I'll be visiting Nice in January for about eight days altogether, mostly based in Nice itself so I can do day trips to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, and Cap-Ferrat. I'd like to spend two or three nights in a smaller city/town and am torn between Antibes and Menton (which both have affordable hotel offerings at about $45/night). I'd like to go hiking along the sea, love art museums and architecture, love photography. Not a big foodie or shopper. On a modest budget.
Posted by
23 posts
June of 2024 my family and I based ourselves in Antibes, during the run up to the Olympics in Paris and the Olympic torch was run through Antibes. We quite enjoyed Antibes. There is a Picasso museum in the town. The medieval ramparts were a joy to walk upon, with the Mediterranean waves breaking at their base.
We also enjoyed a day-trip to Menton. The verticality of the town is stunning, so for photography purposes it might appeal more. We spent most of our day on the beach, with the old town at our backs. We did climb up into the town in the afternoon. Except along the beach there are very few restaurants or amenities up in the old town, with the exception of a few small galleries.
I believe that either town would please the casual visitor, however the scales would tip in favor of Antibes. Access to Nice, and the other places mentioned in the post, would be simpler from Antibes.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2326 posts
Menton is supposed to have the mildest climate, if that matters.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34120 posts
In Menton you have access to Italian, French and Monegasque towns.
Posted by
OP
Montreal, QC
172 posts
The mildest climate does indeed sound very nice!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10704 posts
It is a microclimate because the sun is absorbed and reflected by the tall rock face surrounding the bay. This is what keeps it warmer than the rest of the côte in winter. It’s known for the February Lemon festival and there is still quite a bit of citrus grown around Menton, at least in people’s gardens.
It’s true that up in the old village on the hill there aren’t many restaurants or hotels, just people’s apartments, but there are many in the commercial center where the hotels and rentals are located. I like eating at the restaurant in the casino, another called La Tratoria, or le Galion in the port for seafood( oops google says temporarily closed), and a fun restaurant, Coco Loco, ion the Sablettes beach. I’ve been to all of these in winter, so they should be open in January.