After a full month soaking up the sunshine on the French Riviera, we’re back in London and ready to share the full story of our summer escape to Cap d’Antibes and beyond. If you caught the first part of this series, you’ll know we began with a week of exploring, swimming, dining at some gorgeous restaurants, and easing into holiday mode. Now that the trip has wrapped up, here’s the complete recap – from the practicalities of road-tripping with a dog to our favourite discoveries in Cap d’Antibes, old town Antibes, and along the glittering Côte d’Azur.
The Journey: Driving to the Riviera
Our adventure began behind the wheel of a Mercedes GLS 450D, the ultimate companion for a family road trip. Spacious, comfortable, and smooth, it had space for everything: Coco (our Boston Terrier) tucked into her own corner, children happily spread out, and more than enough room for the inevitable piles of luggage that come with a month away.
With an impressive range of around 650-700 miles on a full 90L tank, the drive felt effortless. We broke the journey with an overnight stop in Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital – staying at a simple Novotel: nothing extravagant, but clean, comfortable, and just what we needed before the final stretch South.
Driving across Europe has become a family tradition for us. Two summers ago we ventured through France and Italy, staying in a VRBO villa, and loved the freedom it gave us (you can read all about that trip here). VRBO continues to be one of my favourite ways to find family-friendly villas, though this year our Cap d’Antibes home came through a word-of-mouth recommendation – and it was perfect.
Travelling with Coco
This was our first month-long trip with Coco, and it turned out to be far easier than expected. Preparation was everything:
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC): issued by our vet within 10 days of travel, plus an up-to-date rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before departure).
- Microchip & EU-compliant ID: non-negotiable for crossing borders.
- Tapeworm treatment: required before returning to the UK.
- Eurotunnel over ferry: by far the least stressful option for dogs – you remain in your own car, they simply scan the microchip and you just head over to the ‘office’ to show documents.
- Breaks & comfort: regular stops made all the difference.
France is wonderfully dog-friendly – Coco was welcome almost everywhere, even in the local pharmacy (something unheard of in London). Because of the heat, we took her out early mornings and evenings, and she adapted beautifully. Boston Terriers are natural little travellers, especially when made part of the adventure.
Living Like Locals in Antibes
Our villa in Cap d’Antibes was everything we dreamed of: a pool for languid afternoon swims, shaded terraces for endless family lunches, and plenty of space to spread out.
Cap d’Antibes itself felt magical – pine-shaded coastal paths, rocky coves, and Baie des Milliardaires (“Millionaire’s Bay”), one of the most stunning beaches we’ve ever seen. Most mornings began at our own little hidden cove (shared in a previous post here): tucked away, cave-like, and often almost empty – it felt like a private slice of the Riviera.
From Cap, we would often wander into old town Antibes. It quickly became part of our rhythm: morning boulangerie runs, Provençal markets spilling over with olives and cheeses, sandy beaches, and the lively port where yachts glowed at sunset. A balance of Riviera glamour and village charm.
Exploring the Riviera: Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Menton
Though Cap d’Antibes kept us perfectly content, the pull of neighbouring towns was irresistible.
- Cannes dazzled with its palm-lined Croisette, beach clubs, and terrace cafés humming well past midnight.
- Nice charmed with its Italianate façades, Belle Époque hotels, and the sweep of the Baie des Anges. We hopped on the little electric train (€14 adults, €7 children via @getyourguide_de ), a surprisingly fun way to see the city without too much walking.
- Monte Carlo delivered Riviera grandeur in full force – the casino, the palace, the harbour brimming with superyachts. It’s a place that never fails to stun, however many times you visit.
- Menton was a stop I’d been waiting years for – I first glimpsed it from above on a drive to Tuscany, and it’s long lived in my imagination. Perhaps the grey skies dampened its sparkle, but I found it a little underwhelming: pretty, yes, but slightly worn at the edges. The redeeming highlight was again the little tourist train, which gave us sweeping views of the coast despite the rain.
Further inland, Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence remain must-visits: one perched high above the sea with its perfumery and cobbled lanes, the other alive with art and Provençal beauty.
A Family Affair
This trip was about more than just place – it was about people. Early in our stay, my dear friend Lucy joined us with her daughters (the elder, my goddaughter). They flew in from London for three nights, and those days together were pure joy – from late-night dinners to a morning adventure at Aquasplash, the local water park. With four children between us, it was the perfect outing: waterslides, wave pools, and plenty of laughter. Just across the road you’ll also find Marineland and other kid-friendly attractions, so there’s no shortage of ways to keep little ones or teens entertained.
Midway through, my parents arrived and brought a whole new warmth to the villa – slow mornings with figs and croissants, afternoons by the pool, evenings filled with conversation, games and exploring. Having the space and time to share this corner of the Riviera with people we love was a gift.
The Takeaway
Spending an entire month in Cap d’Antibes allowed us to slow down, live like locals, and weave ourselves into the rhythm of the Riviera. Travelling by car gave us the freedom to bring Coco without compromise, and having a villa that felt like home made all the difference.
And the Mercedes GLS 450D? A dream -spacious enough for big families, incredibly comfortable for long drives, and smooth on every twist of the Riviera roads. Truly the ultimate road-trip companion.
Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. In fact, I suspect road trips with Coco will become our new family tradition. The Riviera has a way of drawing you back – and after this summer, we’re already dreaming of the next.
