Villefranche-sur-Mer · Nice · Cannes
Private shore excursions from Villefranche, Nice and Cannes
A private shore excursion gives your group its own van and driver for the day your ship is in port. You choose the stops, the pace and the lunch, and the whole day is built backwards from your all-aboard time so you are back at the pier with a margin.
- Planned around all-aboard time
- Your own itinerary
- Up to 7 guests
- English-speaking driver
How the day works
A day ashore without watching the clock
- Send your ship and dateWe check your port, arrival time and all-aboard time.
- Choose your stopsWe suggest a route that fits the hours you really have ashore.
- Meet at the portYour driver waits at the agreed meeting point near the tender landing or terminal.
- Back with a marginThe last stop is planned so you return well before all-aboard.
Several stops, a group or an odd hour? Ask us for a quote.
Sample itineraries
Three days ashore that work well
These are starting points, not fixed packages. Times depend on your ship’s schedule and on traffic.
Èze and Monaco
Up to the hilltop village of Èze for the views and the lanes, then down to Monaco to walk around the Palace and the harbour. In Monaco your driver drops you off and meets you again at an agreed point.
Nice old town and Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The flower market and Castle Hill in Nice in the morning, then inland to the walled village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and its art galleries.
Antibes and Cannes from Cannes port
For ships calling at Cannes: the old town and ramparts of Antibes, the Cap d’Antibes coast, then back along La Croisette.
| Cruise port | How passengers land | Good day trips |
|---|---|---|
| Villefranche-sur-Mer | Tender to the harbour | Èze, Monaco, Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat |
| Nice | Port of Nice, smaller ships only (your cruise line confirms the port) | Old Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Èze |
| Cannes | Tender to the old port | Antibes, Grasse, Saint-Paul-de-Vence |
Distances from the pier
How far each stop is from your ship
| Stop | Distance (approx.) | Drive, light traffic |
|---|---|---|
| From Villefranche harbour | ||
| Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | 4 km / 3 mi | 10 min |
| Old Nice | 6 km / 4 mi | 15 min |
| Èze village | 8 km / 5 mi | 15 to 20 min |
| Monaco (drop-off) | 17 km / 11 mi | 30 min |
| Menton | 32 km / 20 mi | 40 to 45 min |
| Saint-Paul-de-Vence | 25 km / 16 mi | 40 to 45 min |
| From Cannes old port | ||
| Antibes old town | 12 km / 7 mi | 20 min |
| Grasse | 18 km / 11 mi | 25 to 30 min |
These times are for a quiet road. On summer days and around Monaco, allow more. The closer stops leave the most time on foot: from Villefranche, Èze and Monaco fit easily in one day, while Menton or Saint-Paul-de-Vence work best as the only long drive of the day.
Plan around the last tender, not the ship
When your ship anchors, the time that counts is the last tender back to the ship, which leaves before the all-aboard time printed in your daily program. We plan the last stop so you reach the landing with a comfortable margin, and we keep the closest sights, such as the old town of Villefranche, for the end of the day.
Rules on large cruise ships along the Riviera have been changing since 2025, and a cruise line can switch a call between Villefranche, Nice and Cannes, or cancel tendering in rough sea. We plan from the port in your final itinerary and adjust the route if it changes.
Book your day ashore
Shore excursion questions
What if our ship arrives late or tenders are delayed?
Tell your driver by WhatsApp. The day is shortened from the morning end, never from the return, so you still get back to the ship on time.
Is a private car better than the ship’s excursion?
The ship’s tour moves a full coach on a fixed program. A private van moves only your group, stops where you want, and changes the plan if someone needs a rest or wants more time in one place.
Can we visit Monaco during the excursion?
Yes, on foot. Your driver drops you in Monaco and picks you up again at an agreed point outside the Principality.
Is the driver also a tour guide?
Your chauffeur knows the area and can suggest stops, but is not a licensed guide. If you want a guided visit of a museum or old town, ask us and we tell you how to book one.
How much time do we really have ashore?
Less than the ship’s arrival and all-aboard times suggest. At an anchored port, waiting for a tender in the morning and catching the last tender back both take time, so we plan the day on the hours between the two landings.
Do we need our passports to visit Monaco?
There is no border check between France and Monaco. Carry your ship card and the ID your cruise line asks you to keep with you ashore.
Can we fit a proper lunch into the day?
Yes. Tell us when you book whether you want a quick lunch or a long one, and we build the route around it. In summer, reserve popular restaurants in Èze or Monaco ahead.
Make the most of your day in port
Book online, or send your ship’s schedule and get a tailored plan.