Journal

Riviera Travel Notes

Practical, honest notes on visiting Nice, Monaco, Eze and the French Riviera, written by Pacôme, a state-licensed private guide.

How to Experience the French Riviera Like a Local

The hours, the roads, the tables and the villages that residents keep for themselves, and how a private guide opens them to you.

The Best Things to Do in Nice for First-Time Visitors, by a Guide Who Lives There

Ten things worth your time on a first visit to Nice, in the order I would do them, and three mistakes almost every visitor makes.

A Luxury 3-Day French Riviera Itinerary, the Way I Would Design It for You

Three days, seven places, no rushing. An example itinerary to show how I pace a luxury private journey, before we design yours.

One Perfect Day in Nice: A Local's Itinerary

Market, Old Town, Castle Hill and golden light: how a local would actually spend the day, hour by hour.

The 7 Best Day Trips from Nice, Ranked by a Local Guide

Eze, Monaco, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and more, ranked honestly by someone who guides them every week.

Licensed Guide or Driver-Guide on the French Riviera: What Is the Difference?

Two very different services hide behind the words "private tour". Here is how to tell them apart before you book.

Villefranche Cruise Port: A Local Guide's Advice for Your Day Ashore

How the tender port works, how close Nice, Eze and Monaco really are, and how to plan a shore day that gets you back on time.

How Much Does a Private Tour Guide Cost on the French Riviera?

Real prices per group for a licensed private guide, what is included, and how private compares with group tours.

How Many Days Do You Need on the French Riviera?

Sample itineraries for 1, 3 and 5 days on the Côte d'Azur, and the mistakes to avoid when planning.

Is Monaco Worth a Day Trip From Nice?

A honest look at what a day in Monaco offers, how much time you actually need, and how to make the most of it from Nice.

Eze Village Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Practical notes on visiting the clifftop medieval village of Eze on the French Riviera, the walk, the views, and how to time it well.

How to Hire a Private Tour Guide on the French Riviera (And What to Expect)

What a state-licensed private guide actually does differently from a group tour or a rideshare driver, and how to book one.

Nice vs. Cannes: Which Should You Visit First?

Two very different sides of the French Riviera, here's how to decide where to spend your time.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Practical notes on visiting the hilltop art village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the ramparts, the galleries, and how to time it well.