I would like to see some of the small towns/villages dotted along the coast either side of Nice. I understand there is a bus/train. Does this run regularly enough to hop on/off or would it be better to go to one place in the morning and another in the afternoon? Which is the better option option, bus or train, and which places would you recommend. (Not into glitz or heavy tourism). Thanks.
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I really like the section between Nice and Cannes.....there are some real little gems along this route like Antibes, Juan les Pins..make sure you stop and have a cocktail at Belles Rives Hotel in Cap D%26#39; Antibes, it truly is an amazing hotel tucked in a small cove between Juan les Pins and Cap Antibes...
there is a train which runs past this coastal route but i don%26#39;t know how much etc.etc as we drove..
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Both trains and busses run regularly so you can indeed see more that one place if you want, depending on what you want to do. I can recommend Antibes, it%26#39;s around 45 minutes from Nice by train, as far as i remember. It is a wonderful charming city ( i like it better than nice actually).
Are you in Nice now or when are you going? There are so many nice places around nice, but some of them are a little deserted at this time a year..
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I%26#39;ll be there in July. My husband is doing a tour de france cycling trip - so I have to entertain myself for 10 days. I thought I%26#39;d do 4 days in Avignon and 4 days on the coast. Maybe Antibes would be a better place for me to stay? It really doesn%26#39;t matter as long as I have access to public transport and a mix of eating places. Would actually prefer somewhere smaller.
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Anywhere in July on the coast will be heaving with visitors, as will Avignon. If you are really not anxious to rent a car, Avignon would be a good base as there are a lot of places you can get to by train in an hour or less from there — Arles, Nîmes, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, Orange, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Tarascon and more. You could also find organized tours from Avignon to some of the other places that you could not reach by train. One place not to be missed IMO is the Pont du Gard. I%26#39;d probably prefer Tarascon as a base as it is a bit less touristy and crowded than Avignon in July but connections by train would not be as good to some places. I think you%26#39;d really be better off staying somewhere smaller and renting a car...
As for the coast you do not need or want a car here in July especially. Antibes would not be a bad choice but take a look at Villefranche-sur-Mer, just minutes from Nice by bus or train but still managing to retain a bit of small town Mediterranean charm...
Check voyages-sncf.com for train timetables.
Have fun planning!
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Thanks IrishRovr, but I%26#39;m from Australia and we drive on the left. For many reasons I don%26#39;t think it would be a good idea, for everyone%26#39;s sake, to let me loose on the wrong side of the road in France%26#39;s high season! So, public transport it must be, unless I come across someone with a car wanting a travel buddy.
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We used train and bus for travel along coast to Cannes and Monaco. Trains are faster and more expensive. All bus rides cost Euro 1.30 and are very frequent( see Ligne D%26#39;Azur site). Bus trip to Monaco is very scenic. Better catching the bus at Gare Routier to be sure of a seat - they fill up quickly. Bus drivers are the friendliest that I have come across in France. I have visited France many times but this Nov was first in Nice - we hope to return.
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The other way is beautiful too! Villefranche, Eze, Monte Carlo and on into Italy. Train ride is spectacular, hop on and off can be done.
Enjoy.
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There is really nothing to be concerned about as far as driving a left-hooker on the %26quot;wrong%26quot; side of the road goes, but if you will be alone I can understand your reluctance. You really need a good navigator on those little back roads! (Actually the navigating is the hard part!)
You might not appreciate this but other %26#39;Murricans will. Way back when I was still living in Ireland, where they also drive on the right (i.e. left) side of the road, on my first visit to the US, my first time driving in this great country, I drove a borrowed Lincoln Continental — and that was one ENORMOUS car back in the 60s — from the east side of Manhattan through the tunnel and out into the depths of New Jersey... on a Friday... at rush hour... in the dark...
You think driving in Provence might be a problem??? No worries at all!!! But fear not! There are many interesting places you can get to by train. Do take a couple of bus tours to the Provençal villages and the Pont du Gard, though.
Oh, and BTW when I drove that aforementioned behemoth across Manhattan etc., the car I actualy owned back home was a Mini Cooper. Can we talk about culture-shock automobile style?...
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And about the biggest car I had ever driven prior to tackling the Lincoln was a Ford Lotus Cortina. Now that was one wild and wooly piece of machinery, but tiny...
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