Where would you base in the french riviera for 4 last days(of a 3 week trip in France)if you have an early 8:30 am flight leaving from Nice for home? I would like to stay in Villefranche sur Mer, then again there is an Ibis hotel across from the airport in Nice,which would greatly facilitate things the last day.On the other hand,I'd like to stay in a place with a bit more character during these last days than a chain hotel.Love to hear some opinions on this.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You don't say how early your flight leaves. Except for Sundays, the first bus (#100) leaves Villefranche-sur-Mer at 06:45 and arrives at the Gare Routiere in Nice at 07:00. Beginning at 06:00 bus #98 runs every 20 minutes from the Gare Routiere to the airport. The trip takes just under 30 minutes (unless traffic is heavy). If leaving Villefranche at 06:45 is too late, take a taxi to the Gare Routiere in time to catch an earlier #98 bus. Of course you can take a taxi all the way, but it will be very expensive (around 40€).
Or simply base yourself in Nice.
Posted by
Plymouth, MN, USA
37 posts
We spent three nights at Hôtel la Flore in Villefranche sur Mer, and enjoyed it. It was a lovely location, with a terrific restaurant. If the transportation suggestions don't get you back to Nice in time in the morning, I'd spend all but the last night in Villefranche. Nice is a city, Villefranche is a village.
Posted by
oregon
131 posts
I agree that Villefranche would be perfect for all but the last night. I used the RS Riviera book for planning my trip and from the maps it was so hard to believe that idyllic Villefranche is essentially a suburb of Nice! But it is. It is blissful to return there after a long day.
You can get anywhere via either bus or train from the Villefranche stations, although sometimes you ride 5-10 minutes to Nice for the transfer. I would stay at your airport hotel the last night- it was very expensive (yes, I remember 40-50 euro, with the tip) to take a taxi for our early morning flight, and we stayed the last night near the old town, not super far. You could wait to tour Nice until your last day- leave Villefranche early...finishing up out at the hotel. The only issue would be your bags. ?