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- - paris and nice (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-and-nice-50762/)

We are going to paris in March on business but want to tack on a week in Nice. What is the best way to get to and from and when in Nice do we really need a car. We are not all day tourists and prefer to do things on a slow pace. Is there a regular (not high speed train from paris to nice without a transfer? I think we'd like to do the slow ride south and then perhaps tgv or fly back to paris for the return. I know that Nice will occupy us for several days and don't want to pay for a car to sit in a garage. If we choose the train and forego a car is it better to do a pass or per trip ticket? We know that we won't see everything but don't mind having to return for a second trip.

Sue: the website for the french trains is: www.sncf.com It'll help with times, etc. The only daytime trains WITHOUT changing are TGV. It's about a 7 hour ride. There is a slowboattochina train that goes to Marseilles, where you change trains. I've done this one (before the TGV) and it's not a big deal to change trains. According to the schedule, there's an hour layover. I had 4 minutes scheduled, and I made it. They've obviously done some tweaking on the times.... You don't need a car in the south of France **IF** you are going to do Nice, Monaco, Cannes, etc. as they are on the train line. If you want to visit some of the hill towns near Nice, there are regular buses that go there. There are many small towns that are not easily accessible except with a car. Get a railpass; if you want to use the TGV, it immediately is cheaper to have the pass. There is a rail 'n' drive Francerail pass that gives you xx days via train and xx days of a car rental. More than likely, you won't need a car if you're spending just a week in the area. Nice itself has lots to see; Monte Carlo is a day trip (I'm taking into consideration your statement "we are not all-day tourists"); so is St Tropez (train to St Raphael then a bus to the peninsula). St Paul de Vence, Vence, Eze - all 'day' trips via bus. Dress for Virginia seashore in March - cool, sometimes rainy. The south of France makes the best pizza in the world (they bake an egg on top, like a soft sunny-side up, and it is pure heaven. Be sure to sprinkle on the hot oil, too). The Italian food is excellent. Try all the fish - all sorts of unknown names but very good.

Because of TGV, there are no slow trains down to the Riviera, unless you take a night train or break your journey. This actually could be a good idea : take the TGV to Avignon (3 hours), stop a couple of days, from then on you'll have a choice of slow, regional trains all the way to Nice. When in Nice, you don't need a car if you want to go to Monaco, or Cannes. You might try the French equivalent to Greyhound, local buses that can bring you to Grasse, Saint-Paul de Vence, Eze, etc.

We were in Nice in January and we did day trips to Monte Carlo and Cannes via the train. Elvira is right about the pizza. I had the best seafood pizza at the Barracuda Restaurant on rue Meyerbeer off the Promenade des Anglais. Nice is a great city for just mosey along and not doing much of anything. I guess why we like if off season. Also, you might want to consider flying out of Nice (if you have not yet made your plane reservations). It has a great airport. Hope this helps.

RE: Getting to Cannes from Nice Are there "tour companies" like Greyhound in Nice?? We will be staying in Nice, but would like to go to Cannes and St. Tropez. TIA

I quite agree that slow trains give better views of the countryside, with time to look at places as you pass. My trouble is that I can't find any non-TGV day train between Paris and Lyon. Such a train does leave Dijon at 1217, with a buffet car, and reaches Nice at 2005. To reach it by semi slow train you leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 0745 and reach Dijon at 1030. Or you abandon your principles and leave Paris by TGV at 1024 (not Sundays) and reach Dijon at 1205. Please write if I can help further. Ben Haines, London

Hi all Does any one know, is NOvember a bad time to go to Nice? Will things be closed/ weather bad or should it be open, buzzing and sunny? Fast responses would help me a lot, I have done a past search of the past threads but want to book something online tonight (just the flight) THoughts very welcome Thanks Kavita PS please respond to this site as I am at home so my work email (above) wont be read till tomorrow! :-)

Kavey: Nice will be chilly, and maybe a little rainy; you can never tell, as I've been there in the fall when it's been bright sun and high 60's. Plan on the worst; hope for the best! Everything is open (except for a few seaside restaurants/businesses) and NOT crowded (big BIG bonus). If you go to the towns in the hills, like St Paul de Vence, count on it being VERY chilly. Monaco is alive and kicking, too.

Spent four days in Nice about 12 years ago without a car -- no problem. Did day trips to Cannes, Monaco, and Antibes. Last summer returned via rental car (which we had for two months), and spent another four days in Nice. Parked the car at the hotel and never moved it till we left. My suggestion is forget the car. We love Nice in itself. The old city is wonderful, walks clear around to the harbor, along the esplanade, up to the parks on the hill -- lots to do there, and easy train trips if you want some variety.