Nice or other coastal town in May

will you be there in the run up to the Monaco Grand Prix or during?

We checked the cruise ship arrival dates when we stayed in Villefranche.

I believe the Grand Prix is first week in June so I will avoid that. Thinking early May.

I didn’t think of checking cruise line schedules.

Thank you both.

We were in Nice this last May just as the film festival was starting. We met a guy at our hotel who was there to do hair at the festival. He was with a group from LA so I think there may have been overflow from the festival in Nice. Never felt overwhelmed by crowds. It was fun to see the yachts pull in. There was even a cargo type ship off loading yachts stacked on its deck into the harbor. We hiked the Coastal Path to Villafrache-sur-Mer and the sight of a huge cruise ship in the harbor definitely detracted from the gorgeous coastal path. It was a bit disheartening. We had lunch there and took the train back. The weather was perfect and Nice was exactly as I’d imagined. We also stayed a couple nights in a guest house with a pool in St Paul de Vence.

Thank you, it’s reassuring to know that crowds didn’t impact your experience in Nice. I think I’ll split up my stay as well.

Yes, you should only avoid Cannes during the Film Festival dates, and just before/after (during setup and teardown). The extra temporary buildings, tents and barricades just crowd the center. Visit if you must but don't stay during this time. Antibes experiences spillover as well. With the Grand Prix later this year and with no overlap, Nice and point easts will be impacted even less.

If you can find lodgings on Mont Boron in Nice, I highly recommend doing so. The views are spectacular, and it's easy to catch buses from there eastward to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco and Menton.

Thank you both for your advice.

I visited in May 2023 and stayed in Villefranche-sur-Mer. I walked to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat from there, which was wonderful, and took day trips by train to Monaco and Nice. I saw a cruise ship in the bay while I was there but it didn't feel overrun, possibly because I was out during the day. The train to Monaco was packed though, as Villefranche-sur-mer is a stop after Nice so you'd expect a lot of people to get on the train in Nice. Also the Marc Chagall museum in Nice was busy.

I didn't have any trouble getting into restaurants. I travel solo and usually eat my main meal during the afternoon when most people are still sightseeing. I got in and out of various restaurants in VSM without any big wait.

Thank you, Daisy. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I also would like to walk and use trains as much as possible while in that area. I’ll have a rental car to get from Aix to Nice and I’ll either keep it until I fly home from Nice or return when entering Nice area. I just need to decide and book. And you make a good point that cruise ship passengers will be back on board at dinner time.

a car in Nice is like an albatross around your neck.

If you don't have the right car number plate you won't be able to drive up the Rocher in Monaco.

(says he who often drives to Monaco from home)

Train and bus is the way, and walking

Thank you, Nigel. Train or bus seems to be the suggested way to travel.