Antibes in January??

We spent a wonderful two weeks in Antibes in June, and plan to have a short break at the end of January to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Since we loved the whole Riviera so much, we might go back there for this trip. Has anyone been there in mid-winter? It was beautiful in summer and we would love to see it in winter, but not if it gets too cold!! Is the climate mild all year round? Or do they have a cold, wet, miserable winter like in the UK?

Also, we presume that there will be very little to do in January, other than walk about, weather permitting. Do the restaurants/cafes, etc of Place Nationale and Rue Republic open all year round or are they seasonal? Can anyone advise?

Thanks

CoopALoop

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We have a flat in Villefranche but usually go elsewhere in summer because we are not keen on the heat. The Riviera comes into its own in winter, with most days sunny and around 15C or more in the afternoon. We have been there for each of the last eight New Year periods and February school half terms and have always been able to eat lunch outside on most days. Last winter was exceptionally sunny and dry but there is an element of risk and, if you were unlucky, you could hit a period of heavy rain and or cold winds.

Nice is really the only place that doesn%26#39;t largely close down in winter. Especially in late January, I would recommend you go there if you want things to be fairly busy and a majority of restaurants to be open.

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Hi there,

Agree with LondonBob about the weather . Our experience is similar. Daytime temperatures can be really pleasant, and the light is still great.

If you find a sheltered spot, and the sun is out it can actually be extremely warm.Depends on your tolerances- I%26#39;ve happily walked around in short sleeves in January, and been stopped by locals wearing fur coats asking if I was cold .In Cannes,there is a group of ladies who regularly sunbathe on the beach all through the winter. Nights can be cold but it %26#39;s a dry cold, rarely damp and it very rarely freezes.The least pleasant time is if you%26#39;re unlucky and it rains.

Just to add that most of Cannes is also open in January, but some things like restaurants will tend to close earlier in the evenings. New Year sales are on in shops all along the coast until late January. From what I recall, February is quieter.

Remember going to Monaco one year in mid January and very little appearing to be closed too. Not sure about Antibes itself- but it%26#39;s a %26quot;proper town%26quot; so would guess much of it remains open - hopefully someone else can clarify that one.

We%26#39;ve always found things to do all year round on the Riviera and travel is much easier without the summer crowds- it%26#39;s a good time to hire a car too

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Thanks folks. That%26#39;s very helpful. We will probably look at staying in Nice and going back to Antibes and other places for a day. Hadn%26#39;t thought about hiring a car - seems a good idea, especially if the roads will be quieter.

If anyone has any advice about places to stay - we prefer to self-cater, and would love a nice warm apartment to go back to each day - I%26#39;d be glad to hear it!

CoopALoop

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Our winter trips to the area were Nov in Monte Carlo, Christmas in MC again, Jan in Cannes from where we visited a very sunny and quite warm Antibes. Oh....... and how quiet, just locals and LondonBob! Weather was mild with some showers Nov and Dec, Jan was lovely. Still lots to do, buses get to places quicker, not so much in evenings. Agree, base yourself in Cannes or Nice as transport spreads out from there, Nice has the balance to me as it is the best overall for transport AND it has the Old Town which is great on a winter%26#39;s evening with its bars and cafes, many still open.

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Hi Coopaloop,

I live in Antibes and some of my most memorable beach lunches have been in January.... It can be lovely and sunny and we have had lovely times sitting at beach restaurants in JLP with our feet in the sand....watching %26#39;Mad%26#39; people swimming in the sea. A couple of years ago we had xmas lunch on the beach.

The restaurants of Place Nationale stay open but not on the square, just inside the restaurants....you can sit outside on Rue republique all year and enjoy a coffee or aperatif, if it%26#39;s a bit chilly they wheel out the gas umbrella heaters !