Introduction: The Journey is the Destination
The 1,000-kilometer stretch from Paris to Monaco is more than a drive—it's a passage through France's soul. Rolling Burgundy vineyards give way to lavender-scented Provence, then the dramatic coastline of the Côte d'Azur emerges, azure waters sparkling against terracotta villages.
With Élysée Chauffeurs, this journey becomes a curated experience. Our chauffeurs know the hidden viewpoints, the family-run auberges, and the back roads that GPS ignores. This isn't transportation—it's transformation.
The Route Overview
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris → Beaune | 310 km | Burgundy wine country, Hospices de Beaune |
| 2 | Beaune → Lyon → Avignon | 290 km | Gastronomic capital, Rhône Valley |
| 3 | Avignon → Aix-en-Provence | 100 km | Pont du Gard, lavender fields, Cézanne's studio |
| 4 | Aix → Saint-Tropez → Cannes | 180 km | Riviera glamour, beach clubs |
| 5 | Cannes → Èze → Monaco | 85 km | Corniche roads, medieval villages |
Total distance: ~965 km
Our vehicle recommendation: Mercedes S-Class for couples, V-Class for families
Day 1: Paris to Beaune — The Golden Slopes
Morning Departure
Your chauffeur collects you at 9:00 AM. The Mercedes is stocked with sparkling water, fresh pastries, and today's International Herald Tribune. As Paris fades in the rearview mirror, the A6 autoroute unfolds toward Burgundy.
Stop 1: Vézelay (2 hours from Paris)
Perched on a hilltop, this medieval village houses the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine—a UNESCO site and starting point of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. Walk the cobblestone streets, then lunch at Le Bougainville, a terrace restaurant overlooking the Morvan hills.
Stop 2: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Optional)
For serious oenophiles, we can arrange a visit to the world's most prestigious vineyard. Tastings are by invitation only—but our network includes collectors who occasionally share access. Price if available: €500-1,000 per person.
Arrival: Beaune
The capital of Burgundy wine, Beaune is a small town with an outsized reputation. Check in to Le Cep or Hostellerie de Levernois, then explore:
- 🏥 Hospices de Beaune: 15th-century hospital with stunning polychrome roof
- 🍷 Cave Patriarche: Walk through 5 km of underground cellars
- 🍽️ Dinner: Le Jardin des Remparts (1 Michelin star)
Day 2: Beaune to Avignon — Through the Heart of France
Morning: Lyon Detour
France's gastronomic capital deserves more than a drive-through. We suggest a 3-hour stop:
- 🏛️ Vieux Lyon: Renaissance architecture, traboules (hidden passageways)
- 🥐 Les Halles Paul Bocuse: Gourmet market for cheese, charcuterie, chocolates
- ☕ Coffee: Slake at Mokxa, Lyon's best specialty roaster
Lunch: Bouchon Lyonnais
No visit is complete without a bouchon—a traditional Lyon restaurant serving pike quenelles, tablier de sapeur (tripe), and praline tart. We recommend Daniel et Denise (reservations essential).
Afternoon: Rhône Valley
The A7 "Autoroute du Soleil" traces the Rhône River south. The landscape shifts: northern austerity yields to Mediterranean warmth. Your chauffeur points out Côte-Rôtie vineyards clinging to impossibly steep slopes.
Arrival: Avignon
The medieval city of Popes, Avignon is best explored on foot. Check in to La Mirande (palace hotel inside the city walls) or Auberge de Cassagne (countryside estate). Evening options:
- 🌉 Pont d'Avignon: The famous unfinished bridge, beautiful at sunset
- 🎭 Place de l'Horloge: Café culture under plane trees
- 🍽️ Dinner: Restaurant Sevin (intimate, seasonal)
Day 3: Avignon to Aix-en-Provence — Lavender and Light
Morning: Pont du Gard
This 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct spans the Gardon River—a UNESCO masterpiece. Arrive early (before 10 AM) to avoid crowds. Walk the top level if heights don't bother you; the engineering is astonishing.
Detour: Lavender Fields (June-August)
If timing allows, the Luberon plateau transforms into purple waves from mid-June to early August. Key stops:
- 💜 Sénanque Abbey: 12th-century monastery surrounded by lavender
- 🏘️ Gordes: Perched village, one of France's most beautiful
- 🛒 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: Antique capital, Sunday market
Arrival: Aix-en-Provence
Cézanne's hometown is pure Provençal elegance. Check in to Villa Gallici or Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire. Afternoon activities:
- 🎨 Atelier Cézanne: The artist's preserved studio
- 🛍️ Cours Mirabeau: Tree-lined boulevard, boutique shopping
- ⛲ Place des Quatre Dauphins: Hidden square, fountain, café terraces
Day 4: Aix to Cannes — The Riviera Reveals Itself
Morning: Coastal Route
Today the Mediterranean appears. We take the scenic D559 rather than the autoroute, passing through:
- 🌊 Cassis: Fishing village with stunning calanques (limestone inlets)
- 🛥️ Optional: 2-hour boat trip into the Calanques National Park
Lunch: Saint-Tropez
Once a quiet fishing village, now synonymous with glamour. Your chauffeur navigates the summer traffic while you:
- ☀️ Reserve a daybed at Club 55 or Nikki Beach
- 🍝 Lunch at La Vague d'Or (3 Michelin stars) or casual Le Café on the port
- 🚶 Stroll the old town, visit the Citadelle
Arrival: Cannes
The Film Festival city glitters year-round. Check in to Hôtel Martinez, Le Majestic, or Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in nearby Antibes. Evening:
- 🌅 Sunset drinks at Le Roof (Five Seas Hotel rooftop)
- 🍽️ Dinner at La Palme d'Or (2 Michelin stars, inside Martinez)
- 🎰 Optional: Evening at Casino Barrière
Day 5: Cannes to Monaco — The Grande Corniche
The Three Corniches
Three roads connect Nice to Monaco, each with different characters:
- Basse Corniche (Low): Coastal, through Nice and Villefranche
- Moyenne Corniche (Middle): The Grace Kelly route, dramatic curves
- Grande Corniche (High): Napoleon's military road, stunning panoramas
We recommend the Grande Corniche outbound, Moyenne returning—experiencing both.
Stop: Èze Village
Perched 400 meters above the sea, this medieval village offers:
- 🌿 Jardin Exotique: Cactus garden with 360° views
- 🍽️ Lunch: Château Eza terrace (reserve the cliffside table)
- 🧴 Fragonard Perfume Factory: Free tours, duty-free shopping
Arrival: Monaco
The world's second-smallest country packs extraordinary density: casinos, yachts, Formula 1 circuits, and royal palaces within 2 km². Your chauffeur delivers you to:
- 🏨 Hôtel de Paris: Belle Époque landmark facing the casino
- 🏨 Hôtel Hermitage: Quieter elegance, garden setting
- 🏨 Maybourne Riviera: New ultra-luxury, infinity pool with views
Monaco Highlights
- 🎰 Casino de Monte-Carlo: Dress code enforced after 2 PM
- 👑 Prince's Palace: Changing of the guard at 11:55 AM
- 🏎️ F1 Circuit: Walk the track (public roads)
- 🍽️ Dinner: Le Louis XV (Alain Ducasse, 3 stars) or Blue Bay (1 star, Caribbean fusion)
Pricing & Logistics
Chauffeur Service Options
| Option | Vehicle | 5 Days Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple Journey | Mercedes S-Class | €4,950 | Driver, fuel, tolls, parking, 10h/day |
| Family Journey | Mercedes V-Class | €4,450 | Driver, fuel, tolls, parking, 10h/day |
| Ultimate Luxury | Mercedes Maybach | €7,500 | Driver, fuel, tolls, parking, 12h/day |
Not included: Hotels, meals, entrance fees, activities
Chauffeur accommodation: We arrange separately (not charged to client)
Best Time to Travel
- May-June: Lavender blooming, pre-summer crowds
- September: Warm seas, harvest season, fewer tourists
- Avoid: July-August peak (unless you embrace the buzz)
Book Your Riviera Journey
Contact our road trip specialists:
- 📞 +33 1 44 55 66 77
- 📧 roadtrips@elysee-chauffeurs.com
- 💬 WhatsApp: +33 6 51 75 71 49
→ Request a Custom Riviera Itinerary
