Day trips Cote d'Azur
 

We will be spending 6 days in April at villa in Antibes. Can anyone suggest day trips in the general area? We will have a rental car and have am interest in seeing some of the "touristy" things an some of the small towns more representative of the "local" atmosphere. Are there any "don't miss" sites? <BR>Also, we speak no French but we're fairly competent in Spanish. Is that any help? <BR>Thank you, <BR>Richard

A touristy "must see" is of course Saint Tropez. There is the small town and the marina with the most beautiful yachts. Have a drink on the "Chez Senequier" terrasse, THE place to be. With a bit of luck your neighbour is a famous singer or actor. The St. Trop beaches are a few km away from town topless and nudist beaches). <BR> <BR>A very picturesque place in the mountains is Eze with its botanical garden "Les Jardins d'Eze". <BR> <BR>There are plenty of things to see and to do, but these are my personal favorites. <BR> <BR>

Richard, <BR>I would drive around that whole area, from Nice to St. Tropez, stopping at little towns along the way. The views are beautiful along the coast. Going the other direction from Nice, I would drive to Monaco, stopping along the way at Eze, a picturesque town and definitely visit Chateau Eze, 1200 ft. high above the cliffs overlooking the Med. Sea. It has now been converted into a charming hotel, with carved out shops and there is a terrace where you can have a drink and look straight down into the sea. It is a breathtaking view. There is also a botanical garden on top of the Chateau. This was a highlight of our Riviera trip. We also took a tour of the Palace at Monaca and do step in to the Monte Carlo casino - for anything just to see the beauty of it. Gambling there isn't much fun - better at Vegas! Email me if you would like more info. We drove around that whole area and based ourselves in Nice. I kept a journal, so I could refer to it if you would like more info. <BR>Have a great time!

Not to be missed are the towns of Vence and Menton. A great day trip would be to go to the "Grand Canyon" of France. Visit Moustiers Sainte Marie and the Lac de St. Croix (which, by the way is the 2nd largest man-made lake in the world). If you are into museums, Nice has several. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

We love the village of Biot - very near Antibes. There's a delightful restaurant/gallery called "Gallerie des Arcades". And the Fernand Leger museum is there.

My favorite of that area is old town Antibes. Very charming. I stayed right in the middle of it and enjoy the restaurants, the morning market, the flea market, and the pastry shops. Also, visit St. Paul de Vence, a wonderful hilltop town. I second the motion on Eze.

I also would go to Biot but also you will enjoy a trip further on to Tourettes sur Loup, a lovely littlr mountain town. We often go to Antibes and have enjoyed day trips to St Paul and to Vallauris which has a lot of pottery shops. When in Tourettes have lunch at Le Petit Manoir. The food is superb and not outrageously expensive. The restaurant is small. Monsieur cooks and madame waits. She does not speak English but still you will manage with smiles. You do not always have to drive. Sometimes it is good to take the train which runs from Antibes all the way to Menton and then across the border into Italy to Ventigmilia. From there it is a short journey to San Remo. I think we caught a bus there. However, you are probably used to driving on what we Brits call the wrong side of the road so I expect driving holds no fears for you. You will surely have a wonderful time on the Riviera. Do not discount Cannes. If you like people watching just sit on the Croisette which is the promenade along the sea and watch the beautiful people go by. We found it fascinating.

Thanks to all who offered so many good suggestions. Looks like a week may no be enough --- but it has to be. I've got firm reservations for the next two weeks in Italy. <BR>Wait'll next year. <BR>Richard