Hi, we'll be traveling to southern France and northern Spain for three weeks in April 2026. We plan to spend 4 nights/3 days in Nice, including a day trip (first leg by bus, remainder by train) as far east as Ventimiglia. We're most interested in unique architecture, historical sights, and just wandering around. We're thinking of half day in Eze, half day in Monaco, and dinner in Ventimiglia. This means skipping 2 generally recommended towns: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton. But it seems that our proposed itinerary better suits our interests. Any thoughts? Are we overlooking compelling reasons to visit the other 2 towns?
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9552 posts
Definitely do what interests you vs. what you’re hearing as recommendations. For me, I enjoyed Menton a lot for a few hours because I like twisty lanes to photograph & the striking colors in Menton’s east side combined to make such a fun time of wandering & taking lots of photos. I finally told myself to put the camera away & just savor the atmosphere. In fact, one of my 8 enlarged photos on canvas in my office is from that location. But that may not appeal to you. You can check photos ahead of time on-line or videos to see each of the places you’re considering and decide for yourself.
Another place I enjoyed immensely was the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild - both for the gardens & the villa. I took the early bus from Nice to arrive as it opened and headed directly for the gardens for amazing photos with no people in them. The villa is gorgeous, too.
I wanted to go to St. Paul de Vence, also, but the Ironman Championship was using that route, so I couldn’t go there.
Again, look at options but don’t feel compelled to go see everything. Less is more! : )
Posted by
Paris
7872 posts
Unless you desperately want to say "I've been to Italy", you can skip Ventimiglia! It's not that bad but it does have a scruffy border town feel. The French side of the border is more interesting IMO.
Posted by
Philadelphia
167 posts
I didn't go to Eze or Ventimiglia but I did go to Monaco. I guess it's a "must see" but it's largely a city atmosphere. I saw the casino (couldn't get inside while I was there, as they were setting up for the Grand Prix) and the harbor where the 400 ft yachts were docked. I walked to the aquarium and enjoyed it. That was a full day for me at which point I went back to my hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer where I stayed.
Because I was staying in Villefranche-sur-Mer, I was able to walk on the coastal path to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat several times. All of these towns have absolutely gorgeous views of the sea. Unfortunately I couldn't get into the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild while I was there but it's supposed to be gorgeous. One interesting historical site in that area is Villa Nellcote, where Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones lived for a period of time--you can Google it to see pictures. I loved Beaulieu-sur-Mer also. There was a nice shopping area and I also used the beach there. There are lovely gardens in front of the beach where people were eating picnic lunches. I loved it. Unfortunately I had several days of rain while I was there which were a downer but I made the best of it.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
915 posts
I was overall underwhelmed by Villefranche-sur-mer as a daytrip stop although I did like the Jean Cocteau chapel and I can understand why people who want a beach resort town vibe like to base there. But I don't think you miss much by sipping it especially compared to the coastal walks Daisy notes in the St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat area. I went to Monaco somewhat unintentionally after getting on the wrong bus at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. I found the old town pleasant to wonder and the contrast with the casino area somewhat striking. If you get one of the multi-day ZOU pass options for transportation, you can easily get off and on the train or bus in any town along the way, or linger somewhere or not, whenever the mood hits you,
Posted by
Paris
27 posts
If I were in your position I would probably skip both Monaco and Ventimiglia, as well as Menton.
A very nice day can in include a morning in Eze (you can take the bus up I believe), eventually followed by a hike down the Nietzsche trail. At that point you can head over to Beaulieu-sur-Mer (there is the train if needed at the base of the hike) and go discover the Villa Kérylos (one of the most outstanding and unique architectural feats of the 20th century). On Villefranche-sur-Mer (you can walk from Beaulieu or take the bus) you can wander around the stunning Presqu'ile and visit the Rothschild museum / house if you like (though I prefer Kérylos but it is a nice compliment).
Finish your day in Villefranche with dinner by the port and don't miss the church Cocteau painted.
If you were to go to Italy I would take a car as the Hansbury Botantical Gardens are really quite stunning. From there I would head up back into the valley to villages such as Pigna etc.
Roquebrune is another nice town East of Nice. It isn't too too far from the a very large couple thousand year old Roman colosseum (I have forgotten the name but it is a monument historique). Should you like more modern architecture another historic monument is the Villa E-27, though I am unsure whether it is open for visits at the time being.
In Nice the Palais Lascaris is very lovely for its architectural and artistic value.
Posted by
30 posts
Another vote for the Villa Ephrussi- stunning villa and gardens; a lovely if pricey tea room for lunch. We took an Uber from Nice to get there and back as public transportation was complicated and we wanted to conserve our energy.
We love taking the train to Villefranche for lunch next to the water (reserve ahead!); Eze is stunning, Monaco one time only! We’ve been to Nice four times and heading back for our fifth visit in a few weeks. Plenty to do and see for weeks on end! With your limited time, why Ventimiglia?
Posted by
OP
Northern Colorado
16 posts
To all of you who’ve responded, thanks so much for your incredibly helpful replies. I must confess that we are neglecting our standard Europe trip planning procedure, which always starts with the relevant RS book(s). This time we’re planning without benefit of the RS Provence book, because we’re eagerly awaiting the 2026 version, due to be released tomorrow (fingers crossed)! So, I likely asked questions already addressed in the book. Thanks for indulging us!
We’ve made many changes to our itinerary as a result of your feedback:
We’re skipping Ventimiglia; our thought had been to end our day trip east from Nice with a nice Italian dinner watching the sunset. But, duh, we can do that anywhere in the area. No need to go into Italy for that.
Ordinarily we wouldn’t prioritize a sight like Monaco, but I’m a Formula 1 fan, so of course I must make the pilgrimage!
Menton! Beaulieu! Villa Ephrussi! Villa Kérylos! Chapelle Saint-Pierre! All of these sound like the types of sights we love. Add in Antibes and all the sights within Nice itself, factor in that it will be the second week of April, and we’re not going to have enough time within 2.5 days (plus that separate day trip east). And here I thought we had those days all figured out.
Yes, we’re getting the 7-day ZOU pass for our 3.5-day visit; by my calculations we won’t quite get our money’s worth on fares (including to/from the Liberation district where we’re staying), but it’s worth it for the convenience.
We’re planning to briefly visit both Vence and St. Paul de Vence to start our road trip west, although it’s unfortunate it will be Sunday and La Chapelle Matisse will be closed.
Finally, to the person who perhaps will be in Nice at the same time as us, we’ll be happy to meet for a cup of coffee and a chat (our treat in thanks for your advice).