Cote d'Azur
Enjoy the fabulous French Riviera coast from St. Tropez to Monaco. The province of film-star legends and royalty, this region is renowned for its romantic villages, seaside villas, Mediterranean views, lush gardens, deep grottos and winding corniches. From the azure blue coast and its lovely beaches, the Croisette of Cannes and the chic town of St Tropez, you’ll revel in star-studded elegance and opulence. You’ll understand why this region has been the favorite of glitterati and old money alike since la Belle Époque. Take time to venture into the back country to visit mountain gorges and walk the cobbled streets in perched villages from the Middle Ages. See fields of lavender and experience essences of perfumes for yourself. Dabble in the healthy olive oil and herb-based cuisine of the region and sample the wines of the Var.
Day One.
Your driver will pick you up at the Nice airport or train station and bring you to your hotel — either a luxury seaside resort between Nice and Monaco or a historic property in the perched village of Saint Paul de Vence.
Day Two.
After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up to explore the Western Riviera. Enjoy a visit to St. Paul de Vence, one of the prettiest perched villages above Nice, with a fine art museum and galleries galore. Stop in Grasse, which is famous for perfumes and where you'll be treated to a VIP tour of a renowned perfume museum. After that, proceed to Cannes to stroll down the famous seafront Croisette — where stars come from the world over during the Cannes Film Festival. Next, head to the Var region, where you will enjoy lunch at Chez Bruno, a restaurant famous for truffles, and then onto a wine tasting. The Phoenicians planted the region’s first vineyards 2,600 years ago and the rosés, whites and light reds are quite good. Finally, visit St Tropez, a charming seaside town where the jet set from the world over converges — it has shopping, beautiful people, beaches and a yacht harbor that is unrivalled.
Day Three.
After breakfast, your driver will take you to explore the Eastern Riviera. Visit the city of Nice, with its beautiful flower market, English Promenade, charming Vieux Port and Matisse and Chagall Museums. On the way to Monaco, stop in St. Jean de Cap Ferrat to visit the Ephrussi De Rothschild Mansion and Gardens – one of the prettiest on the coast, and the Villa Kerylos — a reconstituted fifth-century BC Greek Villa with incredible mosaics, design, lighting and furnishings in the très chic village of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Have lunch in one of the seaside resort’s many restaurants. Once in Monaco, you’ll visit the Casino square, palace and cathedral where Grace Kelly was married. Finally, you’ll visit Eze; a scenic village perched high in the cliffs above Monaco. The medieval town with its meandering cobblestone streets offers many interesting boutiques. You can admire the amazing coastal views for the cactus garden at the top before heading to your hotel or the Nice airport or train station for your onward journey.
Day Four (optional).
Enjoy extra days in the region, where we can arrange cooking classes, art tours (Riviera painters), a hiking tour in the Gorges de Verdon — our French Grand Canyon— or just relax in your lovely hotel.
Includes
• Transfers to and from Nice airport or train station
• Two days of private tours in a luxury sedan or minivan with a driver-guide
• Two nights in a historic hotel in St. Paul de Vence or in a luxury resort between Nice and Monaco with breakfast and VIP welcome and amenities
• One wine tasting and one gourmet lunch
For a full experience of Provence, this package should be combined with our Haute Provence Break.
France Experience Reservations
