French Riviera: A 3-Day Itinerary
A perfect 3-day French Riviera itinerary — Nice, Èze and Monaco, then Cannes and Antibes, then the villages, all linked by private chauffeur.
Three days is enough to fall for the French Riviera if you plan them well. This itinerary balances the great set pieces — Monaco, Cannes, Nice — with the perched villages and quiet corners that make the coast special. With a private chauffeur handling the driving and the traffic, each day flows from one highlight to the next. Here is a perfect 3-day French Riviera itinerary.
Day 1: Nice, Èze and Monaco
Start in Nice with a morning on the Promenade des Anglais and in the Old Town, then climb Castle Hill for the view. After lunch, take the corniche east, stopping at the perched village of Èze and its exotic garden.
Arrive in Monaco in the late afternoon for the casino square and Port Hercule, timing the corniche drive for golden hour on the way.
- Morning: Nice Old Town and the Promenade
- Midday: Èze village and the Exotic Garden
- Afternoon: Monaco and Monte-Carlo
- The scenic corniche between them
Day 2: Cannes, Antibes and Mougins
Head west to Cannes for La Croisette and the old town of Le Suquet, then on to Antibes for the ramparts, the Picasso Museum and Port Vauban. Lunch in the hilltop village of Mougins adds a touch of gastronomy.
If time allows, add the perfume houses of Grasse or the sands of Juan-les-Pins before returning east.
- Cannes: La Croisette and Le Suquet
- Antibes: ramparts, Picasso and Port Vauban
- Mougins for a gastronomic lunch
- Optional: Grasse or Juan-les-Pins
Day 3: villages and the coast
Spend the final day on the quieter side of the Riviera: the coastal walks and villa of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the harbour of Villefranche, and the sunny old town of Menton on the Italian border — or strike out west for a longer run to Saint-Tropez.
Whichever way you turn, the villages reward an unhurried pace, and a chauffeur lets you set it.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for the French Riviera?
Yes. Three well-planned days cover Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and the perched villages, especially with a chauffeur handling the driving.
What is the best order for a Riviera itinerary?
A natural rhythm is Nice–Èze–Monaco on day one, the western towns on day two, and the quieter villages or Saint-Tropez on day three.
Do you need a car for the French Riviera?
The towns are linked by train, but a chauffeur reaches the perched villages, viewpoints and gardens far more easily, without parking or timetables.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. A private chauffeur tailors the pace and the stops to your interests, whether that is art, gardens, beaches or gastronomy.
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Best Things to Do in Nice
From the Promenade des Anglais to Old Nice and Castle Hill, the best things to do in the Riviera's capital.
Monaco in One Day: A Perfect Itinerary
A one-day Monaco itinerary — the Casino, Palace, Oceanographic Museum and Port Hercule, made easy with a chauffeur.
Best Things to Do in Cannes
La Croisette, Le Suquet, the Lérins Islands and the red carpet — the best things to do in Cannes.