Aerial view of Nice, France, with historic buildings and a clock tower
Nice and the Charms of the French Riviera
Nice stretches along the Mediterranean, with the famous Promenade des Anglais following the curve of its pebble beach and blue water. Palm trees and cafés line the seafront, and just behind it, Old Nice feels more intimate, with narrow streets and lively squares. The flower market fills the historic quarter with bright displays and the everyday bustle of local life. Palm trees and cafés line the seafront, and just behind it, Old Nice feels more intimate, with narrow streets and lively squares. The flower market fills the historic quarter with bright displays and the everyday bustle of local life.
Beyond Nice, medieval villages such as Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence sit high above the coast, their cobbled lanes opening onto sea views, artists’ galleries, and small boutiques. Farther east, Monaco brings an entirely different kind of spectacle, from the Prince’s Palace and cathedral to Monte Carlo’s famous Casino Square. Even the roads between them have their own drama, tracing the Côte d’Azur through Cap Martin and along the celebrated Corniche routes.
Cruises to Nice
Nice cruise port highlights
Hilltop village of Èze overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in France.
Èze Above the Mediterranean
High above the coast, Èze climbs through steep medieval streets lined with old stone buildings. Openings between the houses bring the Mediterranean suddenly into view, with the coastline stretching far below the hilltop village.
Fragrance has its own place in Èze. At the Fragonard perfume factory, the focus turns to how perfumes are created, from the ingredients used to the finished scent. The adjoining boutique carries perfumes and other fragranced products from the historic house.
Hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, surrounded by medieval walls.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and its Artistic Streets
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of those places that seems to be made for wandering. Medieval ramparts still wrap around the village, while cobbled lanes lead past artists’ galleries, small boutiques, and old stone houses. There is a creative energy for the village that sets it apart from the coast below. Art appears naturally in the streets, and the slower pace gives Saint-Paul-de-Vence a very different feel from Nice’s busy waterfront.
Panoramic view of Monaco and Monte Carlo with the marina and Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco and Monte Carlo
Monaco may be tiny, but its old town is packed with landmarks. On the Rock, the Prince’s Palace stands above the principality, while the Oceanographic Museum and Monaco Cathedral sit nearby in Monaco-Ville. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier.
Monte Carlo shifts the mood completely. Casino Square sits at the center of its most famous district, surrounded by elegant buildings and streets that form part of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. In just a short distance, Monaco moves from royal palaces and historic churches to one of the world’s best-known settings for motor racing and luxury.