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10 day French Riviera Travel Guide

Traveling in the South of France is straight out of a pinterest board. It’s easy to get around, every town has a hidden gem waiting for you to discover, and you can do it without breaking the bank. It’s a perfect destination to add to your Europe bucket list as it can be done solo, on a budget, or any of the above! Keep reading to learn about the budget and solo travel things to enjoy in the South of France. 

Day 1 and 2: Marseille 

Marseille is one of the best places to start your journey along the South of France because it’s well connected by air and train. Marseille has its own airport hubs for both international and domestic flights. Alternatively, you can reach the city via train from other cities in France or countries in Europe.

Marseille is the oldest city in France and has a little bit of everything; ancient buildings to explore, museums, beautiful beaches, nightlife and perfect base for day trips. It’s important to note that Marseille isn’t very welcoming and can be considered dodgy compared to other cities in France. That reason being, I only recommend two or three days just to get your feet on the ground. 

Bucket List Recommendations 

• Enjoy the stunning views from Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde 
• Check out the Cathedral de la Major
• Explore the street art neighborhood, Cours Julien
• Stroll around the Old Harbor during golden hour 
• Take a dip in the sea at Plage du Prophete 
• Head to Plage de Maldorme for beautiful views of the town and a swim 
• Day trip to Aix-en-Provence

Accommodation

The best area to stay in Marseille is anywhere near the Old Port (Vieux Port). This is right in the Old Town and central to the sights, can be easily reached from the train station, and is the heart of the action. Listed below are accommodation options that are well rated on HostelWorld and Booking.com. 

Backpacker-friendly options: 

• Vertigo Vieux-Port
• The People – Marseille
• Meininger Marseille Centre la Joliette

Mid-Range options: 

• Hotel Maison Montgrand
• Hotel Belle-Vux Vieux Port
• Hotel Marsiho by HappyCulture

Transportation

Plane:

The nearest airport is Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), located 30 minutes from the city center. MRS is well connected to other European countries and has multiple flights to choose from.

Train:

If you’re traveling by train you can reach Marseille from many cities like Nice, Lyon and more. You can book on SNCF Connect, Eurail or Trainline for a schedule and book your ticket. 

Bus:

If you’re traveling on a budget and choose to take the bus, FlixBus is probably your best bet. It’s affordable and has buses that run from major cities like Paris or Lyon to Marsille. Book directly on FlixBus website for the best price. 

Transportation in the city:

Marseille is best to explore on foot since most things are close to each other. Alternatively, the local bus, metro, and tram lines run throughout the city and farther distances. 

Tip: 

If you’re reading this and feel like Marseille isn’t your vibe, you can catch a train to Aix-en-Provence. The trains run frequently every day and you can easily catch the train from the airport. If I were to do it all over again, I would go directly to Aix-en-Provence and then stop in Marseille on the way to Cassis. 

Day 3 – 4 Cassis: 

Cassis is just 30 minutes from Marsille, but has a totally different vibe. Cassis is a coastal city that moves at a slower pace, welcomes you with quaint pastel buildings, and offers the perfect city escape. The historic town is filled with shops, local restaurants, and a charming harbor. Although Cassis isn’t considered a beach town, it’s the perfect place to unwind, take in the views, and explore the famous Calanques. 

You can easily spend two days exploring and soaking up the slow paced life in town. However, if you want to really slow down it’s easy to stay longer! I recommend 2-3 days, so you have time to soak it all up. 

Bucket List Recommendations 

• Plage de la Grande Mer
• Plage du Corton (quieter beach)
• People watch at the Port and get an ice cream from Glacier Alessandro 
• Check out the local market on Wednesdays and Thursdays 
• Explore the Calanques National Park – Calanque de Port-Miou, Calanque de Port-Pin, and Calanque d’en Vau are recommended 

Accommodation

Cassis is small, so the accommodation options are relatively limited. However, there are a few hostels, local guesthouses, and luxurious hotels. The ideal area to stay is right at the port, but if the price of accommodation isn’t lining up, most guesthouses are within a good walking distance from the city center. 

For budget-backpackers:  

• Cassis Hostel
• Au Petit Chez Soi

For mid-range budget: 

• Appartement au cœur de cassis vue sur le parc
• La Demeure Insoupçonnée
• Hotel Des Calanques

Transportation 

Train:

The best way to reach Cassis is by train. Trains run from Marseille St. Charles (the main train station in Marseille)  throughout the day. The train station is located about one mile from the city center. There are local buses that run to the town center which takes about 15 minutes. 

Bus:

To save a few Euros, you can grab a bus from Marseille city center to Cassis. You’ll want to grab the L78 bus that should pick up at the Avenue de Toulon bus stop. The best thing to do is check the bus Marieselle tourism website for timetables and pick up locations. 

Transportation in the city:

Cassis is small which means you can walk pretty much everywhere. There are some local buses that run to popular destinations. You can find the bus schedule here or just ask your accommodation for the schedule as it changes throughout the year. 

Day 5 – 9 Nice:

Nice is the perfect location to explore the South of France because it’s central to the smaller towns making it easy to take day trips. In addition, Nice attracts backpackers making it a fun place to base yourself for a few days. To make things even better, there’s a great beach to relax at and quaint neighborhoods to explore. If you’re a backpacker on a budget, it’s cheaper to stay in Nice and take day trips to the smaller towns. Plus, there’s more accommodation options that suit all travelers. 

Bucket list ideas

• Beach day at Plage publique de l’opéra
• Stroll along Prom. des Anglais during golden hour
• Explore the Old Town (Vieux Nice) and check out the cute souvenir stores 
• Nice Cathedral
• Check out Fontaine du Soleil while exploring the plaza Place Massena 
• Stroll through the outdoor market, Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya 
• Explore Colline du Château Park 
• Take day trips to Villefranche-sur-Mer,  Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Eze, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Antibes, and Cannes

Accommodation

The prime area to stay is the Old Town as it’s busy and easy to reach by public transport. 

 Nice is a backpacker hotspot offering multiple hostels to choose from. For those with more budget flexibility there are plenty of hotels, airbnb’s, and luxurious stays to choose from.

For budget-backpackers:

• Hostel Ozz
• Antares Hostel 
• Open House Hostel 

For mid-range budget: 

• Hotel Le Saint Paul
• Hotel Villa Rose
• Hotel Nice Azur Riviera 

Transportation

It’s fairly easy to reach Nice by train, plane, and bus. The train station is located in the city center. There is an airport 30 minutes from the city center which has shuttles that run to the city center. Bus’ run regularly from nearby towns. 

Plane:

Nice has an international airport, Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, which is well connected to other major cities. The airport is about 5 miles from the city center and has shuttles, buses, or taxis running to and from the airport. 

Trains:

Nice is well connected to most destinations in France. The main train station is Nice Ville which is a 12 minute tram or 25 minute walk to Nice Old Town. The best part about transportation in Nice is that the train runs to the towns along the coast like Eze, and Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Eze, Monaco, and Monte Carlo. Plus, the tickets are between 5 and 15 euros. The unlimited Eurail Pass works as well. 

Bus:

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can take the FlixBus from multiple destinations. Book your bus directly on this website.

Transportation in the city:

Nice is a fairly walkable city and there’s always something to discover! Alternatively, the bus and trains run throughout the city and connect to other towns. Google maps works great for finding the best bus, tram or train route!

Day 10: Menton

Menton is an ancient city 17 miles from Nice and an easy train ride! The city is quaint with dreamy buildings, palm trees, and beautiful beaches. Menton is a nice change of pace from Nice and a whole experience in itself with the charm, history, and sea breeze filled air. You can easily spend one to two days exploring and relaxing in Menton. 

Bucket list ideas

• Stroll around the Old Town
• Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange 
• Spend time by the sea at Plage des Sablettes
• Head to the Old Chateau Cemetery for amazing views 
• Window shop along the Rue Saint Michel  
• Jean Cocteau Museum 
• Walk along Promenade du Soleil for amazing views of the town  
• If you haven’t already, take a day trip to Monaco, Eze, or Monte Carlo  

Accommodation

Although Menton is small compared to Nice, there are guesthouses, hotels, and luxurious stays to choose from. I will note that if you’re on a tight budget, it’s hard to find accommodation for under 50 euros a night. The best option is to stay in Nice and take a day trip to Menton. I will add that, Menton is a great place to splurge a little on accommodation if you can!

For budget-backpackers:

• Hotel Richelieu 

For mid-range budget: 

• Menton nella vecchia città con vista mare
• Hotel De Londres 
• Hotel Lemon

Transportation

Menton can be reached from most cities along the French Riviera. If you’re coming from Nice, your best option is to catch the train. 

Train:

Trains run frequently from the Nice Ville train station to Menton Garavan is about a 30 minute ride. There are about 40 trains daily and the schedule can be found at the station or trainline.com. 

Bus:

Local bus’ run from Nice to Menton. It takes about an hour but costs around 2-5 Euros. 

Transportation in Menton:

The best way to get around is on foot as everything is very close and the town is quite small. If you’re looking to explore other destinations, there are two railway stations that link to other cities.

Favorite Coffee Shops

I will always be on the hunt for the best coffee shops. If you’re a coffee lover just like me, this is for you! Here is a list of my favorite (and affordable!) coffee shops along the South of France. 

Marseille

• Deep Coffee Roasters
• Black Bird Coffee 
• Cafe Lauca 

Aix-en-Provence

• MANA – AIX 

Cassis 

• Grain De Folie 
• Cafe Lauca Cassis 

Nice 

• Cafe de Max
• Le Country Store
• Maison Karlie

Best time to travel the South of France 

The best time to travel the French Riviera is between May and October. High season is considered to be June through August, which means prices are at an all time high. Shoulder season is May, September, and October which means you still get amazing weather with less tourists and price cuts. The South of France is known for its hot and dry summers while fall and spring are still sunny and warm. 

Tips from a budget-backpacker: 

1. Eating out is expensive along the French Riviera. If you’re on a budget, like me, you’ll probably find yourself at the local grocery stores. Most accommodations will have a kitchen with basic essentials. If you’re on a budget, but want to experience the local cuisine, head to a bakery and you’ll find pastries, panini’s and other delicious goods for 2-5 euros! 
2. If you’re traveling during May through August (high season), it’s highly recommended to book accommodation and transportation at least a week in advance. Otherwise you might be caught booking a low rating accommodation, overpriced hotel, or get stuck in a town because the trains are full. 
3. Use local transportation because it’s easy and saves loads of money. The bus or tram requires a card that you load at machines. You can find the machines are tram stations where you can reload. Most newsstands or tobacco shops sell them as well. It’s important to mention that ticket machines aren’t by bus stops, so you can get a ticket from the bus driver. If you have questions on how to use the bus, ask your accommodation and they should know. 

Have the best trip!

Now you’re all set for your trip along the South of France! Have the best time and make sure you do one thing that makes you say “I love my life” each day! 

– G