Best Things to Do in the French Rivera

In the heart of a quaint old town on the French Riviera, enjoy a colourful Provencial market raid with a professional chef, before getting stuck into a private cooking lesson with a sea view, just as Henri Matisse did when he lived here. This is just one of the many unique things to do in French Riviera that Scott Dunn can organise for you.

Located just off the Riviera, Port-Cros is a privately owned, enchantingly quiet, and beautiful island, which has been turned into a national park. Travel there by boat and enjoy a classic French breakfast onboard, before diving into the turquoise waters for an underwater adventure. End the day at Port-Cros's tiny village, for a seaside lunch.

Grasse is the perfume capital of France, where many well-known names have been creating their scents for hundreds of years. Join factory tours to get an insider's glimpse into the art of perfume-making and take part in a workshop with a master perfumer to blend a signature scent that's bespoke to you.

For wine lovers, this is one of the top things to do in the French Riviera. Hop on an e-bike, riding along small, quiet roads towards one of the oldest vineyards in the Cote d’Azur. Learn about the organic wine-making process straight from the vintners and taste their delicious varieties.

Take a sunset cruise on a traditional fishing boat for unbeatable views of St Tropez and a chance to catch your dinner. Whether or not fishing is your thing, this is one of the best things to do in the French Riviera to see a different side of the area. While you wait for the fish to bite, enjoy drinks and a cheese platter, and soak up the scenery.

Discover the most discerning addresses in the French Riviera with a personal shopper who will take you to the boutiques of luxury brands, and lesser-known fashion designers. Following a questionnaire about your tastes and style, the tour will be planned to suit you personally and ensure you won’t be carrying any shopping bags yourself.

Take in the epic panoramas that adorn the French Riviera from Nice to Monaco on a chauffeur-driven route in a luxury car. Stop at charming Eze, stroll around Monaco’s old town to see its main attractions, including the Prince’s Palace, and even enjoy the thrill of a lap on the Formula 1 track.

Children and adults alike will adore spotting whales and dolphins off the coast of the Cote d’Azur. On the top of our list of the best things to do with kids in the French Riviera is an eco-friendly boat ride to get up close to these majestic marine creatures. Join a well-informed, eco-certified guide and sail among the blue learning about the secrets and habits of the Mediterranean species.

Set sail to the island of Porquerolles to discover the coast and its remarkable landscapes. First stop is a wild cove for a delicious French breakfast, followed by swimming and snorkelling in the clear water. You’ll then continue sailing to Port Cros, to dock in a small private port for more beach time, before getting off to explore the island by e-bike, e-car or 4x4. For lunch, enjoy a delicious picnic prepared by a local chef or stop at a Port Cros restaurant for lobster and other French specialities.

If you’re looking for things to do in the French Riviera with kids, particularly around the Cote d’Azur, then this one will get you some serious brownie points. Antibes Land is a theme park just outside Antibes, about a 15-minute drive from Vence, where you’ll find roller coasters and rides a plenty. Nearby is Aquasplash, the largest water park in the Côte d’Azur, which has more than 2,000m of slides, as well as several pools. Then you’ve got Marineland, the biggest animal exhibition park in the world. There are sharks, manta rays, sea lions, polar bears, penguins, pelicans, flamingos, and tropical fish. There are various shows and attractions and chances to meet the animals. It also has three 18-hole miniature golf courses set amongst caves and waterfalls, with landscapes inspired by the novels of Jules Verne.