Contents

• Why a one-week travel Itinerary?
• Best Time to Visit the French Riviera
• Where to stay on the French Riviera
• How to move around the French Riviera
• Day 1: Arrival in Nice – The gateway to the French Riviera
• Day 2: Exploring Monaco and Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Day 3: Èze and Saint-Paul de Vence – Medieval Villages & Hilltop Views
• Day 4: Cannes & Antibes – Luxury, beaches, and coastal charm
• Day 5: Saint-Tropez & coastal escapes
• Day 6: Exploring the hidden gems of the Riviera
• Day 7: Leisure & departure
  
• Conclusion

Why a one-week travel Itinerary?

As a travel advisor, it is important to pay attention to the needs and cater to a wide range of travelers.

Visiting the French Riviera on a 7-day itinerary is perfect because it is a cost effective solution for luxury and mid-range travelers. 

A one-week itinerary allows travelers to optimize spending, explore coastal cities, medieval villages, and other hotspots without feeling rushed in top destinations like Nice, Èze, Saint-Paul de Vence, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez.

Planning one-week French Riviera trip packages also helps travel professionals offer structured trip planning that maximizes value for clients.

Photo: Balate.Dorin/shutterstock.com

Best Time to Visit the French Riviera

As a travel planner, professional or agency, it is important to note that there are best times when travelers want to visit the French Riviera. Planning trip packages along these seasons will help you curate a unique experience for your clients.

Peak season (May–September)

The peak season is the ideal time for travelers looking for beach vacations and warm weather. Although this season is known for crowded beaches and high traffic, you can steer your travelers towards the better sights that the warm season has to offer.

These include the Cannes Film Festival in May and Bastille Day in July. The lavender fields in Provence are in full bloom from late June to mid-August and sunflowers are in bloom from mid-June to late July. The Monaco Grand Prix and the Tour de France which passes through the south of France by the end of July are also interesting events that can keep your travelers interested during the peak seasons.

Photo: Feel good studio / Shutterstock.com

Off-Peak Season (October–April)

Among your clients will be travelers looking to enjoy the French Riviera experience on a slower pulse. They want fewer crowds, lower hotel prices, and to take in the unique cultural experiences several cities have to offer. The milder weather during off-peak season accommodates walking tours and exploring historic towns.

It is important for travel professionals to plan according to your client’s needs and preferences to create a French Riviera experience that they can enjoy.

With this knowledge, you can begin to curate unique travel experiences and trip packages for travelers who want a French Riviera holiday.

Where to stay on the French Riviera

There are many ways to plan a one-week visit to the French Riviera.

Firstly, you need to consider where your clients will stay during their holiday. 

To avoid moving their bags and luggage around and be more professional, it is important to book a hotel in Nice that helps your clients settle in and be comfortable. From beautiful, luxury hotels to cozy, budget friendly options, you’re sure to find the right fit for mid-range to luxury travelers.

Photo: Ratehawk.com

Whether you choose the heart of Nice or the outskirts, there’s much to see. From the laneways and shops to restaurants. If your clients prefer to stay in any other towns like Antibes, Saint Tropez, or Menton it’s important to prepare accordingly to ensure proper coordination when moving through the Riviera.

How to move around the French Riviera

Another important thing to consider is how to get around.

As a travel professional or agency, it is important to find a comfortable way to transport your clients around. The French Riviera is solid on public transport so you can manage it without having to hire a car. Though, it may be a good option if you are transporting more than one or two people, if you’re handling luxury travelers, or if your clients specifically request it.

Otherwise, you can choose the trains which run frequently through the French Riviera through Nice, Antibes, Grasse, Saint Tropez, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The trains also extend through to Monaco and into Italy.

Photo: RossHelen / Shutterstock.com

To further immerse your clients in the culture, you can choose to travel with public transport- the buses. These are also reliable as they are better for accessing more remote towns and villages like Èze, Saint-Paul de Vence.

Here’s a customizable one-week itinerary on the French Riviera to help you get started.

Day 1: Arrival in Nice – The gateway to the French Riviera

Nice is undoubtedly the gateway into the French Riviera because this is the city your clients will fly into. Since this also counts as day one, give your clients some time to check into their hotels in Nice and share a printed and electronic itinerary with them to keep them informed of your plans.

Photo: christophe.parmentier / Shutterstock.com

Afternoon explore:

Take your clients to enjoy a scenic walk along the coast in Promenade des Anglais, highlighting the panoramic view of the sea then to the Old Town (Vieux Nice). This place has famous markets like the Cours Saleya Market and historical streets where your clients can buy interesting things, visit the cultural sites like the Cimiez Hill, Roman Arena, and Matisse and Chagall Museums, including the Colline du Château and Fontaine du Soleil fountain in Place Massena.

For Dinner, create an ambient experience with dinner with a view: Recommend restaurants for an authentic French dining experience like the Rue Bonaparte, the Beer District, and unique shops. Allow them to turn in early to get a full rest from their ride in and busy day.

Photo: Sergey Dzyuba / Shutterstock.com

Day 2: Exploring Monaco and Villefranche-sur-Mer

Day 2 takes you to Monaco. Coordinate a train ride or car options from Nice in the morning, depending on what mode of transportation your guests prefer. Visit the Monte Carlo Casino, Prince’s Palace, Port Hercules. 

Ditch the highways and travel along the Grande Corniche road for breathtaking views. Explore luxury shopping spots, famous spots like the Rock of Monaco and the Prince’s Palace. Take a tour of the Oceanographic Museum too.

Photo: SCStock / Shutterstock.com

Afternoon in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Let your travelers explore Villefranche’s two popular beaches, Plages des Marinieres and Plage de la Darse.

Show off the unique streets of Rue de L’Eglise and Rue du Poilu with incredible views up and down and boutiques and restaurants, up to the beach. Rue Obscure, a medieval military street is a hidden gem with a hidden passageway under the arches of town.

Return to Nice for an evening dinner recommendation.

In this case, you may choose to return to Nice, if there were no plans to stay overnight or stay in a hotel in Villefranche-sur-mer.

Photo: ansharphoto / Shutterstock.com

Day 3: Èze and Saint-Paul de Vence – Medieval Villages & Hilltop Views

Take the morning in Èze and visit the beautiful village which dates back to the middle ages and sits on the mountainside above the Mediterranean Sea snugly between St Jean Cap Ferrat and Monaco. This hilltop village is known for its panoramic views, ancient façades, and silent cobblestone streets. 

Explore the Exotic Garden and Fragonard Perfume Factory (French perfume heritage).

Stop for lunch in one of the most beautiful, scenic restaurants in Eze with a coastal view or visit local markets for everything from food to artisan products.

Explore Saint-Paul de Vence in the afternoon – one of the oldest medieval towns in France. Let your guests wander around Fondation Maeght for an arts and culture hub that opened in 1964, La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, La Collegiale de la Conversion de St-Paul: A historic religious site, Tomba Di Marc Chagall: The grave of the artist Marc Chagall and end at Cemetery of Saint-Paul de Vence – one of the most visited cemeteries on the Côte d’Azur. 

Photo: Olha Solodenko / Shutterstock.com

Return to Nice, recommend a countryside hotel stay, or book a hotel in Eze or Saint-Paul de Vence if your guests want to stay overnight.

Day 4: Cannes & Antibes – Luxury, beaches, and coastal charm

Spend the morning in Cannes exploring the La Croisette Promenade and famous film festival area. If your guests schedule their holiday in the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, arrange for them to experience the annual festival.

Show off the mini Hollywood Walk of Fame in Cannes, its beautiful beaches, and show off Cannes’ Ritz Carlton, its cute promenades with splash pads to keep your guests cool during the summer months. Explore Cannes’ collection of luxury, boutique and speciality stores. Let your guests rest and have lunch at one of Cannes’ seaside restaurants.

Photo: Tsuguliev / Shutterstock.com

Move on to an afternoon in Antibes. Explore the old city surrounded by stone walls with an archway entrance. Take your travelers through the quaint walkways and alleys dotted with shops and restaurants. Stop at the Cap d’Antibes known best for its coastal views and city beaches like Plage du Ponteil, Plage de la Salis, Plage de la Garoupe, Plage des Ondes, and Plage de Juan les Pins.

Immerse your guests in the Picasso Museum and unique spots in the charming old town.

At the end of the day, return to Nice or recommend a stay in Cannes, for a different Riviera experience.

Day 5: Saint-Tropez & coastal escapes

Travel to Saint-Tropez in the morning by car, bus, or boat from Cannes or Nice to explore the various sights. From Cannes or Grasse, visit Fréjus, the coastline is made up of surprising red stone and some remarkable scenery along the seafront or inland through the Estérel massif. Visit the historic center and the Roman Amphitheater. Visit the Plage de Pampelonne – best sandy beach on the French Riviera.

Explore the luxury yacht-filled port and boutique shopping experience.

Photo: proslgn / Shutterstock.com

Stop for a quick breath with lunch at a waterfront restaurant along the Saint Tropez coast.

In the afternoon, Let your guests relax on Saint-Tropez’s beaches. You can also encourage them to explore the coastal villages for an authentic French Mediterranean experience.
After a long, relaxing afternoon, return to Nice or stay overnight in Saint-Tropez.

Day 6: Exploring the hidden gems of the Riviera

The hidden gems of the French Riviera are what makes working with a travel agency desirable for many travellers. As a travel advisor, it is important to curate a unique experience with insights into the best views, tastes, and experiences that the French Riviera has to offer.

Visit smaller towns in the morning, like Menton or Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

Stroll through the beach and the streets and let your guests appreciate the Renaissance and Baroque architecture in Menton.

Photo: xbrchx / Shutterstock.com

In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, let guests walk along the coastal path to Cap Martin and visit the medieval chateau, explore the old village, visit Villa E-1027, designed by Eileen Gray, and explore Le Corbusier’s cabin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Let your travelers rest and unwind with beautiful sunset views and fine dining experiences in Cannes or Nice in a restaurant with panoramic views.

Day 7: Leisure & departure

Close out the French Riviera holiday by taking your travelers on a final walk along Promenade des Anglais. Allow some time to browse shops and stalls for last minute shopping and photographs. 

Assist your guests to check out from the hotels in Nice, Cannes, or anywhere else they are lodges and recommend any last-minute shopping or some beach time to help them rest and unwind before their trip back home.

Photo: Valery Bareta / Shutterstock.com

Review different travel options for your travelers from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, by train, or private car transfers.

Conclusion

A French Riviera holiday is one of the most relaxing destinations for luxury and mid-range travelers in the world.

With stunning beaches, history, art, culture, architecture, and culinary delights, it is an unforgettable experience for many travelers.

 It is important for travel professionals to promote a French Riviera itinerary because it serves different travelers and budgets and it involves visiting multiple places and countries in a short time frame. 

Another reason why a visit to the French Riviera is appealing to travelers is that there are different places for travelers to stay whether they are looking for luxury, boutique, or budget-friendly options in Cannes, Nice, Saint Tropez, Monaco, or Antibes.

Photo: Oleksandr Iurchak / Shutterstock.com

When crafting a one-week itinerary for travel to the French Riviera, create customizable options such as:

French Riviera holidays for couples vs. families vs. solo travelers.

Couples, whether during their honeymoon, vacations, holidays, or retirement may choose to visit the French Riviera as a part of their story and love. Families have specific needs where this experience should serve to help them explore and bring them together in shared experiences. Solo travelers, on the other hand, may want to experience the world, crave a sense of adventure or require something unique in telling their stories.

Each of these different travel groups need something special from their French holidays.

Use the information available to you to edit and customize unique trip packages that ensure that every type of traveler is captivated through their voyage.

Recommend travel to the South of France based on the different Seasons

Whether your clients choose to visit the French Riviera during the holidays, peak season or off-peak season, it is important to provide guide recommendations based on the season they have chosen. 

Photo: barmalini / Shutterstock.com

This ensures that they get a unique experience and are willing to return in a different season to experience a whole other side that the Riviera has to offer.

Crafting a unique French Riviera itinerary is a process that takes travel professionals time. It is important for travel agencies and advisors to find ways to optimize the process. This includes partnering with local guides, private transportation systems, and any other specialty services that provide an experience that helps your business stand out.

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Cover image: J Venerosy on Unsplash