Where you sleep shapes a trip to the French Riviera more than you might think. The coast runs from Saint-Tropez in the west to Menton on the Italian border, and each town offers something different: Nice has the widest choice and the best connections, Cannes and Monaco are the glamorous (and expensive) options, Antibes and Menton are smaller and calmer, and Villefranche-sur-Mer is a village on one of the most beautiful bays on the coast.
The map below shows hotels, apartments and guesthouses across the whole Riviera, with prices from the main booking sites — pick a town to zoom in. Further down: which part of each town to stay in, and who it suits.
Which town to stay in
Where to stay in Nice
The best base for a first trip: the airport is about 25 minutes away by tram, and trains run along the coast in both directions. Stay in or next to the Old Town (Vieux-Nice) to be among the restaurants and markets — lively, but noisy on summer nights. Hotels on the Promenade des Anglais have the sea views; the streets around Avenue Jean-Médecin and Nice-Ville station are the practical, better-value choice, and the Port quarter is quieter, with a local feel.
Where to stay in Cannes
Hotels cluster along La Croisette, from the big seafront palaces to smaller places a street or two back. Le Suquet, the old quarter on the hill above the Old Port, has more character, and the area around Rue d'Antibes and the station is central and usually cheaper. During the Film Festival in May and the big trade fairs, prices soar and rooms sell out months ahead — on those dates, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins or Mandelieu-la-Napoule are good fall-backs.
Where to stay in Monaco
Monaco has only a few hotels, and they're among the most expensive on the coast, especially around the Casino in Monte-Carlo. Many visitors stay just over the border in France — in Beausoleil, a short walk uphill from Monte-Carlo, or in Cap-d'Ail — or base themselves in Nice, 20–25 minutes away by train. Book far ahead for the Grand Prix weekend, when prices rise along the whole eastern Riviera.
Where to stay in Antibes
Vieil Antibes, the old town inside the ramparts, is the place to stay for walkable streets, the Provençal market and the yachts of Port Vauban. Juan-les-Pins, on the other side of the Cap, has sandy beaches, later nights and the Jazz à Juan festival in July. The Cap d'Antibes itself is secluded and upmarket — lovely, but you'll want a car or taxis. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins both have train stations.
Where to stay in Saint-Tropez
Hotels in the village itself are small and upmarket, and at their priciest in July and August. Pampelonne's beach clubs are a few kilometres south, in Ramatuelle, which has its own hotels and villas. For better value, stay across the gulf in Sainte-Maxime or Port Grimaud and take the shuttle boat over. There's no train: plan on a car, a bus from Saint-Raphaël or a boat.
Where to stay in Menton
The calm, sunny end of the coast, and usually better value than Nice or Cannes. Hotels line the seafront promenade and the streets below the old town; Garavan, the bay towards the Italian border, is quieter still. Menton suits a relaxed stay or a long winter break, and trains reach Monaco in about 10 minutes and Nice in 35–40.
Where to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer
A small harbour village with only a handful of hotels, so apartments and guest rooms make up much of what's on offer. Stay near the old town and the harbour for the views over the bay, or look along the coast in Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for more upmarket hotels. Nice is under 10 minutes away by train, Monaco about 15.
Where to stay on the French Riviera: frequently asked questions
Which is the best town to stay in on the French Riviera?
For a first trip, Nice: it has the most hotels at every price, the airport on its doorstep and trains along the whole coast, so the other towns are easy day trips. Choose Cannes or Monaco for glamour, Antibes for a smaller town with beaches, Menton or Villefranche-sur-Mer for a quiet stay, and Saint-Tropez if the beach clubs are the point of the trip.
Where can I stay on the Riviera without a car?
Anywhere on the coastal railway: Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco and Menton all have stations, with regional trains several times an hour at busy times. Pick a hotel within walking distance of a station and you can explore the whole coast without driving. Saint-Tropez is the exception — it's off the railway, so you'll need a car, a bus or a boat.
When are hotels on the Riviera most expensive?
July and August are high season everywhere. Prices also jump around the big events: the Cannes Film Festival in May, the Monaco Grand Prix in late spring and the Nice Carnival in February — for those dates, book months ahead or stay in a neighbouring town. Spring and autumn bring lower prices and warm weather, and winter is the cheapest time of all, apart from carnival weeks.
Is Nice cheaper than Cannes or Monaco?
Generally, yes. Nice has by far the largest choice of hotels and apartments, so there's more at every budget. Monaco is the most expensive place to stay on the coast, with Cannes and Saint-Tropez close behind in season. Menton and Antibes are often good value, and staying in one town while visiting another by train is a common way to save.
Is there a tourist tax?
Yes. French towns charge a tourist tax (taxe de séjour) per adult per night, set locally and higher for higher-rated hotels. It's often added at the hotel rather than included in the price you see online, so check the booking conditions.
How does booking through this page work?
We don't sell rooms ourselves. The map and the "See hotels" buttons show offers from the main booking sites through our partner Stay22; you choose, book and pay on the booking site, under its own conditions. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.