We are taking our daughter who is studying abroad in Italy to France. We have been to Antibes, upon Rick Steves' recommendation and very much enjoyed it. Are there other places we should be exploring or would be worth staying for 2 nights to explore? We are wanting a little water time and venturing time. We will have a rental car.
Thank you!
S
Monaco is an easy jaunt to the east, on the opposite side of Nice from Antibes. The day we visited it wound up pouring rain, so we spent almost all of our time in their great aquarium, started and original directed by Jacques Cousteau.
Just northwest of Monaco, at La Turbie, the Trophy of the Alps (Trophée d’Auguste), the massive classical remains of a once-bigger 2,000 year old monument to the Roman emperor Augustus’ military victories over combatants from the Alps. Quite the historical sight. There’s also a museum if you’d like a closer look.
North of Nice, and outside of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, is the Foundation Maeght, a wonderful Modern Art collection. If you went to the Picasso museum in Antibes, you’d like this. If you didn’t go to the Picasso museum before, consider another visit to Antibes.
We stayed in Villefrenche-sur-Mer and loved it. We took easy day trips to Menton, Eze-le-Village and the Villa and Gardens at Ephrussi de Rothschild. We skipped Monaco because of the crowds (the standing room only train completely emptied at Monaco). Nice was also fun. The train is easy to use along the coast there. There is also a beach in VSM for a beach visit!
Menton! Beautiful, incredibly charming. I was there a long time ago but it was a refreshing break from the city because it was quiet and uncrowded.
We also had taken the train to Monaco (not busy in late fall), but if you’re driving, standing room only wouldn’t be an immediate problem. O p parking in ago, though, I don’t know what’s involved with that.
