8 Best Tours and Day Trips from Cannes

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region has not only inspired great artists and painters, but is also the setting for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. However, beyond the glamour of cinema, the city and its surroundings offer an incredible variety of tours and excursions to discover its architecture, beaches, castles and charming villages.

Ready to explore the French Riviera? In this article you will find the best tours and excursions from Cannes, with information on prices, services included and tips to choose the ideal option according to your budget and preferences.

If you want to make the most of your stay in Cannes, this type of excursion to Monaco and Eze is ideal for you. Not only will you get to see some of the most iconic sites of the French south, but you can choose your time to explore with half-day or full-day excursions.

In Eze, a charming craggy village with beautiful sea views, you can stroll through narrow streets adorned like gardens with exotic vegetation and enjoy some of the views from the steep steps. The village is crowned by the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and an esplanade that now serves as a balcony overlooking the sea. You can even visit Fragonard, one of France's most famous perfume factories!

Next, head to glamorous Monaco where you can watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Prince's Palace, visit the Palais de Justice (where Princess Grace Kelly was married), see the Oceanographic Museum or check out the F1 circuit. This is the pinnacle of glamour and the good life in the French south, so sightseeing is the order of the day.

Details of interest

• Price: from 70 € per person.
• Duration: 5 - 9 hours.
• Timetable: morning and afternoon.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service in your language. Transfer to and from your accommodation.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.

When you're ready to take your holiday to the next level, it's time to visit the Côte d'Azur, better known as the French Riviera. This type of full day trip usually goes from Cannes to the most beautiful places in the region. Including its most iconic monument, the Prince's Palace of Monaco.

During your excursion, you'll gaze at the yachts on the billionaires' quay in Antibes and stroll at your own pace along St-Paul-de-Vence, before arriving on the Croisette boulevard. Then you walk through Eze, one of France's rugged villages. The Riviera is a place of beauty, elegance and luxury, a place where style is king and glamour is queen and with this kind of road trip they make sure you remember "carpe diem" as the watchword of the ride.

But wait! There's more to come. You also visit La Turbie in depth. And let's not forget Monaco, one of the jewels in the crown where you can admire the Formula 1 circuit from a distance, or take part in the next race when you buy your tickets. Check out the Monte Carlo Casino, the most opulent in Europe, with its lavish gardens. Visit the Oceanographic Museum (including its outstanding aquarium) and at the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your accommodation.

Details of interest

• Price: from 130 € per person.
• Duration: 8 - 9 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service in your language. Transport service to and from the accommodation.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.

Get off the beaten track in Cannes and personalise your experience with your friends and family with this private small group tour of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Since you can choose your destinations and duration at each stop, itineraries are tailored to your preferences. However, you often start on the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes just before heading to Juan les Pins. This lively beach community is packed with shops, coves, bars and restaurants, and that's just what's on land! And with a bit of luck, you'll also see some luxury yachts running aground.

The Provençal market also has its own particular charm. The next destination is Saint Paul de Vence, which has an incredible history with art: it was the home of Marc Chagall for many years! You can explore its medieval streets and admire the treasures hidden around every corner.

Next, you'll be driven to Antibes to visit its Picasso Museum of Antibes and if you're an art lover, your excursion won't be complete without a stroll through the Maeght Foundation or Fondation Maeght, a modern art museum where you'll find works from Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall and llsworth Kelly to Joan Miro and more. At the end of the day you will have visited some of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d'Azur.

Interesting details

• Price: from 486 € for groups of maximum 7 people.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service from your accommodation to and from the port of Cannes. Boat trip to and from Antibes and Saint Paul de Vence. Professional guide service in your language (you must notify with your booking that you require English speaking guides and they will be available). Bottled water.
• Means of transport: minibus and small boat.

If you want to get to know Cannes in depth, a guided tour is the best way to discover its history, its connection with cinema and its luxurious side. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll wander the streets of this iconic French Riviera city, famous for its glamour and its film festival.

You'll stroll along the Croisette, the most famous promenade, where you'll find five-star hotels and haute couture boutiques. You will also visit the Palais des Festivals, where Hollywood stars parade every year. In addition, you will explore the Le Suquet district, the old town of Cannes, with its cobbled streets and its impressive belvedere with panoramic views.

Interesting details

• Price: from €35 per person.
• Duration: 2 - 3 hours.
• Timetable: morning and afternoon.
• What the tour may include: professional guide in your language, walking tour of the most emblematic sights.
• Group: small group for a more personalised experience.

If you prefer to move freely and explore Cannes at a more dynamic pace, a bike tour is an ideal option. You will discover the most emblematic sites while pedalling through the city and enjoying the fresh air of the Riviera.

This tour usually includes stops at the Palais des Festivals, the Croisette and the old harbour, where you can see the luxury yachts that dock in Cannes. You can also explore lesser-known neighbourhoods and discover the contrast between the city's modernity and traditional charm. Some options include electric bikes to make the tour more comfortable.

Interesting details

• Price: from €45 per person.
• Duration: 2 - 3 hours.
• Timetable: mornings and afternoons.
• What the tour may include: bike or electric bike, local guide, helmet.
• Difficulty level: easy, suitable for all levels.

Exploring Cannes from the sea is a unique experience. With a boat tour, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings, while sailing along the glittering Mediterranean coast.

Depending on the tour you choose, you can visit the nearby islands of Lérins, famous for their natural beauty and for housing the mysterious prison of the Man in the Iron Mask. Or, if you prefer, you can opt for a scenic walk around the bay of Cannes, with the chance to swim in crystal-clear waters.

Interesting details

• Price: from €60 per person.
• Duration: 2 - 4 hours.
• Timetable: several departures per day.
• What the tour may include: boat with crew, stops.
• Type of boat: tourist boat or catamaran.

If you're looking for a day trip in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur that's both fun and educational, you're in luck, this kind of tour to Grimaud and Saint-Tropez from Cannes is the one for you.

The tour starts after picking you up from your accommodation to head to Port Grimaud, widely known as the "Little Venice" of Saint-Tropez.

Although it only covers 44 km², it is home to a harbour full of luxurious yachts, beaches and bridges such as the mysterious Fairy Bridge where you can make your wishes, or the Port Grimaud beach where water sports take place.

During the tour you will walk through the interior of the town while listening to local experts talk about its history and anecdotes. Once past Port Grimaud, the group heads to Saint-Tropez, a favourite holiday destination for celebrities.

You will stroll through its citadel, proof that, despite the luxury that surrounds Saint-Tropez, its nostalgic melancholy is still present in its atmosphere and hence its traditional charm. The town also hosts an interesting traditional Provençal market and between the Place aux Herbes, the Pampelonne beach, the old town, the Maritime History Museum or the Citadel of Saint-Tropez, and the bars, beach bars and restaurants on the quayside, there is plenty to see and do in Saint-Tropez.

Interesting details

• Price: from 125 € per person.
• Duration: 7 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from your accommodation. Bottled water. Local professional guide service.
• Means of transport: minibus.

Embark on an adventure on the glamorous Côte d'Azur with a visit to the medieval hilltop village of Eze, as well as a guided tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo, but not before passing through the French Riviera's summer paradise of Nice

During your minibus tour, after being picked up from your accommodation, you explore the surroundings of the fashionable Principality of Monaco, with enough time to visit even the Casino of Monte Carlo. The atmosphere is opulent, impossible to miss.

The next destination is Eze, a medieval hilltop village with 360° views of the Riviera. You can take the opportunity to buy your perfume at the Fragonard factory, just before visiting Monaco's "terrace" at La Turbie. In this village, the Trophy of the Alps, also known as the Trophy of Augustus, has been stealing the limelight since 7 BC.

To end the tour in style, admire the gardens of the Ritz Paris Hotel which, built in 1864, is a classic French icon. Or visit the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.

Details of interest

• Price: from £119.
• Duration: 7 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: transfer service to and from your accommodation. Professional guide service.
• Means of transport: minibus.

This could well be called a wine and perfume tour because these are the main attractions of this excursion to Valbonne and Grasse from Cannes. However, behind the exquisite fragrances and wine tourism there is much more to discover.

First we have Valbonne, an ancient village built as a grid with a monastery of the abbey of Valbonne, whose architecture has had such an impact that it is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your visit you will have plenty of time to explore this historic area known for its wine cellars, taverns, châteaux and the vineyards of French Provence, where you will enjoy a wine tasting including the Château de Bellet a renowned French appellation in its home town.

Next stop is Grasse, the perfume capital of France. This has been home to some of the world's most famous perfumers for centuries.

During your time in the town, you'll visit its main factories where you'll learn about the history, inspiration and culture of fragrances from experts such as those at the Grasse Fragonard Perfumery. There will also be time to enjoy the different scents and even take home some souvenirs before returning to Cannes to learn the secrets of the world of perfume.

Details of interest

• Price: from 129 € per person.
• Duration: 8-9 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from your accommodation. Bottled water. Wine tasting.
• Means of transport: minibus.

The prices of tours and excursions in Cannes depend on the duration and destination. Visits within the city, such as guided walking or cycling tours, cost between €30 and €50 per person. Excursions to the surrounding areas, such as Monaco or Saint-Tropez, average €120 for a full day and around €70 for a half day.

More exclusive destinations, such as Monte Carlo, tend to be more expensive, while options such as Antibes or Saint-Raphaël can be more affordable. Also, booking in advance or travelling in a group can help you get better prices on any tour.