Our European adventure began in Nice, France. This was our first time traveling outside the country, and we were determined to make it an unforgettable experience. One of the best decisions we made was learning the basics of the French language before our trip. Being able to navigate buses, trains, and ask for help in French made our journey so much smoother. If you’re planning a trip to France, my top advice is to learn some essential phrases—it truly makes a world of difference…plus it was super fun talking in French and learning something new!

Day 1 – Nice, France

We arrived in the morning, and to combat our jet lag, we jumped straight into exploring. On our first day, we wandered through the beautiful city, visiting iconic spots like the boardwalk, the charming local streets, Villa Masséna Musée, and Colline du Château. I remember how, despite being jet-lagged and tired, we decided to take on a hike. We climbed to the top of a mountain and were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the entire city of Nice. Coming back down was an adventure in itself—we hopped on a little train that brought us back to the boardwalk.

Day 2 – Èze & Menton

The next day, we took a quick trip to Èze, a recommendation from one of my brides. It was stunning, though the stairs were intense! Walking through the narrow, stone-walled paths felt like stepping into a movie—it was beyond magical, even though it was a small area to explore. From Èze, we headed to one of my bucket list destinations: Menton. It absolutely did not disappoint. This picturesque town, close to the Italian border, offered everything we hoped for. We found amazing pizza, strolled through the charming streets, toured a cathedral, admired the coastline, and watched sailboats drift by. It was so lovely. From there, we couldn’t resist taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea. Though the rocky beach pinched our feet and the water wasn’t as refreshing as we expected, it was still so much fun watching everyone splash around and enjoy themselves.

 

Day 3 – Villefranche-sur-Mer

On our final day, we explored more of Nice, visiting additional churches and even Roman ruins of Arènes de Cimiez. We also took a quick train ride to Villefranche-sur-Mer. Although it was a lovely, boat-focused town, it didn’t make our list of favorites. It felt like there wasn’t much to do for us unless we rented a boat, which we’d consider for next time! We returned to Nice early, grabbed some sweets, and spent our evening soaking up the vibrant energy of the boardwalk as the sun was setting. After our dip in the sea, we decided to enjoy some dinner. One of the highlights of our time in Nice was indulging in the local cuisine. Our favorite spot was Gina, where we had the most delicious pasta! Nice felt like a perfect blend of French and Italian influences, offering a taste of both cultures. To end our trip, we relaxed on our hotel balcony, enjoying the peaceful night and watching life unfold around us.

If you’re planning a wedding south of France, count me in! I would love to photograph your France wedding! Reach out here!