The city of Nice in the south of France is very nice indeed – and it happens to make a perfect base for numerous day trips along the Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera. For just a few Euros, you can reach several gorgeous spots all within an hour or so by bus or train. From quaint villages to glitzy cities, there’s something for everyone. So here’s my guide to four of the best day trips from Nice!
Cannes
Cannes is known as a holiday hotspot for the stars at the best of times, but in May, the red carpet is rolled out for the eponymous film festival. Join the crowds near the Palais des Festivals (‘Festival Palace’ – really more of a convention centre) to get a glimpse of the celebs stepping out of luxury cars in the face of hordes of paparazzi (don’t forget your zoom lens to try to get a snap yourself). Otherwise, enjoy exploring this chic coastal town from hilltop to waterside.
Getting there: Both trains and driving take around half an hour. Trains run about every 20 minutes and cost €6.10. Buses, while cheaper, take three times as long.
Èze-Village
This so-pretty-it’s-ridiculous town is perched on a hillside providing simply stunning views along the coast. It’s small, but you can easily spend a few hours wandering the narrow cobbled alleys, visiting artisans’ studios and galleries and exploring the Jardin exotique d’Eze (entry €6) filled with cactuses, Mediterranean plants and sculptures.
Getting there: Take bus #82 or #112 from Nice for €1.50. The ride takes about half an hour and buses depart about every hour. From Èze, you can continue on the #112 bus to Monte-Carlo, Monaco, meaning the two can easily be combined into one day. (Don’t get confused with the #100 bus to Èze-sur-Mer, which will leave you at sea level with a steep hike up to the pretty hilltop town!)
Grasse
This little town you’ve never heard of is famous for one thing you definitely have: parfum! Don’t miss a visit to the Musée Fragonard, a working perfumery offering free tours where you can learn about the whole process of bottling beautiful scents (and purchase some to take home at the end). There’s also the Musée International de la Parfumerie and the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Provence, among other small museums, offering more insights into the local history and industry for a few euros each.
Getting there: Trains from Nice take just over an hour and cost €9.60. They run along the coast to Cannes and then inland, so a half-day in Grasse can easily be combined with some time in Cannes. Once you arrive in Grasse, there’s an uphill walk to get to the town’s touristic centre. Driving direct to Grasse from Nice takes about 40 minutes.
Monaco
To observe the lifestyles of the rich and famous, look no further. Monaco is all glitz and glamour. Think a harbour full of superyachts, a casino with Ferraris and Lamborghinis out the front and streets full of designer stores. Though for most of us, the high life of Monaco residents is far out of reach, the city is worth a short visit for its stunning views and a few historic sites. And as an independent principality, it’s one more country to add to your tally!
Getting there: Take the #100 bus from Le Port in Nice for just €1.50. Services run at least every 30 minute and the journey takes around 45 minutes. (To stop in Èze-le-Village on the way, you can take the #112 instead, as described above.) Or you can take the train, which takes just under 20 minutes and runs slightly more frequently, for €3.30.
Top tips for day trips from Nice
Because there are so many charming little towns all along the Côte d’Azur, it’s easy to combine two (or even more) towns in one day! Cannes and Grasse are both west of Nice, and you could also stop by Antibes or Juan-les-Pins. To the east, you can combine Èze, Monaco, villages like Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Menton. You can even make it all the way to Italy (trains run to Ventimiglia – Vintimille in French – just across the border, a few minutes past the French town of Menton)!
If you’re taking a lot of trains in France, look into the discount card options available through the SNCF. You can purchase a card that will offer discounts on every trip if you’re under 27, over 60, or travel on weekends. There are also discounts for group bookings (4+ travellers).
Have you been to the Côte d’Azur? Or is it on your bucket list?