This blog is based on my own carefully planned road trip through the French Riviera and Monaco. I traveled from London Heathrow to Nice, explored beautiful villages, visited Monaco twice, and captured much of the journey on video. Below, you’ll find the key destinations you should visit, a day-by-day breakdown of my trip, and tips for making the most of your own adventure—including how to use my road journey videos for inspiration.
Why This Itinerary?
This was my personal travel plan, shaped by my interests in local culture, art, food, and scenic drives. I visited Monaco twice to experience both its daytime elegance and vibrant nightlife, and I made sure to explore both famous and lesser-known villages around Nice. Along the way, I recorded road trip videos—so you can get a real sense of the journey and scenery.
Essential Destinations to Visit on Your French Riviera Road Trip
- Nice Old Town
- Gros de Cagnes
- Monaco (visited twice)
- Eze Village
- Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Antibes
- Mougins
- Port Vauban (Antibes)
- Cannes
- Biot
- Gourdon
- Grasse
- Callian
- Saint Paul de Vence
- Tourrettes
- Vence
- Promenade Riviera Mall (for shopping)
- CAP 3000 Mall (Nice)
Day-by-Day Itinerary & Highlights
Click on each destination below for a detailed blog post, photos, and exclusive road trip videos!
Day 1: Arrival
- Fly from London Heathrow to Nice
- British Airways, Terminal 5 to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
Day 2: Nice, Gros de Cagnes & Monaco
- Nice to Gros de Cagnes: Tried pistachio sweets and coffee (video in stories)
- Nice to Monaco: Drove to Monte Carlo (road journey video available)
- Highlights: Parking tips, Starbucks, Saint Nicholas Cathedral
- Monaco to Eze Village: Lots of photos, planning a dedicated blog
- Eze to Villefranche-sur-Mer: Dinner at Tosca
Day 3: Antibes, Mougins & Port Vauban
- Nice to Antibes: Explored Old Town, visited a bakery (video & blog)
- Antibes to Mougins: Art galleries, met artists (Les Pipelettes by Nana, Laurence Verney)
- Mougins to Port Vauban: My favorite spot—check out the videos!
Day 4: Cannes & Biot
- Antibes to Cannes: Road trip and alleyway videos, coffee at patisseries
- Antibes to Biot: Visited the cathedral, had local conversations (video & blog)
Day 5: Gourdon, Grasse & Callian
- Antibes to Gourdon: Bought perfume, coffee in a local restaurant (carry cash!)
- Gourdon to Grasse: Perfume capital of France
- Grasse to Callian: Quiet, picturesque village
Day 6: Saint Paul de Vence, Tourrettes & Vence
- Antibes to Saint Paul de Vence: Art, Mona Lisa gallery, local artists
- Saint Paul de Vence to Tourrettes: Clean village, police station, short video
- Tourrettes to Vence: Explored local shops and streets
- Vence to Promenade Riviera Mall: Shopping, free parking, restaurants
Day 7: Monaco (Second Visit) & Old Town Nice
- Antibes to Monaco: Covered shopping malls, Paris Hotel, casino, tax-free shopping (carry your passport!)
- Monaco to Old Town Nice: Visited big hotels, took photos, shot videos
Day 8: Nice Old Town & CAP 3000 Mall
- Nice Old Town: Explored the city, used Ok Mobility, met helpful locals, visited CAP 3000 mall (4 hours free parking)
Road Journey Videos
Throughout my trip, I filmed the drives between key destinations—including Nice to Antibes, Nice to Monaco, and through the scenic villages. These videos offer a real look at the beautiful landscapes, road conditions, and hidden gems along the way. If you’d like to see these journeys for yourself, check out the video links in each destination’s blog post.
How to Use This Guide
- Plan Your Route: Use the bullet-point list above to map out your own trip.
- Explore Each Stop: Click through to the detailed blogs for each destination (coming soon).
- Watch the Journey: Get inspired by my road trip videos for each leg of the trip.
- Personalize Your Adventure: Feel free to follow my plan exactly, or mix and match destinations based on your interests.
Stay Tuned
Each destination listed above will have its own dedicated blog post with stories, photos, travel tips, and embedded road journey videos. Whether you’re planning your own French Riviera adventure or just want to travel vicariously, there’s plenty more to come!
Ready to start your journey? Click on any destination above for more details, and don’t forget to check out the road trip videos for a real taste of the French Riviera experience!