Driving in Nice, France
 

Hello,
we are planning to go for a week in French Riviera. We want to stay in Nice to be centrally based and take trips from there. We want to have a car and drive from Nice.
The dates are in December holidays. Does it make sence to drive in Nice? How is traffic there in winter and how is parking.?
thanks
Sophia

Hi Em. we returned a week ago and spent only a day in Nice but found a parking lot and twice on the street for the various places we were visiting.
We visited the chagall, peynet, Matisse museums, lunched in old Nice and had Socca at another cafe. Friendly city. Left my expensive glasses at the socca cafe, and two hours later I returned and my waiter handed them to me before I said a word.

Hi Sophia:

I just moved back to the US from France (and really miss it already!) and I went pretty often to Nice on business and always rented a car then took off for the weekend to the countryside-I think it is the only way to go. Parking generally is not a big deal-in the really congested parts of town (the old village area for instance or near the beach) just park it in a lot-otherwise, there is street parking in all the surrounding areas of Nice. The only thing about December is that you can get some rain (even floods or snow high up in the hills!) but I have driven there extensively in the winter and it really wasn't a big deal. The only caveat would be if you go up to Vence or St. Paul de Vence or really in the hilly areas-like Eze-just don't "overdrive" the hills too fast...and also I am very comfortable with a stick shift-which I prefer, but if you aren't and in particular if you will be going up in the hilly areas-pay the extra for an automatic

Hoppe this helps-have a great time-I really like the cote d'azur in the winter-calm and lovely.....

Depending on where you want to go, the train and the bus, are very easy. Monaco is only about 15min. by train, and I believe it was only like 3 Euro each. Cabs were pretty expensive though. There were a lot of tourist info booths, with bus and train schedules and the the bus will stop most anywhere you want, just push the button. Anyway have fun, wish I was going back.

This question is asked so often (just type driving AND south of France in the text search & see all the strings). But to answer your question, to drive IN Nice might be a hassle finding parking. But to use a car to explore outside of Nice does make sense, especially if you want to go to some of the hill towns. There is a train that runs along the coast to get to places like Monaco, Villefranche, Cannes, Antibes etc. If that's what you planned & you want to avoid driving, it can be done. It just takes more time waiting for trains etc. I can't say about traffic in Dec., but it shouldn't be bad. Get a good map. If you plan to go to the smaller hillside villages, DON'T get too big a car, even if they try to upgrade you. These cars are difficult to navigate on the smaller, narrow roads.

As McLaurie advised, SMALL car to visit villages, you cannot park or turn corners without a crash in a big car. You never see a large auto. You won't be able to park. You will be looked at as an alien.

If you park on the streets in Nice, especially overnight, do read the signs as to when car has to be moved following morning. The traffic patrol is know to "boot" cars and then you have a problem. You might want to check if your hotel provides parking service, but expect to pay a overnight fee (can be $20+).

Also read meters for hours when you have to pay during the day - often you don't have to pay during lunch hours 12N-2PM.

Depending where your hotel is located you might be able to walk to many sites, though for the Chagall and Matisse Museums up in the hills, there is parking around the museums on the local streets.

While the train can get you to many towns along the coast, with maybe a short walk, or inexpensive taxi ride, it's nice to have the car to get to those towns in the hills. Enjoy your holiday.

We drove in Nice in August with no problems. There is a parking garage downtown. It is quite easy to find your way around and very nice to drive along the coast to Monaco.

Thank you all for information! This really helps. We will be renting an apartment in the center, self-catering, so we will not get help from hotel's concierge this time. I need all info I can get.
My concern is that we arrive on December 25 (Christmas Day) and leave on Jan 1st (New Yearday).
I am not sure if streets will be crowded (like NY on Christmas) or empty. Is parking lot will be closed or open?
We did reserve a small car and drive shift.
My other concern is that not knowing French we will fail reading the parking signs and will ending up our car booted. I will make sure will take a dictionary and phrase book.

Jpie,
thank you for advice re Vence and St. Paul De Vence. We will be carefull. If we will drive there and will see the snow started, we will just turn back. How elevated it is ?

Cigalechanta,
glad you liked Nice. How was the atitude to Americans? (If you are American).


thanks
Sophia

We too never had a problem driving or finding a place to park. We usually go in summer, but I have been to Nice during February carnival, and it was still not hard finding street or structure parking anywhere we went. In Nice, there's a big underground lot near the pedestrian area; in Monte Carlo, there's one just north of the Casino.

Like another poster mentioned, if you park on the street, always check the signs and obey them. I saw one car with a dog in it that was towed in Juan les Pins for illegal parking. I'm still worried about the dog!