French Riviera in two days
 

I have about two days for Nice 2nd week in August and wanted to know what is possible to see and do. I have a car rented, but may not rent due to the traffic is bad I have read. Any suggestions? Also transportation logistics if anyone can provide this is great, thank you.

Sorry forgot to say we are four adults and a 19yr old.

Depends on if you want to focus on beaches (some are OK sand but many are pebbles so do check) or to visit the historic sights of Nice or to head along the coast or to visit some of the quaint towns/small museums up in the hills.

I think we would prefer to see the coast.

For a sand beach head to Antibes or St-Tropez. Also look at Ramateulle, up on a hill overlooking the sea, easy drive down to wide beach..

with just two days I would do some research and pick a spot that has enough to enjoy with some easy excursions but mostly a place to just enjoy the atmosphere...to try to see as much as possible in August will just result in sitting in traffic. We are headed to Antibes in a couple of weeks and find that a nice compromise for some sights and exploring but mostly want to just enjoy the beach and town. We will not have a car.

A day in Nice one day in Antibes. Or one day in the car going to St Trop. At that time of the year, you just don't drive. It is overcrowed. 2 days for the Riviera is quite short, I'd rather drop the Riviera and add it to Paris or Provence that you said you were visiting.

Having a car will be a hinderance more than anything. Base yourself in Nice, then take the train for your day trips (hopefully those rolling strikes will be over by then). Moonaco from Nice is about 20 minutes, and slightly longer trips will get you to Menton (on the Italian border) or into Italy for the day.

For only 2 days, you really don't have much time to see Nice and much beyond that.

Thank you for the information. I intend to take the train to the coastal towns, would like to see Monaco/ Monte Carlo, Cap Ferrat, then Antibes one day, and spend the other day in Cannes.

Be aware that August is THE busy month on the Côte d'Azur--all of Europe is on vacation then, and many head right down to the South of France. So decide ASAP if you're going and then where you really want to stay--because hotel rooms will be slim pickings by now.

But if you do go, spend the time in Nice and forget Cannes. Cap Ferrat: yes, for half a day, and perhaps another half day in Antibes. But Nice is worth a month easily.

Antibes is a good day-trip from Nice. The train ride is only about 45 minutes (avoid rush hours, when the train will be packed). It's a lovely little port, with gorgeous yachts, and a nice seawall to walk. From the train station, it's a short walk into historic Antibes, with restaurants and shops.

IMO, forget St, Tropez (long really hard drive) and Cannes (unless you are into high end shopping)

Nice beach clubs in Nice but rocky beach.

Now Antibes-----here's a great sand beach and beach club. Keller Plage on Garoupe beach.
http://www.antibes.co.uk/beaches/garoupe.htm

A car is a better choice to get around, but the traffic will be crazy. Or maybe train to Antibes, cab to Keller Plage, rent a beach chair, have a gourmet lunch, and enjoy the show---a true Riviera experience!

You can also walk along the rocks from Keller Plage on a famous walk.

Just sayin"----we loved it1

Do book ahead at Plage Keller if you want a beach chair or table at lunch, in August!

The path around the Cap from Plage Keller will take about an hour; well worth doing.

There's a small sandy beach right below the city walls in Antibes as well, and a larger one just to the west of town, still walking distance.