French Riviera?
 

My husband and I are 27 and are going to France in June. We would like to spend a few days in the French Riviera, but aren't sure which town would be best. We just want to relax and see beautiful scenery. Any suggestions? St. Tropez? Nice? Cannes? Anywhere else? <BR>Thanks! <BR>Joanna

The Riviera has so much nice - - it might depend on how much seaside (notice I didn't necessarily say "beach") you want - - and how much "upland" Cote d'Azur. The seaside is a very narrow strip, and you can be up in serious elevations in no time - - literally in minutes in Monte Carlo - - (by elevator!) for example. <BR> <BR>For beach time per se, I give thumbs up to Antibes, Cannes and Cavalaire sur Mer (further away) a bit past St. Tropez. but your mentioning "beautiful scenery" makes me think you need to find one or more "villages perchés" - - like St. Paul de Vence, for example. <BR> <BR>And I like to focus on how much time, trouble and expense it will take you to get you to your destination - - where are you coming from (before the Riviera) and where to after there?

A note re St Tropez: it is quite interesting, a great people watching area, great stores - it is not on a direct train route (you have to catch a bus at St Raphael). Antibes, Nice, Cannes, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, etc all the way to the Italian border are on a direct train line. Cannes has a good beach - I personally think it's a pretty boring town otherwise. Nice's beach is lots o' rocks; it would be a good base for day trips (again, if using public transportation, the bus terminal has regular service to the hill towns, like St Paul de Vence - which I agree with Rex on this one too; pretty village, and wonderful artisans - if you go, notice how all the dogs have really short legs and all the cats have really long noses - what happens when animals live in a walled village and inbreed!). If you just want to veg on a beach, then Antibes is the place. Don't, though, the Riviera was home to lots of artists and there are museums out the wahzoo....oh, and Monte Carlo has the Cousteau Oceanography Museum, too.

Hi, Joanna, <BR>All good suggestions. I'd add Menton, the last town before Italy, which is pretty laid back (has a reputation for attracting older folks, but that wasn't terribly accurate in our experience). OK beaches, great waterfront walks, nice little casino, colorful historic old town, lemon groves, what's not to like? <BR>With a rental car you can visit the other, smaller towns, or get into the upland country right now (a day trip to the Gorge du Loup is a kick); Monte Carlo is a quick drive or train ride, likewise an outing over the border into the Italian Riveria is easy.

If you stay in Nice, you may be disappointed. Although it is a wonderful city to visit and see, it is a big city, one of France's largest. To really experience the beauty and ambiance of La Cote D'azur, stay in one of the small towns (you may need a car for flexibility but bus and train service is available.) We stayed in Villefranche sur Mer with a room with a terrace overlooking the harbor and it was wonderful. Bus service to nice outside the hotel was 5 minutes. Monaco is also a short 20 minute ride. We were with another couple and had two rooms with a shared bath for $150 in September.

I believe that St. Tropez is best for sun and beach and relaxation. I was not too impressed with Cannes or Antibes. For sight seeing, Eze village, St. Paul de Vence and Cap St. Jean to see the Rothschild Estate are all fabulous sight seeing trips. All are accessible by local bus from Nice <BR>Ellen