Has anyone been to Vallauris in the South of France?
May 11th, 2006, 10:40 AM
#1
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Has anyone been to Vallauris in the South of France?
We will be staying at a home in Vallauris (between Cannes & Nice) for about 10 days in June and need recommendations on what to do in the area, restaurants,side trips, how to get around--can we do bus & train or would it be recommended to get a car? if we get a car, is it hard to find parking in surrounding towns?
Any help and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Any help and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
May 11th, 2006, 10:55 AM
#2
it's a pleasant enough town actually made famous by Picasso who lived there for ten years and he helped impell the locals to bring back their once thriving
ceramics. At Musée National Picasso, "La Guerre et La Paix" in the village's chapel of the chateau hangs Picassos mural. Nice is woth a visit but I'd forget Cannes. The other better Musee Picasso is in Antibes. St Paul-de-Vence is a nice day trip. Sit at the cafe in front of the boule court. Visit the Colombe D'Or with the works of famous artists displayed all over the hotel and a huge Calder by the pool.
ceramics. At Musée National Picasso, "La Guerre et La Paix" in the village's chapel of the chateau hangs Picassos mural. Nice is woth a visit but I'd forget Cannes. The other better Musee Picasso is in Antibes. St Paul-de-Vence is a nice day trip. Sit at the cafe in front of the boule court. Visit the Colombe D'Or with the works of famous artists displayed all over the hotel and a huge Calder by the pool.
May 11th, 2006, 01:49 PM
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Thanks for the feedback Cigal...
Can I ask why you say to skip Cannes?
I'm interested to see the Picasso museum especially since he lived there, however other than that I think we will stay out of the museums. We are hoping more for a romantic trip, with beautiful spots, beaches, mountains, great cafes, unique areas to explore--the great outdoors.
Any recommendations for a great spot to get mussels or crepes or food known in the area--a special hole in the wall or a spectacular location?
Thank you for any and all help.
Can I ask why you say to skip Cannes?
I'm interested to see the Picasso museum especially since he lived there, however other than that I think we will stay out of the museums. We are hoping more for a romantic trip, with beautiful spots, beaches, mountains, great cafes, unique areas to explore--the great outdoors.
Any recommendations for a great spot to get mussels or crepes or food known in the area--a special hole in the wall or a spectacular location?
Thank you for any and all help.
May 11th, 2006, 02:19 PM
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Vallauris is famous for its pottery and when you pottery shop in other towns and villages throughout the region just take a peek at the bottom of the pottery they are selling and more than likely it its from Vallauris....so if you are interested in pottery buy while you're there!
A day trip to St. Tropez would top my list - traffic shouldn't be too bad in June. Spend the day at their beautiful beaches, get a massage on the beach, have dinner in town (watch the paparazzi)and go back home after sunset....very romantic!
I would get a car.
A drive to Eze is nice too!
A day trip to St. Tropez would top my list - traffic shouldn't be too bad in June. Spend the day at their beautiful beaches, get a massage on the beach, have dinner in town (watch the paparazzi)and go back home after sunset....very romantic!
I would get a car.
A drive to Eze is nice too!
May 11th, 2006, 02:56 PM
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Cannes is essentially a large resort town.
Near Vallauris is the pretty little town of Valbonne, off the tourist path and absolutely charming. Also close to Vallauris is Biot, famous for its glass-blown products. You can see things being made in the large workshop, and there's an excellent museum of art glass as well as an extensive gift shop.
A short ride to the west is old Mougins, a hilltop village of galleries, interesting houses, and excellent restaurants. Our favorite one there is Le Feu Follet, right near the town entrance.
You can also go up to the perfume town of Grasse, the mountain town of Tourette-sur-Loup, and the very perched village of Gourdon and its castle.
These days there's a rail line that goes up from Cannes to Grasse, and I think you could get around by bus to the assorted villages.
Near Vallauris is the pretty little town of Valbonne, off the tourist path and absolutely charming. Also close to Vallauris is Biot, famous for its glass-blown products. You can see things being made in the large workshop, and there's an excellent museum of art glass as well as an extensive gift shop.
A short ride to the west is old Mougins, a hilltop village of galleries, interesting houses, and excellent restaurants. Our favorite one there is Le Feu Follet, right near the town entrance.
You can also go up to the perfume town of Grasse, the mountain town of Tourette-sur-Loup, and the very perched village of Gourdon and its castle.
These days there's a rail line that goes up from Cannes to Grasse, and I think you could get around by bus to the assorted villages.
May 11th, 2006, 04:46 PM
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Thank you--these are great recommendations! Please keep them coming.
As a first timer, would you recommend blending in Provence with this trip? Or just focus on the Cote d'azur areas this time around?
Was also thinking of a day trip or overnight to Italy just over the border. Thought it would be fun to drive into another country and get a little flavor of the culture and food.
There are so many places in the area I want to explore--it's hard to figure out an itinerary.
As a first timer, would you recommend blending in Provence with this trip? Or just focus on the Cote d'azur areas this time around?
Was also thinking of a day trip or overnight to Italy just over the border. Thought it would be fun to drive into another country and get a little flavor of the culture and food.
There are so many places in the area I want to explore--it's hard to figure out an itinerary.
May 11th, 2006, 08:34 PM
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The Côte d'Azur is part of Provence...the eastern part. With ten days, I think you could head over to western Provence for a few days and see some of the major sights. That would be the time to get a car, as the train from Cannes to, say, Avignon isn't especially fast, and you'd need a car to explore the small villages in that region.
May 11th, 2006, 10:55 PM
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I would visit Cannes as its so close; make up your own mind about it! Nice restaurants in Rue Antoine (highly recommend Mantel), Suquet. Also nice to have lunch on the beach in Juan les Pins; ugly town, but fun, and some reasonable places, just for pizza right on the beach. My kids love Juan; lots of little boutiques too.
And as mentioned Valbonne, Biot, Mougins.
I would definitely want a car. I drive everywhere in July and parking is fine.
Trip to StTrop; leave early on market day (I think Tuesday), have breakfast there, watch boats, people. Maybe spend afternoon on beach in Ramatuelle (club 55 for the best people watching!)
And; Vallauris is a nice place, but also has some less than nice areas with lots of unemployment etc. Watch your belongings, lock car doors and windows.
Have a great time!
And as mentioned Valbonne, Biot, Mougins.
I would definitely want a car. I drive everywhere in July and parking is fine.
Trip to StTrop; leave early on market day (I think Tuesday), have breakfast there, watch boats, people. Maybe spend afternoon on beach in Ramatuelle (club 55 for the best people watching!)
And; Vallauris is a nice place, but also has some less than nice areas with lots of unemployment etc. Watch your belongings, lock car doors and windows.
Have a great time!
May 11th, 2006, 11:01 PM
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Oh, and for 10 days I would not add Provence; lots to do around Cote d azur (but then, we usually spend 3 weeks just in that area).
Trip to Monaco is also an option. Or maybe Ventimiglia. There is a big market there for fake bags etc.
Trip to Monaco is also an option. Or maybe Ventimiglia. There is a big market there for fake bags etc.
May 12th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Thanks Tulips--I love your suggestion for St. Trop.
I definitely want to see Monaco too. Do you think a car is needed for the coastal areas? If not, what is the best way to get around?
Do you have a recommendation on a good place (read inexpensive) to get a car?
I definitely want to see Monaco too. Do you think a car is needed for the coastal areas? If not, what is the best way to get around?
Do you have a recommendation on a good place (read inexpensive) to get a car?
May 12th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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Cannes has sandy beaches which I love! Nice has a pebble beach, not to comfy.
It's best to use the bus or train along the coast, and to Monaco also. Both are easy to use. When one goes on strike you can use the other
It's best to use the bus or train along the coast, and to Monaco also. Both are easy to use. When one goes on strike you can use the other
May 13th, 2006, 02:48 AM
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JES, we always have our own car (live in Belgium) but I know the train goes along the coast and Cannes, Juan, Nice, Antibes, Monaco etc are easy to get to. No train to St Tropez.
I think Easy car is usually reasonable.
I think Easy car is usually reasonable.
