leefarg

We're planning to rent a villa for a week in the French Riviera in mid June.

We're looking for something beautiful and somewhat peaceful (understanding that we're getting close to high tourist season). But, walking distance to a town with restaurants, bakeries, etc is important to us. We are willing to drive to the beach.

Can anyone help us with some recommendations or comments on the places below?

We're considering Biot, Vence, and Valbonne. But would also consider a suburb of Cannes or Antibes if that's what it takes to be closer to the amenities we desire by foot. I suppose that although these latter places would be really convenient for beach access, we're worried that they may be a little too busy at that time...

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

artlover

We stayed for a week in a timeshare in Mougins and loved it and thought it was a great location.

StuDudley

I hope you're planning on June of '09.

Stu Dudley

travelrene

We stayed near Vence a few years ago and loved it.

Sher

This is the second year we will stay in Chateauneuf-Grasse.
Lovely perched village.

bjtrvl1002

I rented an apartment right in town in Antibes for September that my friend had already stayed at. She said you can walk to everything in town and its very close to bus and train stops.

aj

The village of Eze has the most beautiful views...

danon

Antibes

leefarg

Thanks for the responses so far! We are planning '09. My wife is concerned that Antibes will be overrun by tourists (like us, I suppose) at that time - thoughts?

Underhill

My first choice would be Valbonne. It's still off the beaten tourist path, has a beautiful old square, and is close to the expressway for getting to the coast.

wanderer1

artlover -
Which timeshare in Mougins? We are thinking of doing the same.

Did you need a car?

caroltis

Villefranche sur Mer.

artlover

wanderer,
We were at Club Suntera at Le Club Mougins (MUG in II)and really loved it. It's not as upscale as some of the other timeshares (such as Marriots), but the location was great, there was parking, the unit had 2 bedrooms (which we didn't need) and a fully stocked kitchen.

You might want to check out reviews at tug2.net.

wanderer1

Artlover -
Thanks. That's the timeshare complex we were looking at exchanging into.

I assume you had a car?

Is it possible to just use public transport from there?

artlover

wanderer,
You really need a car from there. I too would rather not have one (DH drives like an Italian, which he would consider a compliment), but it's not near public transportation, plus a car will enable you to get to some really terrific little places that you might not see otherwise.

BTW, they do a timeshare presentation that is lowkey, but was very informative about the sights to see nearby. Make sure you have dinner in Mougin at least once--so many good places--and check out the view on the top floor of the Picasso Photo Gallery.

Underhill

Valbonne is a charming small town, near both the mountains and the sea. That would get my vote. There are any number of interesting shops (and bakeries) in the town, and lots of good-sounding rentals. Valbonne is just enough off the beaten tourist path that there won't be the crowds in other areas.

You might also consider Tourrettes-sur-Loup, both beautiful and peaceful...and cooler because of being in the mountains.

SuzieC

I loved the apartment we rented in St. Tropez. Except for the summertime, I could live there!

SuQue

Ramateulle is a perched village with views of the sea. It is near St-Tropez but not over run with tourists.