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Côte d'Azur/La Bastide de Moustiers-Ste. Marie

Hello to Everyone,

I wonder if anyone would have restaurant recommendations for Nice where we will stay for 8 nights and Antibes where we will be for 5.

Also any experience at the Hotel Suisse Nice or The Royal Antibes Hotels in Antibes?

Re; French Riveria Pass - we have more than 72 hours in Nice so is it worth buying this pass? We intend to visit some of the surrounding villages- Villefranche sur Mer, Èze Le Village, Menton, Monaco.

We are following up our Côte d'Azur experience with a stay at La Bastide de Moustiers-St. Marie. I do not do well with heights so I am wondering what the safest, least vertiginous route is from Antibes to that location?

Thanks so very much for your thoughts.

Best, Susan

Thanks so very much for any recommendations and suggestions.

Posted by
6918 posts

The safest route from Antibes to Moustiers goes via the A8 to Le Muy, then local roads (mostly d557) to Aups, and north to Moustiers. You could take the slight detour to Tourtour, the d77 road is narrower (no cliffs) but Tourtour is lovely for a quick stop!

And if you do want to visit the Verdon gorge from Moustiers, all roads have steep drop-offs so your best bet is probably renting a pedalo on the lake and paddle upstream for a bit (beware, it's harder on the way back).

Can't advise on your other questions, sorry.

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you so very much for that helpful information. I will check out that route on my Michelin map.

Posted by
685 posts

That's a healthy amount of time. What time frame? In Nice, in the old town and within easy reach of Hotel Suisse you can try La Merenda, Fine Guele, Bistrot Gourmand, Olive et Artichaut, Acchiardo, Lavomatique and any of the Armand Crespo restaurants, including Bar des Oiseux, Bistrot d'Antoine, Comptoir du Marche, Piexes, Type 55. At the top end, Jan, Flaveur and Pur et V. On the Cours Saleya, if you must dine (many are to be avoided), Le Safari is OK. If you need recommendations in other neighborhoods, just ask (like Rouge in the Port, Le Sejour in the Carre d'Or). Also, le Plongeoir is a great experience but you must reserve well in advance as it has become very publicized. Le Galet and Beau Rivage are the best of the beach resto closest to that hotel. I've not been there, but it is on the end of the Prom that is a bit separated from transport and the rest, so you'll get in a few more steps.

You didn't ask, but make sure you do all your day trips when in Nice to points east and inland: Menton, Monaco, Eze, Train des Merveilles, Train des Pignes, etc. If you have a car, even the train may be a better route in some cases. The connections and tour selection will be better and the Royal Antibes is a bit of a way from the train station. You can reserve that time for beach time on the lovely sand beaches and maybe take a ferry (direct or via Cannes) or rent a car before you leave for Moustiers Ste-Marie,

The most direct route via A8 and then north to Moustiers is probably the way to go (as noted above). The scenic route (though lovely) via Grasse and beyond is steep and winding.

Posted by
6918 posts

I see now that Google Maps directs you on the D49 directly from Draguignan to somewhere north of Aups: that's NOT a good idea, it is a narrow road.

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you so very much for that wealth of information! I appreciate it very much, and it will enhance our stay considerably.

We will be there in September (I wasn't aware that France was hosting a rugby championship, but it's working out).

I will certainly check out those suggested restaurants and will be mindful about scheduling tours from Nice to the east. Public transportation and/or tours will be our focus in Nice. We will pick up a car at Nice Airport and then go to Antibes (5 nights), Moustiers Ste. Marie (3 nights), Saint Remy de Provence (5 nights).

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you, balso, for that additional information about that narrow road on the drive to Moustiers-Ste. Marie.