Paris - South of France: Help!
May 22nd, 2006, 01:26 PM
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Paris - South of France: Help!
My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to France and we have a lot of questions - hoping some knowledgeable fodorites could help us! We are attempting to plan a 10 day trip (leaving 2 as travel days)to France. We were thinking 2 days in Paris, then traveling to the Nice/Cannes area for 4/5 days (with maybe a stop in between somewhere)? Does this sound feasible? Does anyone know how long it takes to get from Paris to Nice...the best way to travel, etc? Any suggestions for 1 night in between the two places?
We're trying to come up with an itinerary and then book places to stay. How far in advance do we need to book hotel rooms? As you can see, we need a lot of help. (At times I think travel agents just tell you what they've been told...and I'd rather get advice from people who have actually travelled to France!) Thanks so much for any suggestions!
We're trying to come up with an itinerary and then book places to stay. How far in advance do we need to book hotel rooms? As you can see, we need a lot of help. (At times I think travel agents just tell you what they've been told...and I'd rather get advice from people who have actually travelled to France!) Thanks so much for any suggestions!
May 22nd, 2006, 01:43 PM
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Assuming you have never been to Paris, I think 2 days is not enough. I would give myself 4 just in order to scratch the surface. If you want, one of those 4 days can be devoted to a daytrip, perhaps to Chartres or Giverny or Versailles. I would not break up the remaining 6 days by stopping somewhere else. There is enough to see on the Riviera/Provence to fill 6 days (especially since one of them will be taken up with travel time). I would base myself out of Nice (definitely not Cannes) for 6 days, taking public transport to neighboring towns/attractions (St. Paul de Vence, Antibes, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild). You could change that to only 3 days in Nice and then maybe two days near St. Remy or in Aix-en-Provence if you're determined to see a lot and keep moving. Personally, 6 days based in Nice would be a dream for me.
I'll let someone else answer the train question. I know that you can take the TGV (2 or 3 hours) from Paris to Avignon. There may be one that goes from Paris to Nice as well. Not sure.
I'll let someone else answer the train question. I know that you can take the TGV (2 or 3 hours) from Paris to Avignon. There may be one that goes from Paris to Nice as well. Not sure.
May 22nd, 2006, 02:24 PM
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With only ten days, I'd recommend splitting your time equally between Paris and Nice. You certainly won't run out of things to see or do, and it would be a shame to shortchange one of these wonderful cities.
I'd recommend flying between Paris and Nice since it's easy and a very short flight ( about an hour and a half).
Definitely base yourselves in Nice. In my humble opinion, it's a much more interesting city than Cannes, and it's easy to do day trips from Nice by bus or train to most of the places that you'll want to see inland and along the coast.
Some of the places I'd recommend are: Eze, St. Jean Cap de Ferrat, Antibes, and St. Paul de Vence. Notice Monaco is not on my list. I find it very tacky, but if you haven't been, you may find The Grimaldi Palace and the casino worth a look. Just so you know, Monaco is only about a 20 min train ride from Nice.
If you are planning on visiting in the busy summer/early fall months, you will need to book Nice way ahead. Many popular hotels fill up quickly- sometimes a year in advance! Paris is less of a problem in the summer, since many of its residents take off for the beach, etc., but it's always advisable to make plans as soon as you can. Ask about possible discounts if you're going to Paris in late summer- some hotels will oblige.
I'd recommend flying between Paris and Nice since it's easy and a very short flight ( about an hour and a half).
Definitely base yourselves in Nice. In my humble opinion, it's a much more interesting city than Cannes, and it's easy to do day trips from Nice by bus or train to most of the places that you'll want to see inland and along the coast.
Some of the places I'd recommend are: Eze, St. Jean Cap de Ferrat, Antibes, and St. Paul de Vence. Notice Monaco is not on my list. I find it very tacky, but if you haven't been, you may find The Grimaldi Palace and the casino worth a look. Just so you know, Monaco is only about a 20 min train ride from Nice.
If you are planning on visiting in the busy summer/early fall months, you will need to book Nice way ahead. Many popular hotels fill up quickly- sometimes a year in advance! Paris is less of a problem in the summer, since many of its residents take off for the beach, etc., but it's always advisable to make plans as soon as you can. Ask about possible discounts if you're going to Paris in late summer- some hotels will oblige.
May 22nd, 2006, 02:59 PM
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You might want to look into flying open jaw--into Paris and out of Nice.
The low cost flight from Paris to Nice mentioned above is probably with Easyjet from Orly.
Another option is to take the train.
Schedules here:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
The low cost flight from Paris to Nice mentioned above is probably with Easyjet from Orly.
Another option is to take the train.
Schedules here:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
May 22nd, 2006, 03:12 PM
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We do Paris & Nice area almost every year. It's not a bad drive but we stop somewhere in haute provence and spend the night. (We start in Paris and fly home from Nice.)We try to get about 4 hours or so driving in the first day, then we can get into Nice in under 2 hours the next day.
Look up relais & chateaux for stopovers. We've tried them all and never been disappointed.
We've also taken the train. That cuts down on the travelling time but you have to learn to pack light. I learned the hard way!
You need to book as far in advance as you can. If you're going this summer you should be on it now.
Look up relais & chateaux for stopovers. We've tried them all and never been disappointed.
We've also taken the train. That cuts down on the travelling time but you have to learn to pack light. I learned the hard way!
You need to book as far in advance as you can. If you're going this summer you should be on it now.
May 23rd, 2006, 10:35 AM
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When are you going? That makes a big difference in the time needed for booking hotel rooms--high season in Paris runs from May through October, for example, and rooms fill up fast for those months. In Nice it's July through September.
May 23rd, 2006, 11:43 AM
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Just returned last night from Nice, and really loved it. Will post a trip report in the next day or two, with details.
For now, I'll mention that the Hotel Grimaldi in Nice is a very nice and reasonably priced four-star hotel, with very helpful and friendly service, even a free internet 'business center' off the lobby. You can print out whatever you need, and they'll also provide bus schedules and train schedules for you. It's in a great central location for walking to old Nice, the waterfront promenade, the train and bus stations, the pedestrian section, etc.. Also a nice breakfast buffet for a small additional charge per day.
We took day-trips to Antibes via train, and Cap Ferrat via bus (to visit the Rothschild villa and St. Jean).
Nice has great restaurants in the old section. Beautiful to walk along the promenade at night, so much to do. I'll post the names of two especially nice casual dinner restaurants in old Nice that locals recommended.
With more time we might have visited St. Paul de Vence, Digne, Grasse, seen the St. Nicholas cathedral. A lot to do in Nice. Have fun planning it.
For now, I'll mention that the Hotel Grimaldi in Nice is a very nice and reasonably priced four-star hotel, with very helpful and friendly service, even a free internet 'business center' off the lobby. You can print out whatever you need, and they'll also provide bus schedules and train schedules for you. It's in a great central location for walking to old Nice, the waterfront promenade, the train and bus stations, the pedestrian section, etc.. Also a nice breakfast buffet for a small additional charge per day.
We took day-trips to Antibes via train, and Cap Ferrat via bus (to visit the Rothschild villa and St. Jean).
Nice has great restaurants in the old section. Beautiful to walk along the promenade at night, so much to do. I'll post the names of two especially nice casual dinner restaurants in old Nice that locals recommended.
With more time we might have visited St. Paul de Vence, Digne, Grasse, seen the St. Nicholas cathedral. A lot to do in Nice. Have fun planning it.
May 23rd, 2006, 11:48 AM
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Mimi ...as you know, I'm totally sold on Tourrettes sur Loup (T-S-L) during my recent six day stay...great base for all of Cote d'Azur..
Alvarki, I can recommend a wonderful b and b only a few minutes from T-S-L
Stu T.
http://www.beauvallon2.com/index.htm
Alvarki, I can recommend a wonderful b and b only a few minutes from T-S-L
Stu T.
http://www.beauvallon2.com/index.htm
