Underrated Riviera Travel Experiences

If you’re planning a girls’ trip to the French Riviera, I’ve got you covered. On my own trip from Nice to Monaco, stopping in the villages along the way, I tried five underrated Riviera travel experiences that I loved and would recommend to anyone. From creating my own perfume in Eze to walking the scenic coastal path that ends in Villefranche-sur-Mer, exploring Old Town Nice, relaxing at local beaches, and catching the evening light show at Basilique Notre-Dame, these are the moments that made my trip so special. A big thanks to my local friend Alessia, whose insider tips helped me experience the French Riviera like no other.

This is just one part of the guide

Read full Riviera Travel Guide here

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Underrated Riviera Travel Experiences Table of Contents

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Plan Your Visit

Short on time and need just the highlights from our girls trip visiting the South of France, I have you covered! This is the top activities I’d suggest, where to stay based on your budget and the spot you must dine from to make your visit to the French Riviera a success without breaking the bank.

Where To Stay In Nice	Appart Hôtel – Residhome Nice	Perfect For All
Where To Stay For Luxury	Château Eza	Perfect For Girls Trip & Couples
Best Tour	French Riviera Full Day Trip	Perfect For All
Top Day Activity	Eze Mini Perfume Workshop	Perfect For All
Top Night Activity	Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption evening night show	Perfect For Girls Trip & Couples
Must Try Restaurant	Jacques En Terrasse	Perfect For Girls Trip & Couples

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5 Must-Do Activities & Experiences In The French Riviera

Create Your Own Perfume In Eze: The Ultimate Girls Trip Activity

This experience honestly became the highlight of our entire trip. Located between Nice and Monaco, the village of Eze houses the Fragonard Perfume Laboratory, where you can dive deep into the art of French perfumery.

The Experience:

• Free guided tours run daily from 9:00 to 18:00 at regular intervals
• Learn fascinating perfume facts (did you know Chanel No. 5 uses 200 essential oils and some perfumes take 2 years to create?)
• Book the Mini Perfume Workshop through GetYourGuide for the full experience which allows you to create your own custom 12ml Eau de Toilette in about 20 minutes.
• Test your nose on rose, jasmine, and lavender essences

Pro Tips:

• Buy your perfume here as it’s cheaper than at Eze village shops or the airport
• No reservations needed for the free tour, just show up at reception
• The workshop includes the factory tour, so you get both experiences

We left feeling like French goddesses with our custom scents. Seriously, this is THE must-do activity for any girl’s trip to the French Riviera.

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Nice Coastal Path Walk To Villefranche-sur-Mer

Starting from “Coco Beach” (the local nickname for Nice’s rocky beach), this 1.5-hour coastal walk delivers the most stunning Mediterranean views you can imagine. Plan a half-day for this adventure and consider packing a picnic to do as the locals do by stopping for lunch with a view.

What to Expect:

• Not accessibility-friendly due to stairs
• Midway point requires returning to the main road via stairs (the hardest part)
• Totally doable regardless of fitness level
• End at the charming port village of Villefranche with waterfront restaurants

Pro Tips:

• Wear light layers for those evening coastal breezes

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Evening Entertainment In Nice

Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption offers an incredible sound and light show every night, featuring live choir performances with gorgeous video projections. It’s a magical way to experience Nice and get your evening going.

I also booked this in advance and highly recommend you do as well to secure your spot.

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Old Town Nice

Wander through quaint shops and authentic eateries. The narrow streets and colorful buildings create the perfect backdrop for those Instagram shots.

Pro Tip:

Rock comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones.

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Nice Beaches

Locals love “Coco Beach” (though it’s rocky, not sandy). For beach club vibes, check out Bocca Mar and Plage Beau Rivage.

Pro Tips:

• Free accessibility – Skip the stairs by using the free lifts in Nice which make getting to Nice’s elevated areas accessible for everyone!
• Pack swimwear for beach clubs even if you opt to not get into the water.

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Already Dreaming Of Returning

This long-overdue trip to the French Riviera was everything I hoped for and more. Even though my friend Alessia wasn’t in town while I visited, I’m so grateful for the tips she shared ahead of time and I can’t wait to return with her to discover even more of the South of France. From creating my own perfume in Eze to walking the coastal path to Villefranche-sur-Mer, these five underrated Riviera travel experiences made my girls’ trip that more unique and memorable.

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Bonus French Riviera Resources

Flight	Stay	Do	Drive
Skyscanner	Agoda	GetYourGuide	Rentalcars.com

To make planning even easier, I’ve put together a few extra resources beyond these five underrated Riviera travel experiences. These will help you dive deeper into the French Riviera and make the most of your time:

• A full Nice and Monaco guide
• A handy Google Map with all the spots from this trip – French Riviera girls trip Google Map
• A foodie guide to the best eats in the French Riviera
• 5 easy day trips from Nice

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Ready to plan your French girls trip?

Save this guide and start booking those unforgettable travel moments.

See more locations in my Travel Guide Section for nearby cities including Paris & Genoa in Italy. Learn how to get there, where to stay, eat and what to do!