French Riviera: city to use as homebase?
Mar 10th, 2003, 07:44 AM
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French Riviera: city to use as homebase?
I have considered Nice to use as homebase when I visit the French Riviera. Places to hit are Cannes and St Tropez. St Tropez sounds like a fun city, is it good for home base (is lodging more expensive?)? Thanks, Emma
Mar 10th, 2003, 08:54 AM
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Hi Emma. If two of the places you really want to visit and spend time in are Cannes and St. Tropez, then it would seem to make sense to base yourself in one of them.
I have yet to visit Cannes so can't offer an opinion about it. Visited St. Tropez for an afternoon in 1994 and enjoyed it, especially the picturesque old town, but don't think I'd ever stay there.
My choice for a base is always Nice, partly because it's a larger (and, IMO, much more interesting) city, but also because I prefer spending time in that part of the Riviera, including all of the cities and villages Bob mentioned.
Good luck with your decision!
I have yet to visit Cannes so can't offer an opinion about it. Visited St. Tropez for an afternoon in 1994 and enjoyed it, especially the picturesque old town, but don't think I'd ever stay there.
My choice for a base is always Nice, partly because it's a larger (and, IMO, much more interesting) city, but also because I prefer spending time in that part of the Riviera, including all of the cities and villages Bob mentioned.
Good luck with your decision!
Mar 10th, 2003, 09:12 AM
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Emma have a look at a map & you'll be able to answer your own question about Nice as a home base. St Tropez is fun but it's far from everything else. I'm unfamiliar with lodging there so I don't know about price but I wouldn't think it would be less. If these are the 3 places you want to hit (how long will you be there?), Cannes is more centrally located but a bit more commercial than Nice. Here's a website to check for more info. www.provenceBeyond.com/
The towns that Bob mentioned are all wonderful. I'll add Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu to the list.
The towns that Bob mentioned are all wonderful. I'll add Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu to the list.
Mar 10th, 2003, 09:19 AM
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Dear Emma,
I would suggest Antibe,it is within easy access to most of the places mentioned above.
I find it to be more charming then Nice or Cann, although if you want to travel by train those towns make a good base.
If you have a car Antibe is the way to go.
I also love Saint Paul de Vence, and stayed there as my base serveral years ago, but found it inconvient to alot of the towns I wanted to visit, and paking was difficult.
I would suggest a day trip, with lunch or dinner at the famous la Combe d'Or.
I have found Karen Brown's web site useful for hotel suggestions.
Viva la France
Fluffy
I would suggest Antibe,it is within easy access to most of the places mentioned above.
I find it to be more charming then Nice or Cann, although if you want to travel by train those towns make a good base.
If you have a car Antibe is the way to go.
I also love Saint Paul de Vence, and stayed there as my base serveral years ago, but found it inconvient to alot of the towns I wanted to visit, and paking was difficult.
I would suggest a day trip, with lunch or dinner at the famous la Combe d'Or.
I have found Karen Brown's web site useful for hotel suggestions.
Viva la France
Fluffy
Mar 10th, 2003, 09:20 AM
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I love Nice - it's vibrant and exciting, but still a beach town. You can get anywhere else on the Riviera via Nice - free casino buses to Monaco, train or bus to Antibes, Cannes, all the towns on the Riviera.
Cannes is very overrated - it's crowded and kind of diry and definitely overpriced.
Cannes is very overrated - it's crowded and kind of diry and definitely overpriced.
Mar 10th, 2003, 11:32 AM
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I appreciate all these helpful suggestions. I have heard that Nice is a spectacular place to stay. However, I also heard that it doesn't have the best beaches. That is important to me. I would like to be able to just go to the beach in the early afternoon (sunbath and maybe swim) and not have to walk or drive too far. Any suggestions? I will be there last week of May.
Thanks, Emma
Thanks, Emma
Mar 10th, 2003, 11:45 AM
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True. The beaches in Nice have very large grains of sand...otherwise known as pebbles and rocks. 
Should you elect to stay in Nice anyway, however, there are sandy beaches at Villefranche, just a short hop to the east from Nice.
Should you elect to stay in Nice anyway, however, there are sandy beaches at Villefranche, just a short hop to the east from Nice.
Mar 10th, 2003, 11:48 AM
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Emma, stay at either the Hotel Flots d'Azur in Nice or the Hotel Eden next door. Both places own beachfront property, and the hotel is across the street from the beach. You'll be able to swim, wade, bathe, whatever, but it is not a sandy beach as Capo mentioned.
Bon Voyage,
BC
Bon Voyage,
BC
Mar 10th, 2003, 01:03 PM
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Emma, if you want to have a look (although not ideal) at pictures of some of the beaches go to http://www.antibes.co.uk/beaches/
If beach is important, Cannes, St Tropez & Juan le Pin & Antibes all have sandy (vs pebbly)beaches. There's a public beach at Juan le Pin that's quite large. Most of these areas are not where Fodorites tend to stay because they're more "commercial" & built up. Do a text search here on Cannes AND hotels. A few people have mentioned good ones. I think that's what you're looking for.
If beach is important, Cannes, St Tropez & Juan le Pin & Antibes all have sandy (vs pebbly)beaches. There's a public beach at Juan le Pin that's quite large. Most of these areas are not where Fodorites tend to stay because they're more "commercial" & built up. Do a text search here on Cannes AND hotels. A few people have mentioned good ones. I think that's what you're looking for.
Mar 11th, 2003, 09:47 AM
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If you want more information and links to articles about the area check out "Sunday Readings" at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/provence
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/provence
Mar 11th, 2003, 12:47 PM
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Emma I just happened to reread your post & the last week of May just "clicked" in my head. Be aware this coincides with the end of the Cannes film festival & the beginning of the Grand Prix in Monaco soooo...start checking availability immediately. It may rule out Cannes (& Nice) as an option. I can't remember the exact dates of the fim festival. Juan les Pin, Antibes & St Tropez are sounding better.
Mar 11th, 2003, 12:56 PM
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Thank you Mclaurie for the reminder. I believe the film festival is over on 5/25 (and we would arrive on 5/26), And I believe the Grand Prix starts on 5/25? At this point, I'm pretty open to where I would stay and would take day trips to other areas, i.e. Cannes, Monaco, etc. Thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice.
Mar 11th, 2003, 12:58 PM
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Nice, without a doubt. It has the most variety of the Cote D'Azur cities, reasonably priced lodging (compared to its higher neighbors), not to mention that is the capital of the French Riviera. Stay close to or in the "vieux ville" (old city) by the Cours Saleya to get a true feel of this wonderfully charming, multi-cultured city.
