My husband and I are travelling to France in June. We plan to spend 3 days in Nice area and then 3 days in Paris. Rather than rent a car, we would like to take trains from Nice to Monaco and St. Tropez. Then, we would like to take a night train to Paris. Can anyone tell me if these are reasonable ideas? Is the night train safe if we get a sleeper? Any other suggestions for Nice & area are most welcome!!

We took train from Nice to Paris. Should have been about 7 hr trip, but had a mechanical problem and turned into a 9 hr trip. When I talked to our French host about it, they said they always fly to Nice from Paris.

I forgot to add that although it was a drag having to sit such a long time in train, we were entertained by retired folks making fun of French National Train System. Every so often when the train was stuck in the middle of the field and announcements were made, someone would tell wise crack about the SNCF and the whole car would burst into laughter.

Maura <BR> <BR>The French Railway system along the coast from Nice to Ventimiglia (Italy) in the east and Marseille in the West is very efficient. If you are planning to go from Nice to Paris, I would suggest that you consider a TGV (very fast train) which will take you about 5 hours in airline comfort. For information on the French Train system I suggets you look at: <BR> <BR>http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm <BR> <BR>For information re Nice, have a look at: <BR> <BR>http://www.nice-coteazur.org/americain/index.html <BR>http://www.mapquest.com/ <BR> <BR>There are numerous Hotels of various standards in Nice - it;s basically up to you. There is a great part of Nice that is down near the 'Promenade des Anglais' (Foreshore) which consists of very narrow (pedestrian only) streets jammed full of traders and cafes. Also in the Vegetable and Flower Market in "Le Cous Saleya" and in particular try the local Niciose delicacy called "Socca", cooked by Therese. The experience and the taste is worth the time it takes to get the item. She speaks about 6 languages. Also the Avenue Jean Medicin and the streets running off of it are packed with shops and restuarants of all descriptions. <BR> <BR>Have a great time. <BR> <BR>If you require any more inforamtion please eMail me. <BR> <BR>David

My girlfriend and I took the train from Nice to Paris this past October. We boarded the train around 10pm, went to sleep and arrived in Paris around 6:30am refreshed and ready to explore the city. Our safety was never an issue during the train ride. I have taken many night trains and at no time have I felt unsafe in my sleeper. <BR>From Nice to Monaco you have a few choices you can take the train, a bus or a ferry. Going we took the bus, about a 30 minute ride, it was very scenic. On our return we took the train not as scenic but faster(15-20mins)

Fodors <BR> <BR>Dear Ms Helsdon, <BR> <BR>I agree with Ms Shihadeh that Nice to Paris makes a pleasant night journey. People who comment on its length may be forgetting that you are aslee as you cover the miles. You can, indeed, arrive in Paris at 0620. But I'd prefer to leave Nice at 1942 or 2049 and reach Paris at 0711 or 0720. These are two long-known trains, the Phonecian and the Blue Train, but of course the rolling stock is new, and the rails are welded. They leave St Raphael (bus from St Tropez) half an hour after Nice. The Blue Train leaves Monaco at 2022, and makes no stops bewteen Toulon at2249 and Paris at 0720. <BR> <BR>These trains are wholly safe, and some ladsies wear jewelry -- though there's nowhere to show it off, as I'm afraid that the trains no longer carry restaurant cars. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Have done the night train both ways, and felt perfectly safe (my sister and I shared a couchette with 2 women and a couple with a baby - not a peep from the baby; I shared a couchette with 3 women another time; 4 of us once had the whole couchette to ourselves). <BR> <BR>There are frequent trains to Monte Carlo from Nice; to St Tropez, you get off at St Rafael and then take the bus to St Tropez (no trains run out to the peninsula); in Nice there is a large bus station for transportation to the hill towns like St Paul de Vence. <BR> <BR>Nice has an Old Town which is for pedestrians; lots of great shops for Provence stuff and FOOD; various museums of modern art and artists throughout the area; Nice beach isn't very sandy, but a quick train ride to Cannes will take care of that; eat pizza. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I took the overnight Paris-Nice sleeper last Easter with a group of students. First, there is no car to sit down in and visit. Also, with 6 beds per room, there is not enough room to even sit up in your bed. Basically, they are sleepers and that is it, and for that purpose, they are fine. We were warned several times about thefts on the train, and to be sure to lock the doors. There are two very secure door locks per room. In fact, just a few rooms away, a thief snuck into one room while someone went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and stole a wallet. We were told that there are professionals who ride these trains with this purpose in mind. However, with doors locked, you should have no problem.