Exploring the Côte d'Azur by car is a completely different experience. Trains are convenient, but they don't reach the hilltop villages, the panoramic corniches, or the hidden coves that only a coastal road can reveal. A road trip from Nice gives you access to two versions of the Côte d'Azur: the well-known tourist coastline everyone comes for, and the backcountry that almost no one ever sees.
This itinerary is designed for 5 to 7 days, with Nice as both your starting point and your finish line. It's flexible — you can follow the whole route or pick out the segments that appeal to you most.
Before You Leave: Logistics and Tips
Renting a Car in Nice
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is home to all the major rental companies (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise). Rates are competitive outside peak season; in July and August, book well in advance — small city cars go first.
If you're arriving by train: rental agencies around Gare de Nice-Ville offer comparable rates. Avoid picking up your car in the city centre if you plan to drop it off at the airport — one-way fees can be steep.
Fuel tip: petrol stations are few and far between in the backcountry. Fill up in Nice before heading inland.
Understanding the Corniches
The coastline between Nice and Menton can be driven along three parallel roads at different altitudes, each offering a distinct perspective:
- La Corniche Inférieure (N98): hugs the coast at sea level, passing through Villefranche, Beaulieu, Monaco, and Roquebrune. Slow in summer (heavy traffic), but the closest route to the seaside villages.
- La Moyenne Corniche (N7): a mid-level vantage point, passing through the village of Èze. The most spectacular road for photography.
- La Grande Corniche (D2564): the highest route (up to 550m), following the old Napoleonic road, with breathtaking views across the entire bay.
The ideal approach is to take La Grande Corniche on the way out and La Corniche Inférieure on the way back.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Nice: Your Starting Point
Before hitting the road, give yourself a morning to enjoy Nice. Have lunch in Vieux-Nice and visit the Colline du Château. In the afternoon, drop off any bags you don't need for the road trip — there's no point hauling heavy luggage in the boot. automatic luggage lockers in Nice, just a few minutes from the city centre, offers secure 24/7 storage lockers for everything you'd rather leave behind.
Pick up your rental car in the late afternoon and spend the night in Nice.
Day 2 — La Grande Corniche → Èze → Monaco
The road climbs quickly above the sea. Within the first few kilometres, you're already treated to sweeping panoramas over the bay of Villefranche — some of the most photographed views on the entire Côte d'Azur.
Èze is a medieval perched village sitting at 427 metres above sea level, appearing to grow straight out of the rock. From its exotic garden (7 €, at the very top of the village), you can see the entire bay stretching all the way to Cap Ferrat and Nice. The village is undeniably touristy, but genuinely spectacular. Arrive before 11am to beat the tour coaches.
Address: Èze Village, 06360 Èze
Descend into Monaco via La Moyenne Corniche. Spend the afternoon exploring: Le Rocher, the palace, the Oceanographic Museum. Stay overnight in Monaco if your budget allows, or head to Menton (20 min) for a more wallet-friendly option.
Day 3 — Menton → The Italian Border
Menton is the southernmost town in France, just 2 km from the Italian border. It's famous for its lemon festival (February), its extraordinary gardens, and its old town perched in colours that feel distinctly Italian. The atmosphere is unlike the rest of the Côte d'Azur: quieter, less touristy, with an almost Italian pace of life.
- The old town and its covered market (Halles municipales)
- The Serre de la Madone garden (a remarkable botanical collection)
- The border crossing: from Menton, Ventimiglia (Italy) is just 10 minutes by car — a half-day at an Italian market adds a completely different dimension to the trip.
Day 4 — Back Towards Nice Along the Coast: Beaulieu, Villefranche, Cap Ferrat
A quietly elegant Belle Époque town, often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours. Villa Kérylos (28 €) is a remarkable reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa built right at the water's edge in the early 20th century — surprisingly original and beautifully preserved.
The peninsula between Beaulieu and Nice is one of the most exclusive addresses in Europe. The villas lining the shore belong to some of the world's wealthiest individuals. But the coastal footpath that circles the entire cape is open to everyone — a 7 km walk with uninterrupted sea views, completely free of charge.
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (gardens and museum, 18 €) is one of the finest Belle Époque estates on the Côte d'Azur.
The natural harbour at Villefranche is one of the deepest in the Mediterranean — deep enough to regularly dock aircraft carriers. The old town, with its rue Obscure (a covered street dating back to the 13th century), is genuinely authentic and beautifully preserved. Stop for a seafood lunch on the waterfront.
Day 5 — Into the Backcountry: Peillon, La Turbie, Lucéram
This is the most surprising day of the road trip — and often the favourite for those who make it this far.
A medieval hilltop village perched at 370m, reached via a winding road from Nice. Less well known than Èze and far more authentic. Peillon is a living village — not a theme park — and the views over the gorges are stunning.
Towering above Monaco from the heights, La Turbie is home to the Trophée des Alpes — a Roman monument from the 1st century BC, built by Emperor Augustus to celebrate his victory over the Alpine peoples. The views directly down over Monaco below are extraordinary.
A Baroque village in the Nice backcountry, its church adorned with remarkable early Niçois altarpieces. Less dramatic than Peillon or Èze, but more authentically alive as a real community.
Day 6 — Heading West: Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes
Antibes is often underrated, yet it's one of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d'Azur: Vauban's imposing sea walls, the Provençal market, and the Picasso Museum (housed in the Château Grimaldi, where the artist worked in 1946). The old town is genuine and refreshingly uncommercialized.
The peninsula stretching south of Antibes is home to some of the most impressive private villas on the entire coast. The Sentier du Bord de Mer coastal path (4 km one way) is open to all and offers beautiful views over the sea and Juan-les-Pins.
Juan-les-Pins is the beachside extension of Antibes, known for its sandy beaches. Cannes is just 10 minutes by car — allow an evening or a night to stroll the Croisette, dine out, and soak up the distinctly glamorous atmosphere of the city. For a detailed comparison of the two, see our article Nice, Cannes or Monaco.
Day 7 — Back to Nice
A relaxed return along the coast, with stops at Vallauris (the ceramics town, Picasso workshop) and Cagnes-sur-Mer (medieval old town, Renoir Museum). Back in Nice by late afternoon.
Distances and Journey Times at a Glance
| Stage | Distance | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nice → Èze (La Grande Corniche) | 20 km | 35 min |
| Èze → Monaco | 10 km | 20 min |
| Monaco → Menton | 11 km | 20 min |
| Menton → Ventimiglia (Italy) | 10 km | 15 min |
| Menton → Beaulieu-sur-Mer | 30 km | 45 min |
| Beaulieu → Villefranche | 8 km | 15 min |
| Villefranche → Nice | 8 km | 20 min |
| Nice → Antibes | 25 km | 35 min |
| Antibes → Cannes | 12 km | 20 min |
| Cannes → Nice | 35 km | 45 min |
FAQ — Côte d'Azur Road Trip
Do you need a car to visit the Côte d'Azur?
Not necessarily — the train network covers the coastline very well (Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes are all easily reached by TER). But for the hilltop villages (Èze, Peillon, La Turbie), the backcountry, and the panoramic corniches, a car is essential.
What's the best time of year for a Côte d'Azur road trip?
May–June and September–October are ideal: quieter roads, lower accommodation prices, and the sea is still warm enough to swim. July–August is peak season — expect heavy traffic on La Corniche Inférieure and book everything well in advance.
Can you explore the Côte d'Azur by train without a car?
Yes, for the main towns. Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and Menton are all connected by TER. But Èze, Peillon, La Turbie, and the backcountry are simply not reachable by train.
How many days do you need for a Côte d'Azur road trip?
A minimum of 5 days to cover the highlights (corniches, Monaco, Cannes). Allow 7 days to include the backcountry and enjoy each stop without rushing.
Is Nice the best base for a Côte d'Azur road trip?
Yes. Nice has the region's largest airport, a well-connected TGV station, and the widest choice of car rental options. It's also perfectly positioned — east towards the corniches and Monaco, west towards Antibes and Cannes.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the Côte d'Azur by car means discovering that the region you thought you knew from postcards is hiding something else entirely — less picture-perfect, but far more real: hilltop villages that most visitors never reach, dawn views from the corniches, markets in Menton or Antibes unlike anywhere else.
Nice is the perfect place to start. After that, it's all about the road.
