French Riviera Wine and Vineyards
A guide to the wine and vineyards of the French Riviera — Provence rosé, the Bellet hills above Nice, and vineyard days by chauffeur.
The Riviera is wine country as well as coast. Provence rosé is made just behind it, Nice has its own tiny hillside appellation, and vineyards make a lovely half-day inland from the sea. Here is a guide to the wine and vineyards of the French Riviera.
Provence rosé
The hills behind the coast, especially inland from Saint-Tropez, are the heart of Côtes de Provence — the pale, dry rosé that defines a Riviera summer. Estates here welcome visitors for tastings among the vines, an easy and scenic trip from the coast.
A glass of local rosé is the taste of the Riviera in a bottle.
- Côtes de Provence, the classic rosé
- Estates inland from Saint-Tropez
- Tastings among the vines
- The taste of a Riviera summer
Bellet, above Nice
Few realise Nice has its own vineyards: the small Bellet appellation, in the hills just above the city, is one of France's tiniest and oldest, making distinctive reds, whites and rosés on terraces overlooking the sea.
It is a surprising, characterful stop barely fifteen minutes from the Promenade.
- A tiny appellation in the Nice hills
- One of France's oldest and smallest
- Distinctive reds, whites and rosés
- Minutes above the city
Vineyard days by chauffeur
Wine tasting and driving do not mix, which is exactly why a private chauffeur suits a vineyard day. A driver takes you between estates on the winding country roads, so you can taste freely and enjoy the scenery, with your purchases carried in the car.
It is the relaxed, safe way to explore the Riviera's wine country.
Frequently asked questions
Does the French Riviera have vineyards?
Yes. Provence rosé is made in the hills behind the coast, and Nice has its own tiny Bellet appellation in the hills above the city.
What wine is the French Riviera known for?
Provence rosé above all — the pale, dry Côtes de Provence — plus the distinctive reds, whites and rosés of Nice's small Bellet appellation.
Where is Bellet wine from?
From a tiny appellation in the hills just above Nice, one of France's oldest and smallest, on terraces overlooking the sea.
How do you visit the Riviera's vineyards?
By private chauffeur ideally, so you can taste freely without driving the winding country roads, with your purchases carried in the car.
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Continue planning your Riviera journey
French Riviera Hidden Gems
Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Gourdon, Biot and the perched villages — French Riviera hidden gems beyond the busy coast.
Most Scenic Drives on the French Riviera
The three Corniches, the Gorges du Loup and the Route des Crêtes — the most scenic drives on the French Riviera.
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.