Will be traveling to French Riviera on a cruise in May with my family. We have 2 stops, one in Monaco and one in Villefranche-sur-Mer. We plan to use Villefranche stop to explore Nice for the day, including a food tour, however have been trying to decide what to do with our Monaco day (have stopped in Monaco on cruise previously, don't find the need to spend more time exploring there). We were considering spending another day in Nice vs a trip to Cagnes sur Mer and Haut Cagnes (to see the Renoir Museum) vs spending time in Eze (in combination with time in Nice). For context, the Monaco day is a Monday so I know that certain things in Nice such as the Cours Selaya Market are closed. Had also considered Antibes however the Picasso Museum also closed on Mondays. Thoughts and advice?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
I really enjoyed spending a few hours in Ville-franche-sur-mer last week, of course there were about 3-1/2 other tourists there ....in March.
The Chagall museum in Nice is open on Monday. And in place of the flower market, there's a flea market on Monday which I thought was more interesting than the flowers, local products and produce which you see everywhere. The market in Antibes is better. You could go there in the morning, mabye Biot too and the afternoon in Ville-franche-sur-mer
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Maybe a visit to Menton, close by? I have never been there but have acquaintances who spend every winter there.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, both. When we had stopped in Monaco previously, had spent the morning in Monaco and the afternoon at the Chagall Museum which is truly wonderful. Had not thought of Menton, will do some homework.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
677 posts
Eze is beautiful but of course it is very small. The views are the thing there -- there is of course the perfume "factory" and a fine but pricey restaurant. Cagnes sur Mer is not very special, to put it kindly, but the Haut de Cagnes area and the Musee are rightly the main draws. If you have not been there is also the Villa Ephrussi and the Villa Kerylos. Another choice is St. Paul de Vence and the Fondation Maeght (although the latter really depends on the special exhibition), and onwards to Vence (or even beyond to Tourettes sur Loup and Gourdon).