1st time - Nice vs. Cannes during mid May
 

Please help us. We are going to France for the first time. We are spending 5 days in Paris and then either taking the rail or flying to Nice. We were thinking about staying at the Hotel Negresco. The Cannes Film Festival starts on 5/16 and we are going to be in Nice on 5/16 and 5/17. Should we stay in Cannes instead or should we just visit Cannes? We are 40 years old and enjoy the beaches, seeing the sights and people watching. What would you suggest? thanks

Before you go any farther, find out whether there's hotel space in Cannes during the festival. If there is, you will pay premium prices. Probably Nice is the better bet, but again, secure reservations ASAP.

I much prefer Nice over Cannes - especially if you can stay at the Negresco. Much more variety of things to do & see in Nice.

Stu Dudley

I've stayed at both and I prefer Nice by far as there is more to see and do. Lots of nearby towns easily accessable by rail or bus to Nice. It is only a 35 to 45 minute train ride depending on the train from Nice to Cannes. You will find hotels in Nice scarce as well as in Cannes during the film festival and prices higher than normal also. Reserve now.

Larry J

Larry J

Why are you going to Nice? why would you go to Cannes? If you want to filled your two days with beaches, sightseeing, and people watching, you can do plenty of that in Nice and never have to step in Cannes. If the type of people watching you want to do is Cannes festival-specific, then you better stay in Cannes IF (big IF) you can find accomodations to your satisfaction. Even the Hotel Negresco may be fully booked by this time for those dates. BTW, transport to Cannes on those days will be very hectic and crowded (airport transfers).

We are going to Nice because we wanted to add a differnt part of France to our trip. We heard it was beautiful in the Riviera. We have secured the hotel in Nice, but we can always switch. I was also wondering if we should fly(1.5 hr)(expensive) or take the rail (6hr) for that Paris to Nice trip?

Few years ago, I along with my family visited and stayed in Nice. Nice is by far my choice, however, if you rent a car in Nice you will be able to easily drive to Cannes in about 45 minutes. You can also drive to St.Troupez on one side or drive toward Monte Carlo on the other side as side day trips. Either by train or car, it is simply beautiful, so driving will able you to be flexible since the distances are not that far and you will propably have more hotel choices in Nice rather than in Cannes due to the Festival. Have a great trip.

I agree. I too prefer Nice over Cannes. I stayed at the Hotel Negresco and it was fabulous! Make sure to visit the Old Town in Nice. It's the best part.

Certainly you should visit Cannes but it will be chaotic. I stayed at the Martinez there which was nice too.

I took the TGV train from Paris and it was fantastic.

cannes is far inferior to Nice as a place to visit. despite the glamourous reputation that cannes enjoys, it is an unattractive city. far too much concrete and bad development on the waterfront and it is not a very interesting place. skip it.

I appreciate all of this imput. It really helps me. Any more would be appreciated. Thanks

If you do go to Nice I suggest a visit to St. Paul de Vence and you might even consider staying there. Sorry, there is no beach near by.

With only 2/days, why waste even 6/hrs, each direction on the train. You're paying for the Negresco, go for the flights... how expensive can it be?

If you fly, be sure to do so from the Orly Airport, not CDG. There are shuttles (called navettes( from Orly to Nice just about every hour, and it's a people-friendly airport for the most part, unlike CDG.

Another vote for staying in Nice - Cannes is absolutely packed and really expensive during the festival and there isn't as much to do or see in Cannes as there is in Nice. Unless there is something you specifically want to see in Cannes, I'd stay in Nice and, if you want to day-trip, go to Eze or Monaco rather than Cannes.

Even seeing the film festival as an outsider isn't as glam as you'd think -usually when there's a premiere with celebs the paparazzi have all the good viewing spots of the red carpet and you can't see anything over them. And whilst public tickets are available for some films, they're the ones that celebs aren't attending, so it's just like going to the cinema at home except in a better outfit.

My daughter and I stayed at the Carlton in Cannes last year (off season). It was nice, but we ended up driving toward Nice and beyond for our sightseeing. I would imagine the hotel rates are outrageous during Film Festival, if you can get a room. I also vote Nice. As mentioned earlier, St. Paul de Vence and Eze are charming towns to explore. The coast is prettier toward Nice. Nice will probably be packed with Cannes overflow at that time so you better start looking for rooms now!

People are happy to sleep on floors in Cannes during the festival, even if they are presenting a film. I have known up to 8 people to share the same hotel room, some of whom were walking on the red carpet that night.

Regular people sleep on floors, I am sure Nicole Kidman doesn't. My husband and I love the Riviera but stick to the area between Nice and Menton (but skip Monaco, it's as ugly as Cannes if not more so). If you are in Nice you can take the train or bus to Villefranche sur Mer(lovely beach, Menton (equally lovely) and not waste time sitting in traffic. Plus it's just far more interesting with the old town of Nice.