I fly into Nice on Nov 9th and return home on the 19th. A first time visit to this part of France.

Would like to primarily base myself in Nice and another town/city along the Cote d'Azur. My primary interest is to explore art museums/installations and gardens in the area and I'll rely upon public transport, taxis and an occasional car and driver.

My accommodation budget is E 300 max.

What are your favourite smaller hotels?

Many thanks for your help.

La Perouse, sitting amidst the cliff that divides Nice to the west and Ville Franche to the east.... stunning. It used to be fairly reasonable, not sure these days. Hopefully you're getting to St Paul de Vence for the Maeght. Two years ago, we rented a car in Monte Carlo to get over there, but it was not meant to be. No GPS or maps, horrible traffic, lost -- but hopefully next year we'll TGV down from Paris and get there. Do get to Eze, a very different village than many years ago when we first went, second time parking was a problem, but the view is still spectacular and it's a special place.

Alice, I was smiling as I read your reply. I asked a travel agent acquaintance if she would take over from my covid-languishing brain, and she immediately suggested La Perouse. Booked. And she suggested Le Pigonnet in Aix-en-Provence which I haven't visited. Also booked.
Yes, Fondation Maeght is definitely on my short list.
Thank you for responding.

If we do get to France next year and TGV down to Nice, it'll be La Perouse again for sure!

Editing my reply, as I didn't see at first you had replied. Yes La Perouse is a perfect fit for your requirements. Also venture to Menton with two additional gardens.

I didn't realize you were thinking as far away as Aix! Enjoy.

Aix is a nice small city with a nice market but not close to the Cote d Azur and not that convenient to explore the rest of Provence.

I highly recommend Antibes with the Picasso Museum. Charming town. No hotels to recommend as we visited there from Nice. Next trip to the area we plan to stay in Antibes.

I've stayed at both La Perouse and Le Pigonnet. Loved both. Dinners at La Perouse were wonderful.

gooster and mjs - I hope to get to Menton but the two 2 gardens may push it to a must! No, Aix wasn't on my itinerary but when I saw it was a 4 hr train ride away I jumped at it. I've spent time in Provence but didn't make it to Aix - really looking forward to it.

cilburke - Excellent suggestion - dinner at La Perouse will be booked!

Happy - Antibes and the Picasso Museum are on my list - thank you!