Patrick

We are thinking of adding a week next summer for Nice and wanting an apartment. Meanwhile we will NOT be using a car next summer, so want to have easy access to trains to travel to various other towns along the coast. We've done the full area before and are sort of familiar. While we love Nice and would be happy staying there, I'm wondering about an apartment somewhere between Nice and Monte Carlo (we spent a week in Cannes last summer). We'd like to keep it under $1000 for the week if possible in June or early July. The beach is not important to us and we don't want to be stuck "out" somewhere, character and lots of restauarants is more the ticket we're looking for -- step out the door for morning coffee. Any ideas?

Sher

Patrick. About four years ago friends of mine and I spent a week in Beaulieu Sur Mer.
This is a nice little town with a train station in its center. There is good train service up and down the coast. We had a car, but we also took the train to Nice for shopping and also even into Italy.
We spent a week at the Residence Eiffel. It has self catering apartments of one bedroom (sort of an alcove) and also a sofa sleeper (which I used and it was comfortable). The apartments are small but some face the sea. There is no beach access, but you can open your windows in the morning and see it right in front of you.
There also are some apartments with balconies.
I would say the apartments are a three star. They are not fancy, but the cost is good and you can have maid service or not. As I remember the maid service was not very much and worth it.

The train station is about three blocks away.
I would stay there again in a minute because they were clean, on the water with that great view and reasonably inexpensive. They only rent by the week.
Good luck.

Sher

P.S. www.residence-eiffel.com As I can see the website is still only in French.
That was the hardest part of the reservation for me.

Weadles

The Residence Eiffel sounds lovely, but I don't think Beaulieu would be my first pick. I remember it as being rather sleepy, with not so many restaurants and cafes. What about looking just next door in St.Jean Cap de Ferrat ( although in season it may be tough to find an apartment there for $1000) or in Villefranche, both of which offer more of what you're looking for?

susanna

Sher: these apartments look wonderful for our trip next summer...I couldn't find any prices on their website, can you give me a ballpark figure for either the studio or the little larger one..thanks.

Patrick

Thank you, Sher. I almost mentioned Beaulieu Sur Mer in my original post. While I realize it may be a bit "sleepy" there, it would certainly have a range of restaurants, and more importantly easy access to the train for a 10 minute or so ride into Monte Carlo or Nice or others and easy return from dinners. I have emailed Residence Eiffel and it does look lovely, but I suspect out of the price range we'd like to stick to. Although I said "apartment" we could care less about a kitchen, so this is really very nice. We only like an apartment so that we have more room to stretch out, relax, and feel comfortable. Those suties really do look nice -- particularly the showers -- can't stand those open tubs with hand helds or tiny linen closet sized showers, the two alternatives usually found in French apartments.

Sher

Well Patrick. When we were there it was way under $1000 a week. And I stopped in again just for old times sake in the summer of 2003 and the prices had gone up but not a lot.

Of course with the Euro versus the Dollar, well you know the story. I did pick up a brochure when I was there summer before last to compare and I may still have it.

Yes, this town is sleepy, but I liked it. There are several good restaurants and a nice waterfront area. As I remember, we were not impressed with the restaurant in the main house on the property which was actually Eiffel's residence. Hence the name.

O,K, guys. I found the original bill. Can you believe the stuff I keep.

They have an underground garage for your car and also a side lot. There is a charge. We paid for the underground which was more expensive, and not really necessary.

The bill for two in a sea view apartment with maid service and the garage parking was 761 Euro. At that time the maid service was $10 extra per day.

If I remember correctly from 2003 it had gone up about the equivilant of $100 for the week for the apartment itself.

They required at the time a 25% deposit. And what we had was considered a studio which was plenty big enough. The shower was nice and the toilet was by itself.

Cannot find the more current brochure.

Underhill

gracejoan rented a very nice small apartment in Villefranche last year, with a lovely view of the harbor. I'll alert her to this thread so she can give you the information.

Sher

Just realized with the dollar to euro ratio that shots your $1000 limit.

Underhill

Here's the info on the apartment that Joan liked very much:

http://holiday-rentals.com/index.cfm/property/8595.cfm

Patrick

Ah yes, that one does look nice, but at $1800 a month, that's well over our budget.

gracejoan

The one that Underhill gave you was the one I told her that I had rented.

I think if you look on the Holiday-rentals site that you will find something in your price range and your location.

Good luck!!

Patrick

Meanwhile I received an email already back from Residence Eiffel. Although it is only in French, I'm pretty sure it says they do not answer inquiries by email and they suggest I should not hesitate to call them (interesting since their website and email were only in French--I DO hesitate to call). Meanwhile I'd be really amazed if that place fits in the budget either--especially in July.

Thanks, gracejoan, I've been pouring over that site and have marked a few places. Interesting that some are quite a bit cheaper if in the first two weeks of July, but others go way up the first of July. I'm kind of thinking we would be the first week of July, depending on whether they require Saturday to Saturday booking as some of them do.

gracejoan

Patrick,
Take a look at the gite.com site..Med. Coast area of Provence....you may find something there.........

walkinaround

patrick,

if you are still considering Nice, then i very highly recommend the following apartment: http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/ind...perty/6303.cfm

we stayed in Unit 2 about a year ago and we were very happy with it. it is right above the chanel store in the centre of Nice...minutes from old town and the beach and in the heart of an area with great shopping and cafes. right off the airport bus. the only downsides (which were not a problem at all for us) were:
-the building itself is a little old and worn (but the apartments are newly renovated to a very high std - as you can see in the pics). we were a little worried as we made our way up the old lift for the first time. some units in the building seem to be offices.

-the apartments face the rear of the blg and therefore have little in the way of a view. terrace is small but ok for two.

other than that, we found it to be perfect and will return when we next visit Nice.

Sher

Patrick. I am surprised that they only will answer by phone. We did all of the reservations by email and fax. Well, times change.
I do have one more suggestion for you.
I have a friend who stays in Beaulieu every year in a apartment which he really likes.
He is traveling in Europe right now but has emailed me and I will drop him a line and see if I get an answer.
I didn't write down the name as I knew I could always get the information from him if I planned a return trip.
I will post if he answers.
Good luck.

Sher

Patrick. Here is another resource for you.
My friend Larry rents in Beaulieu every year. I thought it was the same apartment, but it actually is the same agent who makes apartment choices available to him.
Contact:

Immobiliere Pinci
29 Boulevard Generel Leclerc
Beaulieu Sur Mer, France
Tel: 3304933918
Fax: 330493012562

Good luck.