7-Day Luxury French Riviera Itinerary
Seven nights across the Côte d'Azur's finest addresses: two nights above Nice, three at the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, and two at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo — with a Provençal detour to Villa La Coste.
Route overview
Fly into Nice Côte d'Azur, transfer to Villa La Coste in the Provençal hinterland for two nights of art and vineyards, then east to the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat for three nights, and finish with two nights at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
At a glance
Best for: Couples and milestone trips
Trip length: 7 nights
Ideal budget: A$28,000–A$60,000 (couple, all-in)
Best time: May–June, or September
Style: Belle Époque grande dame + design retreat
Day 1 — Arrive Nice, transfer to Villa La Coste (Nice → Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade)
Morning: Land Nice Côte d'Azur. Pre-arranged Mercedes transfer to Villa La Coste in Provence (about 2 hours 20 minutes on the A8).
Afternoon: Villa La Coste check-in — 28 villas in a working vineyard with a Tadao Ando visitor centre and a sculpture park by Serra, Bourgeois, and Calder.
Evening: Dinner at Louison — Riviera-Provençal by Gérald Passédat's team, one Michelin star.
Where to stay: Villa La Coste
Insider tip: Book a villa with a vineyard view rather than a Luberon view — the shaded morning light over the vines is remarkable.
Day 2 — Sculpture park, wine tasting, Aix afternoon (Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade)
Morning: Guided walk through the sculpture park at opening — the Louise Bourgeois spider in the pond is the reason people come.
Afternoon: Aix-en-Provence 40 minutes away. Cours Mirabeau, the Cézanne studio, and a long lunch at Le Formal.
Evening: Return to Villa La Coste for a wine tasting in the Jean Nouvel cellar. Dinner at Francis Mallmann's fire kitchen.
Where to stay: Villa La Coste
Insider tip: Book Mallmann's dinner as soon as you confirm the trip — one seating, once a week in summer, always sold out.
Day 3 — Transfer to Cap-Ferrat, Grand-Hôtel check-in (Provence → Cap-Ferrat)
Morning: Chauffeur transfer to Cap-Ferrat (2h 30m). Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel — check into a sea-view suite.
Afternoon: Pool afternoon. The heated seawater pool is the reason to be here; the view down to Beaulieu is timeless.
Evening: Dinner at Le Cap (one Michelin star). Modern Riviera cooking, deep wine list.
Where to stay: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
Insider tip: The Villa Rose-Pierre in the grounds sleeps six and rents as a private house — the discreet upgrade for a milestone anniversary.
Day 4 — Villa Ephrussi, Beaulieu lunch, cape walk (Cap-Ferrat)
Morning: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at opening. The gardens are one of the finest Belle Époque compositions in France.
Afternoon: Lunch at La Réserve de Beaulieu — 15 minutes east, seafront terrace, another Michelin star.
Evening: The full Cap-Ferrat coastal path walk (10km loop). Sunset from the lighthouse at Pointe Saint-Hospice.
Where to stay: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
Insider tip: Do the coastal path in reverse (clockwise) — the light on the return leg is softer and the harder inclines come first while you're fresh.
Day 5 — Private yacht day (Cap-Ferrat → open sea)
Morning: Private yacht from Beaulieu marina. Cruise east past Monaco, west past Villefranche, anchor for a swim off Cap-Ferrat itself.
Afternoon: Lunch on board — the hotel's kitchen packs it. Nap on the sun deck; that's the point.
Evening: Return at golden hour. Casual dinner at the Grand-Hôtel's Club Dauphin beach club.
Where to stay: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
Insider tip: Book a 12m Sunseeker not a superyacht — the smaller boat can enter Villefranche and Nice ports; the big ones can't.
Day 6 — Transfer to Monaco, Hôtel de Paris check-in (Cap-Ferrat → Monaco)
Morning: 20-minute transfer to Monaco. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo — check into a Riviera suite with a Casino Square view.
Afternoon: Long lunch on the Le Grill terrace with a moving roof and a view over Port Hercule.
Evening: Dinner at Louis XV — Alain Ducasse's three-star flagship. Book six months ahead. Casino de Monte-Carlo afterwards.
Where to stay: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Insider tip: Louis XV requires jacket and, for men, closed shoes; the dress code is enforced. Don't let a dinner reservation die at the door.
Day 7 — Monaco morning, transfer to Nice (Monaco → Nice)
Morning: Morning walk through the Rock — Prince's Palace at 11:55 for the guard change. Coffee at Le Café de Paris on the way back.
Afternoon: Private transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur (30 minutes). Lounge access on departure.
Evening: Evening flight home. If flying overnight, book the Nice–Doha–Sydney route on Qatar — the timing is genuinely better than through Dubai.
Where to stay: In-flight
Insider tip: Nice Terminal 1 is the private-jet and premium terminal; make sure the transfer knows which terminal your airline uses — some carriers use T2 and it's a 15-minute walk between.
Where to stay
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel — The Riviera at its most classical — Belle Époque architecture, seven hectares of pines, the finest heated seawater pool in Europe. Impeccably run by Four Seasons. Best for Couples wanting the definitive Riviera experience. From A$3,200 per night (deluxe sea view).
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo — The Riviera's grande dame — Louis XV, Le Grill, and Casino Square at the doorstep. Recently and beautifully renovated. Best for Couples wanting the Monaco experience at its source. From A$2,400 per night (superior).
Villa La Coste — 28 villas in a working Provençal vineyard, with the finest contemporary art collection at any hotel in Europe. Ando, Nouvel, Serra, Bourgeois, Calder. Best for Culturally serious couples wanting a Provence chapter. From A$1,800 per night (villa).
Château Saint-Martin & Spa — The hilltop alternative to the coast — Vence position, quiet spa, and views down to the sea 20 minutes below. Under-the-radar Riviera. Best for Couples wanting hinterland calm without giving up Riviera access. From A$1,600 per night (deluxe).
Where to eat
Louis XV — Alain Ducasse (Monaco, Classical French) — Three Michelin stars, arguably the most historically significant fine-dining room on the Riviera. Book six months ahead.
Le Cap at Grand-Hôtel (Cap-Ferrat, Modern Riviera) — One Michelin star, oceanfront terrace, and the most confident wine list at any hotel between Nice and Menton.
La Colombe d'Or (Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provençal) — The Matisse-and-Picasso hotel-restaurant. Reserve a garden table and order the raw vegetable basket — the same dish for 60 years.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit the French Riviera?
Mid-May to mid-June and September are ideal — sea warm enough to swim, restaurants open, Ferragosto (August) crowds absent, and the light is at its Mediterranean best. Avoid July–August in Saint-Tropez and Monaco unless you're deliberately here for the season.
How much does a luxury French Riviera trip cost?
Realistically A$28,000–A$60,000 for two, all-in for seven nights. Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat and Hôtel de Paris run A$2,400–A$3,500 per night in summer; private yacht days A$4,500–A$18,000; business-class flights A$8,000–A$14,000; dining at three-star addresses A$1,000+ per couple per night.
Should we stay in Nice, Cap-Ferrat or Monaco?
None as a base for the whole trip — split between them. Cap-Ferrat for the classic experience, Monaco for the grande-dame service and the Louis XV, Nice only if budget-constrained or if you want city-hotel dining variety. This itinerary uses all three.
Is 7 days enough for the French Riviera?
Yes for a first visit, if you split between two or three properties. Add 2–3 nights in Saint-Tropez or Provence at the start for a longer trip; add Portofino by yacht for a two-country loop.
Do we need a car on the Riviera?
No. Private drivers between hotels; the coastal train between Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu, Cap-d'Ail and Monaco is exceptional; and boat is the honest way to see the coast. A car is more liability than utility.
Which is better — Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat or Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc?
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat for hotel quality, service consistency and the pool — the Four Seasons operational discipline shows. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc for scene, history and the Antibes location — but service can be inconsistent in season. First-timers: Cap-Ferrat.
Can we visit Saint-Tropez on this itinerary?
It's a full day-trip from Cap-Ferrat (2h+ each way in summer) so we don't include it; add two nights in Saint-Tropez at the start if it's essential. Château de la Messardière and Cheval Blanc St-Tropez are the two we'd send you to.
What's the dress code at Riviera fine dining?
Louis XV, Le Grill and Le Cap all expect jacket for men (no tie required). Beach clubs and lunch venues are elegantly casual. Avoid overtly branded logos and gym-luxury; the Riviera style is quieter than social media suggests.
Is Monaco worth spending nights, or day-trip only?
Two nights minimum — Louis XV alone justifies one, and the Hôtel de Paris experience is a chapter in itself. Day-trippers see the Casino and Rock; overnight guests get the quieter Monaco after 7pm when the coaches leave.
Can we combine the Riviera with Italy or Provence?
Yes, both. Provence works at the start (Villa La Coste as in this itinerary, or Château Saint-Martin). Italy at the end — take the coastal train or yacht east to Portofino, add 2–3 nights at Belmond Splendido or Villa Vera Riva.