French Riviera Trip Advice

Posted by Dbeatty on 07/21/17 04:42 PM

My wife will be working in Paris at the end of August, and I'll be meeting up with her for about a week. Due to her work schedule, we'll be spending the week somewhere along the French Riviera (flying into Nice, so anywhere in relatively close proximity). We were looking at renting a place for the week (airbnb, homeaway, etc.), but I'm curious to see if anyone has recommendations as to good place for our base location.

After looking at RS's France book, I think Villefranche-sur-Mer would be perfect for us. It looks like a more low-key area that offers quick access other places along the coast, but I was curious to see if others think just staying in Nice for the week makes more sense. Some additional facts about the trip: a) there will be four of us (wife's business partner & husband); b) We're all in our early 30s, so a bit past the all-night partying lifestyle (but wouldn't mind having easy access to some late night offerings); and c) we'll have a rental car, so parking will be needed. Thanks for any advice!

Posted by Travel Boss

Florida, USA

07/21/17 05:39 PM

12172 posts

I chose a little one bedroom apartment from airbnb in Juan les Pins. It's a couple minute walk to the beach, walking distance to Antibes, and close to the train station (for getting up and down the coast). I'm going the last week of September and was really surprised how many affordable airbnb places were available. Make sure you check reviews (how many, how recent) and pictures. My nightlife begins and ends with a long dinner of local food and wine, occasionally with some conversation over another drink at a pub/bar/lounge afterward. Antibes has a lot of good choices for me and probably some for being out later.

Posted by Gooster

Nice, France & San Francisco

07/22/17 12:26 AM

681 posts

I'd pick Nice or Antibes over Villefranche-sur-Mer for a full week. VSM is beautiful but can be quite limiting after a while, especially for nighttime options (dining, pubs). But, you will get a flavor of a small village and a magnificent view. On the plus side, the old Nice port is just around the hill and nighttime options are a short train/bus/uber away. Nice or Antibes will have a greater variety of options at night and are better connected to transit alternatives (in some cases, you may not wish to take a car on certain day trips, especially in the peak late summer season).

In Nice, VSM and the areas, many of the better rental agencies are not on AirBnB but are spread across other engines or their own web sites.

For all rental apartments, make sure they have air conditioning. It's not common, especially in older buildings where there are restrictions on condensers. Even if you don't mind keeping the windows open, there may be noise and more importantly, mosquitoes to deal with. Note that some of the newer properties with parking in VSM are up on the hill, near the Corniches (main roads). Choose carefully there, as the walk to/from the main part of the old town is quite steep and the road noise/traffic can be intense in the summer.

Posted by June

Edmonton, Alberta

07/22/17 01:59 AM

796 posts

I stay in VF, this September I am renting the same place I stayed 2 years ago via vrbo. I do not use a car so I cannot speak to that. The vrbo host may have ideas. I think the place I stay has a sofabed and twin beds that can be a king. PM me for more details. I love Villefranche, this will b my 5th visit. A RS tour introduced me to the town; the tour no longer exists.

I consider the town a place to relax and an easy transport via train or bus to many areas. I always visit Villa d'Ephrussi Rothschild s garden.

Posted by shawn

Michigan

08/10/17 01:15 AM

375 posts

Depends on what you want:

VFSM is lovely. The beach is sandy. Little shops and a flea market. Very relaxing. Not sure about the nightlife. We took the train from Nice for a day trip.

Nice has a lot to offer. We stayed at an airbnb right on the beach. So busy, but lots to do. Really nice fresh market. One day we rented chairs, umbrella, towels, at one of the Beaches. Had a beach boy to wait on us, enjoyed drinks, pizza, and a lovely day living the good life on the Riviera!

Posted by JC

Portsmouth

08/10/17 06:38 AM

5273 posts

We're currently in an Airbnb just outside Valbonne. It's a private house with a pool inside a gated commune so most likely will not be of interest however I will echo the advice about a/c. It's very warm here at the moment and LOTS of mosquitoes, I couldn't bare the thought of having to sleep with the windows open due to not having a/c, we'd be bitten alive!