Started in Toulouse and ended in Nice: Toulouse (Albi day trip), Carcassonne, Montpellier (Nimes day trip), Cote d'Azur (day trips to Villefranche-Sur-Mer, St. Jean Cape d’Ali, Monaco/Menton, Antibes) with home base in Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, and Nice.
Great trip. Lots of sights and landscape. We went April 18 to May 5, 2023. Weather in 60’s. Only had rain one day.
A few experiences that standout : 1) Walking the Coastal Paths especially Cap d’Ail Coastal Path Mala Beach to Monaco, St. Jean Cap Ferrat walking the coastal route including St. Hospice (visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild) and path from Villafranche to Nice
2) Toulouse: Private tour with Elyse with Toulouse Walks, Convent des Jacobins, Toulouse architecture, and role in the Camino. Day trip to Albi excellent.
3) In Monaco walked the gran prix course and went to the casino for our “shaken not stirred” .
4) Antibes Fort hike and Billionaire harbor
5) Nimes- Roman sites and the park.
We traveled by train and stayed in hotels;
Toulouse: Hotel Croix Baragnon - Great location, clean, kind and helpful English speaking staff, website accurately reflects room and facilities and comfy bed. 5 nights. Budget hotel.
Carcassonne: Hotel Pont du Viex -Very small rooftop terrace with magnificent view of the castle especially at night. Clean, nice hotel. 1 night, coffee in room.
Montpelier: Hotel D'Aragon- Nice hotel close to the train station and Place de Comedie. Comfortable bed, clean and helpful English speaking staff. 3 nights
Beaulieu-Sur-Mer: Hotel Fresia. Balcony room overlooking the marina. Close to train station making it an excellent home base. Clean, friendly English speaking staff. Excellent value for money. 6 nights
Nice: The Westend- Beautiful hotel in an excellent location. A splurge for our last night. 1 night.
Restaurants that stand out: Toulouse-The Florida (beautiful square, great people watching, food and service good) and La Bibet (history and Art Nouveau). Pizzeria del Duomo, Albi (on the cathedral square. Amazing salad and friendly service)
Le Bistrot De Tatie Agnes, Nimes - (in alley behind Carre, beautiful salad, amazing view)
Ikonka, Montpelier (select from salads of the day, best meal of the trip, take out and street seating, known as best croissant in Montpellier)
Mahe, Montpelier (wonderful dinner)
Chez Pinot, Times, Les Garcon - wine bars in Montpellier. The Super U grocery store in Beaulieu between train station and hotel had good wine, hummus, fresh bread and produce.