Saint-Tropez to Sainte-Maxime: French Riviera Coastal Route
Explore a 10.9 km coastal route along the French Riviera connecting Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime with the Basilica of Saint Michael & Eastern Gateway. This scenic 58-minute route showcases some of Côte d'Azur's most iconic Mediterranean destinations.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Saint-Tropez
- End
- Basilica of Saint Michael & Eastern Gateway
- Stops
- 3
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Saint-Tropez — Brand name town marking the western section of the French Riviera stretch.
- Sainte-Maxime — Charming seaside resort on the Côte d'Azur featuring a picturesque harbor, sandy beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere favored by families seeking Mediterranean coastal beauty.
- Basilica of Saint Michael & Eastern Gateway — Eastern endpoint of the French Riviera near Italian border; features Baroque Basilica of Saint Michael towering over old town.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Nice International Airport is the main entry point for US and UK travelers to reach the French Riviera.
- Tip
- English is widely spoken in tourist areas throughout the French Riviera.
- Timing
- Summer brings higher prices and demand across the Côte d'Azur; prices vary by location and season.
- Save money
- Budget travelers should base in Nice or Menton and visit Monaco as a day trip; Monaco costs €8 for coffee and €40+ for modest lunches.
- Transport
- Trains run every 20 minutes from Monaco to Nice and hourly to Cannes. Monaco's station is underground carved into rock.
- Avoid
- Swimming outside designated beach areas in Monaco is prohibited and dangerous due to boat traffic and strong currents.
- Save money
- Menton offers better accommodation value than Monaco or Nice; prices decrease as you move east along the Côte d'Azur.
- Timing
- Menton hosts the Lemon Festival every February with giant fruit sculptures paraded through town on Sundays and Thursdays.
- Transport
- Eze parking lot costs about €10/day and fills by 10am in summer. Bus numbers 82 or 112 from Nice reach Eze in 30 minutes.
- Tip
- The Nietzsche Path connects Eze-sur-Mer to Eze Village (400m climb over 1.5km) with no shade, water, or cell service in parts.
- Tip
- Eze is a tourist attraction disguised as a village; ground floors converted to galleries and shops; expect crowds on narrow medieval streets.
Video on this route
FRENCH RIVIERA 🇫🇷 Is the Cote d'Azur Worth It?