Planning a trip to the French Riviera and wondering where to stay? Then you’re in the right place! So far we’ve lived there for more than 2 years, in a few different towns. During that time we’ve visited quite a large part of this beautiful area of France and got to know it inside and out. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant city, charming medieval village, or peaceful coastal town, you’ll find it all here. Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay on French Riviera.
Note. Overall, the best place to stay will depend on a couple factors like the purpose of your visit (i.e. discovering the region vs beach vacations), the part of the region you want to explore (closer to Nice or Marseille), and how you plan to move around. To find great accommodation in the area, visit booking.com.
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Best places to stay on French Riviera near Nice
Antibes
Antibes is a picturesque town on French Riviera that beautifully blends old-world charm, luxury, and natural beauty. With the enchanting old town set within ramparts, interesting museums, luxurious villas, a bustling port filled with superyachts, magnificent beaches, and coastal trails with striking views, it’s easy to see why Antibes captures the hearts of so many travelers. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or a nature enthusiast, this gem has something special for you.
Antibes will be a great place to stay on Cote d’Azur if you’re looking for a not-too-big and yet not-too-small town with many things to do. It’ll also be great if you like to spend time in nature or looking for a nice beach holiday spot.
Nice
Nice is one of the most iconic towns on Cote d’Azur – and for good reason! With its laid-back vibe, stunning turquoise waters, colorful old town, elegant architecture, and delicious cuisine, Nice offers the perfect mix of charm and vibrancy. From scenic seaside walks and buzzing markets to fascinating museums and cultural gems, there’s always something to discover. We’ve visited this wonderful city over ten times and still can’t get enough!
Nice will be a great place to stay on French Riviera if you’re looking for a vibrant city where you can’t get bored. Thanks to its great location it’s also a great starting point for discovering the area – you’ll easily get to many nearby places by train or bus. We wouldn’t recommend Nice for beach holidays (unless you don’t mind crowded beaches).
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most radiant and charming places to visit on the French Riviera that will instantly lift your mood with its vibrant colors and seaside charm. It’s pretty, colorful, captivating – a delight to explore at every turn. Whether you’re wandering the winding old town streets dotted with historic sites or just relaxing on the beach with striking views, Villefranche offers the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility.
Villefranche-sur-Mer is located right next to Nice and will be one of the best places to stay on French Riviera if you’re looking for a more peaceful spot, yet still just a few minutes away from lots of attractions and with train/bus connections to many nearby towns and villages.
This town might also be a good holiday spot – Villefranche beaches are known for being relatively quiet and more sandy than pebbly (which is quite rare on Cote d’Azur).
Cannes
Cannes is the world capital of cinema, where glitz and glamour reign on the sunny shores of the French Riviera. It’s a picturesque town that perfectly blends old-world charm, luxury, and natural beauty. Iconic film festival, colorful historic old town, golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters, designer boutiques, posh parties… All of that makes Cannes one of the most famous towns in Cote d’Azur that attracts thousands of people each year with its irresistible mix of culture, elegance, and coastal charm.
If you’re looking for a bit more luxurious or partying place to stay on French Riviera, Cannes will probably do for you. Thanks to many amazing beaches it can also be a nice, although quite crowded, holiday spot.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is a stunning town in Cote d’Azur that has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a luxurious haven for the wealthy. Often called the Peninsula of Billionaires, it’s home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. With glamorous villas, secluded beaches, lush vegetation, breathtaking coastal views, and a charming old town, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is ready to win you over.
If you’re looking for one of the most luxurious and peaceful places to stay on Cote d’Azur, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat will be perfect for you. The town is also next door to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Nice so many attractions await nearby too.
Cons? There is no train station in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, but the closest ones are located in Villefranche and Beaulieu, no more than 4km away.
Menton
Menton is one of the most colorful and charming seaside towns in Cote d’Azur. It’s a place that will fill you with positive energy, Mediterranean flavors, and… lots of lemons! Whether you’re wandering through its picture-perfect old town, relaxing on the beach, admiring striking views, or indulging in delicious local cuisine, Menton offers something for every traveler. Oh, and it’s a place where the famous and delicious Lemon Festival takes place in winter!
Menton might not be the best place to explore the whole eastern French Riviera, but it’s a good place to stay if the area more or less up to Antibes will be sufficient for you (and you also fancy exploring the Italian Riviera). In Menton you can just hop on a train and you’ll easily get to most places in the area, both in France and Italy.
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Saint Tropez
St Tropez is one of the most iconic towns in Cote d’Azur, made famous by classic movies. Once a quiet fishing village, it has transformed into a world-renowned destination that draws celebrities and travelers from around the globe. With its pastel-hued old town, luxurious yachts, legendary beaches, scenic coastal walks, and lively nightlife, Saint-Tropez offers the perfect blend of luxury, natural beauty, and timeless charm.
If you’re looking for one of the most luxurious places to stay on French Riviera with great beaches, you should definitely consider St Tropez. Cons? There aren’t many towns to discover nearby and there is no train station in the town.
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cagnes-sur-Mer is a peaceful and underrated gem among the medieval villages near Nice, offering a relaxing escape from the busy coastal towns. It’s divided into two parts: the inland hilltop village of Haut-de-Cagnes and the seaside district of Cros-de-Cagnes – once a fishing district, now a residential/holiday area. In the historic village, you’ll find picturesque alleys, panoramic views, and an authentic, laid-back vibe. And down by the sea, you can enjoy nice beaches and lovely waterfront strolls.
Cagnes seaside area is one of the best places to stay on Cote d’Azur if you’re looking for a holiday spot where you can spend relaxing time on the beaches, away from huge crowds. But thanks to its great location you’ll be only just a few minutes away from many attractions in Nice.
Saint Raphael
Saint Raphael is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the French Riviera, attracting thousands of visitors each year with its natural beauty and diverse attractions. This vibrant place on Cote d’Azur offers three main areas to explore: the scenic coastline with golden beaches and coastal trails, the charming old town filled with historic monuments and local vibes, and the nearby Massif de l’Esterel mountain range – perfect for hiking, biking, and admiring panoramic views.
Saint Raphael is a great place to stay on Cote d’Azur if you’re looking for an amazing holiday spot with magnificent, mostly sandy, beaches. It’s a popular area, yet it’s not as crowded as Nice.
Possible cons? There’s not much to do in its closest surroundings. But there is a train station from where you’ll easily get to towns like Cannes, Antibes or Nice. You can also hop on the bus and go to Saint Tropez or unique Port Grimaud.
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Best places to stay on French Riviera near Marseille
Cassis
Cassis is one of the most charming seaside towns in southern France near Marseille, located between the dramatic limestone cliffs of Calanques National Park and the sparkling Mediterranean waters. It’s a place where a colorful port, charming old town, stunning natural scenery, and laid-back vibes come together beautifully. It’s a destination that truly impresses – no wonder that it became one of the most popular places to visit on Cote d’Azur.
Cassis will be one of the best places to stay on French Riviera if you’re looking for a more very scenic and fairly peaceful spot, yet still just a few minutes away from lots of big city attractions.
La Ciotat
Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, La Ciotat surprises its visitors with dramatic rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches and calanques, a lively port, and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. This hidden gem on French Riviera is also where cinema was born and where petanque was invented. La Ciotat is a place where Provençal charm meets Riviera scenery, without the crowds.
La Ciotat can be your perfect quiet getaway near Marseille. It’s not as popular as its neighbours, yet it offers no less scenic setting and an opportunity to see more local southern French life.
Marseille
Marseille is the oldest city in France and one of its most fascinating destinations. Bold, raw, energetic, and full of character, it’s a place where ancient history, colorful streets, coastal views, and everyday local life blend into something unique. From the lively old port and historic neighborhoods to dramatic scenery and hidden coves, this Mediterranean city has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking for culture, food, nature, or experience something refreshingly different, Marseille won’t disappoint. It’s a place that rewards curiosity and invites you to look beyond first impressions.
Marseille will be a great place to stay on Cote d’Azur if you’re looking for a vibrant city where you can’t get bored for many, many days. And if you’re looking for a unique French experience. Thanks to its great location it’s also a great starting point for discovering the area – you’ll easily get to many nearby places by train or bus.
Bandol
If you’re dreaming of a peaceful French Riviera getaway with nice beaches, scenic seaside walks, palm-lined promenades, and world-class rosé wine, Bandol should be on your radar. This small seaside town charms visitors with its relaxed vibe, picturesque port, scenic coastal trails, and nearby vineyards producing some of France’s most celebrated wines.
If you’re looking for a holiday spot where you can spend relaxing time on the beaches, away from huge crowds – Bandol is your place! Beautiful and not crowded – what else you could wish for?
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Where to stay on French Riviera – Summing up
As you can see now, there are so many beautiful places to stay on French Riviera that will make for your holiday base. We hope this post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing amazing places, best suited to your needs. We wish you an amazing time on Cote d’Azur!
As we’ve already mentioned at the beginning, so far we’ve already spent 2+ years in Cote d’Azur living in various places near Nice and Marseille. The whole region quickly became our favorite in France and it just keeps drawing us back… Based on our experience, today we would choose:
- Cagnes-sur-Mer for typical beach holidays
- Antibes to explore the eastern part of the French Riviera
- La Ciotat to explore the western part of the French Riviera
