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Along the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur)

Quiet side of the French Riviera
 

Holiday Highlights

Menton | More Italian than French, it glows in the rising sun.
The cultural surprises | From Cocteau’s chapel and ‘marriage salon’ to Rothschild’s villa and gardens.
Easy paths | Away from the crowds, revealing unexpected vistas of sea and pines.
The coastal railway | Used by 19th-century travellers to reach the healing southern warmth.
Price from
£965pp
Along the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur). 6 nights
Price from
£965pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Along the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur). 6 nights
Price from
£965pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on the Côte d’Azur

Staying in two 4-star, sea-front hotels (with your luggage transported between the two), you’ll take in art, gardens and easy coastal paths. This being a self-guided holiday, you set the pace, and the flexible routes allow you to combine walking with sightseeing.
Sun-drenched and irresistibly seductive, the French Riviera is, to many, a byword for glitz and glamour. But look beyond the gloss and you will find an elegant and understated beauty – and a sense of stylish grandeur – that feels like stepping straight into an Impressionist painting. It’s the colour, and the quality of light – described by Matisse as “soft and tender, despite its brilliance” – that will strike you first.

Vibrant reds and oranges, set against the extreme turquoise and blue of sea and sky, drew artists like Renoir, Chagall, Cézanne and Picasso; and gardeners, architects, writers and collectors were soon to follow. Now you can admire the fruits of their creativity – Belle Époque palaces, resplendent villas and gardens, and exquisite works of art – as you use the efficient local transport system to enjoy a variety of coastal walks while discovering the unspoiled and unobtrusive attractions of the Côte d’Azur.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 11 11 13 15 19 22 26 26 23 19 14 12
    mm 77 79 74 66 61 46 22 43 65 104 101 78
  • Arrival in Menton
    Night 1: at Hotel Prince de Galles (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking. Pay locally for public transport to and from walks.
  • Menton town trail
    We suggest you start by following our town trail, during which you can stop for lunch at one of several shady squares. First, pause to admire pretty gardens, an art museum and a Russian church close to your hotel before continuing into Menton itself where you will find picturesque squares and colourful markets Then ascend through Vieux Menton (the old town) itself, perhaps visiting the Baroque churches that dominate the skyline, before winding through narrow streets to an atmospheric, hill-top cemetery. Here there is a faded Russian Orthodox mausoleum and the graves of various well-known British former residents (William Webb Ellis, the ‘inventor’ of rugby, is one such occupant). From here, descend via botanical gardens to reach the Jean Cocteau museum, housed in the bastion and former custom house, before taking time to explore Menton’s many shops and to stroll along its pleasant, sea-front promenade.
    Vsit the botanical gardens on the route around Menton
  • Choice of walks from Menton: 3.5km to 10.5km

    Circular walk via Cap Martin: 10.5km, 3.5hrs; ascent/descent 280m; return by train: 7.5km, 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 280m
    Follow the scenic coastal path around Cap Martin to the beaches of Pointe de Cabbé. Either return across the headland via Parc du Cap Martin with its impressive ancient olive trees, or by train from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin station at Cabbé.

    To Monaco: 3.5km, 1.5hrs; ascent/descent 140m
    Board a train to Monaco to follow our trail through the old town (avoiding all casinos!). You take in the Prince’s Palace and cathedral, and explore Monaco's narrow, characterful streets – the window shopping here is a treat and there’s no shortage of places for refreshment. Return by train. (You could save this walk for Days 4-5 during your stay in Villefranche – see below – as it can be done from either hotel.)
    Circular walk via Cap Martin: 10.5km
    Monaco trail: 3.5km
  • Beaulieu to Villefranche-sur-Mer: 10km, 3.5hrs; ascent 250m/descent 240m; shorter option: 7km, 2.5hrs
    Leaving Menton behind, catch a train west to Beaulieu, where you join a footpath to circuit the small cape of St-Jean with its wild coastline. Stop at the port or village of St-Jean for a sophisticated lunch, or make a short detour to Villa Rothschild to admire the gardens and fabulous art collections, perhaps taking tea on the terrace. From outside the villa gates, you can catch the bus to Villefranche and shorten the day's walk, or continue on foot via Villa Nellcote – where the Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main Street – before circling the sandy bay into town. You stay for three nights at the Welcome Hotel.
    The coastal path from Menton to Villefranche-sur-Mer
    Beaulieu to Villefranche-sur-Mer: 10km
  • Choice of walks from Villefranche: 5km to 9km
    We offer a choice of walking routes from Villefranche-sur-Mer, from where you also have the option to take the train to explore Monaco, as described under Day 2.

    Town trail & walk to Nice: 9km, 3hrs; shorter option: 5km, 2hrs
    Our town trail enables you to amble among Villefranche’s grid of evocatively named streets (we love the tunneled Rue Obscura), before visiting the Romanesque Chapelle de Saint-Pierre des Pêcheurs (known as ‘Cocteau Chapel’ due to the artist’s floor-to-ceiling murals), and the 16th-century Saint Elmo Citadel. You can then walk along the coast as far as Pointe des Sans Culottes, enjoying views back towards Cap Ferrat and its lighthouse before turning back towards your hotel. Alternatively, continue along the coast all the way to Nice and return by train.

    Circular walk from Villefranche: 9km, 3hrs; shorter option: 6km, 2.5hrs
    The whole of the unspoiled cape of Cap Ferrat, like much of the rest of this coastline, has been circled by a footpath. Beginning with a bus journey to St-Jean, this walk follows the coastal footpath along the old route of the customs officers, to pass below the historic Ferrat lighthouse. The scenery here is particularly beautiful, scented by pines and with views towards Nice and Villefranche. Return to Villefranche on foot (or catch the bus again to shorten the route). Once back in Villefranche, take time to relax in this beautiful coastal town, no doubt finding it easy to relate to Cocteau’s immortal words: “When I see Villefranche, I see my youth again. Pray Heaven it may never change.”
    Cap Ferrat on the route around Villefranche
    Town trail and walk to Nice: 9km
    Circular walk from Villefranche: 9km
 

Accommodation

You stay at two high-quality, sea-facing hotels. At both, we include sea-view rooms with a balcony.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter

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  • 6 nights: 01 September 2024 - 10 November 2024, 01 February 2025 - 15 July 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 10 November 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 25 Sep 2024 £1465 £1120
    26 - 30 Sep 2024 not available not available
    1 - 12 Oct 2024 £1340 £1015
    13 - 27 Oct 2024 £1090 £710
    28 Oct - 10 Nov 2024 £965 £625
    1 Feb - 20 Mar 2025 £1005 £650
    21 - 28 Mar 2025 £1125 £740
    29 Mar - 1 Apr 2025 not available not available
    2 - 24 Apr 2025 £1160 £740
    25 Apr - 16 May 2025 £1385 £1060
    17 - 28 May 2025 not available not available
    29 May - 9 Jul 2025 £1515 £1165
    1 - 25 Sep 2025 £1515 £1165
    26 - 30 Sep 2025 not available not available
    1 - 12 Oct 2025 £1385 £1060
    13 - 27 Oct 2025 £1125 £740
    28 Oct - 4 Nov 2025 £1005 £650
    3rd & 4th person discount -£50 to -£52
    Single traveller supplement £50 to £52

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    6 nights: 01 September 2024 - 10 November 2024, 01 February 2025 - 15 July 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 10 November 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 25 Sep 2024 £1880 £1120
    26 - 30 Sep 2024 not available not available
    1 - 12 Oct 2024 £1800 £1015
    13 - 27 Oct 2024 £1550 £710
    28 Oct - 10 Nov 2024 £1405 £625
    1 Feb - 20 Mar 2025 £1465 £650
    21 - 28 Mar 2025 £1605 £740
    29 Mar - 1 Apr 2025 not available not available
    2 - 24 Apr 2025 £1640 £740
    25 Apr - 16 May 2025 £1865 £1060
    17 - 28 May 2025 not available not available
    29 May - 9 Jul 2025 £1945 £1165
    1 - 25 Sep 2025 £1945 £1165
    26 - 30 Sep 2025 not available not available
    1 - 12 Oct 2025 £1865 £1060
    13 - 27 Oct 2025 £1605 £740
    28 Oct - 4 Nov 2025 £1465 £650
    3rd & 4th person discount -£50 to -£52
    Single traveller supplement £50 to £52

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: out UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Nice (TGV), approx. duration 10h plus 0h45 taxi to the hotel. Home, Villefranche-sur-Mer–Paris (TGV/regional rail), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx duration 12h15 plus 0h10 walk from the hotel.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Welcome Hotel, Villefranche-sur-Mer
    Crow's Nest (Vigie): 01 Sep - 10 Nov 2024 £12
    Crow's Nest (Vigie): 01 Feb - 15 Jul 2025 £15
    Crow's Nest (Vigie): 01 Sep - 10 Nov 2025 £15
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £64
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £42
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £44
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 26 Mar - 15 Jul 2025 £67
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £67
    Deluxe with sea front view & balcony: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £44
    Junior suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £128
    Junior suite: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £84
    Junior suite: 01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £87
    Junior suite: 26 Mar - 15 Jul 2025 £135
    Junior suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £135
    Junior suite: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £87
    Suite 'Bateau': 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £73
    Suite 'Bateau': 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £42
    Suite 'Bateau': 01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £44
    Suite 'Bateau': 26 Mar - 15 Jul 2025 £76
    Suite 'Bateau': 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £76
    Suite 'Bateau': 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £44
    Suite 'Voyage': 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £128
    Suite 'Voyage': 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £84
    Suite 'Voyage': 01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £87
    Suite 'Voyage': 26 Mar - 15 Jul 2025 £135
    Suite 'Voyage': 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £135
    Suite 'Voyage': 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £87
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £37
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £22
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £23
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 26 Mar - 15 Jul 2025 £38
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £38
    Superior with sea front view & balcony: 01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £23

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Prince de Galles, Menton (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Sep - 01 Oct 2024 £165 £268
    02 Oct - 10 Nov 2024 £128 £194
    01 Feb - 31 Mar 2025 £135 £204
    01 Apr - 31 May 2025 £160 £252
    01 Jun - 15 Jul 2025 £175 £282
    01 Sep - 01 Oct 2025 £175 £282
    02 Oct - 10 Nov 2025 £135 £204
    Welcome Hotel, Villefranche-sur-Mer (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Sep - 17 Oct 2024 £235 £465
    18 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £160 £315
    01 Nov - 10 Nov 2024 £128 £253
    01 Feb - 25 Mar 2025 £135 £265
    26 Mar - 29 Apr 2025 £170 £335
    30 Apr - 15 Jul 2025 £245 £485
    01 Sep - 17 Oct 2025 £245 £485
    18 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £170 £335
    01 Nov - 10 Nov 2025 £135 £265
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Nice
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Nice. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Nice easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Nice jet2 
    Birmingham - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Nice easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Nice easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Nice (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Nice jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Nice easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Nice British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Nice British Airways,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Nice British Airways 
    Heathrow - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Nice easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Nice Ryanair 
    Stansted - Nice easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Nice British Airways,  easyJet,  jet2 
    Manchester - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Nice easyJet 
    Newcastle - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Nice (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Nice (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Nice (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Nice. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.
     

    Connecting travel options - flying via Nice

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Nice airport to hotel (1h15) £86-£89 flexible
    airport bus Nice airport to Menton (1h15) £35-£36 1900
    rail Nice Ville to Carnolès (0h35), taxi (0h05, pay locally) or walk (0h10) to hotel £11 2100
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi (0h05, pay locally) or walk (0h10) to Villefranche station, rail Villefranche to Nice Ville (0h35) £4 1030
    direct taxi hotel to Nice airport (1h) £44-£46 flexible
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 6 reviews
  • Mrs P Chalmers
    Peebles
    02 October 2024

    The train journey from Edinburgh to Nice was the highlight. The Eurostar first class service was definitely first class and so comfortable and the Paris to Nice journey (first class) was extremely comfortable.

     

    Villefranche is the most beautiful village and we enjoyed the walks although when wet the surfaces can be quite slippy. The Welcome Hotel is well named and we were well looked after. In many ways I would have preferred my six nights all in Villefranche although Menton was very pleasant too.

  • call us Chris and Anne
    21 September 2024

    The problems we experienced in booking the holiday and agreeing the dates were resolved but the frustrations need to be mentioned.  The accommodation and the self-guided walks were first-class.

  • Mr D Kent
    Horsham
    16 May 2023

    The Cote d'Azur has a wonderful coastline and the small towns still hold their original charm, the lovely coloured buildings, the fruit and veg markets with their delicious fresh produce.

    Still worth a visit.

  • Ms W Sawford
    Australia
    12 May 2023

    We really enjoyed our walk Along the Côté d'Azur.  The accommodation was excellent and our luggage transfer went smoothly.  The walking notes were comprehensive and easy to use.

  • Mr ML Downie
    Stoke-on-trent
    12 April 2023

    Very much enjoyed our first visit to the cote d'azur. Both towns attractive. Excellent accommodation. High standards everywhere. 

  • Mrs R Chubb
    Cranbrook
    13 June 2022

    Early morning swims!!! Is the information in your packs checked annually? E.g. no airport shuttlle bus. Wrong price for entry to Villa Rothschild.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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