If you’re based in Cannes and itching to stretch your legs beyond the red-carpet boulevard, you’re in luck: the Riviera is generously studded with charming escapes, each within reach for a day-trip expedition.
Whether you’re after hilltop villages, crystalline islands or glam coastal towns, I’ve mapped out four standout trips that deliver rich scenery, culture and a little mischief (yes, there will be market stalls, narrow cobblestoned lanes and maybe a gelato gone wrong).
So let’s roll out of Cannes early, skip the inflated beach-bar prices, and flirt with the coast and countryside beyond.
Table of Contents
1. A Splash of Glamour and Sea ─ Saint-Tropez
Start your engine, or book that boat, the iconic Saint‑Tropez is roughly an hour’s drive or boat ride from Cannes, and it works beautifully as a full-day outing. For a twist, you might even consider a day yacht charter Saint-Tropez and spend the morning bobbing in turquoise water, lunching by the quay and lingering until sunset.
Once ashore, stroll around the old port where pastel yachts cluster like fashion models at a ready-set-pose. The Old Town (La Ponche) feels like a film set with cafés you could linger in for hours and buy nothing more than a coffee and people-watch. For lunch, stand under wisteria in one of the timber-shuttered restaurants and order something local, like a “tielle” (a mussel pie) or simply an enormous salad with Provençal olive oil (because you’re on holiday and it’s legal).
By afternoon you might wander over to the beaches of Pampelonne where sunbathers and volleyball games play out under striped umbrellas. Later, there’s a small thrill in watching the super-yachts glide in at sunset, a reminder that Riviera glam is only part of the story.
Tip: get there early or book a boat, Saint-Tropez can subtly turn into “everyone on their phone” by late afternoon.
2. Island Calm ─ Île Sainte-Marguerite
Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Cannes lies the green, quiet refuge of Île Sainte‑Marguerite – perfect if your mood today is “Mediterranean + solitude” rather than “glamour parade.”
Once you step off the ferry, you’ll trade neon beach chairs and luxury handbags for pine-shaded paths, silent coves and a 17th-century fort that once housed the famed man in the iron mask.
Walk the loop trail, bring a picnic, dip into a hidden cove for a swim and let the hum of speedboats fade away.
Bonus: you can sneak in a little history at Fort Royal and then lounge on one of the quiet beaches with a book, you know the one you’ve been carrying but haven’t opened yet.
Pro tip: Pack water and shoes you don’t mind getting sandy, the island’s simplicity makes it all the more charming.
3. Hilltop Villages and Perfume Trails ─ Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Push inland for a change of pace: the hills above the Riviera offer serenity, ancient streets and landscapes of surprising softness. First stop: Grasse – the perfume capital of the world. Walk through factory smells, tour a perfumery and maybe even concoct a scent to bring home.
Then continue to the medieval village of Saint‑Paul‑de‑Vence – cobblestoned lanes, stone houses that seem to lean into each other for shade and galleries that wink at every corner. It’s the sort of place where you’ll pause in a sunny piazza, sip a café au lait and try not to feel too smug about yourself being here.
Here’s a quick comparison to help plan your route:
| Location | Why go | Must-do |
| Grasse | Perfume history, countryside air | Visit a perfumery, stroll rose/flower fields |
| Saint-Paul-de-Vence | Hill-village with art and medieval charm | Explore galleries, wander fortified walls |
Note: These places are cooler (literally and figuratively) than the coast in the afternoon. Bring a light jacket if the wind picks up at altitude.
4. Luxury with a View ─ Monaco and Eze
For a wink at excess and a pinch of glam, set your sights on Monaco and the perched village of Eze. The coastline between Cannes and Monaco is dramatic: hairpin bends, deep blue sea, and vistas you’ll remember even if the parking stress makes you swear you won’t do it again next time. According to day-trip guides, it’s one of the most popular outings from Cannes.
Start in Eze – wander its medieval streets, climb to the Jardin exotique for insane views, and then head down to Monaco where supercars and luxury boutiques dominate. But don’t just poke around the casino; wander the back alleys, look for the yacht-filled harbour, and find a vantage point for the sea.
Did you know?
The driver of your tour is probably working harder than you are parking in Monaco is notoriously expensive and stressful.
Tip ─ Go early (around 9 a.m.) to beat the crowds and relax into your lunch rather than racing the return.
Final Thoughts
In just one base at Cannes, you have the Riviera in microcosm: the sea, the islands, the hills, the glamour. Each of these day trips gives a different shade of that palette and the best part is you’ll be back for supper in Cannes, perhaps strolling past the same red-carpet landmarks with a slightly smug grin from having explored beyond.
Go ahead. Find that perfect day outside Cannes, but come home with stories that skip the tourist script and feel like your own.