Atmospheric coastal town between French border and Genoa

Genoa is only a two-hour drive from Menton. San Remo is probably the most famous city between the two, but it's so easy to visit there from Menton. The trip from Genoa to Milan is fairly straightforward north, so staying in Genoa for two nights would be a no-brainer for convenience. For more charm and intimacy, Portofino is an hour east of Genoa, so you'd have to backtrack a bit to get to Milan.

San Remo for a two night stay as it has a good variety of qualities.. https://www.marthasitaly.com/articles/145/

If you want two one-night stays in smaller, older towns, you could do Alassio or Finale Borgo and Varazze.

San Remo isn't very atmospheric. I found it dirty, even the water there is brown due to the breakwater they have on the beach. It's a bigger city too which means more crime, we had our window smashed and our car broken into there one time. Never went back, was very disappointed.

We liked staying in Genoa- spent 2 nights and could of stayed longer. A very historical and interesting city. Great food and very helpful people.

We liked staying in Genoa- spent 2 nights and could of stayed longer. A very historical and interesting city. Great food and very helpful people.

Do you have a car?
Personally along the route, I like Varigotti or Noli. Laigueglia is also very nice, but maybe too close to Menton.
If you want to stay in Genoa, then I'd stay at Genova Boccadesse, east of the port.

Thanks to all for the replies.forgot to mention no car.so doing the train thing.

"forgot to mention no car"

Important detail. Without a car, "atmospheric" will be more limited and challenging.

If you traveled on a spacecraft the trip could even be stratospheric.

We really like Genoa. Stopped there between Roma and Antibes for only one night, but could have used more time. Great aquarium and we had some fine meals at reasonable prices. Stayed at Hotel Le Nuvole, walkable from the train station.