Top 5 Cities to Visit in the South of France: Monaco, Marseille, Saint-Tropez and Beyond
The South of France stretches along one of Europe's most storied coastlines, where olive groves meet the sea and harbours catch the last of the afternoon light.
From the glamour of Monaco to the colourful streets of Nice and the historic waterfront of Marseille, every stop along the French Riviera reveals a different side of the Mediterranean.
Some are defined by centuries of history, others by art, cuisine or an unmistakable coastal atmosphere, but each rewards unhurried exploration.
Seen from the water, these cities reveal something that land travel rarely captures: their seafronts, their palettes of terracotta and ochre, the way the light falls across the hillsides above the port. Exploring them as part of a Mediterranean Journey allows for a kind of unhurried discovery that sets the Riviera apart.
What follows is a guide to the five best cities in the South of France (Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Marseille, Nice) that define this stretch of coastline.
Monaco: Beyond the Casino
Monaco's reputation precedes it. The Grand Prix circuit, the casino, the yachts moored along Port Hercule. Explora Journeys holds a rare place in that same harbour: we are the only cruise line to dock in Port Hercule during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, close enough that the roar of the circuit reaches the deck.
The old town, Monaco-Ville, sits on a rocky promontory above the harbour. The narrow streets here are unhurried, lined with ochre facades, where a medieval cathedral sits alongside the Oceanographic Museum. Founded by Prince Albert I, it remains among the finest of its kind in Europe. For Guests wishing to book Mediterranean Destination Experiences, Monaco is a natural starting point.
Cannes and Riviera Glamour
Beyond the red carpet, Cannes is a working port city with warmth and character to match its fame. The Vieux Port sits at the centre of daily life, with fishing boats in the early morning and pleasure craft by afternoon. Behind the famous Croisette promenade, the Rue Meynadier cuts through a market neighbourhood that feels genuinely local, full of fromageries, olive stalls and bakeries.
Le Suquet, the old quarter rising above the port, offers some of the best views of the bay and a distinctly different pace from the boulevard below. Cannes is a city of contrasts where the ceremonial and the everyday exist side by side. It is all the more compelling for that.
Saint-Tropez at a Slower Pace
Saint-Tropez earns its reputation as a destination for the well-travelled and the rich and famous. But the village at its core has barely changed since the fishermen and artists who first made it an iconic must-visit. The place des Lices, shaded by plane trees and bordered by café terraces, hosts a twice-weekly market of extraordinary local produce showcasing honey, lavender, tapenade and cheese from the hills above.
The old port is a canvas of colour: pale pink and yellow buildings reflected in calm water with pleasure craft moored alongside the occasional working boat. The Musée de l'Annonciade, housed in a former chapel, holds one of the finest collections of post-Impressionist work in France. Saint-Tropez is best discovered on foot, slowly, in the early morning before the day fills.
Marseille: History, Culture and Coastal Scenery
France's oldest city carries its history authentically. Marseille does not offer a manicured version of itself, it offers the real thing. The Vieux-Port has been the city's heart since the ancient Greeks settled here around 600 BC: ferries still cross it, fishermen sell from the quayside at dawn, and the café culture along the waterfront is some of the most vibrant in the south.
Notre-Dame de la Garde stands watch over the city from the highest point, its gilded Madonna visible from far out to sea. From the basilica's terrace, the panorama takes in the entire harbour, including the islands of the Frioul archipelago and the Calanques beyond. Marseille asks something of its visitors. It gives back generously in return.
Nice: The Cultural Heart of the French Riviera
Nice occupies a particular position on the Riviera: large enough to sustain serious cultural life, yet the colour and ease of its Mediterranean character still sets the pace. The Vieux-Nice neighbourhood, with its Baroque churches, deep orange buildings and labyrinthine market, is a world apart from the elegant sweep of the Promenade des Anglais.
The Cours Saleya market is among the most vivid in France: with flowers, fruit, charcuterie and local specialities spread beneath the plane trees most mornings. The city's museums, from Matisse and Chagall to the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, offer depth that surprises first-time visitors. Nice serves both as a gateway to the Riviera and a destination in its own right. Guests beginning or ending a luxury Mediterranean cruise here will find much to excite them.
How to Plan a French Riviera Itinerary
Sail the French Riviera and discover it whole - one uninterrupted coastline, from cove to harbour to hidden cliffside village. A Journey at sea allows each destination to flow naturally into the next. Wake up anchored off Cannes and by afternoon, the masts of Saint-Tropez's port come into view.
For first-time visitors, a practical approach is to anchor the Journey around the five cities covered here. Monaco and Nice make natural bookends. Cannes and Saint-Tropez fill the days between, with Antibes or Villefranche worth adding if time allows. The summer 2026 Journeys offered by Explora Journeys give Guests the flexibility to shape their time ashore without sacrificing the comfort of a true Home at Sea.
Explore the Mediterranean with Explora Journeys
Arrive by sea, and each city reveals itself differently. The approach to Monaco at dawn the headland of Saint-Tropez appearing around a bend, or the great sweep of Marseille's natural harbour. The pace is different too. A Journey at sea offers mornings spent in the stillness of open water that merge seamlessly into afternoons spent wandering the markets and old quarters of cities that have been welcoming visitors for centuries.
EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II offer Mediterranean sailings that take in the full length of the Riviera, with Destination Experiences designed to bring each port genuinely to life. Sampling local produce in Nice's old town or a private visit to a Provençal estate, the summer offers available this season make this the perfect time to plan your Journey.
A minimum of five to seven days allows for a meaningful introduction, with time to visit three or four destinations without feeling rushed. A ten-day Journey gives room to explore each city at a considered pace, with time between ports for enjoying the ship itself at sea. For those wishing to combine the Riviera with the Italian Ligurian coast or Corsica, extending to two weeks is worth considering.
Explora Journeys also caters to travellers with limited time, offering shorter Journeys that deliver enriching experiences within even the busiest of schedule.
The Riviera doesn't offer one kind of beauty, it offers a choice, and the choice is yours to make.. Nice provides the most complete city experience, with its Baroque old town, long promenade and exceptional museums. Whilst Villefranche-sur-Mer ranks among the most picturesque small harbours on the coast. Monaco impresses through sheer spectacle, and Saint-Tropez through its Provençal intimacy. Each deserves its own afternoon.
May, June and September stand out as the finest months with settled weather, warm seas and fewer crowds than the height of summer. Explora Journeys sails the Mediterranean across this full window, from early summer through to early autumn, allowing Guests to time a Journey with whichever version of the Riviera they want to experience. Sailing outside these months brings its own rewards: the winter Mediterranean cruises, in particular, offers mild days, golden light, quieter ports and a pace closer to local life.
Find the Essence of the French Riviera
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