The French Riviera, and Cannes in particular, hold a special place in my heart. I spent my vacations under the Cannes sun from age 6 months to my teenage years, you know, the moment when I decided it wasn’t really cool anymore to go on vacation with my parents. Then after moving to Canada in 2014, every trip back to France became a rediscovery and a renewed appreciation for the country that watched me grow up. Every year now, I spend a few days in Cannes with my Canadian boyfriend. And every time, I tell myself: I need to document all this information to help other people discover the beauty of the French Riviera. And especially how easy it is to explore the coast without a car! In this article, I’m sharing 10 cities to visit by train around Cannes to make the most of your stay, without getting stuck in traffic.
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If you’re traveling by train in France for the first time, I have a complete guide on how to take the train in France that should help you out.
Antibes
I had some memories of Antibes as a kid, but I couldn’t have told you what the town actually looked like. Last year we went, and it was such a lovely surprise. The old ramparts, the little streets full of history, the town center, the lively restaurants, and the farmers’ market. Truly a great find to add to your list.
Travel time from Cannes: 12 min by train
Saint Raphaël
We stopped here the first year on our way back from Saint-Tropez (which isn’t accessible by train). The town center was cute, and the beach was super close to the station. There were beautiful boats in the harbour that made us dream of lovely sea outings. We settled in on a terrace, a citrus Schweppes in hand, gazing out at the beach and the sea: vacation vibes!
Travel time from Cannes: 22 min by train
Nice
Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera, the most visited, and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. It has a different vibe from the other options, which lean more toward a small seaside town feel.
Travel time from Cannes: 35 min by train
Fréjus
Another one of the cities to visit by train around Cannes, and a very popular one with tourists. It’s a former Roman town, so if you enjoy learning about history, this is definitely a place where you should plan to spend a few hours. Between the amphitheater, the Roman theater, and the various ruins, you won’t be bored.
Travel time from Cannes: 42 min by train
Villefranche-sur-Mer
One of our favourites on the French Riviera: Villefranche-sur-Mer. It’s a tiny village, with a train that stops just a few meters from the beach. Colourful little streets to explore. So charming! We had a meal right by the water, it was so enjoyable and delicious!
Travel time from Cannes: 50 min by train
Cap d’Ail
One of the towns I recommend to you, but also one I’m recommending to myself for our next visit in a few weeks. The architecture looks beautiful, and the landscaped walking path along the coast looks so peaceful and rejuvenating.
Travel time from Cannes: 1 hour by train
Èze
It’s one of those little villages you’ll see everywhere on social media if you search for things to do around Cannes and Nice. And it’s a village that has haunted us since 2021, the first year we visited together. We’ve tried several times to go without success, lack of time, no parking available (one year when we were there by car). So I’m bringing you into our quest and asking you to go there for us. The view over the Mediterranean is stunning, it’s a medieval village full of character, entirely pedestrian.
Travel time from Cannes: 1 hour by train
Monaco
A country that fascinates people across borders and captures the imagination of tourists worldwide. Absolutely add it to your list. Very easy to reach from Cannes, just over an hour and you’re there. The station is located in the center, letting you visit everything on foot or by using their bus system.
Travel time from Cannes: 1h15 by train
Menton
Menton is a town known for its warm colours and its proximity to Monaco and Italy. It’s impossible to stay indifferent to these colourful houses with sea views. It’s the city we added to our list for this year’s trip to Cannes. Apparently it’s a town where life is really good. I can believe it.
Travel time from Cannes: 1h20 by train
Vintimille (Italie)
If you want to round off your stay with a day spanning 3 different countries, you have to include Vintimille. We’ve taken the train from Cannes several times, made a stop in Monaco, then hopped back on the train toward Vintimille. I planned this with our Canadian friends who came to visit us. For them, the concept of crossing into another country without showing a passport was completely new (it was one of their first trips to Europe), and I loved seeing their excitement when I told them yes, you really can cross the border without a passport. Vintimille is a border town, so don’t expect the postcard Italy you’ve seen in photos, but the private beaches are genuinely cheaper, the food is good, and the people are super friendly!
Travel time from Cannes: 1h35 by train
Always double-check the time of the last train if you don’t want to end up stuck extending your stay unexpectedly. Enjoy the train option, it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to visit the towns around Cannes. If you’re looking for things to do in Cannes, this article might also interest you.
Bon séjour !
