The South of France has lured artists, sailors, and sun-seekers for centuries. From Greek traders and Roman roads to Belle Époque villas and modern yachts, these shores are layered with stories—and bathed in that famous light that inspired Matisse and Chagall. Today, you can hop between seaside towns by train, wander pastel old towns, and swim in gin-clear coves by lunchtime.

This 7-day itinerary focuses on two great bases: Nice on the French Riviera and Marseille on Provence’s Mediterranean edge. You’ll stroll the Promenade des Anglais, climb castle viewpoints, sample socca hot from the pan, and ferry out to fortress islands. Day trips are easy: Eze and Monaco from Nice; Cassis and the Calanques from Marseille.

Practical notes: Summer is sunny and busy—book restaurants and trains in advance, and carry water and reef-safe sunscreen. In the Calanques, summer access to some trails (like Sugiton) may require free reservations; check locally. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and markets. Cuisine runs from Niçoise classics (pan bagnat, pissaladière) to Marseille icons (bouillabaisse, panisse) with superb local rosé.

Nice

Nice blends Italianate facades, palm-lined promenades, and a lively Niçoise food scene. Its Old Town (Vieux Nice) is a maze of ochre alleys leading to Cours Saleya’s morning market, while Castle Hill serves up one of Europe’s great sunset views. Use Nice as your Riviera hub—TER trains skim the coast to Eze, Monaco, Antibes, and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

• Top sights: Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill (Colline du Château), Cours Saleya Market, MAMAC, Marc Chagall Museum, Matisse Museum in Cimiez.
• Why base here: Excellent public transit, beach clubs, and walkable neighborhoods with great bistros and gelato.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Nice or compare hotels on Hotels.com Nice. Vieux Nice for character, Carré d’Or for shopping, Promenade for sea views.

Getting to Nice: Fly into NCE (Nice Côte d’Azur). For transatlantic/long-haul searches use Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. If arriving in Europe first, compare fares on Omio Flights. From the airport, Tram L2 to Jean Médecin/Old Town is ~25 minutes (~€1.70).

Day 1: Arrival in Nice, Promenade & Old Town

Afternoon: Check in, shake off the travel with a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. Climb Castle Hill for a sweeping look at Baie des Anges; the cascade and medieval ruins make great photo stops.

Evening: Aperitif at Movida on the seafront—good tapas and Riviera sunsets. Dinner in Vieux Nice at Le Bistrot d’Antoine (market-driven French plates) or seafood-forward Peixes (ceviche and Mediterranean wines). Finish with gelato at Fenocchio, famous for wild flavors like olive or thyme-honey.

Day 2: Markets, Museums & Niçoise Classics

Morning: Coffee and a flaky pastry at Déli-Bo (stylish brunch spot) or Brulerie des Cafés Indien (roastery vibes). Wander Cours Saleya Market for flowers and seasonal fruit; grab a slice of pissaladière or a pan bagnat to-go.

Afternoon: Art time: choose the Marc Chagall Museum (dreamlike biblical canvases) or MAMAC (New Realism, Pop, and bold sculpture). Late afternoon in Cimiez for the Matisse Museum and Roman ruins shaded by olive groves.

Evening: Try Chez Pipo for socca—a crispy chickpea pancake baked in a wood-fired oven—paired with rosé and a simple salad. Nightcap at Les Distilleries Idéales, a classic Belle Époque bar.

Day 3: Eze & Monaco Day Trip

Morning: TER train to Eze-sur-Mer (~15 min, ~€4) then bus 83 up to Eze Village (20 min) or hike the Nietzsche Path (steep, allow 1–1.5 hours up). Visit the hilltop Jardin Exotique for Mediterranean panoramas; duck into a perfumery to learn about Riviera scents.

Afternoon: Continue by TER to Monaco (~10–15 min). Highlights: the Oceanographic Museum (Cousteau legacy), Prince’s Palace square, the palm-dotted Japanese Garden, and a peek at the Casino and Hôtel de Paris facades.

Evening: Return to Nice for dinner at La Merenda (tiny, traditional Niçoise—arrive early; no phone) or book JAN (Michelin-starred South African–Riviera tasting menu) for a splurge.

Day 4: Antibes or Cap-Ferrat Coast Path

Morning: Option A: Train to Antibes (~20 min). Explore the ramparts, port Vauban, and the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi. Coffee at Café M by the market; lunch at Le P’tit Cageot (creative Provençal plates).

Afternoon: Option B: Hop a quick train to Villefranche-sur-Mer (8 min) and walk the coastal path around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat; swim at Paloma Beach in aquamarine waters.

Evening: Back in Nice, go for rooftop views at La Terrasse (Le Méridien) before dinner on Place Garibaldi at Café de Turin for oysters and fruits de mer or neighborhood bistro Chez Palmyre for comforting classics.

Marseille

Marseille is France’s oldest city—gritty, generous, and maritime to its bones. The Vieux-Port anchors it all: fishermen sell the morning catch, ferries buzz to island fortresses, and golden hour lights the limestone facades. Nearby, the Panier quarter layers street art over history, and the Calanques carve a limestone fjordscape to hike or boat.

• Top sights: Vieux-Port, Le Panier, MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, Cathédrale La Major, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Vallon des Auffes, Prado and Catalans beaches.
• Why base here: Gateway to Calanques National Park and the port village of Cassis; serious seafood and a dynamic, multicultural food scene.
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO Marseille or compare on Hotels.com Marseille. Look near Vieux-Port for views or Cours Julien for cafe culture and street art.

Getting from Nice to Marseille: Morning TER/TGV takes ~2h40–3h15, typically ~$30–$50. Compare times and fares on Omio Trains (Europe). Buses can be cheaper (3.5–4 hours) via Omio Buses.

Day 5: Train to Marseille, Panier & Seaside Dinner

Morning: Depart Nice by train; grab a croissant and espresso at the station. Check in near the Vieux-Port. Quick lunch at La Boîte à Sardine—a beloved tiny bistro for the catch of the day.

Afternoon: Walk Le Panier (oldest district): pastel lanes, ateliers, and murals. Cross the footbridges between Fort Saint-Jean and MuCEM for harbor panoramas; dip into MuCEM for Mediterranean culture and design.

Evening: Sunset at Vallon des Auffes, a pocket cove of fishing boats. Dinner at Chez Fonfon for classic bouillabaisse (book ahead) or cliffside L’Épuisette for a refined seafood tasting menu.

Day 6: Calanques & Cassis

Morning: Train to Cassis (~25–35 min; €6–€8) then shuttle to the port. Choose a boat tour (45–90 minutes) to see Port-Miou, Port-Pin, and En-Vau from the water, or hike the marked trails (carry water; wear grippy shoes). In summer, check on any reservation requirements for protected calanques.

Afternoon: Lunch on the quay: Nino or Chez Gilbert for grilled daurade, aioli platters, and a cold Cassis blanc. Swim at Plage de la Grande Mer or rent a kayak to slip into coves.

Evening: Return to Marseille. Aperitif in bohemian Cours Julien (street art, terraces). Dinner at La Cantinetta (handmade pasta, garden seating) or Sépia (seasonal plates and sweeping harbor views by the Pharo gardens).

Day 7: Basilicas, Markets & Departure

Morning: Ride up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for 360° views over sea and city—note the votive ship models hanging inside, a nod to sailors. Coffee and a pastry at Deep Coffee Roasters or Pâtisserie Sylvain Depuichaffray (don’t miss the tropézienne).

Afternoon: Browse Noailles market lanes for spices and sweets, then enjoy a last lunch at Chez Etienne (wood-fired pizzas and grilled steak) near the Panier. Depart in the afternoon by train or flight; compare options on Omio Trains or long-haul on Trip.com Flights / Kiwi.com Flights.

Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Shortlist

• Nice Coffee/Breakfast: Déli-Bo; Emilie’s Cookies (American-style bakes, good iced coffee); Brulerie des Cafés Indien (roasted-on-site).
• Nice Lunch: Chez Pipo (socca); Lou Pilha Leva (Niçoise street food); Peixes (seafood bowls).
• Nice Dinner: Le Bistrot d’Antoine; La Merenda; JAN (tasting menu; book).
• Marseille Coffee/Breakfast: Deep Coffee Roasters; Café de la Banque (old-school brasserie feel); Sylvain Depuichaffray (patisserie).
• Marseille Lunch: La Boîte à Sardine; Chez Etienne; Les Halles de la Major (food hall variety).
• Marseille Dinner: Chez Fonfon (bouillabaisse); L’Épuisette (fine dining seafood); Sépia (market cuisine, views).

Trains, Buses & Local Transport

• Intercity: Compare trains on Omio Trains. Nice–Marseille ~2h40–3h15 (~$30–$50). Buses via Omio Buses can be cheaper but slower.
• Local (Nice): Lignes d’Azur trams/buses; single tickets ~€1.70. TER trains along the coast make day trips easy.
• Local (Marseille): RTM metro/bus/tram; single tickets ~€2. Short ferry crosses the Vieux-Port for a scenic minute or two.

Optional Paris Stopover Add‑Ons (if you route via Paris)

If your international flight connects through Paris, consider adding a night to enjoy an iconic experience before or after the South of France. Bookable ideas:

• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

  

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

  

• Authentic Parisian Gourmet Food Tour with 10 Local Dishes & Wines

  

Estimated Costs (per person, typical ranges)

• Nice ↔ Marseille train: $30–$50 each way.
• Local transport (daily): $4–$8 for trams/metro; more with regional trains for day trips ($6–$15).
• Meals: Coffee/pastry $4–$7; casual lunch $15–$25; dinner $25–$60 (more for tasting menus and bouillabaisse).
• Boat tours (Cassis/Calanques): ~$22–$35 depending on duration.

In one week, you’ll taste the Riviera’s elegance in Nice and Marseille’s working-port energy—two complementary faces of the Mediterranean. With easy train hops to Eze, Monaco, and the Calanques, you’ll cover iconic views, seafood feasts, and swims you’ll remember all winter. Santé et bon voyage!