14 of the best · the French Riviera, France
The Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice, the Villa Ephrussi and its nine gardens, Èze on its rock, the Îles de Lérins and the Calanques by boat.
Our 14 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love the Riviera.
Nine themed gardens
A Belle Époque palace on the ridge of Cap Ferrat, surrounded by nine themed gardens.
An exotic garden at the top
A medieval village on a rock, crowned by a garden of cacti and succulents.
Three to nine calanques
White cliffs and turquoise inlets from the water, on the boatmen’s circuits from Cassis harbour.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
From Èze on its rock to Saint-Paul-de-Vence on its spur: the hill villages behind the coast, and how to see them without the crowds.
The back story
From winter resort to summer playground: how a strip of coast between Cassis and the Italian border became the Riviera.
The sights everyone comes for.
Maritime history
The hilltop citadel above Saint-Tropez, with the town’s maritime history museum.
The view over Nice
The castle hill between the old town and the port, with the best view in Nice.
An exotic garden at the top
A medieval village on a rock, crowned by a garden of cacti and succulents.
Above Port Vauban
A star-shaped fort above Port Vauban, and the sea walls of old Antibes.
Fifteen minutes from Cannes
Two islands off Cannes: pine woods and the Fort Royal on Sainte-Marguerite, monks and vines on Saint-Honorat.
The red carpet
Home of the Festival de Cannes, on La Croisette by the Vieux-Port.
1 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 CannesExplore View on map
UNESCO World Heritage (2021)
The great curve of the Baie des Anges, heart of Nice’s UNESCO-listed winter resort town.
Three to nine calanques
White cliffs and turquoise inlets from the water, on the boatmen’s circuits from Cassis harbour.
Flower market Tuesday–Sunday
Ochre lanes, Baroque chapels and the flower market on the Cours Saleya.
Nine themed gardens
A Belle Époque palace on the ridge of Cap Ferrat, surrounded by nine themed gardens.
25 of the best Restaurants
5 of the best Cafés
8 of the best Bars
25 of the best Hotels14 of the best Art & Culture
12 of the best Beaches & Gardens7 of the best Walks
9 of the best Shopping
14 of the best Health & Spas6 of the best Property6 of the best Developments5 of the best Driving13 of the best Getting Around15 of the best Beach Clubs & Marinas6 of the best Casinos7 of the best Vineyards7 of the best Film & Cinema6 of the best Mountains & Ski6 of the best Diving & Water Sports