Spring on the French Riviera

If you’re dreaming of a spring escape that blends seaside glamour with old-world charm, the French Riviera might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Terracotta rooftops shimmer, café terraces spill into flower-lined streets, and the Mediterranean sparkles in impossible shades of blue. This is the Côte d’Azur in its most magical season - before peak crowds arrive, when the air is fragrant with blossoms and the pace feels effortlessly elegant.

Why visit in spring?

The temperatures are warm but comfortable. Ideal for strolling promenades, hiking coastal paths, or lingering over a long lunch outside. The bougainvillea begins to bloom, markets overflow with fresh produce, and the region feels alive but not overwhelming. You can find a quiet corner by the sea. You can get a table without weeks of reservations. You can breathe.

And perhaps best of all? The light. Artists like Matisse and Picasso fell in love with this coast for a reason - and in spring, that luminous quality feels especially vivid.

French Riviera hotspots:

Nice: 

The heart of the Riviera.

Walk along the Promenade des Anglais with the sea on one side and Belle Époque architecture on the other. Wander through Old Town (Vieux Nice), where pastel buildings, striped awnings, and the scent of socca (a local chickpea pancake) fill the air. Climb Castle Hill for sweeping views of the coastline - a postcard brought to life.

Spring mornings here are made for café terraces. Order an espresso, watch the world pass by, and let yourself slip into the Riviera rhythm.

Èze & Saint-Paul-de-Vence: 

Beyond the coastline, the Riviera’s medieval villages are pure storybook.

Èze rises dramatically above the sea, its narrow stone streets winding upward to exotic gardens with breathtaking views. Saint-Paul-de-Vence feels like an open-air gallery, with art tucked between ivy-covered walls and quiet courtyards.

In spring, wildflowers bloom along the hillsides, and the air carries a soft herbal scent - rosemary, thyme, lavender just beginning to wake. It’s peaceful, romantic, and impossibly photogenic.

Cannes & Antibes: 

Cannes may be synonymous with film festivals and red carpets, but in spring, it feels surprisingly relaxed. Stroll La Croisette, browse local markets, or simply sit by the marina admiring the yachts.

Antibes offers a slightly more laid-back vibe, with its charming old town, coastal walking paths, and the Picasso Museum overlooking the sea. It’s the kind of place where afternoons drift by slowly - sun on your shoulders, nowhere urgent to be.

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