Shore excursions
Cruise service: your ports of call on the French Riviera
Make the most of every port of call with a private driver-guide, from Saint-Tropez to Monaco and on into Provence.
Welcome to the French Riviera and Provence
An unforgettable day at every port of call
On your cruise, during calls at the ports of the French Riviera and Provence, trust VIP Riviera Tour to help you discover our beautiful region at your own pace. Your chauffeur meets you on the quay, right at your terminal, and takes you to the most beautiful and fascinating places on the French Riviera and in the Bouches-du-Rhône.
Choose a half-day or full-day option, by sedan, van or luxury coach, with a guide or driver-guide speaking the language of your choice. The tour is fully customisable: history, culture, gastronomy, hilltop villages or shopping.
- Meet and greet at the terminal with a name sign
- Itinerary timed around your all-aboard time
- Private tour, no waiting for a group
- Multilingual guides and driver-guides
Ports of call
We meet you at every port
Return to the ship planned with a safety margin
Nice
Port Lympia, at the foot of the Old Town.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Tender landing, pick-up on the quay.
Monaco
Port Hercule cruise terminal.
Cannes
Quai Laubeuf, opposite la Croisette.
Saint-Tropez
Old port, pick-up as close as possible to the landing stage.
Toulon
La Seyne-sur-Mer cruise terminal and the port.
Marseille
Marseille-Fos port cruise terminal.
Other ports of call
On request: Menton, Antibes, Sanremo…
Itinerary ideas
What to see during your port of call?
Port of call in Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer
Old Nice and Cours Saleya, Castle Hill, the Promenade des Anglais, then the Moyenne Corniche to Eze and Monaco. In 4 hours, the highlights of the Riviera; on a full day, add Saint-Paul-de-Vence or Cannes.
Port of call in Monaco
The Rock and the Prince’s Palace, the Changing of the Guard, the cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, the Formula 1 circuit and Casino Square, then Eze village and its perfumery, or Menton and its gardens.
Port of call in Cannes
La Croisette, the Palais des Festivals and Le Suquet, then old Antibes and its ramparts, and the hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Alternatively: Grasse and its perfumeries.
Port of call in Saint-Tropez
The port and its yachts, the citadel, Place des Lices and its cafés, the beaches of Pampelonne, then Port Grimaud, the “little Venice” of Provence, and Sainte-Maxime.
Port of call in Toulon
The harbour and Mont Faron, the calanques and villages of the Var coast: Bandol, Sanary, Le Castellet, or the wine estates of the Bandol AOC for a tasting.
Port of call in Marseille
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, the Vieux-Port and Le Panier, the MuCEM, the calanques; or Aix-en-Provence, its fountains and Cours Mirabeau, 30 minutes from the terminal.
Why choose a private tour over a ship’s excursion?
Excursions sold on board travel by coach, in large groups and on a fixed schedule. With VIP Riviera Tour, you have the vehicle and your chauffeur to yourselves: you leave as soon as the gangway opens, stop wherever you like and stay longer where you are enjoying yourselves. For a family or a group of friends, the per-vehicle price is often comparable, or even better value.
Getting you back on board: our priority
We build the itinerary around the all-aboard time set by the cruise line and allow a safety margin, taking seasonal traffic into account. Your chauffeur drops you as close as possible to the gangway or the tender shuttle.
Tender ports: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco
In several ports, large ships anchor offshore and passengers come ashore by tender. Your chauffeur waits for you at the landing point; just let us know the ship’s name and its scheduled arrival time.
Groups and cruise lines
For groups, agencies and cruise lines, we provide vans and coaches with guides, and arrange visits, lunches and tastings.
Tour ideas
Our most popular tours with cruise passengers
A Taste of Provence: Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Grasse
The waterfalls of the Gorges du Loup, the hilltop village of Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and the perfumeries of Grasse: a half-day in Provence from Nice.
Italian Markets and Menton: Ventimiglia, Sanremo
Shopping at the Ventimiglia or Sanremo markets, Sanremo’s casino and promenade, returning via Menton, the “pearl of France”. Private tour from Nice.
Saint-Tropez, Port Grimaud and Sainte-Maxime
A private day in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez: Port Grimaud, the “little Venice”, the harbour and Place des Lices in Saint-Tropez, and the old town of Sainte-Maxime.
FAQ
Cruise service: your questions
Another question? Message us on WhatsApp or call us, 24/7.
Will I be back at the ship in time?
We plan the tour around your all-aboard time and allow a safety margin. Your chauffeur knows the constraints of each port.
Where will the chauffeur meet me?
As close as possible to the terminal exit or the tender landing point, with a sign bearing your name.
Can we combine several towns?
Yes. Tours last a half-day or a full day, and the itinerary adapts to your wishes and the time available.
Is the price per person?
No, the price is per vehicle: sedan for up to 3 passengers, van for up to 8 passengers. Museum admissions and meals are not included.
What happens if the ship arrives late?
We track your ship’s arrival and adjust the pick-up time; the itinerary is rearranged to meet the all-aboard time.
Do you offer official guides?
Yes, on request we add a licensed tour guide in the language of your choice, in addition to the chauffeur.
Enquiry
Let’s plan your port of call
Tell us the ship’s name, the date and the port-of-call times: we will propose a tailored itinerary at a fixed price.