Alpes-Maritimes places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Provence. See also our Alpes-Maritimes travel guide
Antibes
One of the most picturesque towns on the Riviera, Antibes also has a very lively town centre and a lovely market See Antibes guide
Basilica of Saint-Michael the Archangel in Menton
The basilica of Saint-Michael the archangel in Menton is a baroque style church built in the 18th century See Basilica of Saint-Michael the Archangel in Menton guide
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
One of the more low-key riviera resorts, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a pleasant place to take a promenade and to visit Villa Kérylos, a recreation of a 2nd century Greek villa See Beaulieu-sur-Mer guide
Biot
The arcaded houses around Place des Arcades are the start of your visit to Biot, a picturesque 'perched village' in Provence See Biot guide
Breil-sur-Roya
One of the most impressive towns in the Upper Roya valley, Breil-sur-Roya has several sites of particular interest See Breil-sur-Roya guide
Cagnes-sur-Mer
If you visit the resort and beaches of Cagnes-sur-Mer be sure to also explore the attractive old village of Haut-de-Cagnes on the hill behind See Cagnes-sur-Mer guide Advertisement
Cannes
Cannes has a charming town and harbour area, and is one of the most visited resorts on the Riviera See Cannes guide
Cap d'Antibes
The Cap d'Antibes peninsula is a tranquil region between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, with a nice coast path and public gardens See Cap d'Antibes guide
Cap Ferrat
Cap Ferrat has a pretty port, a lovely coast walk and the Ville Ephrussi among its highlights See Cap Ferrat guide
Castellar
Castellar is a small 15th century village in the hills above Menton with various historic monuments to see See Castellar guide
Coaraze
Coaraze is one of several picturesque villages in the mountains north of Nice that also have stunning views See Coaraze guide
Eze
Eze is one of our favourite villages in the whole of France, with exceptional coast views and a lovely traditional (pedestrianised) village See Eze guide
Fondation Maeght
The Fondation Maeght art gallery in Saint-Paul-de-Vence features works by famous modern artists such as Miro and Modigliani See Fondation Maeght guide
Gorbio
You should visit the quiet village of Gorbio as much for the scenery as the pretty historic village itself See Gorbio guide
Gourdon
Gourdon is practically the archetypal Provencal village, unmissable by you and by the many thousands of other visitors to the region! See Gourdon guide Advertisement
Grasse
Grasse, the perfume capital of France, also has a very extensive old town with tall pastel-painted houses to enjoy See Grasse guide
Ile Saint-Honorat
The Ile Saint-Honorat, one of the Iles de Lerins south of Cannes, is best known for its abbey and fortress See Ile Saint-Honorat guide
Ile Sainte-Marguerite
The Ile Sainte-Marguerite is one of the Iles de Lérins on the Cote d'Azur and has a large fort with views of Cannes See Ile Sainte-Marguerite guide
Iles de Lérins
The Iles de Lérins is a peaceful group of islands to the south of Cannes See Iles de Lérins guide
Juan-les-Pins
A short distance west of Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is one of the liveliest resorts in the riviera See Juan-les-Pins guide
La Brigue
La Brigue is a small, pleasant town to explore, and nearby visit the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame des Fontaines with its astonishing 15th century frescoes See La Brigue guide
La Turbie
The small village of La Turbie developed in medieval times, or earlier, around the imposing monument called the Trophy des Alpes See La Turbie guide
Le Bar-sur-Loup
An attractive village with ruins of a castle and fortified walls, and surrounded by attractive scenery See Le Bar-sur-Loup guide
Mandelieu-la-Napoule
While lacking the attractions of the more important Riviera towns, Mandelieu-la-Napoule is well placed to explore the coast around Cannes See Mandelieu-la-Napoule guide
Menton
The beautiful town of Menton, on the slopes of a hill near the Italian border, is one of our very favourite towns in France See Menton guide
Mercantour National Park
The National Park of Mercantour, in the Alps near the Italian border, includes the Valléé des Merveilles with thousands of prehistoric rock carvings See Mercantour National Park guide
Monaco
The Municipality of Monaco, with high-rise blocks squeezed onto every square inch, is a remarkable sight here on the riviera See Monaco guide
Mougins
You will want to pause several times to admire the views across Cannes Bay as you explore the cobbled streets in the centre of Mougins See Mougins guide
Nice
One of the largest towns in France, Nice is also the most visited resort and our favourite Riviera resort town in France See Nice guide
Opio
Opio is a tiny village in the hills, with very far-reaching views See Opio guide
Pegomas
The traditional Provencal town of Pegomas is ideally visited in early spring as part of the Route des Mimosas See Pegomas guide
Peille
Its remote location stops too many tourists reaching Peille but make the effort and you will discover a charming little medieval village See Peille guide
Peillon
Peillon is a small village, but the picturesque cobbled streets and the stunning views make a visit very worthwhile See Peillon guide
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Medieval Roquebrune village and the coastal Cap Martin combine to make Roquebrune-Cap-Martin one of the most desirable locations on the Riviera See Roquebrune-Cap-Martin guide
Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne
A visit to the small town of Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne might be combined with a trip to the nearby caves - Grottes de Saint Cézaire See Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne guide
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
On of the highlights in the pretty village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the famous Museum of Modern Art See Saint-Paul-de-Vence guide
Sainte-Agnes
Sainte-Agnes is the highest coastal village in Europe, 800 metres above sea-level and close to Menton - although the road here is rather steep and winding! See Sainte-Agnes guide
Saorge
The village of Saorge is spread along a high ridge, with dramatic views to the Tende Valley See Saorge guide
Sospel
Between Menton and the mountains, the river and fortified bridge are a very scenic part of the town of Sospel See Sospel guide
Sospel cathedral
The cathedral in Sospel is an impressive example of baroque architecture in a small town See Sospel cathedral guide
Tanneron
Tanneron is a small village, often visited by those enjoying the leisure lake at nearby Lac de Saint Cassein See Tanneron guide
Tende
Within the eastern Mercantour National Park, Tende is a very unspoiled and traditional mountain town with an extensive historic centre See Tende guide
The Jardin Exotique d'Eze
The Exotic Garden of Eze is a beautiful garden overlooking the Cote d'Azur See The Jardin Exotique d'Eze guide
The Jardin Exotique de Monaco
Stunning exotic garden overlooking Monaco and the Cote d'Azur See The Jardin Exotique de Monaco guide
Theoule-sur-Mer
The resort at Theoule-sur-Mer is on the coast near Cannes, and is a cheaper alternative to staying at Cannes or Nice See Theoule-sur-Mer guide
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
It is the medieval centre and the lovely views that will attract you to the perched village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup See Tourrettes-sur-Loup guide
Valbonne
Very quiet when we visited, we found Valbonne to be an almost undiscovered small jewel of a town See Valbonne guide
Valmasque Parc
Valmasque Parc is a tranquil park of trees and picnic areas See Valmasque Parc guide
Vence
After exploring the walled historic centre of Vence you can take a stroll to the nearby Matisse Chapel See Vence guide
Villa Ephrussi
Villa Ephrussi is an beautiful villa with views across the Riviera, impressive architecture and extensive gardens See Villa Ephrussi guide
Villa Kérylos
Villa Kerylos is the recreation of a Greek Villa, with mosaics and frescoes, built on the Riviera in the early 20th century See Villa Kérylos guide
Villefranche-sur-Mer
The small harbour town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is in one of the loveliest positions on the Cote d'Azur See Villefranche-sur-Mer guideFor more information see the Alpes-Maritimes guide
Market towns & days in Alpes-Maritimes
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Antibes: Wednesday & every day except Monday
Beaulieu-sur-Mer: Saturday
Breil-sur-Roya: Tuesday all day
Cagnes-sur-Mer: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Friday
Cannes: Monday (high season only)
Cannes: every day except Monday
Carros: Saturday
Grasse: Wednesday & Tuesday
Le Cannet: Tuesday & Sunday
Mandelieu-la-Napoule: Wednesday & Thursday & Saturday
Menton: Tuesday & Monday
Mouans-Sartoux: Tuesday & Thursday
Nice: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday all day & Sunday & Saturday & Friday
Peymeinade: Monday
Puget-Theniers: Sunday
Saint-Laurent-du-Var: Tuesday & Sunday
Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey: Sunday
Tende: Wednesday all day
Valbonne: Tuesday & Thursday & Friday
Vallauris: Wednesday & Sunday & Friday
Vence: Tuesday & Friday
Villefranche-sur-Mer: Saturday
Tourist attractions to visit in Alpes-Maritimes
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Parc Phœnix
Parc zoologique du Cap Ferrat
Sites of Natural Beauty
Baou de Saint-Jeannet
Caires de Cougourde
Cirque du Gelas
Grottes de Saint-Cezaire
Tete de Chien
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Grasse: See tourist guide
Menton: See tourist guide
Nice: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Arboretum Marcel Kroenlein
Jardin botanique
Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret
Jardin de la Villa Fort de France
Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild: See tourist guide
La citronneraie
Le Vallon du Brec
Palais Carnolès
Parc du château de la Napoule
Serre de la Madone
Religious Monuments
Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes)
National Monuments
Saorge Monastery
Trophy of Augustus
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Coaraze: See tourist guide
Gourdon: See tourist guide
Sainte-Agnes: See tourist guide
Aquarium
Marineland d'Antibes
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