Èze · Monaco · Menton · Saint-Paul-de-Vence
French Riviera private day tour
A French Riviera private day tour gives you a van and chauffeur for a full or half day along the coast between Nice and the Italian border. You pick the villages, the viewpoints and the lunch; your driver handles the roads, the parking and the timing.
- Half day or full day
- Your own pace
- Pickup at your hotel or villa
- Quote for your day
A classic coastal day
Nice to Menton, one village at a time
An example of a full day. We adjust it to your interests, the season and how much walking you want.
| Stop | Why go | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Villefranche-sur-Mer | The bay, the citadel and the old town lanes by the water | 45 min |
| Èze | A medieval village on a rock above the sea, with an exotic garden at the top | 1 h 30 |
| Monaco | The Palace, the old town on the Rock and the harbour, on foot (drop-off only) | 2 h |
| Menton | Pastel houses, lemon gardens and the last French beach before Italy | 1 h 30 |
| Back via the corniche | The Grande Corniche for the views at the end of the day | 1 h |
Prefer art and hill villages? Swap the eastern coast for Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence, with the Maeght Foundation (check its opening days before you go), or for Grasse and its perfume houses.
Several stops, a group or an odd hour? Ask us for a quote.
Three roads east of Nice
The corniches, and which one we take
| Road | Where it runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basse Corniche | Along the sea, through Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer | Beaches, harbours and Cap Ferrat |
| Moyenne Corniche | Halfway up the cliffs, past the foot of Èze village | The quickest way to Èze and Monaco |
| Grande Corniche | High above the coast, over the Col d’Èze and through La Turbie | Wide views at the end of the day |
Most days use all three: the sea road on the way out, the middle road between villages and the high road for the drive back. Your driver chooses the order with traffic, light and your timing in mind.
Half day or full day
How much of the coast fits in a day
The villages east of Nice are close together, which is what makes a private day so efficient. From Nice city centre, Villefranche is about 15 minutes away, Èze about 20, Monaco about 25 and Menton about 30 when traffic is light.
A half day, around four hours, suits two stops: Villefranche and Èze, or Èze and Monaco. A full day, around eight hours, takes in the whole coast to Menton with time for lunch and a walk in each village. Summer weekends and the days around big Monaco events slow the roads, so we plan fewer stops then.
In Monaco, your driver drops you as close as allowed to the old town or the harbour. Riviera Lounge Van cannot pick passengers up inside the Principality at the moment, so after your visit we meet you at an agreed point just across the border in France. The Monaco transfer page explains why.
Drive times from Nice city centre
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: 7 km, about 15 min
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer: 9 km, about 20 min
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: 10 km, about 20 min
- Èze village: 12 km, about 20 min
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence: 19 km, about 30 min
- Monaco: 21 km, about 25 min
- Menton: 30.5 km, about 30 min
Entry tickets, gardens and meals are paid by you. The day is priced on request: tell us the stops you have in mind and you receive a quote for the day.
Book your Riviera day
Day tour questions
Can we change the plan during the day?
Yes, within the time booked. If a village is too crowded or the weather turns, your driver suggests an alternative.
Can the tour start from Cannes or Antibes?
Yes. Pickup further west adds driving time, so the route is adjusted and priced in the quote. Arriving by cruise ship? Our shore excursions are planned around your time in port.
Is the day tour suitable for older travellers?
Yes. The driver drops you as close as possible to each entrance and the pace is yours. Tell us about any mobility needs.
Can we go into Italy for the day?
Day trips across the border are not offered for now. Menton, the last French town, is the usual end point of the coast.
Should we choose a half day or a full day?
A half day works for two villages and a viewpoint. If you want Monaco and Menton as well, or a long lunch, book the full day so nobody watches the clock.
Is lunch included?
No, you choose where to eat and pay the restaurant directly. Your driver can suggest places in each village and drop you at the door.
Do we need to book entry to Èze’s exotic garden or the Monaco Palace?
Tickets are bought on site or from each venue’s own website. Opening times change with the seasons, so check them for your date; we plan the route around what you want to visit.
The coast, at your own pace
Book a day tour online, or tell us what you want to see.