Classic French Riviera – Including Nice, Monaco and Cannes

Travel to the South of France

Take the short sea ferry crossing Calais then travel south through France making an overnight stop enroute.  Continue the next day to Menton for the next 5 nights.

At Leisure in Menton ‘The City of Lemons’

The garden town of Menton is one of France’s 120 ‘Cities of Art & History’.  Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of the old town with its cluster of pastel-shaded houses and steep alleyways.  See also the Russian Church and Carnolis Palace, the former summer residence of the princes of Monaco and now the town’s art gallery.  The Palace gardens have Europe’s largest collection of citrus trees with sculptures hidden amongst the plants and trees.

You can stroll along the promenade, admire the Baroque churches and villas or visit the museums dedicated to Jean Cocteau and other artists.  You can also enjoy the local cuisine, which blends French and Italian influences, and taste the famous Menton lemon, which is celebrated every year with a lively festival.

Nice and Villa Ephrussi Palace and Gardens

Travel to Nice, the ‘capital’ of the French Riviera with its great shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco facades. Stroll along the famous ‘Promenade des Anglais’ or visit the atmospheric old town and the very popular and famous Cours Saleya flower market (closed Mondays). Maybe visit the Matisse Museum or the Russian Othodox Cathedral.

Continue to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a magnificent Belle Epoque palace located in nearby Cap Ferrat, whose nine themed gardens overlook the sea.  Explore the State Apartments, the Porcelain Collection and many other rooms in the palace and spend some time in the gardens on a self-guided visit.

Mountain Villages, Perfume and Cannes

Drive to the hill-top medieval walled village of St. Paul de Vence, filled with art galleries and boutiques, and where many famous artists have worked, including Picasso, Matisse and Chagall who lived in the village for 19 years and is buried in the local cemetery.   The village has also hosted world cinema stars, including Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren.  The streets of the village, covered with pebbles, are a real work of art and there are magnificent views of the coast and the mountains from many parts of the village.

After some free time continue to the beautiful village of Grasse, world capital of the perfume industry. There is an International Museum of Perfume here and four important perfume producers are still based in the town which can be visited (group bookings available on request).  Discover the Old Town where many of the tall narrow houses are painted in pastel orange colours to brighten the narrow streets, and there are numerous shops, cafes and restaurants in the open squares.

From here head down to the coast and to the chic resort of Cannes, home of the eponymous film festival. Enjoy exploring the glittering resort with golden beaches, a marina full of luxurious yachts and the famous palm tree-lined ‘La Croisette’ promenade before heading back to the hotel.

Monaco and Monte Carlo

The tiny Principality of Monaco is made up of four quarters, most famously Monte Carlo, home to the casino. Monaco’s fortified old town however feels a world away from the skyscrapers and instead has a charming feel with a Royal Palace, Cathedral and stunning gardens. Explore this glamorous town, perhaps watch the changing of the Palace Guards or stroll along the streets that make up the amazing Grand Prix Circuit which also runs alongside the marina where the rich and famous moor their yachts! Enjoy some free time at the Casino Square or ‘Golden Square’ with prestigious shops, amazing restaurants and luxury cars.  Why not visit the The Musée Océanographique de Monaco, one of the oldest aquariums in the world with over 90 pools including a Shark Lagoon.  (Optional guided tours available)

Return to the UK

It’s time to leave the French Riviera. Make an overnight stop in France before driving to Calais the following day for the short sea ferry crossing to the UK