Frequently asked questions
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Nightlife
Tourism
- Best places to visit?
- Pick your duration and we will give you plenty of recommendations.
- Best place for lavender?
- Best place for lavender is Valensole. You also have few places in Luberon, which is 2h away from Nice (exit Cavaillon on the highway). Popular places for lavender include Clarapèdes (near Bonnieux), Abbaye de Sénanque and Sault. Best time is usually between 15th of June and 15th of July. See Lavender map here.
- Best time to visit?
- The best time to visit Nice is in the shoulder season of September to October, or from mid-March to April when you can capitalize on the low room rates. You can take advantage of the Mediterranean weather all year-round, but average high temperatures range from the mid-50s in the winter to the low 80s in the summer, and the city sees sunny days more than half the year. However, despite the sun's warm rays, many recommend packing some extra layers of clothing, even in the summer, since winds sweeping north off the Mediterranean Sea can be slightly chilly.
- Best daytrips from Nice?
- Luberon, Cassis, Aix-en-Provence and plenty others… See this page.
- Best resort to stay in? Best restaurants?
- Check trip advisor.
- Visit the French Riviera with a student budget?
- The French Riviera isn't a cheap destination. The best compromise would be to find a budget hotel in the center of Nice, near the train station. You can get sandwiches, go to the public beach and visit Nice (and it's old part) as the tramway isn't expensive. You can also visit Antibes, Cannes and Monaco by train. If your budget enables it, you can rent a scooter. Some places like Èze, St Paul de Vence or Cap d'Antibes do not have any train station, so you will have more options.
- Can I rent a bike in Nice?
- Yes, there are plenty of options.
- Day trip from Nice to a nearby island?
- Lerins in Cannes and Porquerolles if you wake up early.
- Better visit Nice, Cannes or Monaco ?
- Depends on your taste. More cultural things to see in Nice but no sand beach there. You have a great nightlife / luxury retail shops in Cannes where the cruise to Lérins is also recommended. Monaco is generally very expensive but you have an amazing free lookout in Tête de Chien (la Turbie) and you are close to beautiful places like Roquebrune Cap Martin, Eze or St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
- Most beautiful villages ?
- Coaraze, St Agnès, Gourdon. St-Paul-de-Vence and Mougins are also beautiful but more crowded.
- Any guide for Japanese people ?
- Contact Stéphanie Lemoine at My Côte d'Azur Tours.
- Any guide for Russian people ?
- Contact Sasha at Riviera Come True.
- Any guide for Italian people ?
- Contact Chiara Orlandi at haveanicetour [at] outlook.com
- Best guide for Luberon?
- Contact Laurent or Sarah
- Best guide for Provence?
- Contact Ashley Curious Provence
Beaches
- Best beaches in the French Riviera?
- In my sense, here are the top 4 beaches in the French Riviera:
1/ Pampelone in Ramatuelle
2/ Garoupe beach in Cap d’Antibes
3/ Mala beach in Cap d’Ail
4/ Paloma beach in St Jean Cap Ferrat - Best beaches in Cannes?
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- Plage de la Croisette is very narrow but central and offers a view on the nice facades.
- Plage du Midi after the port is better if you want more space.
- If you are near the Palm Beach area, you can visit Bijou plage.
- Private beaches include @ecrinplagecannes, @carltoncannes beach club, @legraydalbioncannes, @martinezhotel.
- If you are fond of nature, you can go on Sainte Marguerite island (part of Lérins islands). - Best beaches in Antibes?
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- Plage de la Gravette offers a nice view on the old ramparts of the town.
- Garoupe beach in Cap d'Antibes is quiet stunning, with prestigious establishements such as @plage.keller or le Rocher.
- If you are fond of nature, you have beautiful coves in Cap d'Antibes near villa Eilenroc and a charming little port called l'Olivette, between Eden Roc hotel and Juan-les-Pins. - Best capes?
- They are listed here.
- Beach you can reach by public transportation from Nice?
- You can take bus 81 or 100 and exit at Baie des Fourmis in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, next to the Royal Riviera Hotel. Once there, you can either stay in Beaulieu or walk towards St Jean Cap Ferrat, where you have beautiful beaches (Paloma, Anse des Fosssettes, Anse des Fossés…). Bus 100 ends in Menton, so you can also exit in Cap d'Ail and visit Mala Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beach out there.
Romance
- Best place for cozy, secluded honeymoon?
- Èze or St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
- Are you single?
- Yevgeniya is in a relationship. Fabien does not want to have reality and weight in the life of any women because he doesn't get some highly enough in his life.
- Best place to get married?
- Visit Wedding Angels.
- Beautiful influencers?
- They are listed here. There is also a folder on our Instagram account where you can see celebrities.
Lifestyle & Shopping
- Best vintage shops?
- Old Nice, St Paul de Vence, Èze…
- What do you wear to the French Riviera?
- Your Little Black Dress, for dressy occasions (or one suit for men)
One pair of versatile heels or dress shoes.
4-5 travel dresses (like easy-wear maxi dresses) or light weight “business casual” outfits.
2-3 casual shorts outfits in the summer months. - Does Monaco have a dress code?
- Monaco itself doesn't have a dress code but some places in Monaco do, just like any other city. Casinos: In the Monte Carlo Casino the dress code has loosened up. You do need to wear a jacket but you don't have to wear a full suit. The casino across the street has a much more open dress code.
- How do you dress in St Tropez?
- Opt for a lightweight cotton or linen dress in white or neutral shades for a feminine, timeless silhouette. If it's a little cooler, go for a black or white t-shirt tucked into your high-waisted Levi's.
Food
- Best restaurant?
- Mirazur, 30 Avenue Aristide Briand, 06500 Menton (See review on Michelin)
- Best breakfast in Nice?
- Volupté Anytime, Topaze and Le Méridien's rooftop.
- Best ice cream in Nice?
- Fennochio in 2 Place Rossetti (old Nice district)
- Typical food?
- See this page and the Nissarde cuisine label.
- What are the grocery stores that local visit in Nice?
- People use supermarkets (Casino, Carrefour), fresh markets (organic food) like in Cours Saleya or Libération, and specialty stores / local artisans (like Nicolas for wine)
The French Riviera
- What does French Riviera mean?
- The French Riviera (known in French as the Côte d'Azur [kot daˈzyʁ]; Occitan: Còsta d'Azur [ˈkɔstɔ daˈzyɾ]; literal translation "Azure Coast") is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. This term was built by analogy with the term Italian Riviera which is the area that goes from the east, at the French-Italian border by the coastline (from Ventimiglia to La Spezia).
- Is the French Riviera worth it?
- If you like fast cars, sumptuous villas, and high end hotels and restaurants, then the Riviera is for you.
- What cities make up the French Riviera?
- Set in the south-east of France, the French Riviera stretches from Menton to Nice, Antibes and Cannes
- Why is French Riviera famous?
- The French Riviera is the beautiful coastline in the south of France along the Mediterranean Sea. It covers about 550 miles and acquired the nickname Cote d'Azur or Azure (Blue) coast in 1887. The French Riviera is known for its beaches, views, picture perfect water, yachts and as a playground for the wealthy.
- Is it better to stay in Nice or Cannes?
- Nice is more of a real city, while Cannes is more of a quiet beach resort with a more exclusive, luxury feel. Nice's beachfront Promenade des Anglais is beautiful and wide but a heavy-traffic motorway. Cannes' Croisette seafront promenade is smaller with much less traffic.
- Is the French Riviera expensive?
- Yes, it is less expensive. Travel to the French Riviera in the Off-Season. That is just a fringe benefit. It is also much more enjoyable. You won't be fighting off the crowds of tourists at the many great produce markets, restaurants, cheese and wine stores, or other attractions.
- Do they speak English in Nice France?
- French is the official language spoken in Nice. As a hugely popular international tourist destination you may well find that in many restaurants, bars and hotels English is spoken.
- How many days do you need in the French Riviera?
- 5 Days minimum
- Is the French Riviera safe?
- In general, France is viewed as a "safe" destination. You don't need to get shots, most food is safe, and the water is drinkable.
- How do you pronounce Cote d'Azur in French?
- Here are 4 tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of "Cote d'Azur": Break "Cote d'Azur" down into sounds: [KOHT] + [DUH] + [ZYOOR] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them. Record yourself saying "Cote d'Azur" in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen
- How much is a trip to the French Riviera?
- Roughly $6,500. Not too bad considering a ValuePenguin.com analysis of the Census Bureau's Consumer Expenditure Survey data found the average cost for a 12-night international trip was $3,251 in 2013, the latest government data available.
- How can I survive without speaking French?
- Enter a store and give a big hearty “bonjour!” before proceeding with your request in English. Or if you're on the street and have a question, first say “pardon, parlez-vous anglais?” when you stop someone. Speak slowly and show a little deference. You are in their country and asking them a favor after all.
- How do you get from Nice or Cannes to St Tropez?
- Take an early train from Nice train station to Saint-Raphael. There's a daily train at 7.01am that arrives in Saint Raphael at 8.35. Take the next bus from Saint Raphael to the Saint Tropez bus station. There's a daily bus at 9.15 arriving in Saint Tropez at 10.40am except in summer when it arrives at 11.10am.
- What's the difference between Monaco and Monte Carlo?
- Monaco is the name of the country. The city of Monaco has neighborhoods, and Monte-Carlo is one of these. It is the district on the hill, overlooking the main harbour, where you will find the casino and many luxury hotels. Monte Carlo is not the capital of the country.
- What is the best time of year to visit the French Riviera?
- Expect almost 300 days of sunshine, with stretches of rain around the shoulder months of March and April, as well as October and November. June and September are some of the best months to visit the region, while July and August are the height of season.
- Is Nice old town safe?
- You're safe as there are lots of bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Nice is a safe city with a low rate of violent crime, but like any other large city, tourists need to be careful in some neighborhoods. Move around in groups or at least with 2 or 3 people.
- Where is the warmest place in France in the winter?
- It is no secret that the sunniest and warmest part of France is the Côte d'Azur, in particular the coastal area of Var. This is thanks to its position at the foot of the Alps, which protect the area from the wind and inclement weather descending from the north.
- Where in Italy is the Italian Riviera?
- The Italian Riviera lies in the northwestern corner of Italy, in the region of Liguria. It stretches along the Ligurian sea from the Italian-French border to the Tuscan border.
- How far is the French Riviera from Paris by train?
- Paris to the Côte d'Azur (which is what the French call the Riviera) is about a 1-1/2 hour plane trip or 7 hours by train.
- Where do you fly into for the French Riviera?
- The Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur is the main hub for the French Riviera and the second busiest international airport in the country after Paris. Delta is the only airline to offer direct flights from the US to Nice, with daily service from New York JFK.
- Is Cannes more expensive than Nice?
- Nice is cheaper than Cannes and Monaco. Nice has more hotels to offer. All along the coast you have good connectuion by local transport, busses for one Euro per way, the train goes quicker but cost more. Only for the backland or the near Alps it would be better to have a car.
- How do you get around the French Riviera?
- The Regional Express Train, or TER, connects major coastal cities throughout the Riviera, from Fréjus to Ventimiglia, the first town over the Italian border. Trains run about every 30 minutes and most of the stations sit within walking distance of the town center, or offer a bus service from the station.
