Why Right Now Is the Perfect Time to Visit the French Riviera and Monaco
- Christianne Klein
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
There’s a magic to the French Riviera that goes beyond its sun-soaked beaches and glamorous ports- one that’s found in the kindness of the people who live there. From the moment I first visited the tiny country of Monaco as a little girl, just eight or nine years old, I was struck by how patient and warm everyone was with someone speaking French in what was surely a poor accent. That generosity of spirit is profoundly different from the often brisk pace of Paris. On a later trip through Provence, I spent more than an hour laughing and chatting with salt and spice purveyors in a tiny shop, tasting salts from around the world as they eagerly shared their favorites. I still treasure the gorgeous Iranian blue salt I brought
home from that trip. And when I was a child, in the village of Èze, I discovered a small shop run by a family that had passed it down through generations. There, my parents bought me a delicate chess and checkers set as a special gift to remember the trip by, each piece small enough to fit in a corked glass vial- a keepsake I’ve treasured all these years. These moments of connection- the conversations, the shared laughter, the tiny treasures- are what make traveling unforgettable. They stick with you for a lifetime.
Right now, October is one of the best times to visit Monaco and the French Riviera. Though it is technically the start of the rainy season, showers are usually brief and mild, rarely enough to interfere with a full itinerary unless your goal is a beach vacation. The trade-off is immense: fewer crowds, calmer streets, and the ability to explore the region at a leisurely pace. You don’t have the chaos of the Cannes Film Festival or the roar of engines during Monaco’s F1 Grand Prix in May. Hotels and restaurants are more accessible, reservations are easier to secure, and wandering the charming streets of Monaco or the hilltop alleys of Èze feels far more intimate than during the peak summer months.
For food lovers, Nice is an absolute delight. The seafood here is outstanding- fresh, flavorful, and often prepared in the simplest yet most exquisite ways. From tender grilled fish to mussels bathed in garlic and white wine, every meal feels like a celebration of the Mediterranean. Pair it with local rosé or a crisp white wine, and you’re savoring the Riviera in its purest form.
Monaco still offers all its signature glamour- luxurious boutiques, the Prince’s Palace, the Monte Carlo Casino, and the Oceanographic Museum- but now it comes with a serene elegance. Beyond Monaco, the Riviera is perfect for day trips: take the train or a scenic drive to Nice, wander the flower markets in Antibes, or explore the mountaintop village of Èze. For perfume lovers like me, a visit to Grasse, the perfume capital, is an absolute must. The historic perfumeries craft bespoke fragrances inspired by the region’s flowers and herbs, and I’ve built a small collection of one-of-a-kind creations that I keep in a dedicated perfume fridge. But beware- these are not your typical perfumes. They pack a powerful, gorgeous, and sometimes overwhelming punch. On one early trip, my mother and I used what we thought was a small amount of perfume oil, only to spend the next 20 minutes trying to wash off the intense fragrance to a manageable level.
Whether it’s the small, treasured moments of connection in a shop, the breathtaking views, the incredible seafood, or the calm luxury of a quieter season, Monaco and the French Riviera in October offer an unmatched travel experience. It’s the perfect combination of elegance, charm, and authenticity- a time to savor the region fully, without the summer rush, and to create memories that will stay with you forever.
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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