French Riviera itinerary

Hi Cindy, I loved the French Riviera and would like to go back and spend more time there!

The info from my five days there is long, so I will just attach my trip report. It’s a little dated from 2019 but hopefully most of it is still relevant. I just stayed in Nice and did day trips by bus & train. Hopefully others can give you ideas for your three locations to stay.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/our-combined-solo-couple-vacation-in-france-2019

Based on my experiences in March and December, if you are staying close to the coast, a car is a hindrance - traffic is heavy and parking is hard to find and likely expensive too. The local train system is cheap and easy to use. I used Nice as a base, and day-tripped to all the towns from Cannes to Menton. I would allow 2 full days for Marseille.

I'd suggest at least two nights in Marseille, maybe three with a day trip to Cassis and the Calanques if coastal cliffs appeal to you. Then take a train to Nice, sleep there the rest of the time, and use the trains or buses to visit smaller places both east and west of there -- Antibes, Villefranche, Cap Ferrat, Monaco, etc. I didn't get inland but you might check out places like Eze, the Roman monument up in the hills (name escapes me now), and others. A tourist-type train goes inland and uphill from Nice (again the name escapes, and again I didn't take it). Nice itself has enough for several days.

If you want to focus more on beach-sitting than on "traditional" sightseeing, you might not prefer Nice, where the beach is gravel and not that appealing. Others could point you to more satisfying places to spend beach time.

Many years ago we spent a few weeks each summer in Ste. Maxime, on the ste tropez beach cove. Great local, nice beaches reasonable crowds.

For your son, I found the boat tour out of Cassis along the Calanques to be fascinating . Amazing cliffs and the boat went into little fjord like inlets. There is a park there that can be reached by car.

https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/nature/the-calanques-of-marseille/which-calanques-to-discover/le-parc-national-des-calanques/

Per Dick's post, the Roman ruin above Eze in La Turbie is called the Trophee des Alpes. The train to the border mountain towns and the Mercantour National Park is called the Train des Merveilles. It is part of a regular train service, so any service can be taken, but only the one morning route has the special commentary (in the train cars to the rear).

Close to Nice, the sandiest beaches are on the Golf Juan side of Antibes and Juan les Pins. Nice probably has more activites overall and better transport links, but the sand is better in those areas (and Cannes and further east). The best beaches are actually near St Tropez, imho, with Ramatuelle (Pampalonne) and the smaller beaches between the peninsula and Hyeres. Pampalonne is world famous, and lacks the large concrete apartment blocks lining the beach that plague too many non-city beaches along the Med.

Another trip you can take is the ferry ride from Cannes or Nice to Ste Marguerite island, for some pristine shorelines. You can also take a ferry from Cannes to St. Honorat, home of a monastery.

Thank you all for all on your replies!! I really appreciate all of your input!