Monaco Shore Excursion: Grasse & Hilltop Villages of Provence Private Tour

French Riviera Villages & Cannes: Private Shore Excursion from Monaco

The perfect combination of history, art, and luxury as you visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Grasse, Gourdon, and Cannes on a full-day private tour.

Pick up at your cruise ship in Monaco

Your day begins with pick up directly at your cruise ship in Monaco Port of Call. Before the start of the tour, your guide will introduce you to the region and outline the different sites you will see on this full-day tour dedicated to some of the most renowned towns and villages of the French Riviera. This private tour is an ideal introduction if you have only a short time in the area.

Visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Your private day trip starts in the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the many perched villages in the Provençal hills. From its origins as a military stronghold, it has preserved its ramparts, guard walkways, cannons, and other historic features.

The village is also famous for the many celebrities, painters, and film-makers who have been drawn here by the light, calm, and sea views. Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, and Renoir are just a few of the artists who found inspiration in this small paradise.

You will have time to explore at your own pace, strolling through narrow, picturesque streets from the Royal Gate to the Southern Gate and admiring beautiful stone facades from the 16th and 17th centuries. The village is dotted with art galleries and charming little squares typical of southern French villages.

Visit the capital of perfumes: Grasse

Your small-group tour then continues to the world-famous town of Grasse, known as the capital of perfume. Nestled on a slope in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of the Alps, Grasse is a global leader in the production of natural fragrances for the perfume industry and flavourings for food manufacturers.

Roses, jasmine, and other flowers, along with bitter orange blossom, are cultivated in the surrounding countryside and distilled into precious essences. Here, you will take part in a guided visit of a perfume factory to discover the secrets of perfume making, from raw materials to finished fragrances.

Visit the medieval village of Gourdon

Next, head to the medieval village of Gourdon, perched on the edge of a rocky spur above the Loup River. The village is dotted with tiny shops and is also home to one of the region’s most famous traditional confectionery workshops.

After some free time to explore, your drive continues along the Loup River through peaceful countryside, offering beautiful viewpoints and photo opportunities.

Admire the Loup Canyon landscape and Tourettes-sur-Loup

Your next stop is Tourettes-sur-Loup, another picturesque hilltop village that seems to balance between two valleys. Known as the “village of violets,” it charms visitors with its stone houses and flower-decked lanes.

As you wander the narrow streets, you may wish to stop in one of the small artisan boutiques showcasing local arts and crafts that make this Provençal hinterland so prized by visitors from all over the world.

Return to Monaco

After your final village visit, you will head back toward Monaco and Monte Carlo. Your guide will drop you off at your cruise ship, bringing your full day of French Riviera landscapes, history, and fragrances to a relaxed close.