Sunset Ride was born in Nice, and this is where the heart of our fleet lives. Pick up your classic car a stone's throw from the Promenade des Anglais, or have it delivered to your hotel, and watch the city unroll from behind a vintage wheel: Belle Époque façades, the Lympia port, the climb up Mont Boron.
Renting a classic car in Nice starts with picking your backdrop. The city suits every pace: the long sweep of the Promenade des Anglais to get a feel for the car, the Rauba Capeu bend below Castle Hill, the ochre and red façades of the Lympia port, then the wooded hairpins of Mont Boron. Higher up, Cimiez keeps its Belle Époque palaces, Roman arena and the Matisse museum among the olive trees, a hill where a vintage car looks like it has always been parked.
Nice is also the best base on the French Riviera. All three corniches start here, heading for Villefranche, Èze and Monaco. Antibes and Cannes are less than an hour west, and the hinterland begins almost at the end of the street, with Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Vence and the Gorges du Loup. With 150 km included per day, one rental covers the sea in the morning and hilltop villages in the afternoon.
Our Riviera fleet lives here: British roadsters like the Triumph TR3 and Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes Pagoda and R107, Porsche 911, a Ford Mustang convertible, and two Rolls Royces that come with a chauffeur. Paul, Ambre and the team will point you to the car that suits your day, which is not always the priciest one.
Belle Époque Nice, from the port to Cimiez
1.5 to 2 hours
Head east along the Promenade des Anglais and the Quai des États-Unis, then round the Rauba Capeu bend where the whole Baie des Anges opens up at once. Skirt the Lympia port and its Italian-style façades, then take the hairpins of Boulevard du Mont-Boron: pines, villas and, at the top, Fort du Mont Alban, with Villefranche bay on one side and Nice on the other. Come back through the centre and climb to Cimiez for its grand old hotels and the monastery garden. A perfect first hour behind the wheel, or a wedding photo session.
Up the Grande Corniche, back on the Basse Corniche
Half a day, about 50 km
To see why the Riviera has hooked drivers for a century, take the Grande Corniche (D2564) over the Col des Quatre Chemins and the Col d'Èze: the highest road, the widest views, all the way to La Turbie and its Trophy of Augustus. Drop down to Monaco, then come home at sea level on the Basse Corniche through Cap-d'Ail, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche. Plenty of bends, very few straights, and the sea within arm's reach all the way back.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the Gorges du Loup
Full day, around 100 km
Leave through Cagnes-sur-Mer and La Colle-sur-Loup to reach Saint-Paul-de-Vence, its ramparts and the Fondation Maeght close by. Carry on to Vence, then Tourrettes-sur-Loup, the village of violets clinging to its cliff. At Pont-du-Loup, drive up the gorge on the D6 between limestone walls and waterfalls, then come back along the opposite side on the D3 to Gourdon, an eagle's nest with views stretching to the sea. Return to the coast via Le Bar-sur-Loup. This is where a manual convertible really shines.
- Pick-up or delivery
- Collect the car from our base at 48 Route de Canta Galet, with a full walkthrough: controls, roof, gearbox quirks. We can also deliver it to your hotel on the Promenade, your villa or your venue, quoted on request.
- When to go
- The car is yours from 9 am to 8 pm. Spring, September and October bring soft light and quiet roads, ideal for the hinterland. In July and August, set off early for the corniches and save the Promenade for the evening, when the sun drops over the Baie des Anges.
- Driving and parking in Nice
- Old Nice is largely pedestrian, so use a nearby underground car park such as Saleya or Corvésy rather than hunting for a street space. Watch out for tram and bus lanes in the centre. On the corniches, brake early on the descents: period brakes appreciate a gentle touch.
- Rental conditions
- Drivers must be 25 or over and have held a licence for at least 3 years. Insurance for two drivers, 150 km per day and a tailor-made itinerary are included. A deposit secures the booking, the balance is paid at handover, and the security deposit depends on the car, from €4,000 to €12,000. Full tank at pick-up, full tank on return.
Where is the pick-up point in Nice?
At 48 Route de Canta Galet, Nice, and we deliver your car to your hotel, villa or event venue on request.
How much does a rental in Nice cost?
From €290 to €1,990 a day depending on the car, two-driver insurance included. The most popular convertibles (Mercedes Pagoda, Porsche, Jaguar E-Type) range from €590 to €1,190.
Can I rent a wedding car in Nice?
Yes, it's one of our specialities: decorated car, keys handed over right on time, and a chauffeur option on request.
Which wedding car should I choose in Nice?
For a grand arrival, the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (€1,790) and Corniche (€1,990) come with a chauffeur, six hours included. If you'd rather drive yourselves, the 1965 Ford Mustang V8 or the Mercedes 350SL R107, both four-seat convertibles, leave room for a witness. Decorations are available on request, in your wedding colours.
Where are the best wedding photo spots in Nice?
Our favourites: the Rauba Capeu curve with the Baie des Anges behind you, the colourful quays of the Lympia port, the avenues of Cimiez and the lookouts on Mont Boron. The Promenade des Anglais is a classic in late afternoon, when low sun makes the chrome glow. We time the handover around your schedule.
Do I need to drive a manual?
No. Several cars are automatic: Ford Mustang, Mercedes 350SL and 450SL, Chevrolet Corvette C3, Morgan Plus Four. Purists will go for the Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911 or Alfa Romeo Spider, all manual. Either way, we explain the car before you set off.
Are 150 km enough for a day?
For most drives from Nice, yes: the corniche loop is about 50 km and the Gorges du Loup loop around 100. If you're aiming further, the Estérel for instance, mention it in your request and we'll adapt the itinerary with you.
What happens if the car breaks down?
Our cars are carefully maintained, but they are classics and a breakdown can happen. Sunset Ride covers the recovery unless the driver is at fault. Just call the team and we take it from there.
Ready to take the wheel in Nice?
Tell us your dates and occasion, answer within 24 hours.
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