Pick up your rental car at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and start with a morning exploring Nice itself before hitting the road. Walk the Promenade des Anglais along the sweeping Baie des Anges, then climb Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views over the terracotta rooftops and turquoise water below. The Old Town (Vieux Nice) is a labyrinth of narrow streets filled with Baroque churches, gelato shops, and the vibrant Cours Saleya market where vendors sell flowers, olives, and socca — a crispy chickpea pancake that's Nice's signature street food.
In the afternoon, drive west along the Basse Corniche (the lower coastal road) toward Antibes, a 30-minute drive that hugs the coast. Stop at Cap d'Antibes, where a coastal path winds around the headland past millionaire villas and hidden swimming coves. Visit the Musée Picasso, housed in the Château Grimaldi where Picasso worked in 1946. End your day in Antibes' old town, dining at a restaurant on the ramparts overlooking the harbor.
Driving tip: Parking in Nice's old town is nearly impossible. Use the underground Parking Saleya or park at the airport and take the tram into the city center. Parking meters accept cards.
Stay: Hôtel La Pérouse (Nice) or Hôtel La Place (Antibes old town).
Drive to Cannes along the coast road, stopping at Juan-les-Pins if you want a morning swim at one of the sandy beaches. Cannes is synonymous with the film festival, but the real charm lies in Le Suquet, the old quarter on the hill above the harbor. Climb to the top for views over the Croisette and the Îles de Lérins offshore. Take the 15-minute ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite, where you can snorkel in crystal-clear water, walk through eucalyptus forest, and visit the fort where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned.
In the afternoon, drive west into the Esterel Massif — a stunning stretch of red porphyry rock plunging into deep blue sea. The Corniche d'Or (N98) between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël is one of Europe's most scenic coastal drives. Stop at Pointe de l'Observatoire for photographs, and swim at Plage du Dramont where the red rocks meet the water. Return to Cannes or continue to Saint-Raphaël for the night.
Eat: Le Bistrot Gourmand in Cannes — Michelin-quality cooking at bistro prices. Book ahead in summer.
Stay: Hôtel Splendid Cannes or Best Western Plus Cannes Riviera.
Today you'll drive the legendary Three Corniches — three parallel roads built at different elevations between Nice and Monaco. Start with the Grande Corniche (D2564), the highest road, built by Napoleon. Stop at the Col d'Èze viewpoint for what is arguably the finest view on the entire Côte d'Azur — the coastline stretches from Italy to Saint-Tropez on clear days.
Drop down to the medieval village of Èze, perched like an eagle's nest 427 meters above the sea. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets to the Exotic Garden at the summit, where cacti and succulents frame views straight down to the Mediterranean. This is the quintessential Riviera hilltop village.
Continue on the Moyenne Corniche (N7) to Monaco. Park in the Parking des Pêcheurs beneath the Rock of Monaco and explore on foot. Visit the Prince's Palace for the changing of the guard, walk through the Casino Square at Monte-Carlo (dress code enforced inside), and stroll the F1 circuit — the streets you're walking on become a racetrack every May. The Oceanographic Museum on the cliff edge is excellent, founded by Prince Albert I in 1910.
Eat: Le Café de Paris for people-watching on Casino Square, or walk across the border to Menton for better-value restaurants on the pedestrianized Rue Saint-Michel.
Stay: Columbus Monte-Carlo or Novotel Monte-Carlo.
Drive east from Monaco to Menton, the last French town before Italy, known as the "Pearl of France" for its microclimate that allows lemon trees to grow year-round. Visit the Fête du Citron gardens (in February) or the Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh year-round. The old town is a pastel-colored cascade of buildings tumbling down to the harbor, quieter and more authentic than its famous neighbors.
Cross briefly into Italy to Ventimiglia for the famous Friday market, then loop back via the hill towns of the arrière-pays — Sainte-Agnès (the highest coastal village in Europe at 800m), Peillon, and Peille. These villages feel untouched by tourism, with stone fountains, vaulted passages, and restaurants serving daube provençale and homemade pasta. Return your rental car at Nice Airport.
Driving tip: The Corniches have hairpin bends and no guardrails in places. Drive slowly, use your horn before blind curves, and watch for motorcycles overtaking on bends. Fuel up in France — Italian petrol stations near the border charge significantly more.
For multi-country trips, pick up and return the car in the same country to avoid expensive one-way drop-off fees (often €200-500).
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental car (4 days, compact) | €120-180 |
| Fuel (petrol, 200 km) | €30-45 |
| Tolls (autoroute sections) | €10-20 |
| Accommodation (3 nights mid-range) | €300-500 |
| Food (meals for 2 people) | €250-400 |
| Activities (museums, ferry, gardens) | €60-100 |
| Parking fees | €30-50 |
Country-by-country driving requirements, packing list, and emergency contacts — all in one PDF.
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Country-by-country driving requirements, packing list, and emergency contacts — all in one PDF.
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