proposal in Cote d'Azur
 

hi peeps.

I have to decided to take my girlfriend of 5 years to the Cote d'Azur (3 nights, mid august) as a surprise for her 30th birthday and pop the question to her, so firstly I am looking for ideas on romantic places where I could propose.

Secondly I am trying to decide on which part to stay in. We are both late twenties and enjoy going walking around old towns and markets, and like to sip cocktails by the sea and have a bit of a dance in the evening, so I was thinking maybe Cannes or Juan les Pins which are both centrally located to get the train around or even hire a car if we feel the need.

Was also thinking of spending the last night in Monaco so she can put her best frock on and sample how the rich like to live. Does anyone know of any shows / cabaret that you can book up in advance as I don't fancy chancing it in August?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

I haven't been to the area either, and second the suggestiont to ignore Carll.

Have you tried typing Cannes into the search box at the top of the screen? You can type in any term and it will bring up a variety of threads that might contain information useful to you.

Be sure to post back and let us know how it all turns out. We don't hear back from "proposal advice" posters very often.

Monaco is beautiful - up on top of the cliffs. Having trouble thinking of anything creative for you, even though I've been to that area and love it. Hope it goes well.

My dear, perhaps "pop the question" before you leave the states, then you can always recoup some losses if the worst happens. Also, I'm against these proposals because they're weighted and people are quite different when away from home.

"sample how the rich like to live"

Monaco is no more glamourous than Birmingham; you'll notice all the apartment blocks are empty because the residents simply "live" there for tax status, they're rarely actually in residence. It's naff, and just so passé, don't waste your time on it.

I can help a little until someone maybe younger comes along. ;) Juan les Pins is indeed the young area with lots of nightclubs but I'm not sure I'd want to stay there as it can be quite loud and busy at night, especially if you're not into the night scene. It does have one of the nicest largest public sandy beaches.

Cannes always strikes me as too big and gaudy but, again it is centrally located, has a nice beach and is close to Juan les Pins.

What sort of budget do you have for a hotel and how important is being on or near the beach? Most (but not all) of the more charming towns with markets are in the hills. Vence is a lovely market town but in the hills and there's a nice b and b in Tourettes Sur Loup but I don't know about a night scene there.

Villefranche sur Mer is a lovely old town with some affordable hotels (I stayed at the Hotel Welcome on the marina). It would be a good base near Nice, with a train station to get to other towns. It's not that far to Monaco from there. Not sure it would be worth moving if you were staying there.

Not far from Villefranche is the hilltop town of Eze with a famous restaurant Chateau de la Chevre D'Or that has great views of the water. That would be a nice proposal spot or celebratory dinner.

You should read this thread about a nice hotel in NICE.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34602509

McLaurie has great suggestions.. I love Tourettes sur loop (have a water color of it over my fireplace... and dream of retiring there). Not much night life ... but certainly restaurants. Very near (a few miles) Vence which probably has a good bit more going on at night. I was just reading about Villefranche sur mer this am. I think I"m going to put it on top of my list....

If you don't mind my asking, what's your budget? I think Nice definitely fits the description of what you're looking for. There's nightlife until the early hours of the morning, a long seafront promenade, a lovely old town to wander,great museums, and plenty of excellent ( sometimes cheap!) food.

You could also look into staying in St. Paul de Vence, a charming hill town near Cannes that has sweeping valley views from some of its hotels. The town itself is a lovely one to explore, and has lots of art galleries, shops, and amazing vistas.

Good luck with your choice!

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Firstly with regards to what m_kingdom was saying. My girlfriend has been hinting for the last two years at us getting married so I don't think she will feel pressurised at all, in fact I think she is hoping for it. I have read a lot of cross opinions on Monaco but feel she would like to see a cabaret show and have a nose round the casinos.

I found a previous post where someone recommended the Princess Grace Rose Garden in Monaco, does anyone else have any opinions on this setting?

Thanks mclauire for your suggestions I have a budget of $200 dollars a night, and don't mind staying away from the beaches as long as the hotel has a pool, the only other problem is that my girlfriend doesn't like heights and those long drives up into the mountains really scare her. I've heard Eze is quite high up so this is probs off the menu.

I have been reading a lot about Nice but the only thing that puts me of about this area is the heavy traffic and road works in august. I can imagine it might be a bit noisy and polluted. Perhaps I am wrong?

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will read up more on Vence and Villefranche sure mer . Does anyone have any experience of Antibes? I am sure all of these places are wonderful.

Thankyou Weadles I will also look into St. Paul de Vence, is it very high up?
Also have you had any experience of Nice in August?

Propose before the holiday, it'll make things more relaxed and enjoyable, you can forget worrying about finding "that" moment.

I appreciate what you are saying M_kingdom2 but I would not find it a worry, quite the opposite in fact. I would like it to be a special memorable moment on foreign shores.

whuuf,

Yes, I've been in Nice many times during August, which is the month of the annual French vacation. There's plenty of traffic, but it doesn't bother us because we never rent a car there. There's really no need due to the excellent transportation options by train or bus between cities and towns.

Last year there was some road work and construction on both Promenade des Anglais and Place Messena. I don't know if that's still going on, but we didn't find it much of a problem.

What we like so much about Nice is that it offers a perfect combination of city/resort vacation in one destination.
We never run out of things to do-- or eat!

As for St. Paul de Vence,all I can tell you is that my son, who is typically very afraid of heights, had no problem there at all. It's a beautiful day trip from Nice-- only about 50 minutes on the bus.

Good luck with your plans,and your proposal!

My husband and I both dislike heights (to varying degrees ;) ) and we have no problem at St Paul de Vence or Vence. The road up is not so steep. Le Hameau is a place that many people on this board like which has a pool. The problem is no nightlife in St. Paul other than dining.

I think the idea of staying in Nice is a good one although I'll warn the beaches in Nice are mostly pebbles/stones not sand.

Antibes is another option. Perhaps someone else has a suggestion for a hotel there. I've also remembered the Hotel Belles Rives is a lovely place outside Juan les Pins and may be within your budget. It doesn't have a pool but it is on the water although no sandy beach but it is swimmable. There is also a casino near there. You might look at reviews on tripadvisor.com

As for Monaco, it is a place everyone should see if you want to. There are 2 casinos. The European one that's quite famous (the one you see in James Bond movies) and fancy is <i>very</i> dressy and you have to pay to get in. The American one is less formal. Whether or not to stay overnight depends on where you spend the rest of the time. If you stay in Nice or Villefranche, both are very close (and also close to the airport). If you stay in Antibes or Juan les Pins, you might want to overnight in Monaco. I've taken a train to Monaco and it's a beautiful ride as the train tracks run very close to the water and you can look down and see some of the villas tucked into the rocks.

Nice is a large town, with lots to do and see, very busy, with a pebbly beach. I think you would enjoy Juan les Pins more. Cannes is good for a visit, but very expensive, and 'over the top' (IMHO). The Belles Rives in Juan is a good suggestion; also the Meridien, right on the beach. Just outside Juan is a very nice beachclub called Les Pecheurs; there's a club where you can have dinner too.
If you like walking, try to do the path around Cap d'Antibes, and then have lunch at Keller, on Plage de la Garoupe. There's a lovely hotel on the Plage de la Garoupe called the Imperial Garoupe; but you could not walk to the train station from there.
Do visit Monaco; just to make up your own mind.
Chateau Chevre d'Or in Eze is a good suggestion; very romantic. Or otherwise maybe the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc; I've never had dinner there, but it looks amazing.

I would suggest a romantic proposal idea as going to Eze, and up to the Chateau de la Chevre D'or. You could book a lunch at the 'Les Remperts' terrace, which overlooks the mediteranean sea, and it would be quite romantic indeed!

Monaco, man, Monaco! Spend the 3 nights there.

I stayed in one of those overpriced hotels for a couple of nights when I was young, single, and reckless. I have akrophobia but nevertheless went up to the <i>Jardin Exotique</i> (Tropical Gardens). It is beautiful and has an arresting view over the city state. It would be an ideal place to propose.

That evening put on your Sunday clothes and go out for dinner and then to the casino.

As for August, it would be wise to reserve and pay for your hotel ASAP. The C&ocirc;te d'Azur gets booked up early.

Monaco is OK for a daytrip, but I wouldn't advise staying there. I think unless you're really into gambling and overpriced hotels, there's a lot nicer ( and cheaper!) places to base on the Cote d'Azur.

I still think Nice would be a good bet for you. Yes, it is very busy, especially in August, but that's part of it's charm. It also tends to draw a younger, livelier crowd than Monaco.

I hate anything high up - tall buildings, elevators, mountains, even airplanes, but one manages.

Oh, Eze, is probably the most romantic place for a proposal. And the Chevre d'or is the place... on the terrance, around the pool, perfect! I'd suggest dinner here, but this would break your entire holiday budget.

But, all is not lost... the days are long in France during the summer (light till almost 10pm), a perfect time for a proposal would be close to sunset while having an aperetif poolside. Pre-arrange for the Chevre d'or to have a taxi waiting at the entrance of Eze, to return to your hotel - the train at this point, just wouldn't cut it.

I'd opt for Nice to stay (and book ASAP anywhere along the Cote d'Azur)... lots of options here and easy access to the train for trips along the coast.

I don't like Cannes at all. Famous, of course, for the film connection but not worth a visit IMO.

Monaco, went there once, definately would not make the effort to go back. Not a must see.

Nice, that's my favourite. i could go there every year.

you can get a room in Nice at La Perouse Hotel overlooking the ocean and breakfasting under the lemon trees. In St-Paul-De-Vence, the Colombe D-or Hotel is very romantic.

wow thanks for all the great replys again.

Seems like St. Paul de Vence is getting some good recommendations, I shall have a look at some hotels on trip advisor. Is Vence within walking distance?

Also is Eze higher up and are the roads steeper? Its the crazy taxi and bus drivers speeding round those bends with the sheer drops that I think she would be more concerned about.

Oh and she's a vegetarian as well, so any recommendations for nice suitable restaurants would come in rather handy.

Its never easy is it, but half of the fun is the researching and finding things out!

personally I'd rent a car, the cliffside drives are breathtaking. plus you will have a lot more flexibility. where else apart from the Riviera will you be - you will be there only 3 days, are you adding in on to something else?

whuuf; the road to Eze is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Steep, with lots of bends, but if I can do it, I'm sure you could too. And if you drive yourself, you can take it easy, stop to take in the views. Monaco is a bit further along the same road.
Vence and St Paul de Vence are not walking distance. The Colombe d'Or in St Paul de Vence is very nice for lunch or dinner; the hotel looks great, but I have never stayed there. There's some beautiful art there.

assuming it isn't jam packed in August, one of the Corniches may be a beautiful place to propose. cliffside, overlooking the Med, and so on.

We just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Italy and spent time on the Riviera. It a beautiful and romantic place, and your thoughtfulness, time and effort put into planning this proposal I think will bowl your girlfriend over. It is something you will both remember for the rest of your lives and a unique story to tell. Best of luck!

My husband and I visited Eze and stayed at the wildly romantic Chateau Chevre d'Or (http://www.chevredor.com/uk/indexsommaire.htm). We strolled the little town of Eze, conveniently treked to Monaco and St. Paul de Vence. Sipped pink champagne on our private balcony. It was simplay amazing and I never wanted to leave!

If you don’t like heights and twisty roads, I’d cross Eze-village off the lists. I found that drive really scary.

There are quite a few places with good views that don’t require climbing up the hills. One is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which has seven lovely gardens, several of which are very romantic and most of which have views of the Villefranche bay. Another possibility is the sea-facing garden behind the ch&acirc;teau housing the Picasso Museum in Antibes.

As for where to stay, have you considered St-Tropez? It has everything you want, and the beach resorts can be a lot of fun in the evening. Difficult to reach by public transportation, however.

And no, Vence is not within walking distance of St-Paul, at least not by my definition.

if you are staying 3 nights, i wouldn't even begin to think about going to st tropez. it doesn't at all meet your requirement of being centrally located and on the train as it is very remotelly located. it can also be awful to drive to due to the roads not being improved to keep up with the traffic (it is done on purpose to keep people away). there are many better places on the coast anyway, IMO. If you like &quot;old towns and markets&quot; and want centrally located, Nice is the obvious choice as it has the area's main airport and is on the trainline.

the only problem i would see is if you don't want to be in a city, then of course one of the nice villages would be better. as cities go, Nice is very relaxed and i absolutely love it...however, it is a city.

i greatly prefer it over juan les pins, cannes, st tropez, and monaco (none of which i particularly like). antibes and Villefranche are nice but i'd much rather stay in Nice...and i think it would be plenty &quot;romantic&quot;.

While Nice is my personal preference, I wonder whether Cannes wouldn't suit the OP better. Lots of places along the Croisette to have drinks and watch the sunset; excellent sand beaches (while Nice has rocks); and places to dance. Also, easy access to the train for heading elsewhere.

I'll just echo everything that walkinaround said. I totally agree with every bit of it!

I forgot to mention that right along the main street, Promenade des Anglais, there are tons of diner-type cafes that face the sea. Almost all of these are open into the early morning hours, so you can sit at them, and have a cocktail and dessert way past midnight while staring at the stars ( and if there's moonlight) the water. It's a pretty cheap date, but unforgettable. Great people -watching, too!

Can you tell that I love Nice? OK, I'll sign off now...

i do agree with underhill and in the interest of full disclosure, you should understand that Nice's beach is pebbled and the beach at Cannes is nicer. the pebbles do not bother me (i'm not a major beach person but i do enjoy it now and again) and the beach is very popular. if beach is top priority for you, i would not go to Cannes, Nice or anywhere else in france for that matter.

for that intangible thing called &quot;atmosphere&quot;, cannes does not even come close IMO.

After reading into St. Paul de Vence it sounds like it will be too crowded in august especially with those tiny little narrow streets.

So it's between Antibes, Cannes and Nice now. Can anyone tell me if there are actually nice cafes on the beach in Nice or if they are all separated by the main road and if so is that road likely to be really busy in august at night? I'm leaning towards Nice it's just the traffic and congestion that concerns me, but maybe i'm being over critical.

http://www.beyond.fr/map/map_d05.html
This is a great map if you don't really know the Cote d'Azur area. just click on the town and it gives you a page of information. I've found it very helpful.

Thanks for the info on those gardens as well underhill i'll be having a looksy into them.

There is a large and busy road along the seafront in Nice, the Promenade des Anglais, and this does get very busy any time of the year. There are lots of beach clubs, with restaurants right on the beach. The same is true for Cannes, but there is a sandy rather than a pebbled beach there.
I like Nice, but it is a large and busy town.
Other places that are worth considering are Beaulieu and Villefranche; both smaller towns, and easy access to the train. Antibes is nice too, with its walled old town. I personally like Juan les Pins; I've been there often in July, but not in August. There are lots of cafe's, restaurants, in town or right on the beach.
If you're going mid August, be aware that August 15 is an official holiday.

another possibility, if you are looking for beachside cafes, is Menton. We saw a few that had tables across the street and even lunched at one (which meant waiters in peril - but the street wasn't very wide nor busy at that time). that's the very end of the Riviera, nearly Italy. Just a thought.

I didn't go through the length and breadth of Nice either time so I don't recall if there were anything directly beachside. The traffic will be a bear in August, yes.

there's a lot of info in this thread;

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

I disagree with the assessments about the drive up to Eze. My husband and I came up from Nice a few years ago and the drive is fairly easy (this being the opinion of a passenger who gets queasy very easily!) The &quot;scary&quot; part (with the sheer cliffs and no guardrails) is farther along, en route to Monaco, but even that is overrated, in my opinion.

I strongly agree with the recommendations for Chateau Chevre D'Or as your proposal site. I have never been to a more romantic location for drinks (Champagne, of course!) than the poolside terrace there with endless views out toward Cap Ferrat and the Med beyond. Better yet, spring for a room with your own private balcony. You and your wife-to-be will never forget it! The staff there is truly first-rate and they will make everything perfect.

Hi flygirl, I did consider Menton but thought it a bit too far out of the way for the rest of the sightseeing. Too many place and not enough time to see them!

Tulips: I have read a lot off comments from people saying that Juan les Pins is a bit wild and crazy, what would you say the age range is down there, are there a lot of teenagers getting a bit too drunk? Also how long do you think it would take to walk from Antibes to Juan les Pins?

RSSmith: I must agree that the Chateau Chevre D'Or does look absolutely fantastic
http://www.chevredor.com/uk/indexsommaire.htm
but I just don't want to take the risk, knowing what she has been like on previous trips, shame becuase it does look very romantic. Oh the search goes on...

whuuf; we have an apartment outside of Antibes, but sometimes go to Juan les Pins for the beach and for dinner. We go with children, so are not into nightlife. It does attract younger people than Antibes or Cannes, but we always like the atmosphere there. I've never seen any trouble or drunks, but I've never been in August, just in July. My kids love going to PamPam for icecream, and there are some nice small shops.
But off course Juan les Pins is not an old town, if that is what you are looking for.
From the Pinede area of Juan, you could walk to Cap d'Antibes I suppose, but I've never done that. The road along the sea towards Cap d'Antibes is pretty, but quite narrow; I wouldn't want to walk there.

I've been to Cannes often, but in the evening, the place does attract some odd people. I've felt much more at ease in Juan les Pins and Antibes than in Cannes in the evening.

If you are looking for a romantic meal in Antibes, I can recommend Les Vieux Murs, right on the old city wall. Very good food, but expensive. And I've already mentioned Les Pecheurs, just outside Juan Les Pins (towards Antibes); there are two restaurants; one is more 'fusion' with a bar, the other a specialty fish restaurant.

I also like Plage Keller on Plage de la Garoupe, Cap d'Antibes. Lunch on the beach there in summer is great; it's always full, so you have to book. And from there, there's a walking path around Cap d'Antibes; that could be romantic too!

If you are looking at places away from the beach, also think about Mougins; old town, great restaurants, and very easy to get to most places, since it's just off the A8 motorway.

Can't help with hotels, since I don't usually stay in hotels there.

you have a fun dilemma - where to go and where to stay!

I do hope you decide to get a car, one of my favorite memories is driving way high up above the sea. the view is stupendous and the windy roads fun. the one time my little car didn't have power steering and of course you slow down so much for the hairpins (at least I do, I don't wish to go over the edge) that it was a nice little workout.

I also believe at least one of the James Bond driving scenes were filmed there.

I agree, Menton is way out there. but a nice drive! ;)