Where to stay in French Riviera for a 7-day trip?
Feb 29th, 2012, 01:23 PM
#1
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Where to stay in French Riviera for a 7-day trip?
I'll be traveling to French Riviera in July with my girlfriend for 7 days and plan to visit below:
Menton, Monte Carlo, Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Cannes, St. Tropez, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence
I have a car, so transportation is not a problem, but need to set up the right itinerary with place(s) to stay.
My initial plan was setting Nice as base and traveling around. But I'm open to any ideas/suggestions with hotel/town names.
Many thanks in advance!
Menton, Monte Carlo, Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Cannes, St. Tropez, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence
I have a car, so transportation is not a problem, but need to set up the right itinerary with place(s) to stay.
My initial plan was setting Nice as base and traveling around. But I'm open to any ideas/suggestions with hotel/town names.
Many thanks in advance!
Feb 29th, 2012, 01:32 PM
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I have a car, so transportation is not a problem>
well when I have been there in July the whole area seemed gridlocked - took forever to go anywhere - there are trains shuttling up and down the Riviera all the time that may make more sense on some trips (still nice to have a car) and buses can take you to any hill town as well - do not need a car but if bent on it fine but to me driving in this area in mid-summer when northern European descend on it like lemmings was no fun.
Nice makes a great base IMO for anyone and especially younger folk though any town logistically can be a nice base - Nice though is rather in the middle of the various day trips.
well when I have been there in July the whole area seemed gridlocked - took forever to go anywhere - there are trains shuttling up and down the Riviera all the time that may make more sense on some trips (still nice to have a car) and buses can take you to any hill town as well - do not need a car but if bent on it fine but to me driving in this area in mid-summer when northern European descend on it like lemmings was no fun.
Nice makes a great base IMO for anyone and especially younger folk though any town logistically can be a nice base - Nice though is rather in the middle of the various day trips.
Feb 29th, 2012, 01:35 PM
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What kinds of activities do you and your girlfriend enjoy?
If it's beaches, that might bring different kinds of suggestions.
My hub and I wanted to see all of the "must see" tourists sights during the day and have a nice base with many restaurants when we ended the day. We didn't drive so liked Nice for its good public transportation options. It might not be as easy to drive/park in though.
Aix might be a good place to base since you have a car.
Again, do you prefer small, intimate setting or larger town?
If it's beaches, that might bring different kinds of suggestions.
My hub and I wanted to see all of the "must see" tourists sights during the day and have a nice base with many restaurants when we ended the day. We didn't drive so liked Nice for its good public transportation options. It might not be as easy to drive/park in though.
Aix might be a good place to base since you have a car.
Again, do you prefer small, intimate setting or larger town?
Feb 29th, 2012, 02:18 PM
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Thanks for the fast replies! @PalenQ, you bring up an interesting point with the traffic, never occurred to me and will keep it in mind, thanks!
@TDudette if I can find a nice/boutique hotel, I would certainly prefer an intimate small-town setting, exactly because it would provide better transportation options and would be more relaxing. We are planning to spend more time on the beaches, less sight-seeing but driving around the country-side when we can and eat in good restaurants!
Again, many thanks for your replies, this already helps a lot!
@TDudette if I can find a nice/boutique hotel, I would certainly prefer an intimate small-town setting, exactly because it would provide better transportation options and would be more relaxing. We are planning to spend more time on the beaches, less sight-seeing but driving around the country-side when we can and eat in good restaurants!
Again, many thanks for your replies, this already helps a lot!
Feb 29th, 2012, 02:20 PM
#5
Nice is a great base if you're using public transport. With a car, I'm not so sure. Where would you park it? And how long would it take to get in and out of town in July? But you'd have to pay me a LOT of money to visit the Riviera in July. Does it have to be July, and/or does it have to be the Riviera? Do you like heat and crowds?
Feb 29th, 2012, 02:40 PM
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Who can help with good beach towns?
We stayed in Menton in March but I'm not sure if the "vibe" is young or not and it was too cold for the beach. We took a bus to Nice on that trip and there were para-sailers at what we thought is Cap-Martin. The bus was hot and crowded in March and we speculated that it would be a zoo in the summer.
The beach in Nice is STONY.
We stayed in Menton in March but I'm not sure if the "vibe" is young or not and it was too cold for the beach. We took a bus to Nice on that trip and there were para-sailers at what we thought is Cap-Martin. The bus was hot and crowded in March and we speculated that it would be a zoo in the summer.
The beach in Nice is STONY.
Feb 29th, 2012, 03:47 PM
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I've stayed in Juan Les Pins. It's a nice town with not quite the hustle bustle of other Riviera towns / cities.
I recently spent a week in Aix with a car. I would not recommend this as a hub for the Riviera. Too much driving, and if there's gridlock....
Juan Les Pins was my alternate choice to Nice, which is a pretty large city. I wanted a smaller town feel. Even though you have a car, Nice is a simple 10-15 min train ride into Nice. Exploring Nice is better on foot.
I don't know about JLP in July, as the town does have a casino or two.
I recently spent a week in Aix with a car. I would not recommend this as a hub for the Riviera. Too much driving, and if there's gridlock....
Juan Les Pins was my alternate choice to Nice, which is a pretty large city. I wanted a smaller town feel. Even though you have a car, Nice is a simple 10-15 min train ride into Nice. Exploring Nice is better on foot.
I don't know about JLP in July, as the town does have a casino or two.
Feb 29th, 2012, 04:00 PM
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I would call the beach at Nice "pebbly", not stony. It is not unpleasant to walk on it, and the benefit is that you don't get sand stuck everywhere.
We liked Nice a lot, and can recommend the Hotel le Grimaldi there. Very classy small hotel. No water views, but on a nice stret with markets and across from a pretty church.
We day-tripped to Antibes from Nice, via train. And another day we took the city bus to the Rothschild mansion and gardens, then walked down to cute little St Jean Cap Ferrat.
I have a trip report posted, which gives the details and restaurants we liked in Nice.
We liked Nice a lot, and can recommend the Hotel le Grimaldi there. Very classy small hotel. No water views, but on a nice stret with markets and across from a pretty church.
We day-tripped to Antibes from Nice, via train. And another day we took the city bus to the Rothschild mansion and gardens, then walked down to cute little St Jean Cap Ferrat.
I have a trip report posted, which gives the details and restaurants we liked in Nice.
Feb 29th, 2012, 04:34 PM
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I would ditch the car if you're going in July and go everywhere by train or bus. It's really easy and much more relaxing than getting stuck endlessly in gridlock between your destinations. I would still recommend staying in Nice, which offers so much to do plus great beaches and restaurants.
We used to go every summer and often stayed at Hotel Westminster, which is just across the street from the sea. Loved it there! Also stayed at Palais de la Mediterranee, but that was much more glamorous and too much money for smaller rooms.
Have fun!
We used to go every summer and often stayed at Hotel Westminster, which is just across the street from the sea. Loved it there! Also stayed at Palais de la Mediterranee, but that was much more glamorous and too much money for smaller rooms.
Have fun!
Feb 29th, 2012, 04:38 PM
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I realized after posting that I shouldn't have said Nice has great beaches. It really doesn't, but they still offer a nice respite after you've walked the promenade or visited one of the many museums in Nice.
Feb 29th, 2012, 05:36 PM
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<<<<< I realized after posting that I shouldn't have said Nice has great beaches...
But, it kind of does. And it goes on for MILES! The broad wide stones are not that uncomfortable. But the BEST thing is how when you wade into the water how suddenly steep it is, and how the waves can come CRASHING down. It can be one of the most dynamic and unique 'beaches' you can ever enjoy. That pounding surf by the stones is not only exciting, it is radiantly aquamarinely beautiful.
If you are in the mood for longer flatter sandier stretches, you can always hop on the train 10 minutes to Villefranche. Antibes has the same sandy-type beaches, but they are a slog to get to.
But, it kind of does. And it goes on for MILES! The broad wide stones are not that uncomfortable. But the BEST thing is how when you wade into the water how suddenly steep it is, and how the waves can come CRASHING down. It can be one of the most dynamic and unique 'beaches' you can ever enjoy. That pounding surf by the stones is not only exciting, it is radiantly aquamarinely beautiful.
If you are in the mood for longer flatter sandier stretches, you can always hop on the train 10 minutes to Villefranche. Antibes has the same sandy-type beaches, but they are a slog to get to.
Feb 29th, 2012, 06:27 PM
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If you are going to 13 places in 7 days I don;t think how bad the beaches are (and yes, most on the riviera are pebbles or rocks and not very pleasant) you won;t have any time to sit on the beach. You really need to decide what you want to do. If beach is important, then you should stay in one of the areas with decent sand - but make sure that the hotel you stay in has beach privileges to the good areas. Then figure out 2 or 3 other places you want to see.
Nice is a wonderful city with a ton of things to see and do - we've stayed there a couple of times and loved it - but we aren't beach people.
Nice is a wonderful city with a ton of things to see and do - we've stayed there a couple of times and loved it - but we aren't beach people.
Feb 29th, 2012, 06:46 PM
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You will spend a lot of your time in the car if you try to see more than 2-3 of these places in seven days. And Aix is a loooong way from Nice.
Most of these areas are nice (with a small "n") but totally different, one from the other. Cannes is what you think of as "the" Riviera -- what you see in the movies, with all the chic people. Personally I love the beach there and love the beach part of the town as well (not to be confused with the upper town which is just "a French town". St. Tropez is a port... I found it rather disappointing, but then I was expecting the rich and famous... as a port it's lovely.
I suggest you look at photos of the area and pick 2-3 spots. But I wouldn't think of Nice as a base, nor Cannes either, with a car.
I'm going in a few weeks, on my way to Morocco (did I mention I love Cannes lol) and plan to take the train -- I've had a car there before and it was a hinderance.
Best
TF
Most of these areas are nice (with a small "n") but totally different, one from the other. Cannes is what you think of as "the" Riviera -- what you see in the movies, with all the chic people. Personally I love the beach there and love the beach part of the town as well (not to be confused with the upper town which is just "a French town". St. Tropez is a port... I found it rather disappointing, but then I was expecting the rich and famous... as a port it's lovely.
I suggest you look at photos of the area and pick 2-3 spots. But I wouldn't think of Nice as a base, nor Cannes either, with a car.
I'm going in a few weeks, on my way to Morocco (did I mention I love Cannes lol) and plan to take the train -- I've had a car there before and it was a hinderance.
Best
TF
Feb 29th, 2012, 06:54 PM
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Hmm.... Have to disagree with the poster above about the "broad wide stones not being uncomfortable." Fine if you're wearing water shoes, but otherwise OUCH! We do love going to some of the beach clubs in Nice, although the public beach is OK too, for a short time. We love to walk the promenade along the water, which often has entertainment plus wonderful crepe carts (!) in the summer months.
I do agree with nytraveler that 13 places is a lot of destinations, but of course some of them like Monaco, Beaulieu and St. Jean can be combined in a very long day trip.
I do agree with nytraveler that 13 places is a lot of destinations, but of course some of them like Monaco, Beaulieu and St. Jean can be combined in a very long day trip.
Mar 1st, 2012, 03:13 AM
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Another vote for Nice as your base town. And not sure that the car will be anything other than an unnecessary expense. The public transportation is superior there and you'll be able to get to any of the other spots you'd like to see.
The other advantage of not driving yourself is that you can imbibe in their fine wines with lunch and/or dinner and not worry about driving back home.
The other advantage of not driving yourself is that you can imbibe in their fine wines with lunch and/or dinner and not worry about driving back home.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 08:48 PM
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I'm frankly surprised at so many votes for Nice. Maybe I missed something, but to me Nice is just another nice French town that happens to be on the sea. The other places, Cannes, St Tropez, Monaco are what make the Riviera, well, the Riviera.
And Cannes, IMnsHO is the Rodeo Drive of France -- Just buy a coffee and watch the rich and classy go by... Walk down to the Marina and talk someone into taking you out for a spin. Feel what it feels like to be oh so rich and nowhere you have to be for an afternoon. The slow pace is why the rich and famous go there...
Just my two cents worth.
And Cannes, IMnsHO is the Rodeo Drive of France -- Just buy a coffee and watch the rich and classy go by... Walk down to the Marina and talk someone into taking you out for a spin. Feel what it feels like to be oh so rich and nowhere you have to be for an afternoon. The slow pace is why the rich and famous go there...
Just my two cents worth.
Mar 4th, 2012, 05:28 AM
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Hmmm, I guess it depends on what the visitor is interested in. TF says, "Feel what it feels like to be oh so rich and nowhere you have to be for an afternoon."
Not sure, but I kind of doubt you can really randomly "walk down to the marina and talk someone into taking you out for a spin". The rich & famous aren't exactly lying around waiting for the hoi poloi to come beg for a ride. LOL
We actually avoided Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco for that very reason. To each her own.
Not sure, but I kind of doubt you can really randomly "walk down to the marina and talk someone into taking you out for a spin". The rich & famous aren't exactly lying around waiting for the hoi poloi to come beg for a ride. LOL
We actually avoided Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco for that very reason. To each her own.
Mar 4th, 2012, 05:47 AM
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Not sure of your exact dates, but I just booked this apartment for 5 nights in September. A perfect location and a nice owner to work with so far. They do have some dates open in July.
http://www.vrbo.com/174633
http://www.vrbo.com/174633
Mar 4th, 2012, 05:48 AM
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Nice is a good base. Last year I got a good deal at the Hotel Beau Rivage via hotels.com. It's a good hotel, small clean rooms. Located on the back side of the original hotel, now condos facing the beach. Best part, there is a public garage about a 3 minute walk just across the park.
