French Riviera Shore Excursions — Private Cruise Tours from Nice, Villefranche and Monaco

The French Riviera is one of the world's most popular cruise destinations — and one of the most rewarding for shore excursion touring. Every port of call on the Côte d'Azur places you within reach of remarkable landscapes, glamorous towns, medieval hilltop villages and experiences you will not find anywhere else in France. Our shore excursions are designed specifically for cruise passengers, with all timing, logistics and return arrangements coordinated precisely around your ship's schedule.

All French Riviera shore excursions are private and reserved exclusively for your group. Your English-speaking driver-guide meets you at the cruise terminal exit with a sign bearing the lead traveller's name, accompanies you throughout the day and returns you to your ship well before departure.

From Nice cruise port

• Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo (half day or full day): The classic Riviera shore excursion — Eze village with a perfume factory visit, Monaco's historic town and the Formula 1 circuit, and Monte Carlo's casino square and harbour. Half-day format focuses on Eze and Monaco; full-day allows time for all three at a relaxed pace.
  
  
• French Riviera countryside — Cannes, Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence (full day from Nice): Drive west along the Riviera to Cannes for a stroll along the Croisette, then head inland to Grasse for a perfume house visit, continue to the panoramic hilltop village of Gourdon and finish in the art haven of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

From Villefranche-sur-Mer cruise port

• Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo (half day or full day): Villefranche is the closest Riviera port to Monaco, making it ideal for the eastern Riviera. A half-day excursion covers Eze and Monaco comfortably; a full day adds Monte Carlo and more time at each stop.
  
  
• Nice city tour (half day): A guided walk through central Nice — the Promenade des Anglais, the old town, the flower market and Cimiez hill — for guests who want to experience the city itself during their Villefranche port call.
  
  
• French Riviera full day — Eze, Monaco, Cannes and Antibes (full day): A comprehensive Riviera day covering both the eastern and western highlights — Eze village, Monaco, a coastal drive to Antibes and a scenic pass through Cannes — for guests with a full day ashore.

From Cannes cruise port

• Cannes city, Grasse perfume and Saint-Paul-de-Vence (half day or full day): Begin with free time to explore Cannes itself — the Croisette, the old town of Le Suquet and the harbour. Head to Grasse for a guided perfume factory tour, then continue to the hilltop village of Gourdon or finish in Saint-Paul-de-Vence depending on available time.
  
  
• Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo (full day from Cannes): Drive east along the Riviera to visit Eze, Monaco's historic town and the glamour of Monte Carlo — the most requested shore excursion combination from Cannes for guests who have not yet visited the Principality.

From Monaco cruise port

• Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze (half day): Begin with a guided tour of Monaco itself — Prince's Palace, old town, casino square and the Formula 1 circuit — before heading to the medieval village of Eze for panoramic views and a perfume factory visit.
  
  
• Nice city tour (half day from Monaco): A private half-day excursion to Nice for guests who want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, old town and flower market from their Monaco port call.

What every French Riviera shore excursion includes

• Private group only: Reserved exclusively for your party (2–8 guests) — no shared coaches.
  
  
• Port pick-up and drop-off: Your driver-guide meets you at the cruise terminal exit and returns you to your ship.
  
  
• Guaranteed on-time return: Your ship's schedule is monitored throughout the day.
  
  
• Expert English-speaking guide: Certified driver-guides with specialist knowledge of the Côte d'Azur.
  
  
• Perfume factory visit: Included on all Eze-based shore excursions.
  
  
• Premium air-conditioned vehicle.
  
  
• Free cancellation: Up to 48 hours before the tour, including if your ship cannot dock due to weather or port changes.

Planning your Riviera port day

When booking, specify your port of call (Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cannes or Monaco), ship name, estimated arrival time and scheduled departure. Half-day tours run approximately 4–5 hours; full-day tours run 7–9 hours. For ports with shorter calls, half-day tours focusing on the nearest highlights are the most practical option.