Any suggestions about what to do in and around Nice, France? We have a hotel in Nice for four days but are interested in day trips around the French Riviera. The weather reports say to expect rainy weather for two of the four days that we will be there so any indoor ideas would also be appreciated!

Hi, we were in Nice for three full days in June of 2007. We did a day trip to Monte Carlo (visited the aquarium and the casino as well as doing a little bus tour) and also a day trip to Eze on the train. We also took the hop-on/hop-off bus around Nice which was really neat and we got to experience some great views!!

I will be in Nice April 3-8. I have been there dozens of times. You can take the bus to Eze Village. The train will stop at Eze on the water. Also, I like to take the bus to St. Paul de Vence. It's a neat village perched at the top of a mountain. I've been to Antibes several times, but I have never been to the Picasso Museum. It was closed for renovations for a couple of years. So I'm hoping to finally go there. On Sundays there is a small antique market in the beautiful Villefranche. And on Mondays there is a fairly large antique market in Nice in old town. I am a shopper, so I spend a lot of time in shops in Nice. I am going to the Cap3000 shopping mall this trip. I can spend hours just sitting watching the water and planes taking off... and of course "people watching".

Hi scatcat - I'll be in Nice about the same time as you. I'm thinking of spending one day riding the mountain railway to Dignes les Bains - have you done that?

Christas - there seem to be several museums/art galleries in Nice, and a couple of big houses to visit on Cap Ferrat.

I have not done that trip. I have gone on the Train des Merveilles. It leaves from the main train station and stops in Tende-beautiful mountain and gorge scenery. I went on a Sunday morning and there was guide on our train explaining and pointing out special things. It may run in April, but the guide is on board only in the summer months.

I am going to research the Dignes les Bains. I have thought about it before and I always back out since I have never been to the station where this one departs. And I've never figured the distance so that I can return before late. Do you have any schedules and towns on that route?

scatcat - see http://www.trainprovence.com/. Do you have a link for the Train des Merveilles?

www.tende-tourism.com


then click on access

Note that once you get off the bus at Eze by the sea, there's a stiff climb up to the old village.

See today's ost "Riviera--3 nights" for some very good recommendations about sightseeing in and around Nice.

For the mountain railway, you may consider going only to Entrevaux, which makes a reasonable and interesting day trip. More in our phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...g&x=0&y=-run25

SemiMike

Thanks for the beautiful pictures. I just love Nice. I can't make myself stay away. I will be there again in 10 days. And I think I will take the train to Entrevaux. I would like to go the entire trip, but I don't want to sit on the train that long. I have thought about Dignes les Bains for years, but just never wanted to waste much time-just in case I didn't care for it. So, I'll try it your way!

I did the same trip as SemiMike - to Entrevaux - in 11/2001. It was a very picturesque little town and walking up the switchbacks to the top was great fun. Wonderful photos, SM!