Morning: Arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and check into your hotel in the city centre. Take a leisurely walk to the Promenade des Anglais, enjoying the azure Mediterranean views and vibrant beach atmosphere.
Afternoon: Explore the charming Vieux Nice (Old Town) with its narrow alleys, pastel façades, and bustling markets. Stop for a light lunch of socca, a local chickpea flatbread, at a traditional café.
Evening: Dine at a seaside restaurant overlooking the harbor, then stroll along the promenade to watch the sunset behind the cliffs of Castle Hill (Colline du Château), offering panoramic city views.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a short train ride to Cannes and wander the famous Croissant Boulevard, spotting luxury boutiques and the iconic Palais des Festivals where the film festival takes place.
Afternoon: Head to the nearby town of Antibes to visit the historic Fort Carré and the renowned Museum of Picasso, housed in the Château Grimaldi.
Evening: Return to Nice and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Port area, sampling fresh Provençal seafood while watching the yachts bobbing in the harbor.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive or join a guided tour to Avignon, beginning with a visit to the majestic Papal Palace (Palais des Papes), one of the largest medieval Gothic palaces in Europe.
Afternoon: Stroll through the historic centre, admiring the Pont d'Avignon and the lively market squares. Continue to the impressive Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard, for spectacular photo opportunities.
Evening: Return to Nice, stopping at a vineyard in the countryside for a short wine tasting session before heading back for a nightcap at a rooftop bar.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a fast train to Marseille and start at the bustling Vieux Port, where fishmongers display the day's catch and cafés line the waterfront.
Afternoon: Ride the historic funicular up to the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, offering sweeping views of the city and sea. Afterwards, explore the vibrant Le Panier district with its artistic murals and craft shops.
Evening: Savor a dinner of bouillabaisse at a traditional restaurant, then enjoy a leisurely evening walk along the waterfront before departing the next day.
Find HotelsIf you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in the Luberon villages such as Gordes and Roussillon for quintessential Provençal scenery. To shorten the itinerary, you can skip the day trip to Avignon and focus solely on the Riviera, reducing travel time while still enjoying Nice, Cannes, and Antibes.