French Riviera Day Trips from Nice: Lemons, Royalty, and a Hilltop Village

One of the best things about basing yourself in Nice is how easy it is to explore the whole coastline. The French Riviera is dotted with small towns, each with its own personality, history, and food, and most of them are just a short ride away. We chose not to drive in France, so we kept things simple and took the bus. Getting a ticket is easy, and you can reach the stop with a short walk or a quick tram ride. The buses run frequently, which gave us more flexibility than the train schedule would have, and the drop-off points were often closer to exactly where we wanted to be. (Late nights were a different story. Once public transit stopped running, we relied on Uber, which worked out fine.) If you have the time, I’d recommend one day trip per day so you can really settle into each place. That said, we’re the type to pack a lot in, so we combined a few. Here are my favorites from our coastal adventures. And if you haven’t read about our time in Nice itself, start there first!

Eze: The Most Magical Village on the French Riviera

If you ask me to name one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my life, Eze is at the top of the list. Very appropriate, since most of the village sits on top of the hill. There’s something about it that stays with you – the light, the views, the feeling of stepping into a place where time genuinely slows down. It’s the kind of town that makes you forget you had plans.
Getting there from Nice is easy. Take bus #82 from the Vauban stop in Nice. A little tip: sit on the right side of the bus heading there for the views, and the left side on the way back. That is, if you get a seat, the bus fills up. It’s a short ride but it’s very scenic. When you arrive and look up at this ancient village perched on a hilltop above the sea, you’ll already feel the magic.

Viex Eze

One thing to know before you go: Eze sur Mer is the coastal town at the bottom of the hill. It’s lovely, but not what most people may be planning (Eze Village). The famous Nietzsche Path connects the two on foot and takes a few hours. It’s not for the faint of heart. We headed straight to Eze Village, and I’m so glad we did. The village is a beautiful tangle of cobblestone alleys, old stone buildings, little shops, and restaurants tucked into corners you almost miss.



Local cats wander the paths like they own the place (they do), so sweet.

The food is wonderful traditional French cooking. Don’t rush through without stopping to eat. History is written into every cobblestone here, and wandering without a plan is entirely the right approach.

Jardin Exotique de Eze

I love spending time in nature and the “exotic garden” of Eze is absolutely stunning. This is the crown of the whole experience, and I mean that literally and figuratively. The exotic garden sits at the very top of the village, built into the ruins of a medieval fortress over 400 meters above sea level. You’ll climb a lot of steps getting there (bring a walking stick if that helps) but what’s waiting for you makes every step worth it.

The garden itself is stunning. Cacti and succulents from around the world grow alongside Mediterranean plants, all of it cascading down ancient stone walls, and then below it all is the most extraordinary blue water you’ve ever seen. The Mediterranean stretching out beneath you, glittering in the sun. I sat there for a long time just looking.







The shops around the garden carry that medieval spirit too, not just in their stone walls but in what they sell. We watched a craftsman make leather belts the same way they’ve been made for centuries and walked away with one. It wasn’t just a beautiful belt, it was one of those travel memories you actually keep.

A practical note: check the hours before you go, and consider arriving in the late afternoon. The crowds thin out, and the golden hour light over the Mediterranean from up there is something I won’t forget for a long time.

The Scents

This corner of France is famous for its perfumes. Grasse, just inland, is the perfume capital of the world, and Eze has its own piece of that story. There’s a Fragonard perfume factory right in the village, and the scents there are tied to the local landscape: flowers, herbs, citrus, all the things growing around you on that hillside. It’s a lovely stop, and a beautiful way to bring a little piece of Eze home.

Monaco: Glamour, Grand Prix, and a deep ocean connection

If Monaco has been on your list for a while, go. It was a bucket list check for us, and it definitely delivered. Glamour, racing history, royalty, casinos… it’s a small place that somehow packs all of it in.

Getting there is easy from Nice. The same bus that goes to Eze continues on to Monaco, and there’s a train too, but we took an Uber from Eze, which was quick and comfortable. One thing to know: Monaco doesn’t allow taxis, so you’ll be dropped right at the harbor. Honestly, not a bad place to start. We stepped out and were immediately standing near the Circuit de Monaco, the famous Grand Prix start line. If you’re any kind of racing fan (or even just a curious one), seeing it in person is genuinely exciting.

The Harbor

We wandered the harbor first. The boats alone are worth a look. These aren’t your average sailboats. You will notice that everything in Monaco is on a grand scale. Here’s another look at it from above.

We stopped at Cafe Milano, right overlooking the water, for a bite and to take it all in. The views of the Mediterranean from here are gorgeous, and the Mediterranean food matched.

Prince’s Palace

Walking through Monaco City felt a little surreal. Everything is immaculately maintained – the streets, the buildings, all of it. We were genuinely impressed.



Prince’s Palace is spectacular, and if you time it right, you can catch the changing of the guards, which happens every single day at exactly 11:55am. Worth planning around.


Note, Monaco Euro has a different value (it’s unsurprisingly more), so watch your coins carefully.

Oceanographic Museum

This one was a highlight. The Oceanographic Museum tells the story of Monaco’s deep connection to the sea, and it does it well. You’re greeted outside by a yellow submarine, which sets the tone perfectly.

You will see many references to whales throughout. Prince Albert I, Monaco Oceanographic Museum founder, was a pioneer in modern oceanography. His early expeditions were dedicated largely to studying whales, so today the museum honors his lifelong contributions to marine research.


Inside, there are multiple fish enclosures, both indoor and outdoor.

We spent a good amount of time watching the giant turtles outside with the azure water in the background.

There was also an immersive exhibit inside one of the rooms that was absolutely enchanting. Don’t skip this one.

Casino de Monte Carlo

I had seen this place in James Bond movies and it did not disappoint up close. First, there’s the continuous parade of exotic cars outside – Ferraris, Lamborghinis, cars I couldn’t even name – which is entertainment in itself. The building is spectacular.

You can pay around $20 to go inside and see the first room with slot machines, but going past the curtain into the serious gaming rooms requires considerably more. Even just seeing the entrance hall is worth it.


Right next to the casino, there’s a beautiful fountain and garden, a luxurious hotel, and the famous Café de Paris.

Down the street, there is a collection of high end stores and boutiques. Even if you’re just window shopping, this whole area is an experience.

Menton: Lemons, Gardens, and the French Riviera’s Best Beach

Menton is the last French town before Italy, and it has the personality to match. The Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel is the most recognizable landmark in Menton, rising above the colorful Old Town with its striking Baroque façade and elegant bell tower. Menton is colorful, a little sun-drenched, and completely charming. It’s quieter than Nice or Monaco, which honestly made it a welcome change of pace. And yes, it’s famous for its lemons. You’ll understand why the moment you arrive.

The Lemon Festival

Every February, Menton hosts the Fête du Citron. The main draw is enormous sculptures and parade floats built entirely out of lemons and oranges. We’re talking tens of thousands of citrus fruits shaped into animals, monuments, and all kinds of elaborate designs. There are processions with music, and the whole town smells incredible. Even if you don’t visit during the festival, lemons are everywhere year-round.

Lemon pastries in every bakery window, lemon gelato that you absolutely have to try (the Italian influence is real here, Italy is literally around the corner), limoncello in the shops, and clothes and accessories decorated with that cheerful yellow fruit. It’s a whole thing, and I mean that in the best way.

The Botanical Garden

The Jardin Val Rahmeh is worth a stop, especially if you enjoy gardens. It’s a national botanical collection run by the Paris Natural History Museum, filled with tropical and subtropical plants that thrive in Menton’s warm microclimate. It’s peaceful and a little unexpected, a nice break from the beach if you need one.

The Beach

Now, the real reason we made the trip to Menton: the beach. And what a beach it is.
If you’ve spent time in Nice, you know the deal there – gorgeous water, but you’re lying on rocks (and getting in and out is an adventure). Menton has actual sand.

It’s relaxed, it’s beautiful, and with the colorful old town rising up behind you and Italy just around the headland, the setting is pretty hard to beat. We stayed much longer than planned, which is exactly what should happen.