Chelsea1479

Hi all,
I will be spending a couple of days in Nice on an organised tour (and will visit Cannes and Monaco) but a few weeks later will return for 6 nights for a conference.

Can anyone recommend another potential day trip location from Nice? I was thinking maybe St Tropez... Wanting somewhere scenic and very French riveria! Will be in April 06.

Cheers fodorites!

cigalechanta

ttt

mpprh

Hi

Even in April Nice : St Tropez can have bad traffic.

A trip to the hinterland is well worthwhile. Check out Grasse, Gourdon, Tourettes sur Loup & Vence as ideas.

You will need to rent a car.

Peter

Weadles

St. Paul de Vence and Eze are two medieval hill towns worth a visit. St. Paul de Vence has more of a town to explore than Eze, but Eze has astounding views. Both destinations can be reached easily by bus from Nice. (St. Paul de Vence is about a 50 minute ride, Eze is a little shorter).

walkinaround

st tropez is best done by boat from Nice. you can arrange to take the public boat from the marina. you should plan the day in advance as you don't have much time. for example, if you want to go to the better beaches, you should get a taxi from town. if you just wish to have lunch and explore, then you will have plenty of time as the boat takes you right into the centre.

the approach from the boat affords you nice views of town and you can see some sites along the way.

i don't think you want to drive or take a bus...unfortunately, due to rough seas, we had to return part of the way by bus and the traffic was awful.

i do think st tropez is worth a day trip.

TimS

Antibes has a lovely walled old town worth exploring. If you're an art lover, don't miss the Picasso Museum. The Chateau Grimaldi which houses the museum is worth seeing for its own sake. There is a daily morning market near the museum. Spectacular views of the coastline from St-Tropez to Italy can be seen from Chapelle de la Garoupe, a 25-minute uphill climb from the end of plage de la Salis.

Underhill

Certainly Antibes, and then a drive from there along the coast to Juan les Pins and back via Antibes to Nice. Beautiful scenery and not too much traffic. Have lunch at the marine of St-Laurant-du-Var, which is fairly unknown to tourists and quite charming.

kappa

You want only "somewhat" scenic? The view from Eze-Village over the sea and coast line is magnificent. The bus no.82 (I think) will take you from Nice Bus terminal to Eze-Village in less than 30 minutes with a great view over Villefranche-Sur-Mer and Cap-Ferrat on the way. In Eze-village visit the Jardin Exotique not only for its cactus but especially for the view. The bus ticket (single-solo) was only EURO 1.30 last weekend.

Here are some photos I took then.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b388/k...%20Nov%202005/

If you are lucky and have a sunny day as I did, you can hike down to Eze-Mer, at the sea level on the path of Nietzsche. This takes 45 minutes and would need a good walking shoes. Down there you can take Bus either No100 (slower and more scenic) or a train back to Nice.

kappa

And more photos of places I visited last weekend Nice as day excursion. Some are metioned on above posts.

Antibe including Piccaso museum (interesting)
http://photobucket.com/albums/b388/katsu
norimasuko/Antibe%20Nov%202005/

Cap-Ferrat with Villa Rotschild
http://photobucket.com/albums/b388/k...%20Nov%202005/

Villefranche-Sur-Mer (7 minute train ride from Nice)
http://photobucket.com/albums/b388/k...%20Nov%202005/

Chelsea1479

Wow - thanks so much for all the replies!! Now I have the difficult task of choosing, but you have certainly given me the "I've been there" insight I was after.

mclaurie

Lovely photos kappa! The round dining pavillion at Villa Ephrusi looks idyllic.

kappa

Thanks Mclaurie. I recommend to visit the villa and that cafe La Rotonde when you find yourself nearby. This was my second time. On the 4th photos that I took from the etrance of the cafe, you see the Bay of Villefranche-S.M.underneath, beautiful and peaceful view. They serve light lunch based on various salads/vegetble pies at €11-14 range. Considering the setting and the view, this is not expensive, I found. (Well you have to pay the entrance to the villa and garden.). Also since this was a property of Rotschild family, the cafe serves Mouton Rotschild wine by the glass.

Underhill

Lunch in the tea room at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a lovely experience, but be sure to book well ahead--it can fill up fast, leaving you to sit on the patio. That's nice, but without the spectacular view of the Villefranche Bay.

mclaurie

I've been to the villa (adored it) but didn't remember seeing the tea room. Now I have to go back. I'm very jealous Chelsea1479 (and kappa).

dina4

ttt

kappa

> Lunch in the tea room at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a lovely experience, but be sure to book well ahead ...

Maybe in the highest seasons? Both times I was there for lunch(end Oct & end Nov and on Sat or Sun), I had no problem getting a table by the window. There were more table free than taken.

cigalechanta

Lunch at the Colombe D'Or in St-Paul-de-Vence and visit the amazing Maeght Foundation in the same village. The art is inside, and out on the grounds. A very special place.

dina4

Thanks for all the great tips. They're helping my plan my trip, too!