Private excursion · French Riviera
An intimate itinerary for enthusiasts: old Antibes, Europe’s largest yacht harbour, Cap d’Antibes and the artists’ village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a day at the pace of the south.
About the itinerary
The Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence excursion is for those who want a more intimate, cultural and authentic French Riviera.
In Antibes, explore the old town with its 16th-century ramparts and Provençal market, see Port Vauban, Europe’s largest yacht harbour, and visit Cap d’Antibes with views over the bay and Estérel mountains. In the afternoon, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of France’s most beautiful villages and Provence’s unofficial artistic capital: dozens of galleries, Fondation Maeght with Miró and Giacometti masterpieces, and the atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world. A private format means your guide works only with you, at a comfortable pace, adapting the programme to your group’s interests. Transport is included. Add Fondation Maeght or extend the itinerary to Cannes if you wish.
This itinerary is for those who want to see the French Riviera without tourist bustle.
Antibes retains the atmosphere of a living southern town: no tourist crowds, but a Provençal market with local produce, fishing boats beside superyachts and ramparts that remember the Greeks and Romans. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is an artistic icon of Provence: dozens of galleries, cobbled streets and the old village's special peace, which attracted Chagall and Picasso. In a day you see two entirely different Riviera faces: maritime and harbour-side, and Provençal and artistic. Premium transport, a private guide and flexible logistics are included. If you wish, we add the Fondation Maeght, one of southern France's finest modern art museums.
Who it is for
Antibes, with its Picasso Museum in Château Grimaldi and sixteenth-century walls, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, with dozens of galleries and the legacy of great twentieth-century artists: an itinerary for those interested in the Riviera’s cultural and artistic side.
Unlike Monaco and Cannes, there is less tourist bustle and more authentic southern France here: a fishing port, old neighbourhoods, locals at the market and the tranquillity of a Provençal village at sunset.
Port Vauban with its superyachts, fortified walls, Cap d’Antibes with pines above the sea and the medieval lanes of Saint-Paul-de-Vence: one of the region’s most photogenic itineraries.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is Provence’s unofficial artistic capital. Dozens of galleries, from classical to contemporary art, outdoor sculpture, craft shops and a distinctive creative atmosphere.
Morning beside the Mediterranean: the harbour, yachts, breeze and waves. Afternoon in Provence: hills, cypresses, cobbled streets and the scent of lavender. Two worlds in one day.
What you will see
Narrow cobbled streets, stone houses with coloured shutters and squares with fountains. The city’s history begins in the fourth century BC as the Greek colony of Antipolis. The Picasso Museum in Château Grimaldi, Vauban’s fortified walls and the authentic atmosphere of a southern port town.
Europe’s largest yacht harbour. Fishing boats on one side, billionaires’ superyachts on the other. Vauban’s 17th-century fortifications, UNESCO-listed, and the lively atmosphere of a maritime town where fishermen sell their catch in the morning and harbour-view restaurants open in the evening.
If your visit falls on market day, one of the coast's best Provençal markets. Fresh vegetables, cheeses, olive oil, tapenade, flowers, lavender soap and honey. Real Provence in Antibes's heart: scents, colours and locals doing their shopping.
A cape covered with umbrella-pine forest, with exclusive villas hidden behind green hedges. A panoramic stop with views of Juan-les-Pins Bay, the Estérel mountains and endless sea. Here is the famous Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, where Fitzgerald and Hemingway stayed.
One of France's most beautiful villages, with official Plus Beaux Villages de France status. Cobbled streets, ivy-clad stone houses, dozens of galleries and the atmosphere that attracted Chagall, Picasso and Matisse. A walk on the ramparts, views of mountains and the valley, and magical golden light at sunset.
Optional visit to Fondation Maeght, one of southern France’s finest modern art museums. Miró, Giacometti, Chagall and Kandinsky in a distinctive architectural setting among pine trees. The sculpture garden is a work of art itself.
Programme · step by step
Scroll through the programme and the map follows you: the stop lights up and the route extends. Click a map marker to jump to that stop.
09:00
I collect you from your hotel. A short briefing on the itinerary and how you feel. The programme is flexible: we discuss what matters most to you.
10:00
A walk through the historic centre: narrow lanes, fortified walls and Château Grimaldi with its Picasso Museum. On market days, a stop at the Provençal market is essential, for its smells, colours and local produce.
11:30
A walk along the waterfront of Europe’s largest yacht harbour. Then a panoramic stop at Cap d’Antibes: pines, sea, villas and one of the best views of the western coast.
13:00
In Antibes or on the way to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. I recommend authentic places serving local food: fresh fish, Provençal starters and rosé.
15:00
A walk through the gallery-village. Fortified walls with panoramic views, cobbled lanes and art at every turn. Free time for galleries and boutiques.
17:00
For art lovers, an hour in one of southern France’s finest modern art museums. A sculpture garden and collection that draw visitors from around the world.
18:00
Return to Nice or your town. An optional sunset stop at a panoramic viewpoint along the way.
Photo gallery
Transport and logistics
Premium transport with a driver for the full day. An air-conditioned vehicle with a comfortable interior. The class is chosen according to guest numbers, from a premium saloon for a couple to a minivan for family or friends.
The itinerary is a loop: Nice → Antibes,30–40 minutes on the coastal road → Saint-Paul-de-Vence,30 minutes inland into Provence → Nice,25 minutes. Short drives alternate with 30–90-minute walks. Total walking is around 2–2.5 hours during the day. Start in Nice, Cannes or Antibes. Starting in Cannes may change the order. Tell me your town and we will discuss the best logistics.
What the tour includes
Tour on request
from €850
Per excursion. The price is calculated for your dates and group.
Request a personalised proposal
Your guide
My name is Kirill, and I help travellers discover the authentic taste of France — its wine, gastronomy and culture. My work goes beyond excursions and tours: it is a deep immersion in a region’s atmosphere, getting to know its traditions, history and people.
I was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, but have lived in France since the age of 13. This country has become my second home and a true source of inspiration. For 25 years, I have studied its culture and wine regions, turning that knowledge into my profession.
My education underpins my professionalism:
Our guests’ voices
It was my favourite day on the Riviera. Antibes is lively and real, without a tourist veneer. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is another planet: art, tranquillity and beauty. Our guide’s stories were so engaging that even my husband, who is not interested in art, became fascinated and now wants to return.
The itinerary is very well designed: Antibes with its harbour and history in the morning, then Saint-Paul-de-Vence after lunch. The contrast between sea and Provence works perfectly. Fondation Maeght is world-museum standard, without the crowds. I recommend including it.
An outstanding itinerary for those wanting more than postcard Riviera views. Antibes market, a walk along the ramparts, lunch overlooking the harbour and then Saint-Paul-de-Vence’s magic. You feel like a guest of the region rather than a tourist.
I live in France, but only discovered Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence on this tour. The guide showed me places I would not have found myself: hidden courtyards, Antibes’ best bakery and a gallery showing local artists. The day flew by.
It was my favourite day on the Riviera. Antibes is lively and real, without a tourist veneer. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is another planet: art, tranquillity and beauty. Our guide’s stories were so engaging that even my husband, who is not interested in art, became fascinated and now wants to return.
The itinerary is very well designed: Antibes with its harbour and history in the morning, then Saint-Paul-de-Vence after lunch. The contrast between sea and Provence works perfectly. Fondation Maeght is world-museum standard, without the crowds. I recommend including it.
An outstanding itinerary for those wanting more than postcard Riviera views. Antibes market, a walk along the ramparts, lunch overlooking the harbour and then Saint-Paul-de-Vence’s magic. You feel like a guest of the region rather than a tourist.
I live in France, but only discovered Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence on this tour. The guide showed me places I would not have found myself: hidden courtyards, Antibes’ best bakery and a gallery showing local artists. The day flew by.
FAQ
Answers to the main questions before booking.
Antibes is more intimate, lively and authentic than Cannes or Monaco. The atmosphere of a real port town survives: fishing boats beside superyachts, a local Provençal market, fortified walls and 2, 600 years of history. Plus the Picasso Museum in Château Grimaldi, essential for art lovers.
It is one of Provence’s most beautiful medieval villages. In the 20th century, Chagall, Picasso, Matisse and Braque discovered it and made it an informal art capital. Today, dozens of galleries range from classical to contemporary art. Narrow cobbled lanes, ramparts with panoramic views and a distinctive creative atmosphere.
If you are interested in art, definitely. It is one of southern France's finest modern art museums, with Miró, Giacometti, Chagall and Kandinsky in a distinctive architectural setting among pine woods. The sculpture garden is a work of art in itself. It adds about an hour to the itinerary.
Yes, the itinerary can be extended to Cannes. It then becomes a full day with three towns: Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. See the relevant tour page for details and prices.
Yes. Allow 1–1.5 hours in Saint-Paul-de-Vence for galleries, boutiques and craft shops. Antibes offers local shops and a market. I recommend Provençal fabrics, ceramics, olive oil and lavender products.
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Send me your dates and guest numbers. I will design the itinerary around your interests, from museums and galleries to food and photography.
