I am already making plans for next year and some friends have let us know they will be in Nice. My question is, what are the key/personal favorite sites within a day or two of that southern French city? We'll be traveling in summer. My wife and I are hardly high rollers so we don't expect to spend too much time in the casinos. Our interests run more toward history, literature, wine and art. Is seeing the Cinque Terre feasible? And just how hot will it be?
If you like art, I recommend visiting Renior's home, studio, and garden in Cagnes sur Mer, a short bus ride from Nice. Also, the Rothschild house and garden on Cap Ferrat.
in addition to the Renoir home/studio, don't forget the picasso museum in cap d'antibes, and the incredible fondation maeght museum up in st. paul de vence (in the mountains). if you can, you should strongly consider dinner at columbe d'or, in st. paul de vence. the hotel and restaurant are jammed with important art from picasso, matisse, leger, and many others, who paid for their meals and rooms with art back in the day.
also, consider going to aix en provence, where the city has really made it possible for tourists to see the sights where paul cezanne lived and worked.
So far, so good. Anyone other ideas?
I was looking at doing the same thing but backwards this Sept - returning to Cinque TErre(went in 08 because of RS episode - LOVED IT!), then heading for Nice after a few days in CT - I think the train ride is a good 4-5hrs with a few changes and waiting, so I don't think it's something you'd want to do for only a night, considering the lenght of time to get there - if you could spend 2-3 nights, would be more worth your time...you may have some cooling because of the ocean, but I imagine the weather will be hot! (we've only been in mid-Sept)
This is my 3rd year going to the Southern area of France You don't say how many days you will have once you arrive.
Once that has been established, there are many worthwile places to visit. The train system is wonderful and allows you to visit many areas. I will read your thread again and will gladly give you some ideas. I would strongly suggest Rick Steves book on Provence. It gives many good ideas as to what to see.
Investigate Vaison la Romaine...a short drive north. Be sure to visit the citie medieval, even stay there...and as in other towns, there is a weekly market...this one is on Tuesday I beleive.
Virginia: We most likely would be doing 10 nights. It sounds like there is plenty to do in the region, on top of which my wife and I take a two-night sidetrip to CT. Any hotel recommendations for both South of France and CT? Also how hot does it get in the summer in that region?
I have only been in the area in September, so have not experienced mid-summer heat. Considering you live in Modesto, you are used to the heat anyway. It may be more humid than you are used to though.
Visit Villefranche sur la mer on train route. also you will appreciate air cond in your hotel room, summers are very hot/humid. We loved Eze also.
Thanks so much for all the input.
The train runs up and down the Med. Antibes is one of my favorites. See the Picasso museum.
Don't know where you are entering France, Paris or Nice? At any rate, given your time, I would recommend two bases in France, one in Nice and one in Provence. If you fly into Nice, I would use public transport to go east including Eze, Monte Carlo, and Ville Franche and west to Antibes and St Paul de Vence. I would then rent a car and drive to a place in Provence from which you can explore Avignon, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Luberon hills, Cote du Rhone, etc. If you arrive in Paris, I would take the TGV train to Avignon, rent a car and tour Provence and then either train or car to Nice. Frankly, I wouldn't do CT. But, if CT is a must, train from Nice.
Thanks for all this great input. David, we most likely would be flying into Nice. And I really the idea of exploring Provence.