Ted

I'm planning a week on the French Riviera to celebrate my 7th anniversary (surprise). My wife & I are 30 & 32 and live in NYC. St. Tropez is definately on the itinerary, but otherwise I'm open to suggestions. We like great beaches, watersports, nightlife. <BR><BR>What other destinations should we consider? <BR>Should we rent a car for the week and drive between destinations? How's the Hotel Byblos in St. Tropez?<BR><BR>Many thanks!<BR>

meira

Hi Ted<BR>I was there in the winter so didn't check the beaches but a car is a must in the Riviera.<BR>Have fun!<BR>Meira

alex

The Hotel (Byblos)is in town, a block or so from the main square/market area, walking distance to the Vieux Port-the main attraction in town. The beautiful people, predominately men who appreciate men (and prosperous fathers squiring their daughters and nieces), congregate around the harbor. Numerous very good restaurants. I recommend you do not drive in town, as parking is severely limited and the streets congested (if you stay at the Byblos you won't need to drive to do the town). Think spring break at Fort Lauderdale. Driving distance to the best beaches, which are crowded and narrow. Never stayed at the Byblos (I prefer the quiet of the hill hotels), but, its facade reminds me of Las Vegas, where the only sin is understatement. My wife's favorite part of the French Riviera. Not near much but nature (The Massif de l'Esterel, not easily accessible, has spectacular views of the sea). France's best, and only naturally occuring, sandy (narrow) beaches.<BR>I strongly recommend you rent a car (for access to the hill towns and freedom of movement) and split your stay between west (St. Tropez) and east. Distances between towns are short, but the going is slow. I would not want to venture from St. Tropez to Monaco, or the eastern hill towns, and back in a (needlessly long)day. Take the upper road (corniche) when you can, both for speed and the vistas.<BR>In the east (which has only rocky beaches or imported sand box beaches), we love St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which has a wonderful port and view of surrounding towns on the water and the perched villages, but it's far (far) quieter than St-Tropez. Near Cannes (great night life), Cap d'Antibes, Nice (not my cup of tea, but an international airport you should consider coming into or departing from), Monte Carlo ( and all you'd imagine)...Italy.<BR>You don't say when you're going, but book early if you plan a trip for the summer, and book last summer if you plan a visit for August.

Ted

Would it be reasonable to fly into Nice, spend a night there, then venture east (or west) to Monaco/St. Tropez for a couple of nights in each destination? Should we stay in Cannes as well (or instead)? Other suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>

Wendy

Hi ted, while in the Riveria I stayed in Nice and took the train (20 mins either way) to Monaco and Cannes. It was fantastic!!!

mimi taylor

I would rather stay in Cassis. As pretty but not with an attitude as St tropez. Not as crowded, good restaurants. Be sure to take a boat ride to the Calangues.

alex

Unless I were arriving in Nice near or after dark I would not stay there overnight. You could drive either to St. Tropez (67 miles) or Monaco (11 miles) in a couple hours or less; both have more to see than Nice, unless you have a great fondness for modern art or manmade fabrics. See St. Tropez for its attitude. See its beaches, especially Plage de Tahiti, one of the Riviera's true clothing optional beaches, because the water is pretty. Keep in mind that the next beach (partial nudity) is three feet away.<BR>Cannes and Monaco are so close together (27 miles), I'd pick one or the other to stay in. Cannes, gamboling. Monaco, gambling. You'll need your passports, not to enter Monaco, but its casinos.<BR> Remember that these are coastal roads, which are highly congested that time of the year, or mountain roads that can be slow because they're,well, mountainous. There is a major highway, E80, running, roughly, from Cannes east to Italy, and part of the way west (roughly to Frejus) to St. Tropez. Buy a Michelin map (Numbers 115 and 245 are good. They come in different levels of detail). If I were splitting the trip as you indicate, I'd go west first, so I'd be near Nice's airport for the return flight.

Ted

Excellent advice, Alex, and much appreciated. It's hard to believe how short the distances are in that area. <BR><BR>Is there anything WEST of St. Tropez that you'd suggest not missing?<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>

beth anderson

Hi, <BR><BR>don't forget to take the N7 (middle mountain road) from Nice to points east... absolutely stunning. don't bother with the coast road if you can help it, even in September it was a mess and you don't see as much as you think (from Juan les Pins to Nice at least).<BR><BR>also, I would probably suggest staying in Cannes and making day trips. don't stretch yourself too thin, and, changing hotels even after TWO nights is a pain in the butt. <BR><BR>if you stay in Cannes, you can take the fast road to Nice, then meander along the N7 to points East, back to Cannes on the fast road then meander your way west. (there are of course beautiful things to see in b/w Cannes and Nice, this is just an example).<BR><BR>Beth

Ron

Just south of San Tropez there is a lovely little hill town called Gassin...saw a charming restaurant there I will try on a future trip. Further west, boat trips to the Ile de Porquerolles are popular.

alex

Ted:<BR>I can't offer advice about points west on the French Riviera.<BR>As I student I visited Biarritz, on the Atlantic near the Pyrenees, twenty+ years ago. Very nice grand hotels and casino. On the whole, much better beaches than you find on the Mediterranean. I prefer the Riviera-- St. Tropez in the west and Cannes and points east.

James

An ideal 7 day Riviera itinerary would be? <BR><BR>

ooo

Hills of Saint Tropez with Bardot at 30.

Keith Legg

You might also want to think about visiting Grasse, just to the north of Cannes. Mainly best known for its perfume factory - which I've never known a woman to dislike! - it's also a nice town and has some spectacular views to the coast.<BR><BR>Cannes is a great place to visit too. The beaches are excellent, and although all the hotels "claim" bits of the beach for themselves don't let them put you off - under French law the beach belongs to the Government so although you maybe can't use the sunbeds there's nothing to stop you sitting in that part of the beach. We went there for a long weekend a couple of years ago and stayed in a small family hotel just off the Croisette - it was very cheap, but very friendly and beautiful.

monica

My husband and I are in our early 30s and from NYC. We did this tr last year. We stayed at Byblos...very hip and very cool. Great nightclub, so make sure you stay a Saturday night. I agree Cassis is incredible, but if you want to party would stay in St. Tropez and do a day trip to Cassis. Would also stay somewhere like Nice or Monaco (not Cannes) and visit the towns along the Coast from there.

monica

My husband and I are in our early 30s and from NYC. We did this trip last year. We stayed at Byblos...very hip and very cool. Great nightclub, so make sure you stay a Saturday night. I agree Cassis is incredible, but if you want to party would stay in St. Tropez and do a day trip to Cassis. Would also stay somewhere like Nice or Monaco (not Cannes) and visit the towns along the Coast from there.

Bob

A little late, but just saw your posting here. <BR><BR>For daytrips, interesting things to do, etc. and many, many links to our area - click on "Daytrips" at http:/pages.prodigy.net/cgleason/<BR><BR>We do suggest renting a car before you go through AAA, CAA, or similar before going. Usually far cheaper than renting here/there (France) + gives you added mobility over a weeks time, but coast road traffic is atrocious in summer, esp. August. <BR><BR>If you have a specific question, email me. Bon chance.

Ron

When in the area of San Tropez we stay at the Chateau Valmer and recommend it highly.