Destination guide
Car hire in Nice for crew on a break
Nice's old town and promenade are easy on foot, but the French Riviera's real draw is the coast road itself — the Corniche routes that hug the cliffs between Nice, Monaco and Menton are some of the most scenic driving in Europe, and they're only really accessible with your own car.
Why bother with a car here
Stick to walking and the tram for Nice's old town and beachfront. But the coastline either side — Èze's clifftop village, Monaco, Cap Ferrat, or inland to the perfume town of Grasse — is built for a car. The famous corniche roads (Basse, Moyenne, Grande) each offer a different angle on the same stunning coastline, and driving them is genuinely part of the experience, not just a means to an end.
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Search car hire →What to know about driving here
- Driving side: right-hand side.
- The corniche roads are narrow, cliffside and popular — go early to avoid tour traffic, and don't rush the views.
- Monaco parking is expensive and limited — budget extra time to find a spot, or consider parking just outside and walking in.
- Nice Airport (NCE) is close to the city with rental desks in both terminals.
Good use of a day off
The Moyenne Corniche from Nice to Monaco via Èze is the classic run — stop in Èze's clifftop village for the views alone. With more time, continuing to Menton near the Italian border rounds out a full coastal day.
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Search car hire →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Nice itself?+
No — the old town and promenade are easily walkable, with trams covering the rest. A car is for the coastline beyond the city.
What are the corniche roads?+
Three parallel coastal roads (Basse, Moyenne, Grande Corniche) linking Nice to Monaco at different elevations, each with its own views — genuinely scenic driving, not just a route.
Is parking in Monaco difficult?+
Yes, it's expensive and limited. Budget extra time, or consider parking outside the city and walking in.