xx

I'm planning a trip to the Nice/Cannes area and would like to get more info on the beaches there.<BR><BR>-Are the public beaches very crowded around September, and how's the water temperature and weather? Any recommendations for which public beach to visit and what upscale hotels/resorts are within walking distance?<BR><BR>-How much could we expect to pay to go to a private beach, and which would you recommend?<BR><BR>-Are there some good places for snorkeling?<BR><BR>-I heard the beaches are pebbly, not sandy. Does it make it difficult or dangerous to swim?

Rex

I don't know abot snorkeling, but you can find sand (not pebbles) on a nice beach at Antibes. And a charming city in its own right.<BR><BR>Anything beyond the first 7-10 days in September might be getting a bit chilly.<BR><BR>There are upscale resorts at both Nice and Cannes (not at Antibes, I don't think), but I am not too sure where you can find sandy beaches there. Perhaps others know about Juan les Pins or St. Tropez?<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Dan

Cannes has beautiful, sandy beaches. The sandy beaches at St. Tropez are 7 to 10 miles north of the city. Most of them are nice and wide, but many are swimsuit optional. Most folks do not opt to wear one. Not many hotels in the beach areas, however.

Wendy

Juan-les-Pins has sandy beaches,most of which are right in town and open to the public. You can expect to pay anywhere from about $13-20 to rent a chaise loungue and mattress from one of the clubs that line the beaches. Two very upscale places in Juan-les-Pins are: Hotel Juana, which has its own private swimming club, and Hotel des Belles Rives, which was a favorite holiday spot of F. Scott Fitzgerald. In Nice, the beaches are pebbly. Lots of people wear plastic sandals into the water. Prices at the beach clubs lining the Promenade des Anglais ( main street) run about the same as in Juan-les_Pins. All of these clubs serve light lunches and drinks. If you wanted to be within walking distance, the Hotel Negresco fits the bill, but you will pay quite a lot for it, and when we stayed there, it just didn't seem worth all that $$$$$! We always opt for the Westminster Concorde, which is certainly not in the same category as The Negresco in terms of hotel grandeur, but is only a block or two away. If you go there, ask for a junior suite on the top floor. You'll have a large room by European standards with a small balcony( room enough for two chairs)fronting the Mediterranean. It's an unbelievable view, heaven to wake up with that in the morning! Have a great trip!

Dicken

Cannes has two great public (free) beaches, one on the West side and one on the East. The East beach is larger and further from the hotels that line the beach. The one to the West is smaller, but closer to the Carlton hotel, just round the bend from the promenade. Not too crowded at that time of year. The weather is great, and the water warm.<BR><BR>Another good sandy beach that is free is at Ste. Maxime, close to hotels and their restaurants.<BR><BR>Our favorite private beaches are the Plage des Pirates in Juan les Pins (have good food at their restaurant too) and Tahiti Beach in San Tropez, which has the best drinks in town. Unfortunately, that beach takes a good drive down a windy road that can fit about a car and a half on it.

vgt

very good thread<BR>