Private excursion · French Riviera
Nine towns on one itinerary, from the Promenade des Anglais to Roman trophies and Provence’s art galleries. A full day with a private guide, premium transport and a comfortable pace.
About the itinerary
‘The Entire French Riviera in One Day’ is an itinerary for those who want to see the region’s main sights in a single trip.
Over eight to nine hours, you follow an arc from Nice through Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, medieval Èze, ancient La Turbie, the Principality of Monaco, the port town of Antibes and the Estérel’s red rocks to artistic Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Nine towns, three landscapes, sea, cliffs and Provençal hills, two countries and a complete picture of the French Riviera. The format is entirely private: your own guide, premium transport and a flexible pace. You are not tied to a group or bus timetable. Want to linger in Èze? We stay. Tired? We shorten the programme. Want to add a tasting or lunch with a view? We add it. This itinerary is especially convenient for first-time Riviera visitors or anyone short of time who wants the richest possible experience without logistical chaos.
I created this itinerary for guests who want to experience the Riviera's full variety in one day: from Nice's urban elegance to medieval Èze's peace, from Monaco's princely splendour to Antibes's port character and Saint-Paul-de-Vence's artistic atmosphere.
You will cover around 120 km on the coast’s most beautiful roads and return with a full picture of the region. With a private guide, this is not a race through a sightseeing list. The pace adapts: an hour in one place, a short panoramic stop in another. I handle transport, logistics and timing. You simply get into the car and enjoy a day you will remember.
Who it is for
You are passing through the Riviera or staying briefly and want to see as much as possible in one day, without spending your time on logistics and independent planning. This itinerary was designed precisely for that.
In one day, travel from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, seeing the sea, mountains, medieval villages, a principality and artistic Provence. By evening, you will have a complete picture and know where you want to return.
Premium transport is included for the whole day. No need to worry about navigation, parking (a nightmare in Monaco), toll roads or traffic. The driver knows every bend.
The itinerary adapts to every age and group. We can slow the pace, add stops and adjust the programme to your interests. For children, more panoramas and less walking.
Group coach tours with fixed timetables and 40 fellow passengers are not for you. You want your own pace and stops, a personal guide and the freedom to ask about everything that interests you.
What you will see
We start on the legendary Promenade des Anglais: seven kilometres along the Baie des Anges, blue chairs, palms, white balustrades and Belle Époque hotels. I explain how English aristocrats accidentally created the Riviera's main symbol and why Nice became Europe's winter capital in the 19th century.
One of the Mediterranean’s deepest and most beautiful natural bays. A viewpoint stop with a breathtaking scene: colourful façades descending to the water, yachts at anchor and every shade of turquoise. A place most tourists miss, undeservedly. Scenes from dozens of films, including James Bond, were shot here.
A 12th-century village atop a cliff 427 metres above the sea. Narrow cobbled lanes, bougainvillea-covered stone arches, galleries and a 360-degree panorama. Climb to the exotic garden, with its cactus collection and sculptures seeming to float above the sea. Nietzsche wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra here; the path bearing his name leads from the village to the sea.
The Grimaldi principality: the palace, changing of the guard, cathedral with Grace Kelly's tomb, clifftop old town and legendary Monte Carlo Casino. Two worlds together: a monarchy with seven hundred years of history and glamour that draws the world. We drive the Formula 1 circuit: the Fairmont hairpin, tunnel and swimming pool chicane.
A town with 2,600 years of history, from the Greek colony of Antipolis to Europe’s yachting capital. The walled old town, vast Port Vauban yacht harbour, narrow lanes and lively Provençal market. A stop on the waterfront and a walk through the historic centre to feel the rhythm of a southern harbour town.
One of France’s most beautiful villages, whose cobbled lanes remember the footsteps of Chagall, Picasso and Matisse. Today it has dozens of galleries, from classic to contemporary art, boutiques, craft shops and panoramas of mountains and valley. An ideal end to the day: peaceful, beautiful and atmospheric. Sunset here is pure Provence.
Between towns, we drive through the Estérel massif: red cliffs, pine forests and an emerald sea. One of the coast's most photogenic stretches. A stop for a panoramic photograph: the contrast of red rock and blue sea leaves nobody indifferent.
The Riviera’s most exclusive peninsula: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild with nine themed gardens, quiet bays with crystal-clear water and the atmosphere of the old aristocratic Riviera. Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill holidayed here. We stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bays of Beaulieu and Villefranche.
The 35-metre Roman Trophy of the Alps, Tropaeum Alpium, built in 6 BC to honour Augustus’s victory over the Alpine tribes. From the village terrace at 480 metres, the best panorama across Monaco: Port Hercule, the palace and sea spread out below. An absolute must-see that 90% of tourists miss.
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
Meet at the hotel, a short walk along the Promenade des Anglais and a first look at the Bay of Angels. We get to know one another and discuss the day’s plan and your priorities.
09:45
We climb to the panoramic viewpoint above the bay. One of the coast's finest views: colourful façades, yachts and endless blue. I recount the town's history and its role in cinema.
10:30
A walk through the medieval village: narrow lanes, galleries and viewpoints. An optional visit to the exotic garden, with admission around €7. History from the 12th century to Nietzsche.
11:45
Monaco-Ville: the Prince’s Palace, changing of the guard if the timing works, cathedral and old town. Then Monte Carlo: Casino Square, Hôtel de Paris and the F 1 circuit.
13:00
Free time in Monte Carlo. I recommend options from cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants. Around an hour for lunch and a short walk.
14:30
The old town, ramparts and Port Vauban's superyachts. A walk along the waterfront and through the historic centre. If it is market day, we visit the Provençal market.
16:00
The final and most atmospheric stop. A walk through the gallery-village: art, boutiques and mountain panoramas. Sunset light makes this place magical.
17:30-18:00
Departure for Nice or your town. Timing depends on traffic and season. I take you to your hotel and give final recommendations for your holiday.
Timings are approximate. The programme adapts to the season, weather, traffic and your pace. In summer, traffic in Monaco and at the entrance to Saint-Tropez can increase journey times, so I allow a buffer. If necessary, the programme is shortened without losing its key stops.
Photo gallery
Transport and logistics
The itinerary includes premium transport with a professional driver for the full day, eight to nine hours.
The vehicle class suits the number of guests, from a premium saloon to a spacious minivan for a family or group of up to eight. Air conditioning, water on board and comfortable seating for longer journeys. Walking alternates with driving: fifteen to thirty minutes on foot, followed by a rest in an air-conditioned car. About two to three hours of walking in total, spread over the day. You will not get tired. Departures from Nice, Cannes, Antibes or Monaco. From Cannes, the route forms a loop: Cannes → Antibes → Saint-Paul-de-Vence → Nice → Èze → Monaco → Cannes. We discuss the exact order when booking.
What the tour includes
Tour on request
from €950
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
In one day, we saw more than in the whole previous week on the Riviera. The itinerary is perfectly planned: journeys are not tiring, stops are in the right places and the guide’s stories are engaging without overwhelming you. Saint-Paul-de-Vence at sunset is magical.
We went with two children aged ten and thirteen. We worried the day would be too long, but the guide adapted the pace perfectly. The children especially liked Monaco and the F1 circuit, and we loved Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The whole family was delighted; we recommend it for a first visit to the region.
The best investment in a Riviera day. Nine hours, nine towns, yet no rushing. The guide gives precisely the information that interests you: history, context and practical advice. After the tour, I truly understood the region’s geography and history.
I took the tour solo and everything was excellent. A comfortable car, a thoughtful itinerary and interesting storytelling. Villefranche particularly impressed me, a place I would never have discovered without a guide. Lunch in Antibes overlooking the harbour was the perfect end to the day’s active part.
In one day, we saw more than in the whole previous week on the Riviera. The itinerary is perfectly planned: journeys are not tiring, stops are in the right places and the guide’s stories are engaging without overwhelming you. Saint-Paul-de-Vence at sunset is magical.
We went with two children aged ten and thirteen. We worried the day would be too long, but the guide adapted the pace perfectly. The children especially liked Monaco and the F1 circuit, and we loved Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The whole family was delighted; we recommend it for a first visit to the region.
The best investment in a Riviera day. Nine hours, nine towns, yet no rushing. The guide gives precisely the information that interests you: history, context and practical advice. After the tour, I truly understood the region’s geography and history.
I took the tour solo and everything was excellent. A comfortable car, a thoughtful itinerary and interesting storytelling. Villefranche particularly impressed me, a place I would never have discovered without a guide. Lunch in Antibes overlooking the harbour was the perfect end to the day’s active part.
FAQ
Answers to the main questions before booking.
The itinerary is full, but the pace is flexible. Some stops are short,20–30 minutes, such as Villefranche and viewpoints; others are hour-long walks, such as Èze, Antibes and Monaco. Rest in an air-conditioned car between towns. If you feel tired, we shorten the programme. Your comfort comes first.
Yes, the itinerary is fully adaptable. If you have already visited Monaco, for example, we can spend more time in Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Or allow more time in Monaco instead of Antibes. I tailor the programme to you.
Yes, around an hour in Monte Carlo or Antibes. I suggest options for your budget, from quick cafés (€15–25) to Michelin-starred restaurants. I can book a table in advance.
It can be adapted, but it is a long day for children under five or six. For families with little ones, I recommend a shorter format such as Èze and Monaco only (five hours). Or we can design a private itinerary around the children's ages.
Yes, we can add a winery stop near Antibes or along the way, or a wine bar in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It adds an hour to an hour and a half to the day; we will discuss it when booking.
Comfortable shoes, as there are 2–3 hours of walking overall; a hat in summer, sunglasses and a camera. Monte Carlo Casino has a dress code, with no shorts or flip-flops, if you plan to enter the gaming rooms. The car has water and air conditioning.
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