For decades, the Côte d’Azur has seduced travelers in search of glamour, bright sunshine and splendid coastal scenery.
Beyond its sandy beaches and azure waters, the region also offers a wealth of history and architecture, with its majestic castles, sumptuous villas and forts steeped in history.
Here’s our selection of the best castles, villas and forts on the Côte d’Azur! We only list places open to visitors, not hotels or private villas.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Most beautiful villas on the Côte d’Azur: Villa Ephrussi
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a must-see treasure on the Côte d’Azur. Located on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, this elegant residence awakens the senses and transports visitors to the opulence of a bygone era.
Built in the early 20th century by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, the villa blends Renaissance, Baroque and French classical styles.
The interior rooms are richly decorated with art collections, and the carefully landscaped gardens offer magnificent views over the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
- Cap Ferrat, east of Nice
- Between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranches-sur-Mer
- Allow 3 hours
- Nice to Villa Ephrussi = 25min drive
- Menton to Villa Ephrussi = 45min
- Cannes to Villa Ephrussi = 1h
- Save time by buying your admission tickets
- Or book a tour from Nice to see the region’s most beautiful villas – see program
2. Fortifications and Antibes castle
It’s not really a fort, but the old town of Antibes, with its ramparts and château museum at the top, is one of our favorite places on the Côte d’Azur.
You can stroll freely along the ramparts, and discover a surprising work of art.
You can visit the 14th-century château that is now the Picasso Museum.
And don’t miss a trip to the Salis beach for a breathtaking view of the fortifications, the sea and the Alps in the background.
- In Antibes
- Allow at least half a day for the old town
- Nice to Antibes = 35min drive
- Cannes to Antibes = 25min drive
- Find out more in our article on the best things to do in Antibes
3. Château de la Napoule
Château de La Napoule was built in the 14th century by the Counts of Villeneuve, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries.
Today, the Château de La Napoule is an art museum and a venue for cultural events. It is open to the public and offers guided tours.
We particularly liked its orange-red stones and seaside location.
You can admire it from the outside and even walk beneath it.
Or you can visit it and discover its four gardens, a mix of meticulously landscaped areas and wilder sectors (among the most beautiful gardens on the Côte d’Azur).
- West of Cannes
- Allow 2 hours
- Cannes to Château de la Napoule = 20 min drive
- Nice to Château de la Napoule = 45 min
- Open April to September, daily
- Price 7 euros (or 4 euros for gardens only) – details and opening hours on the official website
WHERE TO STAY ON THE Côte d’Azur
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
4. Villa Kerylos (Beaulieu-sur-Mer)
Villa Kérylos, located in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, is a remarkable residence inspired by ancient Greek architecture. It was built in the early 20th century by architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, to designs by archaeologist Théodore Reinach.
A visit to this unique site offers an elegant pause in your exploration of the region.
The villa is a faithful recreation of an ancient Greek house from the 2nd century B.C. It is built in white marble and decorated with mosaics, frescoes and sculptures. And the small gardens surrounding the villa offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
- In the town of Beauliu-sur-Mer
- Allow 1 hour
- East of Nice
- From Nice: 20min drive
- From Cannes: 1h drive
- Save time by buying your admission tickets
5. Château de Grimaud
We love ruins, especially ruins with beautiful views.
Located in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the village of Grimaud is an enchanting destination that combines medieval charm, rich history and spectacular views.
The village, with its narrow streets, tunnels and arches, has been carefully preserved and showcased.
It is dominated by the ruins of a castle, a symbol of the region’s power in ancient times. You can climb up to admire the views over the village rooftops, the hills and out to sea.
- Next to Saint-Tropez
- Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire village and castle
- From Saint-Tropez: 20min drive
- From Saint-Raphaël: 1 hour’s drive
- Narrow underground parking lot, but also several outdoor parking lots, including one on the side of the mill, free of charge.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
6. Château de Grimaldi (Hauts-de-Cagnes)
Château de Grimaldi is located in the heart of the medieval village of Haut-de-Cagnes, one of the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur.
Built in the 14th century by the Grimaldi family, it has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries.
Today, you can visit it to discover its decoration and art collection ranging from Antiquity to the 20th century. The collections are very varied!
And from the top, we really enjoyed the views over the village and countryside.
- Between Antibes and Nice
- Allow 1h to 1h30 to explore the castle
- From Nice: 25min drive
- From Cannes: 40min drive
- From Antibes: 30min drive
- There’s an automatic parking lot close to the center: you leave your car and it’s transported to a parking space.
7. Château de Roquebrune
Also perched on a hill, Roquebrune once again offers an unforgettable experience, steeped in history and Mediterranean charm. It’s a medieval village with narrow streets, tunnels and breathtaking views of the coast and Monaco.
What’s more, there’s a castle to visit at the top of this rocky spur for even more history and exceptional views.
We really enjoyed exploring the village and climbing to the top of the castle!
- Between Menton and Monaco
- Allow 2 to 3 hours for the village and the castle
- Menton to Roquebrune = 25min drive
- Nice to Roquebrune = 25min drive
- Monaco to Roquebrune = 15min
- There’s a good-sized parking lot under the village
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on Provence, subscribe:
8. Villa Masséna (Nice)
Located on the Promenade des Anglais, it was at the Musée Masséna in the villa of the same name that we learned a great deal about the history of the French Riviera. The tour and collections cover the period from Nice’s incorporation into France in the 19th century to the end of the Belle Époque period. You’ll see antique furniture, paintings and objets d’art. Collector’s items such as Napoleon’s death mask, Empress Josephine’s diadem of mother-of-pearl, gold, pearls and colored stones, a gift from Murat, and the book written by the 19th-century poet and writer Préfet Liegeard, were awe-inspiring.
- In Nice
- Allow 1 hour
- See opening hours here
9. Fort-Carré in Antibes
This monument is Antibes’ best-known landmark, and almost its emblem. From the railroad line that runs along the coast between Monaco, Nice and Cannes, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of it. With its famous star-shaped architecture and 4-hectare park, we were impressed! Located next to Port Vauban, this is one of the first bastioned forts built during the Renaissance. It dates back to the 16th century, when Henri II, King of France, needed a sentry to watch over the border with the Duchy of Savoy, then occupying the County of Nice.
We really enjoyed visiting it and taking in the beautiful views.
- In Antibes
- Allow 2 hours
- Nice to Antibes = 35min drive
- Cannes to Antibes = 25min drive
- Official website here.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
10. Forts on the island of Porquerolles
The island of Porquerolles, off the Var coast, is a place steeped in history and a natural gem. We highly recommend setting aside a day to explore it by bike.
It was fortified as early as the 16th century, to protect the Hyères harbor from pirate and enemy attacks.
Today, the island boasts six forts, two of which are open to the public: Fort Sainte-Agathe and Fort de l’Estissac.
We recommend you make the effort to climb to the top of the Fort Sainte-Agathe museum: it’s at the top of a hill and offers exceptional views of the port, the island, the sea and the coastline. It was built in 1581 and has been remodeled several times over the centuries.
- Short sea shuttle from the Giens peninsula, between Toulon and Saint-Tropez – see shuttle timetables here.
- From Nice = 1h50 drive
- From Saint-Tropez = 1h10 drive
- The island is quite large, so we recommend renting an electric bike.
- As it’s a long way from the most popular towns, consider a nearby hotel. We enjoyed staying at the Hotel Lodge des Îles d’Or – see prices, photos and availability
11. Fort du Masque-de-Fer
From Cannes, you can take another boat to Sainte-Marguerite island. Above you’ll find the famous fort with the Masque-de-Fer museum.
In keeping with the myth of the Man in the Iron Mask, the museum also houses a collection relating to his captivity and intriguing existence. Learn more about the theories and speculations surrounding the identity of this mysterious individual, one of the most famous enigmas in French history!
See our article to help you visit Sainte-Marguerite.
- Boat from Cannes harbour
- Crossing in 15 min
- We advise you to buy your tickets online in advance – see availability.
- The island is quite large, so you can walk around it in a day.
12. Citadelle Saint Tropez
The citadel of Saint-Tropez is perched on a hill overlooking the emblematic port of this Côte d’Azur seaside resort. It was built in the early 17th century to protect the town from pirate and enemy attacks.
We urge you to explore it and enjoy its architecture (hexagonal keep, enclosure and bastions), its maritime museum and, above all, its exceptional panoramic views over the Bay of Saint-Tropez and the town’s picturesque rooftops.
- In the town of Saint-Tropez
- Allow 2 hours
- See opening hours here
- You can visit Saint-Tropez by boat from Nice(see availability and booking) or from Cannes(see availability and booking).
Other forts, villas and castles on the Côte d’Azur
There are, of course, many others, which can also be visited:
Around Menton
- Ruins of Saint-Agnès castle
- Maginot Line military fort (in the mountains) in Sainte-Agnès too
- Le Bastion in Menton, home of the Jean Cocteau Museum
- Villa E-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a modern work by Eileen Gray
Around Nice
- Villa Santo Sospir, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – see the site
- Villeneuve-Loubet Castle
- Villefranches-sur-Mer Citadel
Around Cannes
- Fort de Cannes with the Museum of World Explorations. Climb to the very top of the tower for great views!
- Villa Domergue – see the site
- Vallauris Castle Museum
- …
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
