Best place to base ourselves?

We are traveling to the French Riviera for four days/three nights in October, and we need to figure out where to base ourselves during that time.

We know that we want to visit St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, and Antibes. We also want to be very centrally located, and as close to the beach as possible. We also want a room at a hotel with a sea view.

We are not planning on having a car during this leg of our trip, but would consider renting one if people advise otherwise.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

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Hello

I%26#39;d say Nice but this is subjective. Why then?

--St Tropez is absurdly crowded, expensive, and artificial. Go visit the zoo but you don%26#39;t want to stay there.

--Cannes is an unnatural city--dead during the off-season, overcrowded during the season.

--Antibes is a tad better but the permanent population is 70+ y old.

--Monaco is all about big money--just breathing is expensive--ridiculous place, outrageously vulgar.

--Nice is a real city--many young people, alive %26amp; bustling centre, good food, nice hotels at all prices from the VERY nice ++++ Negresco (very old world, very distinguished British guests, good value for the money) to less luxurious places (nothing cheap in season mind you). Old Nice is charming and there is no mistral in summer.

--Menton is beautiful but the average age is 80+ and counting.

Ask around. Don%26#39;t go too late in October because November can be very rainy.

Have a nice trip

FW

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Hello Fred,

Enjoyed your summary and agree with every word. People of a nervous disposition can find Nice a bit threatening, although it is perfectly safe in reality. The clincher is that Nice is the route centre par excellence.

Keep up the good work,

Bob

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By the way, I see that at least one Swiss resort is putting a limit on the number of Russians. Quite how, I don%26#39;t know? I wonder when Monaco will do the same?

Legalise,

Nice doesn%26#39;t have anything I would call a beach. Just lots of large stones. All of the places you mention, apart from St Tropez are easily accessible by train. Hotel depends on cost, of course. You might have a look at the Welcome in Villefranche or the Royal Riviera in Beaulieu. My favourite, when I can afford it, is the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat but you need a taxi to get anywhere.

In October, Nice will be the only place that might be considered lively.

Have fun,

Bob

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Without a hire car St Tropez is difficult to get to so with such a short stay I would not recommend it. However Fred is wrong, in October it is not (unless it is regatta week, not happening this year) crowded. It has returned to its village state with a few tourists and the locals. Some people like St Tropez but LondonBob and now it seems FW do not so each to his own.

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Everything said here is completely sound so no point in polishing it, save your car hire question

%26quot; We are not planning on having a car during this leg of our trip, but would consider renting one if people advise otherwise.%26quot;

You dont need a car here, except under specific circumstance, like touring the Gorges where nothing by way of public tranport runs, you have a huge brood with luggage to match and are staying at a remote campsite.

Some people %26quot;prefer%26quot; to see everything by car, but there is no %26quot;need%26quot; Everywhere on your list is reached by cheap and convenient public transport

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As so wisely said, each to his own.......

Re Cannes : yep, definitely gets very crowded %26quot;in season%26quot; but thanks to the local populace and year-round events, in fact, rarely even moribund.

Suggest staying in Nice too, only because it%26#39;s more central for public transport links and you%26#39;ve got limited time.

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