We're planning our first trip to the French Riveria for mid to late January. We will be based in Nice for nearly 2 weeks. In addition to the several art museums and exploring Nice, does anyone, who has spent time there in the winter, have activities or sights to recommend? We'd welcome suggestions of walking or bike tours. And if we were to rent a car for a day, what would be your recommended itinerary, for places that aren't accessible by public transit?
Many thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
Winter is low season on the Rivera. I haven't been there at that time of year myself, but as I was researching hours for tourist attractions for a May 2017 trip, I noticed that many of the smaller museums in the area closed more days a week in the winter. A few were only open 3 days a week, so it will be important for you to check the individual websites before planning a trip to any particular sight.
The Verdon Gorge is not easy to visit from Nice without a car. It sounds lovely, but I don't know what it is like in the winter, or how long it would really take to get there by car. ViaMichelin.com estimates 2 hr. 18 min. by the fastest route, or 3 hr. 1 min by a different route. The town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is reported to be very nice.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15781 posts
I've been to Nice for a week twice, in mid-March and in mid-December. You can visit many of the other coastal towns using the local trains - inexpensive, frequent, and not over-long journeys. There are also a few towns that are easy to access by bus. Most of the towns are worth at least a half day exploring. I don't think it's worth renting a car for a single day. Days are short, it takes time to rent a car in the morning, so you'll get a late start . .. . or you'll rent the evening prior and have to park it somewhere. I liked the self-guided walking tours in the RS guide.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
712 posts
In good weather, there are good seaside paths on the Cap d'Antibes and Cap Ferrat. There is also a walk up Mont Boron and on to Fort Alban (you can cut the climb by taking a bus up).
As mentioned, you'll be able to take many day trips using the train and bus network. Cannes, Antibes, St. Paul de Vence, Villefranche sur Mer, Cap Ferrat, Menton. Even in Italy Ventimiglia, Bordigher and San Remo are within reach. You can also begin to explore smaller, less popular villages as well, like Biot (glassware), Haut de Cagnes (castle up above, and in Cagnes sur Mer, he Renoir Museum) and Vallauris (Pottery and Picasso).
I agree renting for one day may not be worthwhile. Two days is much better and more cost effective, but you will have to pay for parking unless you do an overnight. You can try visiting some of the more remote villages that are not easy to get to by public transport. That includes the loop that includes St. Paul de Vence, Vence, Tourettes Sur Loup and Gourdon. Another trip might be the Italian Riviera, to either the seaside villages (note the seasonal closures) and the villages just across the border of Dolcecqua and Apricale. You could also take a car journey to the St. Tropez peninsula (heavy seasonal closures, it reverts back to a fishing village) and to the villages beyond. In very good weather (I've not tried in January), there are many coastal hikes on the Massif de l'Esterel, between Frejus/Agay and Theole sur Mer.