Southern France
Provence Tour Independent

MAGIC OF PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA

Departs Nice at 9am

Departs Cannes at 8.am (add Euro 20 per person)

 

Panoramic view over Nice from Mt. Boron. On the Middle Corniche stop at Eze – a medieval perched village with its crafts shops and breathtaking panorama. Guided tour of a traditional perfumery, the true essence of Provence.

Visit the Old Town of Monaco. Time to visit the Palace – open June/Oct. 8 €pp – the Cathedral, Cousteau’s Oceanographic Museum – 14 €pp – and see the Changing of the Palace Guards at 11:55am.

Tour of Monte-Carlo and drive along the amazing Grand Prix circuit. Free time at Casino Square: enjoy yourselves with luxurious shopping, strolling along stunning gardens, megayachts, chic casinos… or simply watch the “rich and beautiful” in their favourite haunts.

Drive along the spectacular coastline Lower Corniche between Nice and Monaco, which harbours typical Mediterranean villages and modern marinas. Admire the Bay and Citadel of Villefranche.
 

Tour 2 – Monaco & Monte-Carlo – Eze 5 hrs - Daily - 57 euros

 

Departs Nice – at 9am

 

Grand Casino closed every morning

Enjoy the panoramic view from Villefranche over Cap Ferrat, the Bay of Billionaires and its famous villas.

Drive along the Lower Corniche to the Old Town of Monaco. Free time to visit the Palace – open June/Oct -, the Cathedral, stunning gardens, see the changing of the Palace Guards – 11.55am. Tour of the Principality following the amazing Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit!

Stop at Monte-Carlo and its luxurious casino, megayachts, chic boutiques.

Return by Middle Corniche road and visit of the charming medieval village of Eze.
 

Tour 3 – (The Country side tour) St Paul de Vence, Gourdon, Grasse, Cannes – 8 hrs – 83 euros - daily departures

 

Departs Nice at 9am

Departs Cannes at 10am (add Euro 20 per person)

 

Arrive in Cannes and walk the famous Croisette Boulevard, by the Film Festival Palace, designer shops and smart sandy beaches. Drive through the charming countryside of Provence to Grasse, world capital of the perfume industry, for a guided tour of a perfumery or free time to visit the old town. View the Alps, valleys and spectacular coastline from the amazing perched medieval village of Gourdon. After lunch winding down charming Loup Gorges, and taste Riviera’s speciality flower sweets at traditional Florian Confectionary. Photo stop by a provencal jewl: Tourrettes-sur-Loup. End the tour in the second most visited village in France: St Paul de Vence with ancient cobblestone lanes, fortified walls and art galleries, home of impressionist painters. Return to Nice.

 

 

Tour 4 – Cannes, Antibes – 4 hrs – 62 euros - daily

 

Departs Nice at 9am & 2pm

 

In Cannes, city of Festivals, fireworks and film stars, stop at the Film Festival Palace and see the stars handprints, the shops, the sandy beaches and enjoy the famous Croisette Boulevard and the chic of Cannes.

Continue by the coast line to Golfe-Juan where Napoleon landed in 1815, Juan-Les-Pins, passing by the famous seafront and Pine Grove with trendy boutiques.

Admire the sea view from la Garoupe, pass the celebrities villas of Cap d’Antibes and arrive by the ramparts in Antibes. Free time to discover Old Town, Billionaire’s Quay, home to dynastic yachts and overlooked by the 16 c. Fort Vauban.

 

 

Tour 5 – Panorama – 9 hrs – 100 euros

Departs Nice at 9am
Departs Cannes 8am (add Euro 20 per person

 

View the whole Riviera in one day.

 

Travel by the coast road and enjoy the sea views of the famous corniche road leading to Monaco.

Stop on the Rock for a visit of the Old Town, the Prince Palace (open June thru October) and the Cathedral where Grace and Rainier got married and where you can collect their thoughts in silence by their flowery graves. Drive by the formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to Monte-Carlo, world of elegance and luxury.

 

Then visit the unforgettable middle-age village of Eze with boutiques carved in the rock. Discover the world of senses and flowers thru a shopping visit of a perfumery.

Before moving to the west part of the region, walk by the typical flower market of Old Nice and its cafés.

In Cannes, admire la Croisette with luxury boutiques. Place your hands on the stars handprints by the famous red carpet of the film festival palace.

Laid back and enjoy a panoramic drive with breathtaking views of the different bays of Juan-Les-Pins and Antibes. Pass by exclusive Cap d’Antibes, home of the famous billionaires.

Arrive in Antibes, Provencal walled city for a walk in the busy old town and by the billionaires quay where helicopters and yachts abound.

 

Tour 6 - Jewel Villas and Gardens  – 4 hrs – 62 euros

 

Departs Nice 2pm - daily except Tuesday

 

Panoramic view from Mt Alban overlooking the bay of Villefranche. 20mins stop in the old town of Villefranche, visit the 13^th c. “obscure street”. Drive by famous houses of celebrities in Cap Ferrat, home of kings, film stars and magnates. Wander through the exceptional Renaissance-style Rothschild Villa – entrance included - and its seven romantic gardens from French to Japanese style. Follow the tour to Beaulieu – “beautiful place” – to visit the fantasy of an aristocrat: an incredible recreated 500BC Greek Villa Kerylos - entrance included - , unique in the world! Return by the middle Corniche Road.

 

Tour 7 – Historic  Nice – 3 hrs – 52 euros

 

Departs at Nice 9am - daily except Tuesday

 

Visit the Castel Park overlooking the Bay of Angels and Old Town, site of the trading town founded by the Greeks 2700 years ago. Drive along the harbour and admire the Turin style buildings. Contemplate the Old in Place Garibaldi and the New along Promenade des Arts (Modern Art Museum, Sosno’s library, Acropolis congress center...). Arrive in Cimiez, winter home of Queen Victoria. Stop at the Roman Arenas of Cemenelum. Enjoy Matisse Museum – entrance not included – or walk among the olive trees’ garden and the 15^th c. garden of the Franciscan Monastery. Visit the extraordinary Russian Cathedral, - entrance not included - the largest and most beautiful one outside Russia. Return by Promenade des Anglais passing its famous landmarks and “Belle Epoque” buildings. End the tour with a visit to the flower market in the Old Town. Possibility to be dropped there or driven back to the hotel. (Museum entrances included )
 

Tour 8 – St Tropez – 8 hrs – 147 euros  - Operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays

 

Departs Nice at 8 am

Departs Cannes at 8:45am - add Euro 20 per person

 

Exit the motorway and drive through the Maures (“Moors”) Forest to Sainte Maxime.

Sail to Saint Tropez (15’) across the stunning bay. (only June to Sept)  Only in summer (to avoid traffic), by road in winter.

Saint Tropez luxury yachts, fashion boutiques, terrace cafés.. Free time for lunch.

Mount the steps to the Citadel with its maritime museum or visit the pretty medieval village or the Annonciade renowned impressionists and fauve museum.

Get away from the crowd and discover the Pampelone Beach area, and then your car will snake its way along the winding road offering breathtaking views. Stop at Port Grimaud "Little Venice" and admire its canals, bridges, boutiques and charming houses.

 

 

 

Tour 9 – Italy and Menton – 8 hrs – 90 euros - operates on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

 

Departs Nice at 8 am

Departs Cannes at 7:30 am (add Euro 20 per person)

 

Markets: San Remo: Tuesdays & Saturdays – Vintimiglia: Fridays

 

A taste of real Italy and its wonderful open air markets, famous for leather goods, fashion accessories and clothes! Then drive along the charming Italian Riviera.

Lunch by the beach of Vintimiglia. Taste the best fresh pasta of the region accommodated with seafood or vegetables at Giuseppe’s – not included in price, free choice.

Return via the seacoast road driving through charming Menton, “pearl of France”. Walk the flowery old town before pursuing on the spectacular High Corniche road. Stop for a panoramic view over Monaco from La Turbie. 

 

 

 

Tour 10 – Monaco and Monte-Carlo by Night – 5 hrs – 52 euros - Daily

 

Departs Nice at 7pm

Departs Cannes at 6:15pm ( add Euro 20 per person)

 

Smart casual clothes (no shorts, flip-flop or tennis shoes) to enter the Casino (entrance 10 euros and passport requested - min age 18)

 

We drive along the seacoast road with its medieval villages, marinas and panoramic viewpoints. Visit the charming medieval village of Eze and its amazing views.  Includes a drive through the medieval town of Monaco. Drop at the Palace and free time to wander around. Then tour the Grand Prix circuit. Stop in Monte-Carlo, free time for dinner and enjoy the chic atmosphere of Casino Square and maybe try your luck at the tables or at slot machines!

 

Tour 11 - Dine out - 5 hours - Daily - Euros 104 per person

Departs Nice - 7pm
Departs Cannes at 6:15 pm (add Euro 20 per person)

Same as “Tour 10” + 3-course dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Grand Prix circuit, beside Casino square. Choice of dishes from the “gourmet” menu + ½ bottle of wine or beer or soft drink per person + coffee incl.

                  

(admission to tables of Grand Casino 10 € not included – min. age 18 – passport required). Smart casual clothes (no shorts, flip-flop or tennis shoes) to enter the Casino.

 

 

Tour 12 – St Paul & wine tasting – 4 hrs – 57 euros

 

Mondays and Fridays

Departs from Nice at 2pm

 

Discover the jewel of Provence : St Paul de Vence (1½ hrs), France’s second most visited village. A spectacular walled fortress village, home to famous painters (Renoir, Chagall, Picasso…) and film stars. Maybe see a game of “French boules” – rustic France’s favourite game – and drink pastis with the locals!

 

Drive to St Jeannet wine village in the heart of terraced vineyards dating from Roman times. In the cellar, around the oak barrels, learn the secrets and subtleties of wine during a tasting – included - with the winemaker.