Top 10 cities must see in French Riviera
May 28th, 2005, 09:39 PM
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Top 10 cities must see in French Riviera
We are leaving in July, we are flying into Nice, renting a car. We would like to see the sites and stay in romantic cities and hotels. How many days would you stay in Monaco? I have 5 days, which cities are must see, any suggestions would be appreciated. Cat
May 28th, 2005, 11:05 PM
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2 days are more than enough for Monaco. Try a few of the inland towns, Aix, Grasse etc.
Rich,
www.franceinfocus.net
Rich,
www.franceinfocus.net
May 29th, 2005, 01:02 AM
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For just 5 days, I would stay in Nice, and do daytrips from there. One day in Monaco (lovely drive over the Corniche), and depending on your interests, maybe Vence, Cap Ferrat, Cannes.
Do a search here for hotels in Nice; lots of info. What's your budget for a hotel?
And book something soon; it's a holiday month in Europe too!
Do a search here for hotels in Nice; lots of info. What's your budget for a hotel?
And book something soon; it's a holiday month in Europe too!
May 29th, 2005, 10:29 AM
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Thank you for your input, I always use the tips on my travels. I can go up to $500 a night, for the right spot. We have such a short time that I do not want to take in many museums. We love luxury hotels, quaint cities and charming ports. We are from California, so the only time we will be spending time on the beach is to sip champagne and catch the views.
I think that is great advise to stay centrally, I just have to find a base camp to stay, with ocean views, somewhere that I could walk around to a port or village would be nice, but I am open. I was looking at Grand Hotel Ducap in Cap Ferrat, Palais De La Mediterranee in Nice, Chateau Eza looked a little dark inside. What about St. Paul de Vence or Antibes?
Rich, I looked up Aix and sounds like a fun night time spot as well.
Would love more input from both of you.
Cat
I think that is great advise to stay centrally, I just have to find a base camp to stay, with ocean views, somewhere that I could walk around to a port or village would be nice, but I am open. I was looking at Grand Hotel Ducap in Cap Ferrat, Palais De La Mediterranee in Nice, Chateau Eza looked a little dark inside. What about St. Paul de Vence or Antibes?
Rich, I looked up Aix and sounds like a fun night time spot as well.
Would love more input from both of you.
Cat
May 29th, 2005, 11:21 AM
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I'd recommend staying in Nice, too. But you'd better get on it right away! July is prime tourist season, plus July 14th is Bastille Day!
The Palais Mediterranee has an ideal location in the heart of things on the Promenade des Anglais, right across from the sea. It looks like an amazing hotel, although very expensive. And it's an easy walk ( maybe ten minutes ) from Vieux Nice, home of the famous flower market, outdoor seafood restaurants, bistros, galleries, bakeries, etc.
For daytrips, I would recommend:
1 day Monaco
1 day Eze/St. Jean Cap de Ferrat
1 day St. Paul de Vence/Vence
1 day Grasse/Biot
You could attempt Aix, but did you know that it's about 2+plus hours from Nice?
Good luck with your plans!
The Palais Mediterranee has an ideal location in the heart of things on the Promenade des Anglais, right across from the sea. It looks like an amazing hotel, although very expensive. And it's an easy walk ( maybe ten minutes ) from Vieux Nice, home of the famous flower market, outdoor seafood restaurants, bistros, galleries, bakeries, etc.
For daytrips, I would recommend:
1 day Monaco
1 day Eze/St. Jean Cap de Ferrat
1 day St. Paul de Vence/Vence
1 day Grasse/Biot
You could attempt Aix, but did you know that it's about 2+plus hours from Nice?
Good luck with your plans!
May 29th, 2005, 01:34 PM
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<<How many days would you stay in Monaco?>>
zero.
by far the least interesting/boring place on the on the French Riviera (if indeed it is on the french riviera). 1/2 to one day if you REALLY must. From your posts, i see that you want quaint and romantic... Monaco is neither. You seem to have a taste for luxury also...i think Monaco's reputation in this area is overblown also. Sure, there are some of the most expensive restaurants and hotels in the world but walk through the streets and you don't get the feeling you are anywhere special. Maybe due to the fact that most of the famous residents/citizens just have unoccupied maildrop flats. Luxury is not my area of expertise but I have the feeling that you get far less luxury for your dollar here. You will probably see much more impressive boats in the IYC at Antibes than you will in Monaco. For such a short a stay, i would skip monaco altogether.
another vote to stay in nice. five days is too short to be moving about to different hotels, IMO. the only "problem" is the car. Nice and the villages/cities on the coast are not car friendly. Traffic is bad and the parking is worse. you can do it as many people do but for myself, i prefer to use the excellent public transport in this area. for other areas of provence, a car is nearly a necessity but is clearly a liability on the French Riviera.
zero.
by far the least interesting/boring place on the on the French Riviera (if indeed it is on the french riviera). 1/2 to one day if you REALLY must. From your posts, i see that you want quaint and romantic... Monaco is neither. You seem to have a taste for luxury also...i think Monaco's reputation in this area is overblown also. Sure, there are some of the most expensive restaurants and hotels in the world but walk through the streets and you don't get the feeling you are anywhere special. Maybe due to the fact that most of the famous residents/citizens just have unoccupied maildrop flats. Luxury is not my area of expertise but I have the feeling that you get far less luxury for your dollar here. You will probably see much more impressive boats in the IYC at Antibes than you will in Monaco. For such a short a stay, i would skip monaco altogether.
another vote to stay in nice. five days is too short to be moving about to different hotels, IMO. the only "problem" is the car. Nice and the villages/cities on the coast are not car friendly. Traffic is bad and the parking is worse. you can do it as many people do but for myself, i prefer to use the excellent public transport in this area. for other areas of provence, a car is nearly a necessity but is clearly a liability on the French Riviera.
May 29th, 2005, 01:46 PM
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Try to get a room at La Pérouse in Nice, preferably one of the sea-view rooms with a terrace looking out to the Mediterranean. If you can't, try the Negresco, a luxury hotel that is an historic landmark as well. The last to try would be Le Meridien. All three of those hotels have excellent views and are close to Vieux Nice or central Nice.
You'll certainly want to spend at least a day exploring Nice: the Cour Saléya, with the outdoor market of produce, spices and flowers; the winding streets of old Nice; the Cimiez district, with the beautiful Franciscan monastery and rose garden, and the Promenade des Anglais.
I'd skip Monaco entirely, although a drive along one of the corniche roads and back would give you lovely vistas.
Then head over to see the village of old Mougins, with many art galleries and good restaurants. Drive up to see the perfume town of Grasse, then over to Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence; you could spend the night at La Colombe d'Or, which has a fine collection of pictures traded by artists for food and lodging, or Le St-Paul. For a real luxury experience consider staying at the Château St-Martin.
Aix-en-Provence would be a bit far west to go with just 5 days. Instead you could visit Antibes and Cannes, both of which have a good number of first-class hotels. In Cannes, the Carlton is famous.
BTW, the Grand Hôtel du Cap on St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat would be a fine place to stay for several nights if you don't want to be right in Nice.
You'll be in a beautiful part of Provence--have a wonderful time there.
You'll certainly want to spend at least a day exploring Nice: the Cour Saléya, with the outdoor market of produce, spices and flowers; the winding streets of old Nice; the Cimiez district, with the beautiful Franciscan monastery and rose garden, and the Promenade des Anglais.
I'd skip Monaco entirely, although a drive along one of the corniche roads and back would give you lovely vistas.
Then head over to see the village of old Mougins, with many art galleries and good restaurants. Drive up to see the perfume town of Grasse, then over to Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence; you could spend the night at La Colombe d'Or, which has a fine collection of pictures traded by artists for food and lodging, or Le St-Paul. For a real luxury experience consider staying at the Château St-Martin.
Aix-en-Provence would be a bit far west to go with just 5 days. Instead you could visit Antibes and Cannes, both of which have a good number of first-class hotels. In Cannes, the Carlton is famous.
BTW, the Grand Hôtel du Cap on St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat would be a fine place to stay for several nights if you don't want to be right in Nice.
You'll be in a beautiful part of Provence--have a wonderful time there.
May 30th, 2005, 07:45 AM
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If you want a hotel from where you can walk to restaurants and bars, the ones recommended here in Nice would do very well. The Palais de la Mediterranee is the newest; I haven't stayed, but had lunch there last year. Looks great, and a good location.
We nearly always spend 2 or 3 weeks in the Nice area in July, and always drive everywhere. Even in Mougins, you can park your car if you do not go too late in the evening. It can get busy, but not so much that I would consider public transport.
Just some recommendations; the Chateau de Chevre d'Or in Eze, as recommended often on this forum.
In Mougins, La Terrasse has beautiful views over the bay of Cannes, but the restaurants in the main square are nice too.
In Antibes; Les Vieux Murs, right on the old city walls. And I always like Keller, on the Plage de la Garoupe, for lunch. If you drive around the Cap d'Antibes, you will see a small sandy beach; the beach with the yellow parasols is Keller.
And there's a fairly new hotel/spa in Mougins; Le Mas Candille; I heard the restaurant was just awarded a Michelin Star. The hotel looks amazing, and is just to the side of the village; you could walk to the restaurants from there, and it's a short distance to Cannes, Grasse, Valbonne (very nice too). Maybe an alternative to staying in Nice?
We nearly always spend 2 or 3 weeks in the Nice area in July, and always drive everywhere. Even in Mougins, you can park your car if you do not go too late in the evening. It can get busy, but not so much that I would consider public transport.
Just some recommendations; the Chateau de Chevre d'Or in Eze, as recommended often on this forum.
In Mougins, La Terrasse has beautiful views over the bay of Cannes, but the restaurants in the main square are nice too.
In Antibes; Les Vieux Murs, right on the old city walls. And I always like Keller, on the Plage de la Garoupe, for lunch. If you drive around the Cap d'Antibes, you will see a small sandy beach; the beach with the yellow parasols is Keller.
And there's a fairly new hotel/spa in Mougins; Le Mas Candille; I heard the restaurant was just awarded a Michelin Star. The hotel looks amazing, and is just to the side of the village; you could walk to the restaurants from there, and it's a short distance to Cannes, Grasse, Valbonne (very nice too). Maybe an alternative to staying in Nice?
May 30th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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I agree you certainly don't have to stay in Monaco. Whether you visit is up to you. I'm glad I saw it and the opulent Hotel de Paris.
I think how many towns and "must sees" you do depends on what sort of trip you want (relaxing or do it all/see it all) and whether you think you'll return. I have been to the area 4 or 5 times (staying in St Paul de Vence or Villefranche) and only once visited St. Tropez briefly. It's far from Nice airport and a pain to get to, especially during the height of the season but I thought very lovely with a nice mix of glitz and charm. Perhaps in season it would be more glitz than charm. If you think you won't be back soon, you might consider staying there (St. Tropez) for a night or 2 or maybe staying in Cannes or Cap D'Antibes and doing a day trip there. Hotel du Cap in Cap D'Antibes is the height of luxury and would be centrally located for the whole area. If money were no object, that's where I'd stay.
http://www.edenroc-hotel.fr/information.php
Otherwise, I'd probably pick the Hotel du Cap in Cap Ferrat.
I think how many towns and "must sees" you do depends on what sort of trip you want (relaxing or do it all/see it all) and whether you think you'll return. I have been to the area 4 or 5 times (staying in St Paul de Vence or Villefranche) and only once visited St. Tropez briefly. It's far from Nice airport and a pain to get to, especially during the height of the season but I thought very lovely with a nice mix of glitz and charm. Perhaps in season it would be more glitz than charm. If you think you won't be back soon, you might consider staying there (St. Tropez) for a night or 2 or maybe staying in Cannes or Cap D'Antibes and doing a day trip there. Hotel du Cap in Cap D'Antibes is the height of luxury and would be centrally located for the whole area. If money were no object, that's where I'd stay.
http://www.edenroc-hotel.fr/information.php
Otherwise, I'd probably pick the Hotel du Cap in Cap Ferrat.
May 31st, 2005, 02:35 AM
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Hello everyone!
I am French/live in london .I stay 8 weeks in Cannes every summer.
I would stay in one of the 5 beautiful bedrooms of the B&B up in the hills of Cannes :MAS SAMARCANDE Mrs Diot
www.stpaulweb.com/samarcande
tel 0033493639773. You will unfortunately spend very little time in the room . You can park your car.It takes me 30 minutes drive to NICE airport, I live 5 minutes further away.
In a hotel I would choose EZE at the Chateau as it is different.
In South of France the sunsets(from 20h00) from some restaurants are wonderful .
In Eze at the Chateau at the terrasse. Memorable too will be dinner if you are on 1 of the 2 restaurant's small balconies over the the cliff!!!
In CANNES lunch or dinner at The Galion (0)493942543 especially 14/7 with fireworks.After that date there are very good fireworks every 10 days.
In Antibes dinner(sunset)on the beach ask for table on the water edge (0)493610427.
In GOURDON dinner(sunset) at the NID D'AIGLE .For romantics ask for the turrets (max4 persons).
Mougins is best from 17h00, visit of village then dinner I like Feu Follet on the square. YOU MUST BOOK EVERYWHERE IN ADVANCE.
St PAUL DE VENCE is a must, La Columbe d'Or .
Hotel du Cap is very nice for lunch on the top terrasse.(no dinner on terrasse)
Valbonne is small & nice. Biot has the glass factories.
In NICE There is an antique market every MONDAY. You will find some nice & diffrent " souvenirs".
Otherwise if you have more time,I LOVE going to:
1) Near CASTELLAR above MENTON at the farm ST BERNARD.
Mr Bovis(I call him crocodile Dundee)will fecth you by the cemetary!!!in his 1940 milatry surplus army jeep if you are more than 4 , for less it is the jeep as NO ORDINARY CAR can go up the extremely steep dirt road up the mountain to his place. The other side is Italy.I suggest to arrive around 11am, once you are at the top you can walk up somemore to see the surroundings. HOME MADE Lunch will be under the trees. Mrs Bovis cooks with the produce from their garden . Aperitifs home made by Mr Bovis. After lunch a home made digestif. after that you will need "A REST".
By 17h00 you should walk down to your car 45 minutes of beautiful sceneary.You could go from there to Menton or Monaco. Then home exhausted by pleased.
This is NOT a sophiticated day but a TYPICAL FRENCH ONE.
2) A SAILING boat FOLLY TOO in CANNES old port with Captain Pierre 0033 609062571 or 0033492987096. Up to 10 passengers will" share" to boat from 10am till 19h with lunch, aperitif,wine, afternoon tea etc.It is wonderful with children as well.
Careful of WINDY DAYS...unless you can cope with boat in vertical positions...I wished on the day it happened to me that I was in bed in front of the TV...I understood why we pay as we go onto the boat!!!STILL I went back many times after but NOT on a windy/rainy day. By the way I cannot swim!!!
ANOTHER TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT POINT.
IN SOUTH OF FRANCE THERE ARE BOYS ON MOTORCYCLES THAT WILL OPEN YOUR CAR DOORS AND STEAL YOUR BAG. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO SEE THEM THEY ARE SO FAST. YOU MUST DRIVE WITH ALL YOUR DOORS LOCKED/ WINDOWS UP. I was attacked 3 times and have heard of dozens & dozens of others.
VOILA ! !!
I am French/live in london .I stay 8 weeks in Cannes every summer.
I would stay in one of the 5 beautiful bedrooms of the B&B up in the hills of Cannes :MAS SAMARCANDE Mrs Diot
www.stpaulweb.com/samarcande
tel 0033493639773. You will unfortunately spend very little time in the room . You can park your car.It takes me 30 minutes drive to NICE airport, I live 5 minutes further away.
In a hotel I would choose EZE at the Chateau as it is different.
In South of France the sunsets(from 20h00) from some restaurants are wonderful .
In Eze at the Chateau at the terrasse. Memorable too will be dinner if you are on 1 of the 2 restaurant's small balconies over the the cliff!!!
In CANNES lunch or dinner at The Galion (0)493942543 especially 14/7 with fireworks.After that date there are very good fireworks every 10 days.
In Antibes dinner(sunset)on the beach ask for table on the water edge (0)493610427.
In GOURDON dinner(sunset) at the NID D'AIGLE .For romantics ask for the turrets (max4 persons).
Mougins is best from 17h00, visit of village then dinner I like Feu Follet on the square. YOU MUST BOOK EVERYWHERE IN ADVANCE.
St PAUL DE VENCE is a must, La Columbe d'Or .
Hotel du Cap is very nice for lunch on the top terrasse.(no dinner on terrasse)
Valbonne is small & nice. Biot has the glass factories.
In NICE There is an antique market every MONDAY. You will find some nice & diffrent " souvenirs".
Otherwise if you have more time,I LOVE going to:
1) Near CASTELLAR above MENTON at the farm ST BERNARD.
Mr Bovis(I call him crocodile Dundee)will fecth you by the cemetary!!!in his 1940 milatry surplus army jeep if you are more than 4 , for less it is the jeep as NO ORDINARY CAR can go up the extremely steep dirt road up the mountain to his place. The other side is Italy.I suggest to arrive around 11am, once you are at the top you can walk up somemore to see the surroundings. HOME MADE Lunch will be under the trees. Mrs Bovis cooks with the produce from their garden . Aperitifs home made by Mr Bovis. After lunch a home made digestif. after that you will need "A REST".
By 17h00 you should walk down to your car 45 minutes of beautiful sceneary.You could go from there to Menton or Monaco. Then home exhausted by pleased.
This is NOT a sophiticated day but a TYPICAL FRENCH ONE.
2) A SAILING boat FOLLY TOO in CANNES old port with Captain Pierre 0033 609062571 or 0033492987096. Up to 10 passengers will" share" to boat from 10am till 19h with lunch, aperitif,wine, afternoon tea etc.It is wonderful with children as well.
Careful of WINDY DAYS...unless you can cope with boat in vertical positions...I wished on the day it happened to me that I was in bed in front of the TV...I understood why we pay as we go onto the boat!!!STILL I went back many times after but NOT on a windy/rainy day. By the way I cannot swim!!!
ANOTHER TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT POINT.
IN SOUTH OF FRANCE THERE ARE BOYS ON MOTORCYCLES THAT WILL OPEN YOUR CAR DOORS AND STEAL YOUR BAG. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO SEE THEM THEY ARE SO FAST. YOU MUST DRIVE WITH ALL YOUR DOORS LOCKED/ WINDOWS UP. I was attacked 3 times and have heard of dozens & dozens of others.
VOILA ! !!
May 31st, 2005, 03:53 AM
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Are you still looking at Palais de la Mediterranee? I just found out that Leading Luxury Hotels of the World is offering a summer promotion at this hotel. 260E/night for a king or twin seaview room. That seems like a very good deal.
Jun 4th, 2005, 11:38 PM
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Thank you all for hooking us up! You were right, most of the hotels suggested were booked up for this time. So I am forced to stay out of Nice and spend three nights in Eze, Chateau De La Chaevre d'Or . I will try and book ahead for dinner on the private balcony, as suggested.
I have Friday and Saturday, I haven't booked yet, only because when I see other cities, I sometimes just want to stay there and not be bound to going somewhere else. I am printing all your notes, I know the beach towns will be booked after trying all the ones suggested, but I bet I could find one in the northern villages on the fly.
I'll have all your city suggestions to visit,restaurants, etc. Honestly, I can't thank you enough for your input, we followed all your recommendations in
Germany and were delighted with the suggestions.
I am leaving for Paris from Nice for a few days, any suggestions?
. I will try and book ahead for dinner on the private balcony, as suggested.I have Friday and Saturday, I haven't booked yet, only because when I see other cities, I sometimes just want to stay there and not be bound to going somewhere else. I am printing all your notes, I know the beach towns will be booked after trying all the ones suggested, but I bet I could find one in the northern villages on the fly.
I'll have all your city suggestions to visit,restaurants, etc. Honestly, I can't thank you enough for your input, we followed all your recommendations in
Germany and were delighted with the suggestions.
I am leaving for Paris from Nice for a few days, any suggestions?
Jun 5th, 2005, 12:38 AM
#15
Does the advice about driving with doors locked and windows closed apply to the entire south of France or mostly to the Cote d'Azur? I can see my husband objecting strongly to driving that way, especially in the heat. We will be driving from Toulouse through the Dordogne and Loire Valley toward Paris.
Jun 5th, 2005, 01:01 AM
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Nikki-- try talking to your husband about the wonders of car A/C. As somebody who underwent the horrific experience that annemg wisely warns about, I can tell you that an open window is just an open invitation to be robbed if sitting on heavy traffic. We were EXTREMELY lucky in that we had locked the trunk and, I had JUST placed my purse on the floor. The young man was quick in opening my door and I had to wrestle his arm when he went for my purse. I was able to pushed him and closed the door, but when thinking back on the experience, I realized how close we came to have the trip totally ruined. These people know what they are doing and I bet they can open a car door from an open window with their eyes close. I would be cautious ALWAYS, don't even make it a geographical matter.
Jul 23rd, 2005, 09:18 AM
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We wanted to visit a winery. Would Cassis be a town worth spending the night. I can leave Eze Friday a.m. but have a flight from Nice Sunday afternoon. Need help with these last 2 days. I have a car and suggestions with routes. Can I take a ferry to Cassis to avoid traffic? My other days will be spent visiting all posted above recommendations. I am leaving in 48 hours, I would appreciate any input.
Jul 23rd, 2005, 01:29 PM
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Cassis is near a major Provençal wine region and would be a pleasant spot for the night. However, it will be a fairly long drive from Eze and will eat up precious time that you could spend on other things. There are actually wineries in the Nice region; a list was posted here a while back, and a search just might bring the topic up.
Jul 23rd, 2005, 02:17 PM
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Like most of the others I would never consider staying a single night in Monte Carlo. I spend several weeks a year in the Nice area (Beaulieu sur Mer) and I enjoy taking the train to spend an occasional evening in Monte Carlo. It is very beautiful at night.
If you are ever in the area around Christmas time Monte Carlo has a great Christmas market in the marina area by the nautical center with many animated displays. Also the fountains and gardens around the casino are breathtakingly beautiful with the Christmas decorations.
Larry J
If you are ever in the area around Christmas time Monte Carlo has a great Christmas market in the marina area by the nautical center with many animated displays. Also the fountains and gardens around the casino are breathtakingly beautiful with the Christmas decorations.
Larry J
