Vacation in Nice, France

Situated on the Mediterranean Coast, The Côte d’Azur or French Riviera is a vacation you absolutely need to put on your bucket list.  The vast coastline with stunning shades of blues and greens is simply jaw dropping. With endless activities all centered around the sea, you can’t help but feel completely relaxed when you are in the South of France. During my vacation I stayed in Nice, which is a short ride from the airport. Nice is a great area to stay in if you want to get a quaint European feel and be in the center of all action. There is so much to see in the Côte d’Azur, whether you chose to spend your days walking the cobblestone streets of Old Town, soaking in the summer sun on the most beautiful beaches in the world, or taking day trips by boat, you will not be disappointed!

Where to Stay

We found the perfect AirBnB located in the heart of Vieux, Nice or the historical district also called Old Town. When you walk out the door of this modern two bedroom apartment you have a plethora of authentic restaurants, bakeries, clothing boutiques and ice cream shops! As you walk the winding narrow cobblestone streets, you can’t help but catch the summertime buzz of the French Riviera. With the ocean just a few blocks away, you can cool off in the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea with minimal effort, which is what summer vacations are all about. The ports to take day boat trips to Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco are within a 10 – 15 minute walk. The convenience of this apartment made our stay absolutely amazing!

 

 

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Nice is another great option to stay at while vacationing in the South of France. This oceanfront hotel has plush beds and sleek and cozy rooms, a rooftop pool and a restaurant with views of the ocean. If that isn’t enough to pull you in, they also have a gym and a spa with a free use of the steam room and sauna. Just cross the street and BAM, you are at a private Radisson Beach Club with a restaurant and chairs to rent! The Radisson is situated on the Promenade des Anglais in a much quieter end of town, about a ten minute ride from Vieux. If you are familiar with Nice, then you know the beaches are made up of big rocks, so the chair rentals are perfect for a more comfortable beach day.  The downside of staying on this side of town is that you have to take an Uber to get to restaurants and bars. There are not many options by foot. I would suggest this option if you are looking for a quiet and comfortable stay and nice amenities.

What To Do 

If you don’t want to rent a car, then the best way to see the French Riviera is by boat. The Trans Côte d’Azure  leaves from the port in Nice and has day trip options to Cannes, Monaco, St-Tropez and Sainte Marguerite or you can do an island tour. We wanted to see as much as we possibly could, so we did two day trips; one to Cannes and one to Monaco. During the busy summer months, it is best to purchase your tickets in advance, at least the day prior, to make sure you snag the date you want as tickets do sell out.

Cannes

Cannes has an elite and luxurious feel.  The women of Cannes walk the streets dressed in high fashion and no wonder because the shopping in Cannes is top notch! If you make the visit, I suggest setting some shopping time aside. After you arrive at the port head to Rue d’Antivibes which is just a short walk from the dock. This is the main street with lots of boutiques and designer stores. I started my visit with an espresso and pain au chocolate, my two favorite things in France, at Pâtisserie Intuitions by J. After espresso and shopping, I made my way to one of the many beachfront clubs where I rented a chair and towel, laid out in the sunshine, ate lunch seaside while unwinding and relaxing the rest of the day!

 

 

 

Monaco 

If you want a taste of how to live luxuriously, then head to Monte-Carlo in Monaco for glitz, glamour and excess! As you make your way into the port lined with million dollar boats, the tour guide will call out the most expensive yachts in the world. It is quite amazing to see. As you dock, look up to see the Prince’s Palace which sits high above you, resting on a dramatic cliff, built originally as a fortress in 1191; no big deal right? Once you leave the dock on foot, follow the crowds to the street where you will need to find transportation to get to your destination. I thought Ubers would be abundant as they were in Nice however, the app is unavailable and the taxis are impossible to secure. After trying to figure out how to get to the beach with no luck, I asked a clerk in a local store and she informed me that the best option to get around is the bus. I know right, you are in Monaco and you have to take a bus! Well after all, this is Monaco and the buses are pristine, quick and easy to use. If you are looking for a sexy beach club with a DJ, then head to the famous Nikki Beach. If you want a relaxing beach and pool day but want to experience it luxurious style, then I recommend renting a cabana at Le Méridien. Larvotto Beach is the only beach in Monte Carlo and there are some great beach clubs (not actual clubs but restaurants with rentals) that allow you to rent a chair and umbrella for the day, which is also a fabulous option! Let me just tell you, I ordered a Geek salad and it was one of the best Greek salad’s I’ve had my entire life! The olive oil was fresh and local – it was ridiculously delicious! Even the average beach in Monte-Carlo is not so average. If I were to go back again, I would stay at least overnight one night as I didn’t get to shop or dine! Monte-Carlo was actually my favorite place in South of France and I hope I get to go back again!

Old Town

Old Town (Vieux) in Nice is my favorite part of the city. There is something about being in the historical neighborhoods of Europe that allow you soak in the true culture of the area. This is one of the most touristy parts of Nice and aptly so. The winding alleyways, historical cathedrals and charming yellow apartments with brightly colored shutters make Vieux ,Nice a perfect place to not only tour but to stay in.

When I travel, I like to have lots of options close by and when you stay in Vieux you can have all the restaurants you could ever need right outside your door. If you forgot to bring a towel or need an umbrella stop by a local shop to get what you need for the beach. End the day with a nighttime swim while watching the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea. Life can’t get much better than vacationing in the South of France!

 

 

 

Nice, France / Jill E. Gallien / December 8, 2018