French Riviera Villages: 8 Must-See Gems Near Nice, France

Just behind Nice, France lies a completely different French Riviera — medieval hilltop villages, ancient Roman ruins, artist studios, glassblowers, exotic gardens, and views that will stop you in your tracks.

In this video, we take you through eight of the most beautiful villages and small towns within easy reach of Nice — all of them doable as a day trip, all of them completely worth it.

We’re Anja & Aila, and we’ve been living on the Côte d’Azur for over 20 years. Everything you see here comes from real local experience.

⏱️⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️⏱️
00:00 Intro
01:07 #1 Mougins — Picasso’s Village of Art & Fine Dining
11:22 #2 Biot — The Glassblowers’ Village with a Soul
23:33 #3 Tourrettes-sur-Loup — The Village of Violets on a Rocky Spur
30:49 #4 Saint-Paul-de-Vence — Where Art Meets the Medieval World
42:15 #5 Beaulieu-sur-Mer — The Riviera’s Most Sheltered Secret
53:08 #6 Èze-Village — An Eagle’s Nest Above the Mediterranean
01:04:00 #7 La Turbie — The Roman Crown Above Monaco
01:15:00 #8 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin — Medieval Village, Modernist Dreams
Final Tips & Where to Find Us

📍 All eight villages are located in the hills and hinterland behind the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), within 30–60 minutes of Nice by car or public transport. This region offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to the busy coastal towns — ideal for travellers looking to go beyond the obvious.

Frequently asked questions about villages near Nice:
► What are the most beautiful villages near Nice? → Mougins, Biot, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Èze, La Turbie and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin are among the finest.
► Can I visit these villages without a car? → Some are accessible by bus or train from Nice — we explain exactly how in each chapter.
► How far are these villages from Nice? → All are within 30–60 minutes, making them perfect day trips.
► What is the most famous village near Nice? → Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Èze are the best known — but the others are equally worth your time.
► Is Èze worth visiting? → Absolutely — the views, the exotic garden, and the hike down to the sea make it one of the highlights of the entire Riviera.

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