bilboburgler

Monaco is less than impressive, but very clean

arunkumarsivaraman24

Thank you all for your comments. I was out travelling and hence didn't have internet access for a while.

I've booked the car (with option to cancel) so I'm thinking of ditching it and sticking to just the cities by the coast. It's our first time in the riviera so just wanted to sample (because we only have a day @ each place) the different cities. We usually love nature but just want to do regular touristy stuff on this trip.

I've few questions as I start preparing in greater detail for this trip:
1. I believe the strikes are still going on. For anyone who lives in or recently visited France, should I factor the strikes in terms of planning travel or visiting places?
2. I haven't been able to get the online (timed) tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower summit. I'm going to be in Paris last week of May. Should I get the 2nd floor access tickets or do a walkin and get summit tickets?
3. To what other places should I get tickets at this point itself.

gooster

You can see a lot by simply taking the train along the coast. There are also buses, which can take you to Eze, Cap Ferrat and St. Paul de Vence. There is a bus to Monaco that is relatively scenic but the train is quicker and is the best way to get between Nice, Antibes, Cannes (and points west.... and to Menton).

You should consult the local papers and cestlagreve.fr for the next strike. It does not impact every method of transport. Of course, if you keep the car you can avoid these issues. In the South and in rural areas, the strikes have been less disruptive than in Paris.

Travel_To_Eat

Riviera is about beaches and relaxation and staying 1 night in 3 different places defeats the purpose.

I would stay 3 nights in one place instead. I would also start with the place that requires most energy and leave the relaxing stuff to end of trip when you have less energy.

shelemm

The Cote d'Azur is just as much about hilltop villages and Modern Art as it is about beaches. It is an area rich in many features of architecture from forts to old towns and villages, marinas, and historic villas. There are gardens, chateaux, hiking, vineyards. I've been there twice and I didn't go to the beach.

jars50

We just returned from 5 weeks in France (2 weeks in Nice/ one week in Hyeres and 2 weeks in Paris). I would avoid getting a car as there are plenty of trains and or buses available, despite the strikes. Nice is small and very walkable. We only used the 10-trip tram pass four times during our stay, opting to walk everywhere, including the trek up the hill to the Matisse and Chagall museums (this strategy allow me to indulge in a Paris-Brest pastry
Monaco is one giant construction site with high-rise buildings going up everywhere. I would skip it all together.
Demonstrations in Paris were centered in the area from Republique to Nation, so, unless you were in this eastern part of Paris, you would not even know they were going on.
With respect to obtaining tickets in advance, I would advise doing so if you want to see the Degas/Manet exhibit at the Musee d'Orsay (this exhibit will also be at the Met Museum in NYC if you are unable to see it in Paris).

Have a lovely trip.

Judy

We have had good luck with Ubers in that area when the train or bus is not convenient.

arunkumarsivaraman24

Hi,

My trip is now less than 10 days away. We have decided to ditch the car and just stick to visiting attractions via train. I've few logistics and attractions related questions:

1. If pick pockets are a real menace in Paris, what are some practical tips for 1st time travelers?
2. Should one carry credit cards from different platforms (visa/mastercard/amex) or will visa be good enough in all places (paris/french riviera)?
3. How much cash (US $) would you recommend having in hand?
4. What kinds places usually ask for cash?

Now coming to some of the visits:

1. We're looking to goto the D-Day beaches for a day. Would you all recommend getting a guide or things explained well without a guide?
2. On the day we visit the D-Day (likely a Sat), do you think it would be possible to visit the Lisieux Cathedral on the way back from Caen and also get back to Paris by night?

abbydog

Hello! I just returned from a month in Marseille, Bordeaux, and Paris. Here are my thoughts:
​​​​​​
1. If pick pockets are a real menace in Paris, what are some practical tips for 1st time travelers? - I did not find pickpockets to be a menace anywhere, but i kept my valuables in a zipped bag under my arm or an inside pocket of my jacket. I always had my hand on my phone (since I take lots of pictures with it anyway). The only crime I heard of on my trip was the theft of a phone from someone's pocket. Also, standard advice is to not engage with people who accost you with questions or petitions to sign, because they might be trying to distract you from a pickpocket.
2. Should one carry credit cards from different platforms (visa/mastercard/amex) or will visa be good enough in all places (paris/french riviera)? One platform is fine, but don't use American Express. That's the only one of the three that I believe isn't universally accepted.
3. How much cash (US $) would you recommend having in hand? I like having about 100 Euro in small bills for tips, and occasionally a taxi driver does not want you to use a card. But even at produce markets, the vendors I encountered preferred credit.
4. What kinds places usually ask for cash? The only time on my trip that someone preferred cash was in a taxi, but you can confirm that they take credit cards before you get in.

thursdaysd

When traveling I always wear a money belt under my clothes. I only have one day's money, or these days one credit card, more easily accessible. I travel solo and I take at least two different credit cards and two different ATM cards. I usually have some US cash stashed away in case of an emergency, for a short trip $100 should be enough. I get local cash on arrival, but these days there is little use for it.

Sample money belt (do not access in public): https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/moneybelt

Watch out for the Dynamic Currency Conversion scam (look it up).

bilboburgler

I'd not carry $
I normally like to have E50 in small notes
Pickpockets... don't carry anything you will not mind if stolen. If carrying a day bag, don't put anything valuable in it. They use rasors to slice open the bottom to drop stuff out and you will not feel it. If in a crowded space (the metro) monitor for little hands touching pockets etc. Do not be agressive in defence, there will be more than one. I've not found one in Paris but, like every city, there may be some.

The old tricks of "I've found a ring, is it yours?" or "I've squirted ketchup on you, let me wipe it off" are obvious. Step away and go about your business.

Who asks for cash? Small transactions like a cup of coffee in a bar E1.50-E1.00 needs cash. Dodgy restaurants who want to avoid tax. Street vendors.

D day. It depends what you want. Do you have a really good guide book and only a passing interest or do you have a passion for the subjects and need lots of info? The whole piece covers most of the north of France so you should be booking someone soon.

AJPeabody

Rather than a money belt, which cannot be modestly accessed in public, consider a pocket carrier that hangs from the neck under your clothes, easily retrieved when necessary. The simplest safety device for men is to wear a pocket T-shirt to carry a credit card and the day's cash under your regular shirt, since unbuttoning 2 buttons makes it instantly accessible. For true paranoids, carry an old wallet stuffed with paper in a normal wallet place and let them steal it!

thursdaysd

A neck carrier is not safe. I met a woman in Buenos Aires who had hers stolen. You do not access the money belt in public, period. If for some reason (you just visited an ATM or passed through immigration) you need to you find a restroom. As I said, one day's supply of money and/or one credit card is carried separately, the money belt is for the other cards, passport, cash etc.

arunkumarsivaraman24

Hi,

I have a logistics based question. I land @ 11.30a @ CDG Terminal 2 & my train to Nice is @ 4p.

I read that Orange has better packages but things are expensive @ the airport. So, my alternative is to see if there are mobile stores either inside Gare De Lyon itself or within its vicinity or if it's best to get it @ CDG then anyone that has traveled recently guide me on the best possible way

AJPeabody

Orange at CDG is used to working fast with travelers and you will lose no time trying to find a store or kiosk near the Gare. How much money would you like to save if it means missing your train?

arunkumarsivaraman24

Is there a orange in terminal 2?

AJPeabody

Ask Mrs. Google.

arunkumarsivaraman24

Thank you, Mr. Google