We are planning a road trip on the French Riviera and want to spend our time wisely there. Original plans are to arrive in Nice be there 1 day/1night; to Marseille 1 day/1 night; to Monaco 2 days/ 2 nights; to Bordeaux 2 days 2 nights. Read online Monaco is not worth more than 1 day. Was wondering to see if there are towns we are missing out and some we should leave out. Have 6-7 days to spend. Thanks for your suggestions.

If you have such a limited time, I would recommend skipping both Marseilles and Monaco. I'm in Nice now where there is a 1 euro train service to explore the area. In the warmer season you can use the boat service to St Tropez & Monaco from the old port in Nice. Spend more time in Nice to go to Eze, St Paul & Vence, St Jean Cap Ferrat where I am staying now, then you would get a more rewarding experience of Côte d'Azur.

Monaco isn't, IMO, even worth dropping by. And why Bordeaux? It's nowhere near the Côte d'Azur and will involve 6-7 hours of travel, and for what? It's a nice enough city, but since you'll be on the Riviera, why not stay there? Do you have a map of France? Your trip makes little sense. Marseille, by the way, has been named the cultural capital of Europe for 2013, so just one night there is probably skimping.

Of course there are towns you're missing out on,loads of them - you have only 6 days. And really, please get a map.

I second DAX's ideas for Riviera. I was happy driving through Monaco but didn't need to stop. Marseille would be my most unfavourite place in France.

If it's the Côte d'Azur you want to see, Marseille isn't part of it. Neither is Monaco. I suggest you get a copy of the Michelin Green Guide to the Côte d'Azur and figure out what you want to see, but basing yourselves in Nice would be a very good idea.

Are you renting a car?

Do you have my 27 page Core d'Azur/Provence itinerary???? I've sent it to well over 3,000 people on Fodors. We've vacationed for 16 weeks on the Cote d'Azur. I concur with the others - forget Bordeaux and Monaco. If you would like a copy of my itinerary, e-mail me at [email protected] I'll attach a copy to the reply e-mail.

Stu Dudley

Including Bordeaux into your trip would be crazy indeed. Skip it.

When it comes to Monaco, I have a different opinion. Firstly, driving the corniches between Nice and Monaco belongs to the most rewarding experiences at the Cote d'Azur. Take the Grande Corniche with a stop at La Turbie, a grandiose Roman monument, and the Moyenne Corniche at Eze, a charming yet touristy mountain village. The natural break between both routes is Monaco.

Visit at least the Rocher with the Palace and Jacques Cousteau's Oceanographic Museum. There is also a nice cactus garden in Monaco. You also can have a quick look at the Casino and Hotel de Paris.

If you do not want to spend too much time in Monaco (two or three hours will be sufficient) can visit Cap Ferrat on your way back.

In any case, you should rent a car for at least two days:

One day to drive the above mentioned corniches eastwards and another day to drive the spectacular Corniches de l'Esterel between Cannes and St. Raphael. Both belong to the most famous coastal roads on the planet.

Walk the promenade around Cap Ferrat, starting at the Royal Riviera Hotel. There is parking nearby and a bus you can take back.

I'm voting with the majority here - just stay in Nice - lots and lots to do for daytrips. By the way, the 1E transportation is by local bus, not train, but the service is frequent and takes you alot of places, often by a scenic route. I'd go to Antibes, St. Paul de Vence, Eze and my very favorite, Villa Euphrisi on Cap Ferrat. After those, Monaco maybe but no need to be changing hotels.

ok, Arrive to Nice, stay there 1-2 days, it's a nice city, with a beautiful old town, and a long seaside, called promenade. All the city You'll visit in less than 1 day, because well, theres just old town and promenade worth seeing, then it depends if you want to stay on the beach or not, even tho the beach of Nice isnt the best to stay on, considering its all covered with pebbles, theres no sand, so it gets quite painful. definetly visit Monaco. Casino and the old town on the hill, its one of the most spectacullar places in the zone. don't miss it. on the way, Visit EZE, it's one of the most scenic and typical places on the coast. Visit Antibes, it's a small town, but very particular, has a huge port, and old town is beautiful. Go to Saint Paul de Vence. Very scenic town on the hill, with amazing views and many many art galleries in the beautiful old town. Cannes - la Croisette which is really beautiful, nice private beaches, small old town... theres not much to see, tho it is beautiful. its a place if you want to go partying. You might want to go to Saint Tropez, which is a small place, but very really worth seeing, especially in summer with all the jet-set life that is going on there. on the way stop to see Esterelle park, amazing beaches, check it on internet, it's really spectacular. if you go to Marseille (which is quite far and i dont know if it's worth it, considering you only have 1 week) stop by to the town called Cassis, and take a boat from there to see Calanques de Cassis (google it).
Visit www.thinkriviera.com and contact if You need more information.

good luck!

I would agree to center you trip on the Riviera. I would stay in Nice and visit the city - worth 2/3 days and then visit a number of towns in the hills behind (museums, gorges and charming tiny villages) and along the coast.

Monaco is an excellent place to spend a day if you are very wealthy and want to shop and dine expensively - or watch those who are. The casino is a hoot - you feel like you;re in a James Bond movie - but it's nothing like Las Vegas. Only opens in late afternoon, appropriate dress required, fees to enter and table games have high limits. We love going to see the tuxedos, women with gowns and jewels and incredible yachts in the harbor - but it is big $. A mini Disney/Hollywood for adults. Worth a day only if $ is not an object.

Otherwise stick to the many, many options along the coast.