The French Riviera and its surrounding region are filled with landscapes and places that you absolutely must discover! Whether it’s visiting Provençal villages, more athletic activities in the mountains or at seaside resorts, the Nice region will allow you to do all sorts of activities. Here’s a selection of the best activities on the French Riviera!
Strolling through the Valensole Plateau
The Valensole Plateau is one of the most important places for lavender cultivation. Nicknamed the granary of Provence with its 12,700 hectares, you’ve surely already seen this plateau which is a true symbol of the French Riviera. If you want to observe this magnificent spectacle, the lavender blooms in July. There are plenty of activities to do in this beautiful setting like mountain biking or even by car, and of course you can visit the lavender distillery and even discover the village that gave its name to this plateau.
Discovering the Verdon Gorge
The famous Verdon Gorge is not just a must-see on the French Riviera but a must-see in Europe! Literally! Since it’s the largest canyon in Europe. It’s the ideal place for any fan of kayaking, paddleboarding, canyoning or rock climbing and plenty of other water activities.
Going caving
The French Riviera is full of caves and sinkholes, the most famous ones are grouped in the Grasse backcountry like the Baume Obscure cave or the Saint Césaire cave. But if you love prehistory, I recommend the Cosquer cave in Marseille. This cave has the richest collection of cave paintings on the French Riviera.
Discovering the Calanques
If you don’t know, calanques are somewhat endemic to the Mediterranean coast and the most beautiful ones can be found on the French Riviera, from the ochre calanques of the Esterel to the famous calanques of Cassis. There are so many activities to do: hiking, rock climbing, diving, water hikes, kayak trips, paddleboarding…
Paddle tour of Villefranche-Sur-Mer
This guided tour will allow you to explore the historic sites of Villefranche. A small Provençal town located on the shores of the Mediterranean, it has magnificent beaches and a natural harbor. This guided tour will teach you a lot about the Saint-Elme citadel, the Saint Michel parish church, the Place des Conseils, and the Rue Obscure with its stories from the past!
A special feature of this French Riviera activity: at the end of the tour, you’ll cross the harbor by paddle to discover the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat peninsula with its flora and splendid villas. This activity is ideal for discovering Villefranche-Sur-Mer, both on land and sea! It’s very accessible if you want to come with family, friends, or even alone! However, remember to book if you want to be sure you can do the activity on your desired day.
Guided tour of Nice in just 2 hours!
A local guide is the best way to explore a city. Locals know anecdotes passed down from generation to generation. They can also help visitors discover the most remarkable places in a city. Due to its unique geography and history, the city of Nice is extremely popular with tourists from around the world.
This tour will take you through Old Nice and its Baroque churches, the small squares and their anecdotes, the Promenade des Anglais, and even the Castle Hill with its breathtaking viewpoints!
The guided tour of Nice is an essential French Riviera activity if you want to learn everything about the region’s history. To make the most of it, choose a local guide to learn more about this historic city of Nice.
Push your limits at Vesúbia Mountain Park
Located in the Alpes-Maritimes, Vesúbia Mountain Park in Saint-Martin-Vésubie is a unique place near the French Riviera. This park is exceptional for its design, its concentration of activities, and the adventures you can experience there. Mont Vésubie Park is ideal for swimming, rock climbing, skywalking, canyoning, practicing balance, exercising, relaxing, playing, snacking, gathering with friends…
Vesúbia Mountain Park offers fun mountain activities with access to unlimited playgrounds in the incredible Vesubia valley near Alpha Park!
For young and old, for all those who keep the soul of a child, for families and beginner and experienced adventurers: a fun and exhilarating adventure.
The park offers indoor and outdoor activities, so you can go regardless of the weather!
The joys of skiing at Val d’Allos
Located in the upper Verdon valley in the Alpes de Haute Provence, Val d’Allos is a meeting point for all lovers of skiing and mountain relaxation. Rich in its alpine massif and Mediterranean climate, with high-altitude landscapes and vegetation with a southern character, Val d’Allos offers a multitude of activities near the French Riviera. In this mountain resort, the landscape is magnificent, nature is well preserved, and the air is pure.
Three mountain destinations are possible: two ski resorts and a village! Such is the ingenuity of Val d’Allos. Two complementary resorts and a traditional mountain village at the gates of Mercantour National Park. If you’re interested, I wrote an article about hikes around Lake Allos, the jewel of Mercantour.
France’s longest zipline at La Colmiane, thrills guaranteed!
Come discover France’s longest zipline at La Colmiane. This sensational activity near the French Riviera will allow you to fly over the entire ski area at 120 km/h!
The descent time is perfect to have time to enjoy the view. Indeed, with its 2,663 meters in length and 1 minute and 49 seconds of descent, the La Colmiane zipline is a one-of-a-kind activity! You can do the zipline in duo or solo in a lying position for more thrills!
The French Riviera wine route
An essential activity if you love wine, the French Riviera wine route is sure to please you! Whether white, red, or rosé, the Mediterranean climate gives a powerful and unique taste to the region’s wines. From the Gulf of St-Tropez to the Nice backcountry, you’ll surely find the cellar that will delight your taste buds! In addition to tastings, you can visit the wine estates, learn more about how to grow grapes, the different attributes of grapes…
An activity related to gastronomy and oenology is perfect for discovering the French Riviera terroir while discovering the landscape! Indeed, between each wine estate, you’ll have the chance to pass through magnificent small villages in the backcountry.
The visit to Èze Village
Èze Village is located between Monaco and Nice on the mountain peaks, equidistant from both cities. The top of a high cliff makes this place one of the most striking tourist sites on the French Riviera. I encourage you to visit the Èze garden for its many cacti and succulents. Beyond that, the garden offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea all the way to the Estérel and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. You can also discover the Fragonard perfumery. You can create your own perfume and leave with it! The visit to Èze Village and its perfumery is one of the flagship activities of the French Riviera.
LUMINISCENCE: A dazzling immersive journey
In Nice, LUMINISCENCE offers an extraordinary cultural experience in the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption basilica. This 360° immersive show combines video mapping, live music, and historical narration and transforms this beautiful basilica into a living work of art.
With over 60,000 spectators and regularly sold-out performances, this creation extended until June 28, 2025, invites you on a fascinating journey through Nice’s history. The neo-Gothic basilica, built between 1864 and 1879 by the French state to assert its authority over Nice after its annexation, is revealed in an entirely new light thanks to projections that enhance every architectural detail of its imposing 31-meter towers and three slender naves.
Created by LOTCHI in 2023, LUMINISCENCE also contributes to the preservation of French heritage by donating part of its revenue to the restoration of historic monuments, with already more than €400,000 in contributions.
As you can see, the French Riviera brings together many unique and exciting activities. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer the sea or the mountains, calm or extreme activities! Moreover, the region’s historical and cultural richness makes it a very attractive destination.
In any case, guided tours of Nice are a must if you want to visit Nice and its surroundings. What could be better than anecdotes passed down from generation to generation by locals? This will add real value to your visit. If you’re looking for more information, you can find it on the Côte d’Azur website.
