I don't understand why you think the time of year in May will be all wrong for the Cote d'Azur, aside from the Cannes issue (you couldn't pay me to stay there at that time, but I haven't done it, I just can't imagine if you weren't in the film industry why you would--there are some films the public can get into, but if you aren't a big film buff, anyway, why go to the trouble). It's possible you could see some celebrity somewhere, and there will be lots of crowds, but I think you have to be into film festivals and celebrities to get a thrill out of that. I've been to other film festivals as I really do like film, but not that one and that's kind of a different calibre than I've been to (I go to things like the documentary film festival or Banff mountain film festival).

But why is May all wrong for other places? It should be pleasant, moderate temps, not real hot like the peak of summer, and not as crowded. Now if you want to go into the water, it may not be that warm yet, but it doesn't sound like that is a big goal. But it should generally be nice for Provence and Nice and other places, I would think.

this article looks kind of good on the Cannes ambience http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/cannes.htm

I am sorry - perhaps I wasn't really explaining it well. I think May would be lovely for the general area. It's just that I specifically want to use my Marriott points for our hotel if I stay on the Cote d'azur, so my choices are limited to the JW in Cannes (at festival time) or the AC in Juan les Pins. I wouldn't be choosing a hotel somewhere else along the coast and actually paying for it

I believe my thinking is matching yours when it comes to the specific choice of staying in Cannes during the festival - it would be crazy and since I have no interest in films the free room may not be worth it.

Since I only have 11 nights, and really only want to do two of the three ( Provence, Dordogne and Cote d'azur) I think I should probably choose Provence and Dordogne over Provence and Cote d'azur, even though, logistically P and C fit better together. That is, unless someone comes along to tell me that Cannes during the festival is a "do not miss" event for the average joe.

Something tells me that isn't going to happen....

I think you should go with Provence and the Dordogne, unless you are a rabid film goer and don't mind heavy crowds. We were in Cannes during part of a festival some years ago, and I'd never do it again, even though we got to meet one of our favorite James Bonds, Sean Connery. Good luck!

Our first day in Nice last May was the end of the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Gran Prix. You need to factor two huge events going on. I would stay at Juan les Pins over Cannes anytime.

By all accounts, including your own, the film festival in Cannes is essentially a big trade fare dominated by showbiz dealmakers and eager starlets. In other words, it's for insiders rather than the general public. Not my idea of a good time (and I never went even when I was involved in the business.) Also, are you sure you can use points for a Marriott at that time? The festival's reputation is that accommodations are booked months, even years, in advance at astronomical prices. Even taxi drivers from other Riviera towns migrate to Cannes to cash in.
If you actually want to see films at a film festival, consider the Toronto International Film Festival in early September. It has become an important event in part because it draws huge and discerning crowds from the general public, in proper film theatres, providing the tycoons with valuable feedback. TIFF has grown so big that it sends hotel prices up even in such a big city.

Thanks for the replies and I have crossed Cannes off the list. Even a free hotel room is not worth it if the crowds and noise etc would drive me crazy. I do love using points for my room while on vacation but I think I will save this one for another time. No hardship though, I should find enough to do in Provence and the Dordogne to take the sting away

Run for the hills!!..avoid Cannes during the film festival as you would the plague..utter madness; overpriced hotels, restaurants and who the heck wants to see a bunch of no accounts anyway?

> We can use points to stay at the JW Marriott in Cannes for 5 days of the festival, OR the last two days of the festival and the first three days after

> I have crossed Cannes off the list.

My question is not relevant any more since Cannes is out but I wondered if any room was actually available for you during the period.

Juan les Pins is fine during film festival. It really is concentrated on Cannes. Hotels in Juan may get busy, but you will not notice the Film Festival there. And no problem in Nice either. Only thing is that hotels may be full, as the Grand Prix also draws people (easy connection to Monaco by train). But if you have a room, this shouldn't bother you.

Juan les Pins is not that busy outside of school holidays, and has lots of restaurants and nice beaches. And nearby Antibes is nice.

Hi Kappa1,

Yes, I have the room already reserved on points, but I will be canceling it. Breaks my heart a little bit because it really would have been a VERY good value for points. The least expensive room available is 929 euro per night for the 19th - 24th. I suspect the upgrade potential for a free room would have been very low, however Yes, I do want an upgrade with my free room - rather demanding of me but we have had wonderful luck at other Marriott properties around the world.

I think we will save the visit to the Cote d'Azur and eastern Provence for another time. It will be hard to choose between the JW in Cannes and the AC in Juan Les Pins when the time comes. It kind of irritates me though that Juan Les Pins charges 10e a day to sit at a sun lounger at the hotel's own pool. That could make me skip it as that is a terrible policy.

It's not the only hotel that does that. Most hotels charge for a sun lounger on the beach. Some will offer 2 chairs free on the beach or at the pool. At the Martinez in Cannes they will give you a lounger at the back of the beach - the ones near the sea are expensive. 40 euros per beach chair is not uncommon.

Heureux tete du fromage,

I stopped in Cannes one morning at the beginning of the festival years ago. There were still rooms available in town but only the big buck rooms. So I roamed around the town and the promenade for the day and hopped back on the train with my EurailPass that evening heading east. I also hate crowds but there is something about a festival that draws me in. Some of my best times in Europe have been Queen's Day in Amsterdam and Oktoberfest in Munich, plus many other lesser known events.

If I had free rooms I would go Cannes again. It's a no-brainer. One word of caution on the free rooms. I have seen some up scale hotels in Monaco where the room price and "service charge" are two separate line items. The service charge is usually included in room rates throughout Europe, but on the Cote d'Azur it can be an additional 15%. Ouch! I suggest that you verify that your free room includes the service charge which is supposedly a tip for the staff. Heck, I would make my own bed for that.

Hi Tulips - I noticed that about the beach chairs in southern France and, weirdly, am ok with charging for the beach chair if the beach is not owned by the hotel. I was surprised when it is at the hotels own pool and the pool is right on the property. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised though - like the airlines, hotels are going to want to do a little extra cash grab if they can get away with it. Wonder how much they would charge to actually get into the pool??

Spaarne - Heck, I would make YOUR bed for 15% of the room charge Luckily the only extra charge is a euro 2.80 daily tax - maybe for the city. Who knows, however, they might charge 4 or 5 euro each time I want to use the elevator.

BTW, your "Heureux tete du fromage" did a Google translate to "happy head cheese" which has a whole different feel to it and cracked me up.

BTW, your "Heureux tete du fromage" did a Google translate to "happy head cheese" which has a whole different feel to it and cracked me up.

My French is a bit rusty, but I wouldn't be sure of Google's translation either. There are a few French experts on Fodor's and I hope one of them can offer a comment.

I hope they don't correct it at all because I quite like it just the way it is

I am just imagining wearing a big chunk of head cheese to a Packer game. Not a bad plan, actually, to bring your own snacks.......

I am absolutely astonished that the Marriott would be giving out any rooms at all on points during the festival.

Consider The Marriott Courtyard in Montpellier. We spent 4 nights there last October on points (15,000 a night) and we really like the area.

I'm not a French expert, but that phrase doesn't look correct because the gender doesn't match (heureux is the masculine adjective, but tete is a feminine word) And adjectives usually follow the noun. Of course cheesehead isn't a real word but I think it should be tete heureuse de fromage, because fromage is modifying tete or just descriptive, it isn't a matter of possession (reason for de rather than "du"). It isn't the cheese of the head, meaning it isn't that the cheese belongs to the head. Just don't say fromage de tete as that does mean something different in French (headcheese which is that gross meat jelly or terrine thing).

kerouac - me too. Whats more, the rooms that are going for euro 929 (or more - some days I am there the cheapest room is now over 2k euro) are prepaid, non-refundable rooms and the point rooms are cancelable up to the day before. There are a few dates blocked off now but, they still have points rooms available for some of the festival nights.

The cynical me thinks that there is a good chance I would get walked if they really did sell out on paid rooms. If I got walked Marriott would have to pay for the night(s) at another hotel (Juan Les Pins perhaps?) plus pay us $200 and give us 2 free room certificates. A good deal for them if they are going to get 1000-2000 euro cash for the room from someone else.

Hi Deb - we actually will be at the Montpellier Courtyard 5 nights. Now if only someone would get to that part in their France trip report........ No pressure, but maybe now that you are back in that neck of the woods you might be inspired to work on it some more. I think there is someone else waiting to hear about it t0o but I cannot remember exactly who.

Thanks for the help on the french, Christina, and you are right - "Cheesehead" doesn't really translate too well.

Cheesehead,

Guess I'll stay off the French for now.

It seems like you haven't made up your mind about where to go, as long as it can be paid for with points. The ex and I stayed at Montpellier for a few days a couple of decades ago, in August. It is a nice pleasant city. I can remember going to the beach, finding a walled city, attending a bull fight nearby, and going over to Nimes which was more interesting than Montpellier. I suggest that you get the Michelin Green Guides for Provence (includes Nimes) and the Green Guide for Languedoc, Roussillon, and Tarn Gorges (includes Montpellier) and do some reading. You haven't yet said what you want to do on this trip or what your interests are.

I'm sure you will find the Mediterranean area almost devoid of tourists in May. It doesn't get busy until school holidays start in July. But the mosquitos may be out. Bring some insect repellant.

Have you considered going to Biarritz and over the border to Donostia San Sebastian? I've been to San Sebastian a couple of times and find it to be one of the most beautiful cites in Europe with an interesting old town filled with cafes serving all sorts of tapas, though the Basques have a different name for these morsels. Biaritz is overflowing during the summer season but I had no problem finding a room and getting a discount on the spot in June. I think there is a casino there. I spent some time at the beach enjoying my favorite exercise, body surfing. The water was excellent.