FRENCH RIVIERA: What do you love MOST about it?
 

I'd love to hear what you fodorites love most about the French Riviera! What's your favorite town, village, view, drive, experience...

Great question, dina4. I would like to plan a trip there, too.

I like the Riviera, but it's bumper to bumber in July/August. I prefer the up hill locations.

We'll be there in June. Hoping traffic won't be as bad?!
Cigalachanta, what are your favorite "uphill" locations?

Dina, St Paul-de'Vence, Tourrettes sur- Loup. What a wonderful location at the Loup as you dined over looking the perché village of Gourdon at the Auberge des Gorges du Loup. In Vence (st-Paul) for one night stay, all that art under your roof and by the pool. It's been my later birthday present now thee times for one night. It's also so I can re-visit , the Maeght Foundation
and watch the boule players across the road wheree Yves Montand stayed at the place I love , The Colombe D'Or. Yves And Signoret Married there.Go to tht P.O. and walk uptairs to s th photos of what I'm saying.

Jeez no edit, sorry I hope you uderstood.

Hey, cigalechanta

We'll be staying in St. Paul de Vence for 3 nites (April 17-19). Our first time there. Any other recommendations?

I like the drive up the Roya Valley. Beautiful alpine scenery.

St.Paul de Vence, must be a beautiful place. I am yet to visit that village.

I can recommend the coast line between Nice and Cape d'Ail. Villages, places I liked are Villeneuve-sur-mer, Villa Rotschild (at Cape Ferrat) and Eze- Village.

I lived in Toulon for 6 months and absolutely loved it. It has mountains on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other - what is there not to love? I had a great time in St. Paul de Vence, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and went to Grasse for their perfume - have a blast!

We'll be based in St. Paul, too!

Anyone know about how bad the traffic is in on the lower road in late June?

Thanks for all your favorites! More are welcome!

We loved Villefranche-sur-mer. The whole area is just beautiful though so you will enjoy it all!

We are thinking about a quick visit there in July after Italy. We did this two years ago and it was a perfect vacation, ending that time in Paris. If we go this year we will leave Paris out.

Have a wonderful trip!

I meant VilleFRANCHE-Sur-Mer !

I love the art (lol) and the small towns and villages--Antibes (Picasso Museum),St. Paul de Vance, Mougins,Villefrance sur Mer, Vailauris (Picasso chapel), Gourdon. Love Nice too. Don't care for Cannes and Monaco.

Thank you for all your valuable advice!

Villefranche-sur-mer seems to be a popular favorite. I will research that town more. Did you love the beaches or shopping or ambience??

Artlover--just curious, what didn't you like about Cannes and Monaco?

Also, don't mean to obsess about the TRAFFIC I live in L.A. and can't help it), but people keep mentioning it. Will it be horrible in late June? Should we avoid certain places?

Thanks again,
Dina

What I lvoe most about the Côte d'Azur is finding a place to sit and just spend hours looking at the azure Mediterranean.

Dina, Tourrette sur Loup is a lovely village with wonderful craft shops. The Gorges du loup is a beautiful sight. The nearby Perché village of Gourdon has a chateau that has two museums and a panoramic three tiered garden.

I also love Villefranche. It is small but convenient for traveling up and down the coast by train. You really don't need a car there. I went to a language school there for a month. I did not want to come back home. I cried. I planned on going back to visit next April.

Just referring to what kappa said, the coast line between Nice and Cap d'Ail is great. We were along the Riviera end of August- September. We did the usual Menton,Nice,Monaco,Cannes and some of the smaller villages,Villefranche-sur-mer etc. We were used to driving considering we had lived in europe for years but the big cities (Nice) still kind of a pain but well worth the effort. Not sure where you are staying but we settled on a nice quiet b and b about 20 mins north of Nice in Gattieres. Nice big house with 4 bedrooms only, all have patios which overlook the neat little town of Gattieres. Great breakfast onthe patio overlooking the pool and town. and very reasonable. http://www.escale-azur-gattieres.com/index.htm
It's just about 9 km from St. PAul de Vence which is also a great town.

If you like modern art, I loved the Foundation Maeght near St. Paul de Vence. Great site, great building, great art. One of the best museums I've ever been to.