Need advice for 5 days in the south of France.

Want to Nice and Cannes.

Thinking of renting an apartment and car. Thinking of doing day trips. Maybe Monaco just to say I've been????

So you've decided on the Riviera. You can get to most of the towns along the beach by train and it will be faster than going by car. Unless you want to go away from the beach area, I would not bother with a car, especially as you're basing yourselves in Nice or Cannes which means driving in congested areas and finding an apartment with parking. Nice is a city with lots of city traffic. The beach and old town areas are the charming spots. You can either walk or take a bus to other places in the city. If you want to take a couple of excursions away from the beach there are plenty of buses, especially from Nice.

I agree wtih adrienne. You can easily take the train to Monaco as well.

I just read your last entry on your other post. You're spending 5 days in Nice/Cannes and only 2 days in Paris? I know you have 4 days for Paris but 2 area allocated to Versailles and Giverny.

Why did you choose Nice and Cannes? I think the most charming part of the Riviera is away from the beaches in the small towns. If you do this I would recommend getting a car to explore. There are many delightful small towns and this would give a different experience from Paris.

IMHO the only reason to base yourself in Nice is to see museums or to have access to public transportation but you won't even have enough time in Paris for many museums. So I'm not sure what the draw of Nice is for you. It can't be the beach since it's rocks, not sand. I know people lie on the rocks but I can't imagine it.

One in our group wants to go to Nice. Another one likes to sun-bathe and shop. Myself--I dont want to shop or sun bathe. I love great food and like to see things that others don't. I am leaning for the small towns. But with 3 in the group.....I really don't care for BIG cities. But as I said before I have to do some of the touristy things. I personally could skip the Louve to go to different museos but I cannot very well likely go to Paris and not do the Louve.

Actually, you can do whatever you like on your vacation. Hubby and I arent museum people so we always skip them. I am paying for my vacation so I will do exactly what I please. Most of our vacations are spent eating and drinking in cafes.

I agree with jamikins. Is your money paying for your vacation? Then you can do just as you like. If your friends want to go to the Louvre you can go elsewhere and arrange to meet them later. If your friends don't care about the Louvre and you feel you have to go to the Louvre simply because you're in Paris then the pressure is coming from you. With only 2 days in Paris and no interest in the Louvre I would skip it for something that interests you.

As I said above, Nice is good for public transportation. So the beach person can lie on the rocks, the shopping person can go shop and you can take the bus to the small towns and have a great time.

Thanks adrienne and jamikins. I am the older of the two and the other two are my step-daughters. I would prefer to walk around, look at scenery, eat excellent food, drink a glass of wine or a pint, and/or people watch.

Actually I (we) are spending 4 days in Paris. The 2 day trips I mentioned are after/before the 3rd party arrives/departs. and the 9 days are full I am not counting travel from the USA.

I do want to see the Louve but not all day or multiple days. Read in one guide--I believe Friday it is open late? Try to plan it for then, that way it doesn't interfer with other sites. And if no one else wishes to go I can go myself.

From the Riveria-what would villages would you suggest. I speak about 3 words of French. The youngest actually left today to go school for 8 weeks in Angers. Would I have difficulty in the small villages get a room, meal, directions.....

The Louvre is open late Wednesday and Friday nights but not all galleries will be open. Gallery closings are posted at the entrance. But the major artwork should always be available. The prices drop in the late afternoon and Friday nights are free to the under 26 year olds. Check the web site for particulars.

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp

Glad that you have 4 full days in Paris rather than only 2!

Many of the small towns have hotels either in town or slightly outside the town. I don't remember if you said when you'll be in France but you shouldn't have any problem getting a room with a decent lead time.

People who deal with tourists speak English (at least enough English to converse about tourist things) so you should not worry about not speaking French. Although the French love any attempt at speaking their language. At a minimum you should learn please and thank you and remember to great people (shops, restaurants, etc.) with bonjour mme, bonjour monsieur (good day madame, sir). It's not enough to simply say good day/good morning; you need to add the title with it to be correct.

Some of the towns I've enjoyed visiting are:
Biot
Vence
St-Paul-de-Vence
Tourettes-sur-Loup
La Turbie
Frejus
Some of the towns along the water - St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer (for the replica Greek Villa)
Eze Village (not to be confused with Eze-sur-Mer) - although this is now very touristy and not one of my favorites but lots of people like it

Driving the Estrel Corniche and the Middle and Upper Corniches. If you don't like driving along cliffs then take the Corniches from east to west as you'll be on the inside of the road. You can return along the lower road (no cliffs!!).

I can't remember any more towns at the moment but others will chime in with their favorites.

Nice for your base. So many wonderful restaurants and shops. The Promenade des Anglais-beautiful (words fall short)Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo for cocktails before you hit the casino and lose I mean........... hit the jackpot! Train it from Nice-fun.