Road Trip the Rivieras
France
The most glamorous coastal drive in Europe, from Nice along the Three Corniches of the French Riviera through Monaco's baroque excess to Menton's lemon festival, across the Italian border into the Ligurian Riviera's fishing villages, the millionaires' harbour of Portofino, and the five pastel villages of the Cinque Terre above their vertical vineyards. The Mediterranean at its most magnificent.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Nice
Capital of the Côte d'Azur with the Promenade des Anglais, Baroque old town, and Cours Saleya market. Drive the Corniche east for cliff-top views.
- Èze
A medieval perched village on a 427m rock above the sea, with the Jardin Exotique at the summit offering the finest panorama on the French Riviera.
- Monaco
Drive the F1 street circuit, visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Oceanographic Museum. The world's most densely populated sovereign state, draped over a cliff.
- Menton
France's warmest town, famous for its lemon festival and Italianate old town. The Cocteau Museum and Serre de la Madone gardens sit just back from the sea.
- San Remo
The Italian Riviera's art nouveau casino town, ringed by flower farms supplying Paris markets. The medieval Pigna quarter rises steeply behind the palm-lined lungomare.
- Portofino
A horseshoe harbour of pastel houses in a protected marine reserve. Castello Brown tops the hill; San Fruttuoso Abbey is a boat ride or two-hour trail away.
- Cinque Terre
Five pastel villages clinging to vertical Ligurian cliffs, linked by the Sentiero Azzurro trail. UNESCO-listed, with steep vineyards, sciacchetra wine, and anchovies.
Where to Eat
- Le ChanteclerFrench Gourmet
A two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice offering refined French cuisine in an opulent setting.
- La Chèvre d'OrMediterranean
A Michelin-starred restaurant in Èze with panoramic sea views and exquisite Mediterranean dishes.
- MirazurContemporary French
Ranked among the world's best, this three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Menton offers innovative cuisine with garden-fresh ingredients.
- Ristorante Balzi RossiItalian Seafood
Located near the French-Italian border, this restaurant offers fresh seafood with stunning sea views.
Things to Do
- Jardin Exotique d'ÈzeBotanical Garden
A hilltop garden in Èze featuring exotic plants and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
- Oceanographic Museum of MonacoMuseum
A renowned museum in Monaco showcasing marine science exhibits and an impressive aquarium.
- Villa Hanbury GardensBotanical Garden
Historic gardens in Ventimiglia with diverse plant species and scenic coastal views.
- Sentiero AzzurroHike
A scenic coastal trail connecting the villages of Cinque Terre, offering breathtaking sea views.