3 nights around Nice

[torqueofthedevil]

Flying into nice with a girl for 3 nights. Wondering whether to just get s hotel in Nice for 3 nights and travel about a bit or just spend a night in nice and 2 somewhere nearby?

Was thinking that maybe there would be better little towns with nicer beaches - maybe Antibes for a night. Also fancy somewhere like Grasse for a meal. Seen a nice restaurant on an olive plantation. Any other recommendations for similar or restaurant on a vineyard?

Maybe it would be best just to go to these places for the day and not sleep there? Conscious that 3 nights and 3 hotels would be too hectic.

Or should we base ourselves outside Nice?

I don't mind paying for nice hotels - something like the Negresco in Nice. But I equally like little traditional places that are much much cheaper but still clean and traditional / authentic French.

Any recommendations?

[torqueofthedevil]

Hotel Perouse looks great too but actually three nights in there or Negresco would be too expensive

[Kudos]

Not sure I could bothered moving hotel. Nice is central, trains are good. Head to Monaco for a day and Antibes for a day also. Some nice villages up in the mountains, but not sure if I'd be bothered visiting as you are only there for a short time.

[Kudos]

Not sure I could bothered moving hotel. Nice is central, trains are good. Head to Monaco for a day and Antibes for a day also. Some nice villages up in the mountains, but not sure if I'd be bothered visiting as you are only there for a short time.

[Fishtigua]

Get the bus up to Biot or St.Paul de Vence. I used to live just outside Biot and it was lovely. Have a look at the IYCA Superyacht dock in Antibes, I spent almost 6 years working there. If you get a little hire car, dirt tracking the back roads of Grasse is great. It's the home of perfume and the wild herb smells are heady.

[torqueofthedevil]

Yeah I like exploring but agree that moving hotels would be a ball ache. Might just bite the bullet and stay in the Perouse. The restaurant there looks amazing too - le patio.

Really want to see Grasse so would rent a car and go there and vence and antibes. Is Monaco worth a visit then? Not too over priced and pretentious?

When u say dirt roads do u mean hire an off road car? I'd prefer a convertible really and just drive the route napoleon etc

[Fishtigua]

torqueofthedevil said:

When u say dirt roads do u mean hire an off road car? I'd prefer a convertible really and just drive the route napoleon etc

All hire cars are offroaders.

No, just a normal car will wiggle nicely on the tracks. I followed the farmer who was in a WWII Jeep in my Uno.

Don't bother with Monaco, after years of commuting there, there's really sod all to see.

[anonymous-user]

I'd do lunch in Beaulieu-sur-Mer as it's a lot less busy than Nice etc.

For a lovely evening meal, if you don't mind travelling a little, I'd go to Mougins.

[torqueofthedevil]

Mougins and also Eze look very nice.

Any recommendations for car rental - had a quick look but seems very expensive. Just want a convertible of any description.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If you are going to pose in the soft top drop into Villefranche sur Mer on the way to Monaco

[PositronicRay]

Don't bother with car hire. Bus and train easy enough.

Pick a decent Hotel and stay close to the front in Nice.

Another vote for bus to St Paul de Vence and lunch @ villefranch sur Mer. A walk around the St Jean Cap Ferrat coast path. Spend time in the old town and flower market. If you have time Eze is great. Mougins, Grasse and Menton are a bit too much to pack in with limited time when there is so much on the doorstep.

Don't be tempted by Cannes or Monaco, you'll be disappointed.

But 1st (weather permitting) walk through the old town, climb to the top of the Parc du Mont Baron for an ice cream. Great views of Nice and the coast, really helps you to get you're bearings. Then down to the flower market for lunch and soak up the atmosphere.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I stayed in Nice and loved my time in Monaco. Thought it was great.

[Burrow01]

If you are taking the girl to impress her, book lunch at the Columbe D'Or in St Paul de Vence - excellent restaurant with paintings from the impressionists given in lieu of cash from the artists

Normally in the summer you cannot book for months, this is a great time of year to go - this was the lunch taster menu:





If it was me I would not worry about Grasse, area is nice but there are better places to visit if you are on a short timescale.

Mougins is very nice

[chris7676]

I would stay in Cannes, great beach and a bit more pleasant if more sleepy than Nice.

[Esseesse]

I've only been to the area once for a week. My impression was that Cannes wasn't terribly exciting, Antibes was really nice (stayed in the old part near the covered market), Juan-les-Pins area near Antibes was generally nice also. Didn't actually go in to Nice, visited Monaco for the F1 qualifying.

I think a lot of the coastline in the region is spoiled somewhat by the railway line that runs along much of it, maybe someone who knows the area better can comment?

[PositronicRay]

Esseesse said:

I've only been to the area once for a week. My impression was that Cannes wasn't terribly exciting, Antibes was really nice (stayed in the old part near the covered market), Juan-les-Pins area near Antibes was generally nice also. Didn't actually go in to Nice, visited Monaco for the F1 qualifying.

I think a lot of the coastline in the region is spoiled somewhat by the railway line that runs along much of it, maybe someone who knows the area better can comment?

The railway does spoil things a bit, you've got to pick and choose places. But at least you get nice views from the carriages. I think you're right about Cannes, overrated. The old town is okay for an hour or two but I wouldn't want to linger.

[PositronicRay]

I've just re-read the OP's post. I read he was going with the girls (I assumend daughters)
It's not, it's a girl So rent a decent car from the airport head to Villefranche, enjoy Corniches, get a taxi for Dinner @ Eze, visit St Paul de Vence, Nice, Menton, Cap Ferret @ Mougins.

Have a brilliant time

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 14th April 07:49

[NDA]

torqueofthedevil said:

Yeah I like exploring but agree that moving hotels would be a ball ache. Might just bite the bullet and stay in the Perouse. The restaurant there looks amazing too - le patio.

Really want to see Grasse so would rent a car and go there and vence and antibes. Is Monaco worth a visit then? Not too over priced and pretentious?

When u say dirt roads do u mean hire an off road car? I'd prefer a convertible really and just drive the route napoleon etc

I would be tempted to follow the advice earlier and stay put in Nice.... I know the area reasonably well - it's a spaghetti junction of motorways with beautiful villages that are remarkably well hidden.

Mougins is full of expensive restaurants, but worth seeing, Gordes is worth a look, St Paul de Vence is lovely.... I thought Grasse was not worth a visit.

Sixt (?) car rental at Nice airport is pretty good.

[Charlie1986]

jumping in here,

I go every year and stay outside St Maxine but now with my little one being a bit older were hoping to do some traveling, We have done the big places except Monaco and the OH has said yes. Is it worth it? it will be june were going

[PositronicRay]

I wouldn't stay in Monaco. Visit (if you must) to get it out of you're system. Menton is nice and often overlooked.