Are you planning a French Riviera wine trip? If so, get ready for an unforgettable vacation.
Make your Mediterranean French excursion even more extraordinary by exploring the Provence wineries and the wineries of various other cities on a memorable French Riviera wine trip!
In addition to being one of France’s most beloved vacation spots, the Côte d’Azur is also an esteemed wine region – especially renowned for its exquisite Provence Rosé.
This stunning area benefits from superb weather conditions and breathtaking beachfronts that explain why Grace Kelly found this spot so alluring. Uncover what makes this region truly special with a journey around these marvelous vineyards!
Hop on this trip with us to experience a French Riviera Wine Trip worthy of it!
French Riviera Wine Trip: Things to know
1. Where to start your French Riviera wine trip
You may know that the French Riviera is not a defined area, but rather consists in the succession of beautiful cities on the Mediterranean coast, south of France. Most famous of these cities are: Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Toulon. There is therefore no starting point per se, but the idea is to start at one edge of the or the other of this one-of-a kind trail.
When traveling around the French Riviera, there are several cities to consider for a stopover such as Nice, Toulon and Marseille. However, if you’re looking for convenience and ease of planning your itinerary then Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur is an excellent starting point – it’s France’s second busiest international airport after Paris! Spend some time exploring each city on the coast by spending a few nights in them before moving onto your next destination.
2. How to travel around the French Riviera
- If you plan to stay in one of these famous cities like Nice or Cannes, it won’t be necessary to rent a car, as these towns are very pedestrian friendly and you can reach any point by walk – from the city center to beach resorts, groceries stores… Book your perfect accommodation in Nice or in Cannes!
- If you wish to travel along from one point to another, renting a car is a good option as it will give you much flexibility as in what area you feel like exploring. Roads are easy to drive on, but do keep in mind that they can quickly be crowded during the high-season.
- Train and public transportation are also a solution, as main cities are linked with direct train-trips and bus lines. Also, the French Riviera is linked to other destinations throughout France – including a direct high-speed trip from Paris.
Our suggestion is to rent a car to be able to travel around as much as you wish – to be happily surprised to discover villages and family wineries along the road!
Activities for your French Riviera wine trip
While there are no perfect itineraries to spend an enjoyable stay – as any Côte d’Azur spot is a paradise – we suggest you to plan your tour starting from Nice. From there, you will enhance your amazing trip to cities on the coast like Cannes, Fréjus, Saint-Tropez, Saint-Raphaël and Toulon. Coming back to Nice, it’ll be wonderful to explore in-land perched villages and Provence vineyards. This will be another highlight of your trip: different than beach resorts and touristy cities, you’ll discover picturesque medieval villages all the more lovely and worth visiting.
1. Wine tastings near Nice
One France’s top luxurious and prestigious tourist destination, Nice holds beautiful Greek architectural heritage and hides many cultural treasures. You can easily spend 3 to 4 days in Nice: stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy glamorous beach resorts, explore pedestrian streets of Old Town, find local handcrafts and souvenirs at markets… and meet local wine -growers!
The Domaine De La Source, located very close to Nice, welcomes you for a wine tour in the Bellet vineyard, one of the oldest and smallest vineyard of France. They also open their doors to present you their cellars and their family know-how, by giving explanations on local terrois specificities and grape varieties. And of course, you’ll be treated to taste 3 of the estate’s wines!
2. Top wine experiences near Saint-Tropez
Most iconic destination for serious beach activities like sunning and tanning, Saint-Tropez is probably the first destination you think of when you talk about the French Riviera. We tell you all musts to see in Saint Tropez in this dedicated article!
For a little atypical twist to your trip, visit this French famous southerns city in private guided tours with our hosts Beyon the Wine and Château des Gracinières!
Circuit and guided tours in Saint Tropez vineyards
Our host, Beyond the Wine, is dedicated to making your stay in Saint-Tropez a memorable one. They offer many unique activities to the delight of foreign and French tourists. Choose one of these must-activities and you will have much to talk about back home!
Wine tasting at Château Des Gracinières
Not far from Saint-Tropez, the Château des Gracinières passionate family will be delighted to welcome you and guide your through family know-how for wine-growing methods and wine-elaboration. Book a guided tasting to know all secrets about Provence Rosés and Provence appellations!
3. Highlight of your trip: Commanderie de Peyrassol
On your back to Nice, on the road to in-land wonders, stop at the Commanderie de Peyrassol near the city of Brignoles. As part of the Côtes de Provence appellation, the 13th century estate’s vineyard covers up to 93 hectares.
Alban Cacaret together with Philippe Austury, have restored the domaine to its former glory to make Peyrassol one of the most respected vineyards in Provence.
Book one or several activities to make the most of your wine trip around the French Riviera! You’ll discover all there is to know about this full-of history estate and it’s wine-growing methods.
Discover the Provence Wine Region
Provence vineyards offer wonderful views between endless lavender fields, vines and olive oil trees. Discover top wineries you should visit on your Provençal trip! You won’t be deceived to do a little bit of a road trip in this charming region, family wineries always offer memorable experiences.
Discover the Top 10 wineries to visit in Provence!
With Winalist, you can always use our search engine to discover wineries near you, thanks to our interactive maps. Don’t hesitate to try booking wine tours even the day before! Our hosts are always very happy to meet wine enthusiasts and anyone interested in local know-how. We hope you will have an amazing time on your French Riviera Wine Trip!
FAQ & Useful resources
What are the most famous cities of the French Riviera?
Nice, Cannes and Saint Tropez are top cities of the French Riviera, but we can also count Antibes, Menton, Cassis, Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël or Toulon.
What is French Riviera famous for?
The French Riviera has an incredible climate and is home to most beautiful villages and cities on the coastlines in South of France. Together, it offers amazing beaches, picture perfect water and unique views over the sea.
How much time should I plan staying at the French Riviera?
One week is the least you could expect to enjoy a little bit of each spot. Our suggestion is to plan a nice two-week stay so you have the time enjoy each cities and their beaches without needing to rush too much. The Côte d’Azur is so beautiful, you will never regret spending a couple more days to enjoy the magnificent setting it offers.
Where is Cote de Provence?
In the Provence vineyard, south-eastern of France, you will find the Côtes de Provence appellation, which is the largest in this wine region.
What grape makes Provence Rosé?
The main grape variety that is grown in the Provence wine region is Mourvèdre, which is the main grape that composes red wines and rosé.
