The French Riviera & Monaco

Tour start date(s):	15-07-2025
Duration:	8 Days / 5 Nights
Location:	Gems of the French Riviera. The French Riviera (8 days/5 nights) Nice (arrival, 7 nights) – Saint-Paul de Vence – Cannes – Monaco – Monte Carlo – Rothschild Villa – San Remo – Nice
Price (including tax):	DBL; 2,590.00 ; SNGL; 3,510.00

The French Riviera stretches along the Mediterranean coast from Cannes to Monaco. Due to its mild climate and scenic beauty, the French Riviera is considered one of the best resort areas in France. The region attracts many tourists not only for its sea breeze and abundant sunshine, but also for the opportunity to visit ancient Mediterranean landmarks.

The history of the cities along the French Riviera dates back to the 6th century BC, when the Greeks settled along the Mediterranean coast, founding trade port cities. Thus, Massalia, Nicea, and Antipolis arose—ancestors of modern Marseille, Nice, and Antibes.

In the 2nd century BC, the ancient Romans displaced the Greeks, and with the fall of the Roman Empire, the coastal region became part of Provence.

Today, the French Riviera is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department. The romantic name "French Riviera" was coined by the French poet of the past century, Stéphane Liégeard, who wrote the poem "La Côte d'Azur."

The development of Nice in the 19th century is linked to the presence of Russians on the French Riviera, especially the imperial family of Alexander II. The largest and most beautiful Russian Orthodox church abroad is located in Nice, in the Imperial Quarter.

Day 1 – Nice

Arrival in Nice, airport meeting, and transfer to the hotel regardless of the time of arrival. Accommodation at the Splendid Hotel or similar.

Walking tour of Old Nice, the unofficial capital and unrecognized queen of the French Riviera. A city that has inspired thousands of passionate words, welcoming travelers with the sound of the sea, the elegant beauty of ancient neighborhoods, and the tempting smells of famous Provençal cuisine. Walking tour of the historic center of Nice. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 2 – Nice

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by gathering in the hotel lobby. Car tour of Nice.

Nice was founded on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Nikaia. Between the 14th and 18th centuries, the city belonged to the Counts of Savoy and in 1860 became part of France. Since the mid-20th century, Nice has been one of the best resorts in the Mediterranean. The city's mild climate and excellent geographical location make it an ideal place for climatotherapy and heliotherapy. The area is known for light industry, souvenir production, and flower and fruit growing in the suburbs.

The population of Nice is about 342,000, but Nice is the capital of a large district that includes 49 municipalities with approximately 540,000 inhabitants. The tourist season in Nice lasts almost all year, attracting many travelers and vacationers. A significant part of the population works in the service industry. The city is famous for its festivals and competitions: international regattas, the famous Carnival, the international jazz festival, and the folklore festival. Free time. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 3 – Nice – Saint-Paul de Vence – Cannes – Nice

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to Saint-Paul de Vence. This ancient city-fortress is one of the most visited and beloved towns in France, preserving its medieval feudal architecture. It is surrounded by a strong defensive wall, with cozy small squares, fountains, and flowers. Narrow streets lined with art galleries, souvenir shops, and little tempting cafes and restaurants that were once popular with Picasso, Matisse, Simone Signoret, Yves Montand, Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, and many other celebrities. Walk through Saint-Paul de Vence and visit the grave of Marc Chagall. Free time for lunch.

Departure to Cannes, a walk along the famous La Croisette promenade. La Croisette Boulevard, located by the sea, is a place for leisurely strolls and is lined with expensive hotels and shops.

Cannes attracts many tourists thanks to its mild climate and scenic beauty. Festivals for mimosa, which was brought to the city from South America in 1835, are held annually. Currently, mimosa plantations occupy about 700 hectares. Cannes has a population of around 74,000. The city thrives mainly on business tourism: exhibitions, conferences, and festivals.

The Palais des Festivals on La Croisette hosts the world-renowned Cannes International Film Festival. The city is also famous for its fireworks festival. Return to Nice. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 4 – Nice – Monaco – Monte Carlo – Rothschild Villa – Nice

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an excursion to Monaco.

Monaco is the smallest country in the modern world, located on the French Riviera. The principality covers an area of 192 hectares, with a population of 30,000, of which only 5,500 are citizens of the Grimaldi dynasty. The principality consists of five districts: Monaco (the capital), La Condamine, Monte Carlo, Fontvieille, and Larvotto, all unified under a single municipality. The Palace of Justice and the city cathedral are not of significant artistic value. The Oceanographic Museum, founded in 1899 and a center for oceanographic research, is world-famous. The building, resembling a Greek temple, stands 86 meters above the sea and contains extensive zoological collections, marine research equipment, and fishing gear collections. In the dark galleries below, illuminated aquariums house exotic underwater creatures.

Monaco is a global center of tourism and one of the best resorts on the French Riviera. The luxurious Thalassotherapy center is highly popular. Every year, about 700,000 tourists visit Monaco. The country also enjoys substantial revenue from one of the strongest medium-wave radio stations in Europe, Radio Monte Carlo, which primarily broadcasts advertisements for neighboring countries. Monaco has been issuing limited-edition stamps since 1885, which also bring in significant revenue. The principality is home to many international organizations, such as the International Academy of Tourism and the International Hydrographic Bureau.

Optional: Visit the Prince’s Palace (entrance ticket – 8 euros).

Stroll through the Monte Carlo gardens.

Optional: Visit the Monte Carlo Casino (entrance 17 euros / open from 10:00 to 13:00 / dress code required, no ripped jeans or beach dresses).

On the way back, visit the Rothschild Villa or the Ephrussi Castle, one of the most beautiful Renaissance-style palaces on the French Riviera, built between 1905 and 1912 by Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. The audio guide is available in Russian (entrance ticket – 16 euros, included in the tour price). Return to Nice. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 5 – Nice – San Remo – Nice

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to San Remo, an Italian resort town located 70 km from Nice, with a population of about 60,000. San Remo, with its mild climate, warm seas, and sunny green slopes, was beloved by the Russian Empress, who gifted the city with its grand seafront promenade. The town boasts many well-maintained hotels and beaches, luxurious shop windows, a casino, and famous markets. The Ariston Theater, hosting renowned song festivals, is located here. Alfred Nobel chose this town as his place of residence, where he developed his "Nobel Prize." Return to Nice. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 6 – Nice – Saint-Tropez

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Saint-Tropez: an ancient fishing village on a peninsula with extraordinary natural beauty, a quiet deep bay, and a favorite vacation spot for famous movie stars, theater artists, journalists, fashion icons, and political figures. Saint-Tropez is also home to many industrialists and business people, including Brigitte Bardot. The road to Saint-Tropez, one of the most beautiful in the world, is known as the Golden Cornice, which runs along the red mountains of the Esterel massif and the sea. The town of Port Grimaud, known as "French Venice," was built 40 years ago.

Return to Nice. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Nice.

Day 7 – Nice

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Nice.

Day 8 – Nice – Airport

Breakfast at the hotel. Group transfer to the airport.

Tour Inclusions:

• Accommodation at Splendid Hotel 4* or similar with breakfast
• Transportation along the route
• Airport transfer regardless of arrival time
• Guided tour program
• Entrance tickets to Rothschild Villa
• Parking in Monte Carlo

Tour Exclusions:

• Tourist tax, paid upon hotel check-in (3.10 euros per person per night)
• Lunches and dinners
• Tips for the guide and driver