France - The Southern Coast 9 Days
This itinerary focuses on exploring the beautiful and exciting destinations of the French Riviera. It includes visits to the resort city of Nice, the glamorous city-state of Monaco known for its renowned casinos, and the vibrant town of Aix-en-Provence.
The South of France has some of the prettiest towns that line the Rivera. From east to west, the Mediterranean coast is dotted with tiny hamlets and small villages waiting to be explored. The French Riviera is known for its beaches, views, picture perfect water, yachts and as a playground for the wealthy and a highly regarded art and culture scene. It's the perfect destination for travelers in search of extraordinary food and wine combined with fascinating history and culture.
Tips:
Avoid July and August if possible, it gets very crowded and you pay high rates.
If you are visiting during the off season, you don't need to worry about hotels and restaurants being closed, except for the seaside restaurants.
How to get to your hotel in Nice:
Uber - your best option from the airport to the hotel. The prices are lower than for taxis.
Public transport is available. Take Tram Line 2 from the airport to city center, Vieux Ville(Old Town), and port. Duration: 25 min.
Car Rental - great for hopping town to town, but parking can be a problem and expensive during peak season.
Most restaurants are open for lunch from noon to 2pm and dinner starting at 7:30 pm.
Travel Adaptor: Type C and Type E.
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In France and Western Europe, 112 is the equivalent of 911 emergency, so commit it to memory.
DAY 1 and 2
Arrive at Nice airport and transfer to your hotel.
Arriving by train is also an option. Nice's station is Gare De Nice-Ville located on Avenue Thiers and serves most major French cities, including Paris. The train from Paris to Nice takes ~ 6 hours.
Nice is an ancient city with a beautiful beach. Here you will find good food, fine wine, historical sights, cultural museums, delightful parks, and luxury hotels & casinos.
Wander along the famous beachfront Promenade des Anglais.
The promenade is lined with big, beautiful hotels. The Promenade des Anglais is a ideal place to stay.
One of the most expensive hotels is the Le Negresco Hotel, popular with celebrities.
The Promenade des Anglais is where many events are organized including the famous Nice Carnival, as well as sporting events, exhibitions, and meetings.
Pedestrians, joggers, inline skaters and skateboarders populate the 5 km promenade at any time of the day.
Casino Barrière Nice Le Ruhl is undoubtedly the place for entertainment on the celebrated Promenade des Anglais.
Explore the winding streets of the old town, called Vieux Nice (Old Town). <Read more>
Vieux Nice is the city’s vibrant old town, with narrow cobblestone streets and pastel-hued buildings where shops sell Niçoise soaps and Provençal textiles, plus meats and cheeses.
Visited the Chapelle du Rosaire, a church designed by famous artist Henri Matisse. The church is located in nearby Vence, and although it appears unassuming from the outside, the inside features art and stained-glass windows by the expressionist artist. <address>
Relax at one of Nice’s many private beaches for lunch and sunbathing. Nice has a few public beaches, but there are also private beaches where you can rent a chair and get food and drinks delivered to you.
Relaxing at the beach in Nice is a “must-do” if you’re visiting the Rivera in the summer.
If your active, stroll the coastal pathway of Cape Ferrat. A great walk! The trail is a peaceful haven which runs for 12 km.
A top attraction is walking the Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild. <watch video>
Overnight: Nice, (6 nights)
<where to stay> We recommend the Promenade des Anglais area.
DAY 3
Monaco is the playground of the rich and famous. Its mild climate, scenery, luxury casinos, lavish wealth & glamorous events such as the Monaco Yacht Show and the Monaco Grand Prix have made it “the destination” for the wealthy.
Monaco is an area half the size of Central Park in Manhattan, New York.
Explore the sights with a self guided walking tour. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to quickly visit the main sites.
Capture the highlights and charm by walking the narrow streets of Old Monaco. The Old Town of Monaco is very picturesque and home to a number of historical buildings, monuments, and alleyways.
Within Monaco is the district of Monte Carlo. Here you will find the Place du Casino - a famous square boasting the Hotel de Paris, Café de Paris and the legendary Monte Carlo Casino. These famous buildings appear frequently in Hollywood movies and TV series.
There are breathtaking sea views from the terrace of Place du Casino.
Watch the Changing of the Guards in front of the Prince's Palace.
Performed daily at 11:55 AM at the royal entrance on the Palace Square.
Visit the Musée Oceanographique — the aquariums containing rare species of fish and marine life in magnificent shapes and colors. There are three Aquariums: the Tropical Aquarium, Mediterranean Aquarium, and Shark Lagoon. There are approximately 100 aquarium pools, with realistic natural environments such as coral reefs.
One of Monaco's most popular beaches, Larvotto is a free-to-the-public, located just a short walk from Monte-Carlo.
How to get from Nice to Monaco?
The train from Nice to Monaco runs continuously from the main train station (Gare de Nice-Ville, Gare Thiers). Duration: 20 minutes. <Route>
The No. 100 bus from Nice to Monaco departs from the Old Port of Nice (behind the church).
Duration: 40 min.
Overnight: Nice
Driving time: Nice —> Monaco, 35 minutes.
The Rivera Coast
Villefranche-Sur-Mer
DAY 4 - 6
Relax, enjoy the beach, sit in a café or bar and take in the beautiful scenery and fun scene.
Best beaches along the coast.
Enjoy the French lifestyle, cuisine, delicious produce and wine, shop in the local markets, live the village lifestyle. Or take in some of the magnificent walks.
Take day trips to various small towns:
Explore Eze—a hilltop village located within
a 30-minute drive from Nice. Make sure to spend some time wandering the old, cobbled streets.Discover Villefranche-Sur-Mer- a small charming village worth a stop between Nice and Eze.
Visit Cannes, famous for its international film festival! Wandered through the city and enjoy some pastries and coffee.
Discover Antibes-wander at a leisurely pace. The narrow, winding cobblestone streets are filled with little boutiques, gourmet food shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Overnight: Nice or Antibes.
Driving time:
Nice —> Eze, 25 minutes.
Nice —> Vallefranche-Sur- Mer, 22 minutes.
Nice —> Cannes, 40 minutes.
DAY 7 and 8
Discover Aix-en-Provence, a picturesque Provençal town brimming with delightful cafes and lively markets. This vibrant destination, known for its prestigious university, exudes a youthful and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The region offers enjoyable walks in the surrounding countryside and a perfect blend of cultural experiences
and tranquility. <outdoor activities>
Nightlife—Aix-en-Provence offers a sophisticated nightlife scene. The renowned Grand Théâtre de Provence hosts classical music performances that draw crowds of music enthusiasts. Additionally, the narrow and charming cobblestone streets come alive with the sounds of jazz, as live bands entertain visitors in various cozy venues.
Visit Old Aix - for its gorgeous architecture, charming markets, unexpected historical flourishes.
Take a stroll on the Cours Mirabeau. This wide avenue resembles a tunnel of plane trees punctuated with fountains and lined with cafés, terraces and elegant private mansions with iron-wrought balconies.
If you’re visiting in July, The Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence is an annual international music festival which takes place each summer. Devoted mainly to opera, it also includes concerts of orchestral, vocal and solo instrumental music. It has been labeled ‘Best festival of the year’ by the International Opera Awards.
Overnight: Aix-en-Provence, (2 nights) <accommodations>
Driving time:
Nice —> Aix-en-Provence, 2 hrs.
DAY 9
Depart from Marseille airport to another European destination or return home.
Driving time: Aix-en-Provence —> Marseille airport, 30 minutes.
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)
$$$ USD for two (2) people.
Budget: $4,000
Moderate: $5,000
Luxury: $6,000 +
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Climate Guide
During the month of May, June, September and October you will experience good weather with temps between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
October through March have a higher chance of precipitation.
The warmest months are July and August with an average maximum temperature of 27°C (80°F).
The coldest months are December through February with an average maximum temperature of 13°C (55°F).
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