The French Riviera… a place that brings to mind glamour, luxury yachts, and sun-drenched beaches. It’s a destination known for its affluent charm, but what if I told The French Riviera might bring to mind luxury yachts and sun-soaked beach clubs - but there’s a softer side to it, one that most people miss. Since setting my crime novel in this region (yes I’m also a crime author), I’ve spent a lot of time exploring beyond the usual hotspots. What I’ve found is a string of quiet, peaceful places where spring arrives early, and Easter feels more like a reset than a rush.

If you're dreaming of a slow, mindful getaway where the sea sparkles, the crowds are few, and the days are filled with good food and gentle sunshine, Easter might just be the ideal time to visit. Let me show you a few places where the French Riviera truly slows down: and where you can too.

1. Menton: The “Pearl of France” with a Laid-Back Charm

Menton is the kind of town you’d probably skip if you were following the usual Riviera trail—but that’s precisely why it’s worth staying a few nights. It’s right near the Italian border, but quieter than Nice and far more relaxed than Monaco. Around Easter, the lemon trees are still full, the gardens start to bloom, and the vibe is easygoing without being sleepy.

This is a place made for slow mornings. One of my favorite routines here is walking through the old town just after sunrise, when the narrow alleys are empty and the sea breeze carries the scent of citrus. You’ll want to wander without a map - eventually, every path leads to a sea view or a quiet little square with a few locals chatting over coffee.

If you visit just one garden, make it Jardin Serre de la Madone. It’s not showy, and that’s the charm. It feels wild in parts, with shady stone steps, tropical plants, and hidden benches perfect for a journal break or a quiet moment. Hardly anyone is there this time of year.

Later, stop by Café des Arts: a small, slightly worn-in spot that makes a killer lemon tart using Menton’s own citrus. It’s not a trendy café, which is exactly why it works. Grab a seat outside, order something warm, and just watch the town go by.

Menton blends French and Italian culture in a way that feels natural and lived-in, not curated for tourists. It’s a perfect place to slow down - especially in spring, when the days are longer, the air is softer, and the streets are still yours to enjoy.

2. Villefranche-sur-Mer: A Tranquil Escape Just a Stone's Throw from Nice

Just a short drive from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most picturesque towns on the French Riviera, and yet it remains largely overlooked by tourists. It’s the kind of place where the hours stretch a little longer, where you can hear the clinking of cutlery from seaside cafés and the soft lapping of the sea in the background. During Easter, it’s calm and just starting to warm up - perfect for slow, coastal days without the high-season buzz.

One of the best ways to settle into Villefranche is to simply walk. No agenda. Start at the waterfront and work your way up into the village. The streets twist gently uphill, past shuttered windows, overhanging bougainvillea, and little galleries that feel more like someone’s studio than a shop. You’ll probably stumble on the Rue Obscure: a covered passageway from the 13th century that locals still use to this day. It’s quiet, cool, and oddly calming.

There’s an old citadel right by the water (Citadelle Saint-Elme) that doesn’t get much foot traffic. It’s free to enter, and the views from the ramparts stretch across the whole bay. You won’t find tour groups or long queues, just a few art exhibits, a small cactus garden, and open stone paths where you can stop and breathe.

When you’re ready for a long lunch, head to La Mère Germaine. It’s been serving seafood here since the 1930s, and it still feels classic - not fussy, just good food with sea air and a front-row seat to the harbor. Order the catch of the day and let it be slow. No rush.

Later, if the sun’s out and you’ve got nowhere to be, walk down to Plage des Marinières. The beach isn’t big, but it’s rarely crowded in early spring. Locals come here to read, nap, or take a quick swim. You could easily spend the rest of your day here doing nothing in particular- and that’s exactly the point.

3. La Croix-Valmer: Peace and Tranquility in the Heart of the Var

La Croix-Valmer is not polished like Saint-Tropez, and that’s the charm. You come here for the quiet: morning markets, pine-scented walks, and beaches where you might only see a handful of people all afternoon. It’s inland enough to feel tucked away, but close enough to the coast that the sea is never far.

Easter is a lovely time to visit. The hills behind the village are just starting to bloom with wildflowers, and the vineyards are waking up from winter. You can walk the Sentier du Littoral, a coastal trail that runs along the cliffs and pine forests, and barely pass anyone. There are pockets where the trees open up to reveal the sea, and those are the moments where you’ll want to stop, sit, and take it all in. The path isn’t overly challenging - just bring walking shoes and water, and let the landscape do the rest.

The local market is worth making time for. It’s not big, but it’s full of the good stuff: cheeses wrapped in herbs, honey from nearby hives, handmade soaps that smell like the garrigue. Vendors chat without rush, and you’ll hear a lot of Provençal dialects mixed in with French. If you’re staying in a rental, this is where you stock up for lazy breakfasts or picnic lunches.

When it comes to the beach, skip the obvious ones and make your way to Plage de la Douane. It’s a bit of a walk (through a pine forest and down a dirt path) but that’s part of why it stays quiet. It’s not serviced, so bring what you need and plan to stay a while. This is the kind of beach where you can nap, read, or just let the sun warm your feet while the breeze moves through the trees above you.

La Croix-Valmer isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. If you want to feel like you’re actually in Provence (far from the noise, moving at your own pace) this little village delivers that in the simplest, most satisfying way.

4. The Îles de Lérins: A Serene Retreat Just Off the Coast of Cannes

The Îles de Lérins are just off the coast of Cannes, but they feel lightyears away from the mainland pace. If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys silence, sea air, and wandering without distraction, this is where you’ll want to go for a slow Easter day.

There are two islands (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) each with its own rhythm. Sainte-Marguerite is the larger of the two, and probably the best place to start. The ferry over is short (about 15 minutes), and when you step off, the first thing you’ll notice is the quiet. No traffic, just pine trees, dirt paths, and the sound of birds. The island is mostly forested, with little coves and rocky beaches where you can sit and watch the sea without anyone around.

If you like a bit of history without crowds, walk to the old Fort Royal: it’s where the Man in the Iron Mask was supposedly held. Inside, the museum is low-key but interesting, and the rooftop offers views that stretch all the way back to Cannes and out toward the Esterel hills.

Saint-Honorat, the smaller island, is home to a working monastery that’s been active for centuries. The monks here live quietly and produce their own wine, which you can actually buy in the little shop near the jetty. The walking paths around the island are peaceful and shaded, looping past old chapels and through olive trees. It’s not about sightseeing here - it’s about slowing down, maybe finding a bench or a sun-warmed stone wall, and just letting yourself settle.

If you pack a picnic (highly recommended), you’ll find plenty of quiet spots to unroll a blanket and have a proper break. No cafés, no loud beach bars, just the sea, the trees, and that rare feeling of being away from everything (without being far at all).

5. Èze: A Hilltop Haven Overlooking the Mediterranean

Èze is perched so high above the Mediterranean that the first thing you’ll notice (before the cobbled streets, before the artisan shops) is the view. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and beyond. But Èze isn’t just about the panorama. It’s about the feeling of being somewhere that asks you to slow down and look closely.

This village has a bit more foot traffic than the others, even in spring, but if you get there early( especially around Easter) it’s remarkably quiet. Most people visit Èze on day trips and leave by mid-afternoon, which makes the mornings and late afternoons the best times to wander.

Walking through the old town feels like stepping inside a stone labyrinth. The streets twist tightly, and everything is on a slope. You’ll pass small studios where local artists sell handmade ceramics, pressed flowers, and linen scarves. No loud signage, no pushy sales - just calm, thoughtful spaces you can duck into if something catches your eye.

The Exotic Garden at the top of the village is worth the climb. It’s built into the old castle ruins and filled with succulents, cacti, and Mediterranean plants that somehow thrive in the sea air. But the real highlight is finding a bench and sitting still. The sea feels impossibly far and close at the same time, and you’ll want to stay longer than you think.

If you’re planning a slow lunch or a splurge-worthy dinner, Château de la Chèvre d’Or is tucked right into the hillside. The food is elegant without being fussy, and the terraces have some of the best views on the entire Riviera. But even if you skip the restaurant, just walking the garden paths around the hotel gives you a sense of quiet luxury: the kind that just hums in the background.

Èze is a good choice if you want a mix of stillness and beauty in one place. You don’t need a packed itinerary here. One walk, one meal, one quiet moment with a view - that’s more than enough.

Leaving the Riviera (Unhurried, and Just Fine with That)

There’s a special kind of quiet that settles over the French Riviera just before the season truly begins: the weather warms, flowers bloom, but the crowds haven’t shown up yet. Here, vacations don’t start at breakfast—they start when you lean out the window and listen.

Whatever town you're lingering in (Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, La Croix-Valmer) each one gives you room to breathe. To wander. To notice things that usually go unseen. That’s why Easter feels just right for this kind of travel: there’s still solitude, but everything’s open and welcoming.

If your heart tends toward slow mornings, quiet streets, and places that feel safely off the radar, you might like these other slow‑travel destinations we’ve explored on Trippers Terminal:

Cozy Stone Cottage Stays in Drôme Provençale for a Relaxing Week — Ideal if you dream of a week wrapped in old stone, morning light, and lavender‑scented quiet
Real Market Towns in Provence (Without the Tourist Hype) — For peaceful market mornings where vendors chat like neighbors, not a dash-and-buy crowd.
The Best Solo Travel Destinations in Southern France for 2025 — Because sometimes traveling alone is exactly what helps you slow down and see the world clearly.

Bookmark them if you like - no rush, just ideas for the next time you want to slow down somewhere new.

5 Peaceful Easter Getaways in the French Riviera for a Slow Travel Escape