All I care about is that I have a comfortable bed, seafront. The exact town doesn't matter. I am at the end of my tether trying to find something suitable online. I don't want to spend more than $1000/week. I am starting to lean toward just getting there and then picking a spot and finding a place to sleep. Has anyone done this? Heard any tales from those who have?
p.s. I leave in less than two weeks.

The Euro ain't so great right now. You might have luck.

Are you looking for an apartment or a hotel? If you can't find a place now then I would think the chances of getting something that meets your criteria when you get there are not good. I no longer look for places to stay on the fly as it seems that so many people are traveling and book ahead using the internet that there are fewer options if you just show up.

I prefer an apartment, but anything with some sort of kitchenette will do.

Am I crazy to think I can find a place for <$1000/week in July?

I think it's the sea view/front criteria that's gonna be a problem. I took a quick look on vrbo and the places with sea views are much more than 1,000/week.

It's got little to do with the euro, as the Côte d'Azur is a magnet for European travelers. I can't imagine taking off for the Riviera and expecting to find an apartment when you get there - a hotel, sure (though you might get the leftovers and be disappointed), but an apartment? Chances are piss-poor, I'd say.

First of all, any intelligent soul who owns and rents an apartment there advertises it on the internet, so unless your search skills are limited, you've already seen what's available. Apartment owners VERY rarely get walk-ins, and if they do, they are likely referrals from the tourist office and probably French tourists.

I would contact the local tourist offices. They maintain lists of locals who rent rooms, apartments, etc., some of which might NOT be on the internet. You could also read (online) the classifieds in local newspapers (you'd need to have some basic French for this). Finally, I'd go to the De Particulier à Particulier website and look up cities/towns on the Côte d'Azur that appeal to you and go to the "locations" section (that's rentals) and see if you find anything there.

But to take off in July expecting to find an apartment rental, especially for under $1,000/week, would, yes, be crazy.

True.........the sea view will be difficult to fulfill.

Sea views are never cheap. And one in a prime tourist area/time - on the fly - seems very unlikely - esp given a very limited budget.

Agree, if you can;t find it now - you not at all likely to find it there.

I'm sure you can find something if you're flexible - but it won;t have a sea view, might not have a private bath - and may be more than you want to pay.