Looking for hotel, restaurant and itinerary suggestions in French Riviera. We are traveling by train from Cinque Terre Italy to French Riviera. We have a week (October 1-8) to explore and relax in the region. We don’t plan on seeing Provence as we were there last year (awesome!). We’re thinking of three days in Nice at start or end of trip, at Hotel du Covent where we can use Marriott points. But open to other places in Nice if they’re more charming and well situated (I tried Nice Garden Hotel but they’re booked). Also, where would you suggest we spend the rest of our time? Inland like Vence, Grasse…)? Or another coastal town? We’re game to combine train, bus and car rental. Any ideas for drive tours? We enjoy walking, Art, architecture, food, relaxing, gardens and water. Open to local guide(s) for day tour. We’re in late 60s and in good shape (well sort of). We fly out of Nice. Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6627 posts
abstarkey, check out the video from this week's Monday Night Travel. Lots of ideas and tips for traveling in the French Riviera:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/french-riviera
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Jane, This is great. Just started watching thanks to you!
Posted by
Chicago
8763 posts
thanks we are thinking of doing a week in Nice the first week of October -- haven't been for 25 years. This is helpful.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
735 posts
The Hotel du Couvent is pretty primely located in the heart of old town, and is a top choice within the city. It is quiet but adjacent to many restaurants, shops, bars and the daily market. As a former convent with its expansive gardens, a roman-style bath, elevated pool, in house boulangerie and herbalist, you can't get more charming or subtly luxurious. You could easily spend your time just relaxing at the mini-resort and surrounding areas by foot. The only downside is it is bit further away from some of the transport connections and other sights, as it is deep in the old town against (and up) the hillside (you could take Uber or a taxi to go up the main Musees in CImiez -- Matisse and Chagall) The next competition are places like La Perouse, the Negresco and the new Le Victoria Maison Albar, but there are other smaller, less pricey hotels.
There are some nice hotels near Vence and St. Paul de Vence, but you'd need a car to take advantage of touring the hillside towns. You could also look at Villefranche-sur-Mer or Antibes, (Note in early October the beach clubs will have shut down but many of their restaurants will still be open). Menton is beautiful but may not be different enough after spending so much time in Italy (though the gardens may attract you). Things get less Italian influenced (and predecessor empires) as you go west of the Var river.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for great info! We may rent a car for a day and night. If so any inn recommendations in Vence or other nearby hilltop towns? Also inn suggestion for Villefranche? Learned of Welcome Hotel which looks nice. Yet we’re also interested to learn of lower key yet authentic charming places to lodge there for few days.
Posted by
Green Bay
21555 posts
If you are staying at Hotel du Couvent in Nice, you are only 10 minutes from Villefranche on the train.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Yes, true. Good point. That said we can’t justify/afford staying there for full week. Maybe three days using our hotel points. Thus, when suggested by Steve Smith of RS in great video shared above, combing a stay staying in both Nice and Villefranche, or hilltop town, I figure I ask for lodging ideas in those areas. Plus, Villefranche seems to have a more relaxed quieter vibe which appeals as well. Anyway, just gathering ideas to sort and decide our approach. Soon I hope to get newest RS French Riviera guide. So my answers may be there.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
735 posts
There are a number of inns, "mas"/gites and small hotels in the hill towns (or around) st. paul de vence (ranging from 3* le hameau, to le Mas de Pierre, or le St. Paul in the village) and Vence. Vence is a little larger. Another potential village is Tourettes sur Loup, which has some very good restaurants despite its size, but I don't know of a specific hotel near there. .