RoadAtlas
Road Trip the Rivieras — France — Scenic
Europe

Road Trip the Rivieras

France

In short: Road Trip the Rivieras is a 320 km scenic road trip in France, typically driven over 3–4 days, best in Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Highlights: Nice, Èze, Monaco.

Distance
320 km
Duration
3–4 days
Best Season
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
LegendaryEasyScenicBorder crossingEV-friendly

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.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Expect slow coastal traffic, toll roads in places, and very tight access once you leave the main SS1 and Corniche routes for village centers. Monaco, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre all punish large vehicles; parking is limited, and summer one-way systems, ferry connections, or trail closures can affect access.
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Plan this trip

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Stops along the route

Nice — Departure — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Departure
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.
Hotels
Èze — City — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
City
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.
Hotels
Monaco — City — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
City
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.
Hotels
Menton — City — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
City
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.
Hotels
San Remo — City — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
City
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.
Hotels
Portofino — City — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
City
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.
Hotels

Things to Do

Cinque Terre — Nature — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Nature
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.
Jardin Exotique d'Èze — Botanical Garden — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Botanical Garden
Jardin Exotique d'Èze
A hilltop garden in Èze featuring exotic plants and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco — Museum — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Museum
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
A renowned museum in Monaco showcasing marine science exhibits and an impressive aquarium.
Villa Hanbury Gardens — Botanical Garden — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Botanical Garden
Villa Hanbury Gardens
Historic gardens in Ventimiglia with diverse plant species and scenic coastal views.
Sentiero Azzurro — Hike — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Hike
Sentiero Azzurro
A scenic coastal trail connecting the villages of Cinque Terre, offering breathtaking sea views.

Where to Eat

Le Chantecler — French Gourmet — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
French Gourmet
Le Chantecler
A two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice offering refined French cuisine in an opulent setting.
La Chèvre d'Or — Mediterranean — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Mediterranean
La Chèvre d'Or
A Michelin-starred restaurant in Èze with panoramic sea views and exquisite Mediterranean dishes.
Mirazur — Contemporary French — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Contemporary French
Mirazur
Ranked among the world's best, this three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Menton offers innovative cuisine with garden-fresh ingredients.
Ristorante Balzi Rossi — Italian Seafood — Road Trip the Rivieras — France
Italian Seafood
Ristorante Balzi Rossi
Located near the French-Italian border, this restaurant offers fresh seafood with stunning sea views.

Explore related routes

France road trips Legendary Scenic Coastal DrivesWine and Food RoutesEV Road Trips Europe routes

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Road Trip the Rivieras drive?

The Road Trip the Rivieras covers 320 km from start to finish.

How long does the Road Trip the Rivieras take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3–4 days on the Road Trip the Rivieras, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Road Trip the Rivieras?

The recommended season for the Road Trip the Rivieras is Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Where does the Road Trip the Rivieras start and end?

The Road Trip the Rivieras runs from Nice to Cinque Terre.

What are the main stops on the Road Trip the Rivieras?

The Road Trip the Rivieras passes through Nice, Èze, Monaco.

Can I drive the Road Trip the Rivieras in a regular car?

Yes — the Road Trip the Rivieras is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Do I need a permit or border paperwork for the Road Trip the Rivieras?

Yes — the Road Trip the Rivieras requires permits, fees, or border paperwork. Plan ahead: Expect slow coastal traffic, toll roads in places, and very tight access once you leave the main SS1 and Corniche routes for village centers. Monaco, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre all punish large vehicles; parking is limited, and summer one-way systems, ferry connections, or trail closures can affect access.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Road Trip the Rivieras?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Road Trip the Rivieras, based on its 320 km length.

Is the Road Trip the Rivieras EV friendly?

Yes — the Road Trip the Rivieras has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Road Trip the Rivieras safe to drive?

Expect slow coastal traffic, toll roads in places, and very tight access once you leave the main SS1 and Corniche routes for village centers. Monaco, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre all punish large vehicles; parking is limited, and summer one-way systems, ferry connections, or trail closures can affect access.

What scenic tier is the Road Trip the Rivieras?

The Road Trip the Rivieras is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.