garages (especially in Monaco).

When to go? May-June and September-October are the best times: ideal temperatures, less crowded roads, and more affordable accommodation rates. July-August is still possible but requires booking further in advance.

Estimated budget for 7 days: expect to pay between €150 and €250 per night for a well-located rental (outside of July-August), between €50 and €80 per day for food and activities, plus fuel (approximately €80 to €120 round trip depending on your starting point).

Parking: most cities on the French Riviera charge for city-center parking. Plan to use peripheral parking lots and shuttles for Monaco, Eze village, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

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FAQ – 7-Day French Riviera Road Trip

Can you do this road trip without a car? Partially. The TER train runs along the coast from Hyères to Menton and serves most of the stopover cities. However, the Estérel Massif, Eze village, Grasse, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are difficult to reach without a vehicle.

Do you need to book in advance? In July-August, yes. Accommodations, restaurants, and ferries to the Hyères Islands fill up quickly. Outside of this period, booking one to two weeks in advance is sufficient for accommodations.

Is the road trip suitable for families with children? Absolutely. The beaches of the Estérel and the Hyères Islands, the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and the perfume workshops in Grasse appeal to both adults and children. Plan for rentals with kitchens for more daily flexibility.

Can you shorten the itinerary to 5 days? Yes, by skipping the day in Hyères/Hyères Islands and combining Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence into a half-day trip from Nice. The essence of the road trip remains intact.

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A road trip on the French Riviera is a packed week between the Mediterranean coast, scenic cliffside roads, and the Provençal hinterland. The itinerary proposed here covers the must-see spots without overloading each day, leaving room for unexpected detours, which are often the best memories.