jamesandi

Hello all! Will be visiting the French Rivieria in mid-July for 4 days. The first day, DH and I land at 9 pm...so we only have time for a yummy dinner. The next three days are open. DH insists we visit a beach each of these three days, and also definitely wants to visit Monaco (big F1 fan) and Cannes. So can you pls. critique my itinerary...pls. let me know what to change!
Day 1: Beach: Juan-les-Pins and Antibes
Is it hard to get to the beach here?
Day 2: Beach and discover: Cannes
Evening: ?? Maybe Nice??? Any recommendations?
day 3: Morning: Nice market & Nice Beach
Afternoon: Eze & Monaco

How does this sound?? Is it possible?? Please help what makes most sense logistically...

Thank you

surfmom

I would not recommend the beach at Nice - it is small pebbles. The beaches at Cannes are much nicer.

We recently visited Villa d'Ephrussi and very much enjoyed it - actually the gardens more than the villa. check it out:
www.villa-ephrussi.com

I'll think harder, search also on this site on Nice or Cote d'Azur and you'll find some good info -

jamesandi

WOW! You are so sweet! Thanks for the link - the villa looks amazing! Is it difficult to get to without a car? How long do I need there?

So Nice beach is a no-no? I heard the beaches at Villefranche are also quite beautiful...

surfmom

I don't know about getting there without a car - we had one, so I didn't really pay attention... can someone else answer that?

We probably spent 1 - 2 hrs. there (it depends on your pace). They also have a very appealing tea room that would have be nice for a light snack.

Beaches in Villefranche? Good question... anyone?

We stayed in Villefranche (and loved it), but didn't pay attention to the beaches since it was too cold. Cute little town. Fun to watch the harbor.

We're not a big fan of Eze - felt very touristy. Let's see if I can explain that better: many places are 'touristy' - otherwise people wouldn't visit. Some, however, feel like nothing other than busloads of people who descend on a location and then are herded around. That's how Eze felt to me. The views ARE amazing, but we had planned to wander around longer and bailed and visited somewhere else instead. I don't know if that explains it better or not, but I prefer other towns over Eze (Village).

jamesandi

Pls. tell me the other villages you prefered...I don't like the 'touristy' feeling places as well, even though I am a tourist
I was in Venice last yr and didn't like it just due to the hoardes of tourists...
What else do you recommend?

surfmom

We were only there a few days recently, but we very much like Villefranche (esp. at night watching the harbor). We liked Old Town of Nice... walking around was fun and we liked Antibes.

Antibes was on a Sunday and we wandered the market area, but mostly we enjoyed walking along the water - there are some old ruins from when the town was fortified. We parked in the harbor paid lot and just walked.. sat in the sun and read... had a beer (or two)... lots of people, but primarily families out for a Sunday stroll.

I think you will like Monaco - we didn't visit since we were limited on time. I was there many years ago -

here is what our friend Rick says:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...ce/riviera.htm

Also, if you have a car, we loved the Corniche d'Esterel (west of Cannes).

Underhill

In July the Côte d'Azur is full of tourists; along the coast you'll find it hard to get away from them. So the solution is to head up into the mountains and visit places like Tourrettes-sur-Loup, or the village of Valbonne, below Grasse--those are sufficiently off the beaten tourist path that you won't find the crowds of the coast. As for Monaco--tourist heaven! Ditto for Cannes.

StuDudley

I disagree about the beach in Nice being a "no-no". The beach consists of flat polished stones - about 2-3 inches in diameter. The stones kick up less dust than sand. You should go to the "pay" beaches - they have mats you walk on. I actually prefer the Nice beach to Cannes or Juan les Pins (like St Tropez the most)

It would be very inefficient (IMPO) to go to Cannes, spend some time on the beach, and then tour the town or go somewhere else after being on the beach. I would want to go back to the hotel room, shower, change clothes, freshen up, etc. I've only been to the beach in Cannes once, and I don't remember if the "pay" beaches have showers (the ones in Nice do).

You'll only be there 3 days - make sure you use your time efficiently. Remember - many shops will be closed on Sunday, Monday morning, and at lunch (1-3).

Stu Dudley

jamesandi

Stu - thank you so much - you make very valid points. I am the same way - after a beach I really like to shower and freshen up. But, if I'm in Cannes, I don't really think I want to travel back and forth to Nice just to take a shower. I guess it would make most sense to tour the area before heading to the beach.
Logistically, what areas can I visit on the same day? What areas are in the same direction and are in close proximity to one another?
Which little city is great for dinner?

nevertooold

Is st Paul De vence one of the towns that are "closed" on Mondays?

I wouldn't think so, but I am just checking.

Thanks.

StuDudley

>>Is st Paul De vence one of the towns that are "closed" on Mondays?<<

Nope - St Paul is almost a 100% tourism town,so it's open every day. Never been there on a Monday, however (it's "open" on Sunday).

Stu Dudley

nevertooold

Stu - thanks, as always.

prjorange

I am living in Antibes right now--an American expat. The beaches here are very nice and sandy and have public showers for rinsing off. They are also topless (I would guess that about 40% of women opt for this). Not a fan myself due to the American modesty issue!

Antibes has a really nice port and Old Town area. Juan les Pins is more "in your face" tourist shops and pizza places in the beachfront area. However, they do have a fun and famous outdoor Jazz Festival in July--Jazz a Juan. Check it out!

Tulips

The paid beaches in Cannes have showers and changing rooms. Walk along the Croisette before you choose one; prices are not all the same. The poshest ones have very nice facilities (Carlton, Martinez, Majestic). You pay more if you want to be closer to the sea, on the first row. You can easily get there by train, then walk to the beach. Great fireworks on the 14th, but very very busy.

Juan les Pins is also accessible by train and has nice sandy beaches, but nothing to see or do there (except people watching!)

jamesandi

Thanks tulips! I'll be in Provence July 12 - 16 so I guess I can catch the fireworks. What is the celebration for?

Underhill

Bastille Day, the French national day (think our Fourth of July), is on July 14th.

jamesandi

So on the 14th we should be in Cannes...I guess for the experience.

Can anyone recommend a great scenic, private or public beach?

prjorange, any great beaches in Antibes? Easy to get to by train? Any restos with beautiful views?

I'm getting so excited! Thanks everyone!

Underhill

The beach in Villefranche looks out onto the beautiful bay and across to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Yorkyman

That all sounds great. Nice is a wonderful place with many things to do and see. Personally I would miis out cannes. It is just a smaller version of Nice. If you really want to go the whole hog try the train trop from nice to monton. This is one of the most glorious train rides I have ever been on. Takes in most if not all of you Itinerary and can be done with ease in a day. http://www.hotel-france-hotels.com/p...-alpes/menton/ although only 3 attractions are included here it is a great little place to do your thing while on the French Riviera. A taste of both France and Italy with views to die for.

Tulips

There will be fireworks everywhere on the 14th. If you have a seaview from your hotel in Nice, then stay there. If you go to Cannes on that day, shops are closed and many beaches close early to set up their 14 juillet dinners. If you do go (and I'm sure it will be the same in Nice) you can book an expensive dinner on the beach, or you can rent lounge chairs on the beach; glass of champagne is usually included in the price. But wherever you watch the fireworks, it is extremely busy and getting back to your hotel could be difficult. Check train schedules.
I've seen the fireworks in Cannes a few times, and they are spectacular, but I'm sure they are spectacular in Nice too.