I have wonderful memories of Eze and the last time I was there about two years ago it was in the middle of the day and pretty crowded but try to overlook the hoards.

I hesitate to share one of my favorite villages perched over the sea but here goes: Roquebrune Cap Martin

http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/alpmarit...u/roquebru.htm

Just don't tell anyone else.

Jill,

"We love taking scenic walks. Can't wait!!"

You might want to consider hiking along the coast of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The road winds among luxurious estates between the sea and pine groves for 9 miles around the cape. We found the entrance I think right after we visited the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, the garder was beautiful by the way.

It was the best thing we did while in this area, it was beautiful hiking along the Mediterranean.

Have a great time Jill, you will really enjoy this area of France, we certainly did.

Lots of good information!! Thank you so much everyone.

Well i LOVED St Paul De Vence and dinner at Colombe D'or is also a must do if you can.
I took the Fragonard tour in Grasse and it was good. (I still love their candles and they are fabulous stocking fillers)
There are lots of lovely villagers around there, all easy to reach if you have a car, we were staying in Cannes i think (at the Carlton which was nice.... anyway i digress)

Just to mention another possibility - taxi! We got the train from Cannes to Eze, and when we got out of the train there were signs with a number to call for a taxi - we did so and within 5 minutes had a taxi to bring us up the hill.

Once up the top we managed to find a timetable for a bus that would bring us back down to the train station later. We found it fairly easy to use the train to get to Eze that way.

We will be stopping in Nice and Provence , one day each, during a cruise in October. Not much time, but we're reading alot about Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and Peillon. The casino in Monaco will be closed during that time for renovation. We'd like some ideas on where to visit in a short visit, and any reputable and interesting tour guides. Help!

OP: No, it is not as beautiful as you think it's going to be. It is one of over 400 perched villages in Provence and Liguria, and just happens to be the one that, being so close to the coast, is jammed full of tourists. It is a popular destination for bus tours. Try one of the 399 others and the chances are you will have a more memorable and useful introduction to local life and culture.

I was in Eze village and St Paul de Vence last October. Both are lovely but if you go to only one, make it St Paul de Vence. Beatiful little town to walk through and you can alos visit Fondation Maeght --wonderful private modern art/sculture museum and garden, which is located outside town walls.

Eze is beautiful. I'm sure it's very touristy in high season, but we were just there the last week in February and had it to ourselves. That said, as others have suggested, head out from Cannes up to Gourdon and then to St Paul de Vence. The drive up into the mountains and then down through the gorge is incredible. Better than Eze? Debatable. But certainly better than Monaco, unless you like looking at hideously expensive cars and yachts. If you do, also head to Antibes. Close to Cannes and more huge yachts than you could ever have imagined existed.

Rent a car in Cannes and drive to Monte Carlo, the drive and the stops on the way are amazing, you will not be disappointed. I concur with the other writer that Monaco is not that special. Just stop in to check it off your list.
We were there in early July and it was not that crowded, everything was easy to find. If you have time in Cannes or Nice I recommend the ferry to Corsica, it is awesome.

(1) The Colombe d'Or restaurant is in St-Paul-de-Vence, not Eze-village.

(2) The old perfume factory in Grasse has now morphed into the International Museum of Perfume, which is extremely interesting. As well as displaying old copper perfume vats and other equipment the museum houses a fine collection of perfume bottles, some dating from the days of ancient Egypt. The bottles from the French couture houses are amazingly beautiful. There's also a scent garden on the top floor and a good gift shop, but be warned that it closes on the dot of noon until 1 p.m.

(3) The drive to Peillon is, to put it mildly, itneresting; there are 13 switchbacks. I've always thought it would be a great climb in the Tour de France.

Tell me about Corsica.....

What time do all the shops open in Eze? If I do decide to go to Eze, I want to beat all the buses. So, most likely I will get there by 8 am.

Jill where did you decide to stay in Cannes? I am planning a trip and thought of staying 1-2 nights in Cannes, 1 night at the Vista Palace outside Monaco (for the views) and 3 nights in Nice.

Please do a trip report as I will be visiting some of the same towns such as St Paul de Vence and possibly Eze. Let us know what you think of Cannes. I thought maybe 2 nights to go to Antibes beach the second day.

Vicky - no problem! I will definitely post a trip report.

Corsica is FABULOUS, We are going again in a few weeks, you can get the ferry from Nice to Calvi or Ille rousse both great places to start. Beautiful beaches, amazing places and wonderful food.....AND it doesnt feel "too" touristy....