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Highlights of the Côte d’Azur: A French Riviera Travel Guide
Published on June 25, 2025
Following a week spent traveling through Amsterdam, Paris, and Provence, we decided to end our trip on a relaxing note in the French Riviera. We stayed in Menton, which turned out to be the perfect home base. It was beautiful, laid-back, and well-connected to other towns along the coast. As a bonus, my birthday happened to fall during this stretch of the trip, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate! In mid-October, the weather was still sunny and warm, and low season made for fewer tourists and uncrowded beaches – a welcome perk, even if the water was a bit too chilly for swimming.
Day 1
From the moment we drove into Menton, I was amazed by how colorful and picturesque it was. No matter the direction you’re facing, the views are just stunning, and its proximity to other towns along the Riviera makes Menton an ideal base for exploring the region with ease.
After settling in, we stopped in at Eunoia Coffee for breakfast and set off for a walk along the waterfront. We followed the coast east all the way to Italy, crossing the border on foot at a small, unstaffed station. The walk there was under half an hour, and allowed for great views of the sea and the city from a distance. It was kind of thrilling to just stroll into another country without speaking to a single person, and definitely not something I could pull off back home (without landing into some serious trouble, at least)! The only other time I’ve crossed a border on foot was at the Drielandenpunt, where the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium meet.
After our walk past the border and back, we hopped in the car to drive a bit further into Italy to visit the town of Sanremo. The drive took about 40 minutes, and it was such a scenic route. We ate at Mood, a delicious pasta spot run by the fabulous Kate, whose detailed and enthusiastic description of each dish on the menu made the experience incredibly memorable! If you find yourself in San Remo, this restaurant is worth the stop.
Day 2
Given the proximity of towns along the French Riviera, this region is perfect for day trips. For example, Cannes is a perfect city to incorporate it into any French Riviera itinerary! We made our way to Nice for the morning, a city that’s easy to explore on your own, or via walking tour if you’re interested in seeing the city’s main sights and diving into some history with the help of a local guide. My favorite food tour company, Secret Food Tours, also offers a tour in Nice, which is another great way to literally get a taste of the city!
Later in the day, my sister flew in to surprise me for my birthday! We drove back to Menton with an extra passenger in our car, and had a simple but delicious lunch at Il Capriccio. Following our Italian-style lunch, we walked through Menton’s old town, making our way uphill toward the Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange, the town’s iconic baroque church and bell tower, situated at the top of Menton’s famous staircase. From the church, we continued upward past the Cimetière du Vieux Château, and to the Point de vue du Port: the best panoramic viewpoint in Menton. From up there, we had a clear view over the terracotta rooftops of the old town, the port filled with boats, and the Mediterranean coast extending all the way past the Italian border.
For dinner, we stayed local and found another Italian restaurant just a short walk from our apartment. Given Menton’s location right on the border of Italy, the quality of Italian food here is amazing. It was the perfect end to a day full of surprises, good food, and gorgeous views.
Day 3
The following morning, we started the day at Marché des Halles in Menton, the town’s covered market, where we picked up local produce, handmade pasta, cheese, and other ingredients for a home-cooked birthday dinner! Because it was a Saturday, we lucked out with a couple of other markets in town also being open and available to explore. If you’re staying outside of Menton, here is a list of other markets in the Riviera and their opening days and hours.
Following our market haul, we took a day trip to Èze Village, a medieval town on a hilltop known for its winding cobblestone lanes and Jardin Exotique, a stunning botanical garden with panoramic views of the sea and towns below. Following our stop in Èze, we made our way to Gorbio, a quiet, picturesque village tucked into the hills above Menton. It was a lovely contrast to the more touristed towns along the coast.
Back in Menton, we grabbed drinks at Bouddha Beach and enjoyed relaxing with a sea view at golden hour. That evening, we cooked dinner using the fresh ingredients we’d picked up at the market, and then my sister and I headed out for a fun little photoshoot on Menton’s famous staircase in front of the Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange at dusk. This is undeniably one of Menton’s most photogenic spots, despite it already being a town full of vibrant, colorful scenery throughout.
If you’re looking for a spot to go after dinner, Menton has a diverse selection of places to choose from. We were most surprised by finding La Caz’Amis, a Western-themed saloon with country music, cowboy hats, and a totally unexpected vibe for the Riviera!
Day 4
We spent our last morning exploring more of Menton on foot, starting with a stroll through its charming pedestrian streets lined with boutiques and cafés. We enjoyed sampling local products such as infused olive oil, citrus liqueurs, and delicious jams. Menton’s famous lemons were featured in almost everything, and many of the vendors happily shared a bit about their process. We learned that there are lemon farms just north of Menton, which we would have definitely visited if we had another day.
We also walked along the Bastion, a small 17th-century sea fort built by the Prince of Monaco. While we didn’t go inside the museum, the structure itself is beautifully preserved and offers a great vantage point over the harbor, where there are plenty of companies offering boat tours if you’re looking to get out to sea. If you’re looking for a full-day tour that covers the highlights of Menton, including lemon farms and a scenic boat ride, this one is worth checking out!
In the afternoon, we caught the train to Monaco, a new country to check off the list! The regional train line connects Menton to Monaco as well as to several other coastal towns and cities, making the train an incredibly convenient and efficient option for day trips. Once in Monaco, we headed to the iconic Monte-Carlo Casino. Note: you must bring your passport if you want to enter the main gaming rooms.
After a full day, we returned to Menton for dinner at Côté Bistro, a cozy spot with a great menu and warm service, perfect for ending the day (and our trip!) on a high note.
Menton and the French Riviera have a lot to offer, including good food, beautiful coastline views, and easy day trips. It ended up being the perfect place to spend a birthday and unwind after traveling through other parts of France. Compared to larger cities like Paris or Nice, everything here felt more relaxed and local. As the final stop on our trip, it was a perfect way to shift out of “traveling mode” and into “vacation mode” before heading home!
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