Cannes and the Cote d’Azur

Arrival on your own at the hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Today we explore the glamour of Cannes on a walking tour, starting along the famous Promenade de la Croisette with its luxury hotels and palm-lined coast. We’ll learn about the renowned film festival at the Palais des Festivals, admire the yachts in the Old Port, and wander through Le Suquet, the historic hilltop old town with narrow medieval streets and sweeping views over the bay. Our journey continues in Antibes, nestled between Nice and Cannes, where old-world charm meets Mediterranean scenery. In the Old Town, cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and lively markets capture the spirit of Provence. We’ll see the historic ramparts, stroll along Port Vauban past yachts and fishing boats, and pass the imposing 16th-century Fort Carré while discovering the city’s maritime heritage.

Enjoy the Côte d’Azur at your own pace today. Explore Cannes with its boutiques and cafés, or visit nearby towns and villages. Your guide can suggest activities and sights. If staying in Cannes, don’t miss the lively Marché Forville in the city center, where you can sample fresh produce, cheeses, and Provençal specialties.

Today we visit the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, a pink Belle Époque palace built by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. Inside, its lavish rooms display fine art, antiques, porcelain, and tapestries, while outside nine themed gardens, from French to Japanese, offer beauty and panoramic Mediterranean views, enhanced by immersive audio guides. We then explore Nice, starting in the vibrant Old Town (Vieux Nice) with its narrow streets, Baroque churches, cafés, and markets, including the famous Cours Saleya and the ornate Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. In your free time, you can climb Castle Hill for sweeping views over the Baie des Anges or stroll along the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais.

Today can be enjoyed at your leisure in Cannes or exploring one of the other beautiful places along the coast - Saint Raphael, Villefranche sur Mer, Menton by train or Saint Tropez by boat. We suggest you enjoy dinner al fresco in Le Suquet, the Old Town of Cannes, which overlooks the bay.

We visit Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval hilltop village with cobbled streets, stone houses, and art galleries, learning its history from 14th-century fortifications to its role as an artists’ haven, including Marc Chagall’s grave. Highlights include the main square, Collegiate Church, and panoramic views of the countryside and Alps. Next, we explore Grasse, the perfume capital, wandering its Old Town streets with colourful facades and courtyards, and visiting historic perfumeries like Galimard, Molinard, and Fragonard, still crafting fragrances from local flowers such as jasmine and rose.

You have more time to enjoy a day at your leisure in Cannes. You can also take the train to Antibes and visit some museums, like the iconic Picasso Museum, housed in the ancient Château Grimaldi, where the artist lived and worked, or the Naval Museum of Napoleon.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to France and set off for home. End of services.