LagosTarifa

Here are a few recommendations that I provided to a friend who recently visited the Nice-Monaco area. In Eze, I believe you were referring to the Chevre d'Or restaurant? I usually suggest drinks on the terrace at Chevre d'Or, then dinner on the balcony at Chateau Eza. Both nice places, so you won't go wrong. Here's the rest of the suggestions... Have a great trip!

Villages/Restaurants:

EZE
- Charming, small hilltop village. On your way to Monaco.
- Go late afternoon, walk around a bit (30 min or so), have a drink, and stay for dinner.
- For drinks, go to restaurant "Chevre d'Or" and sit outside on the terrace-- this is the life!
- Eat at "Chateau Eza" (04-93-41-12-24) -- One of my favorite restaurants. Definitely eat here if you can call ahead and ask for the table on the SMALL private balcony, just off to the right as you enter the restaurant (there are other balconies, but this is the only one that seats only one table). It fits one table (4 people max i think) and looks out over the Mediterranean. I would go so you're there for before sunset (and preferably thru sunset). If you're going to splurge for a nice dinner/setting, then sitting out on this private balcony and watching the light change over Cap Ferrat and the sea is really great. If you want to do one romantic dinner, this is a good pick if you get the balcony.

ST. JEAN CAP FERRAT
- Penninsula where all the rich people have their houses (Bill Gates, etc). The other swanky village is Cap d'Antibes.
- One very nice (and not too time consuming) thing to do is walk all the way around the perimeter of the penninsula (St. Jean Cap Ferrat). There is a path that wraps around, right next to the sea, and it's quite pleasant. You can get there from parking just in the small little downtown area.

BEAULIEU
- Just between Villefranche and St. Jean Cap Ferrat. You can swing by the casino, but it's not that exciting (better to go to Monaco!). If you remember the movie "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" with Steve Martin, you'll recognize the little downtown area from a few scenes.

ST. PAUL DE VENCE
- Cute village, popular with artists, up in the hills. Nice to just spend half a day.
- I would walk thru, but not eat at, the famous "Colombe d'Or". Many famous artists ate here and paid their bill with artwork, so you see lots of works by them on the wall. I think Colombe d'Or is expensive and overrated.
- If you want to eat somewhere nice, I like the "Le Saint Paul".
- Nearby (maybe 5-10 min drive) is a modern art museum ("Foundation Maeght&quot with lots of works by Miro, Picasso and other modern artists. Interesting sculpture garden.

VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER
- Charming little fishing village if you just want to walk around a little bit.
- No real noteworthy restaurants.
- One fun thing to do is see a movie outdoors at the old Citadel there. You sit outside at this old fortress built right on the sea. Movies are generally subtitled. Just check with the tourist board for the dates/times.

ANTIBES
- Pleasant to visit.
- Musee Picasso - Nice collection and location. Lots of pottery as well.

MONACO
- Obviously, have to go to the casino. Very James Bond.

BIOT
- Old glass-blowing village. Okay to visit.
- Great restaurant is "Les Arcades". Inexpensive and very good regional fare.

OTHER MISC.
- Musee Renoir - museum in house where Renoir lived. Nice little visit.
- If you go to Cagnes Sur Mer, "Le Cagnard" is a nice restaurant (but on the expensive side).
- Fragonard Perfumery in Grasse - if you're interested in seeing how perfume is made. Not a critical visit. There is also a smaller Fragonard factory near Eze.
- Clubbing- there are a lot of nightclubs in St Juan les Pins. not worth a special trip though.

NYerr

The last post is better than a guide book!

I recommend the Hotel Majestic in Cannes. We preferred that to the Martinez. Also the Carlton is top notch. I enjoy a few hours on the pier to break up the sightseeing.

Hope the Cannes visit coincides with one of the three fireworks shows. They are spectacular and many hotels have special dinners on the beach for them. Reservations required I am sure.

With respect to posting on Chevre D'Or in Eze. I totally agree, cocktails there and then Chateau Eza for dinner. That is exactly what we did.

Underhill

Le Cagnard is actually in Haut de Cagnes, the old town up on the hill.

Tulips

I've read that the chef of the Chevre d'Or opened a restaurant just outside Nice last year. It's in the small village of Falicon, and has a view over Nice. It's called Parcours. Looks very interesting. Has anyone been there? There's a write-up and pictures on www.cityvox.com (in French).