Will be flying into Nice for 2.5 days in the Cote d’Azur with family (kids 3 and 6) in late August. First time to the area and trying to figure out what makes the most sense. From what I’m reading it looks like the thing to do is a private beach for a half-to-full day. It sounds like Juan le Pin probably not a fit, being more nightlife oriented. St Jean Cap Ferrat looks pretty cool and adults on trip would love it, but I’m not sure if services are conducive for such young kids (even on such a short trip). Menton looks like a solid fit. Not sure if we want to stay in a big city like Nice (I would, but not others in my family). Not sure re Antibe. So overall it looks like Menton vs. St Jean Cap Ferrat, and stay in a hotel or AirBNB (probably an AirBNB as there are more options for that, and it seems a couple hotels in our price range of < $350/night do not have much services anyway beyond a pool).
Any advice? Thanks in advance!
We will be staying near Villefranche next month. We rented a house for a week with another couple.
I would pick Cap Ferrat over Menton but both are nice. We have visited the area several times. Are you planning any sightseeing while you are there?
Thanks, Jim. We aren’t 100% sure of plans. Its a short 2.5 hour trip. The idea was to do half-day beach days (morning/lunch on a beach with hired umbrellas/beds) and then the other half of day ‘sight seeing’… without really knowing what we will be seeing). I imagine go into Nice one afternoon/early evening. Not sure if there is anything else, so we could end up doing a full beach day one of those two days (for context, we will be then headed to Genoa/Piedmont afterwards). Not interested in seeing the acquarium/kids tourisum (think more beach time would be preferred for the kids). We weren’t planning on renting a car for these 2.5 days either, so a Monaco casino ‘drive by’ isn’t really in the cards.
The reason I had thought Menton perhaps better, was easier Uber access + better beach facilities (i.e. shaded restaurants etc.). I think I can vision what it’s like in Menton. How would it work in StJCF? As best as I can tell there is only one (maybe two) private beaches in StJCF with limited facilities (and the website says they may be rented out for private parties on any given day) - is it easy to get an Uber from there to another beach area (I imagine so, given the hours of day would be kinda peak… 8am - 7pm… no late nights with two kids in tow).
Thanks for the advice / helping envision what the area looks like.
I always rent a car when I go. I have never taken Uber or SNCF in that area. Driving all 3 corniches between Nice and Monaco is my idea of fun.
The various small towns between Monaco and Cannes have different special appeal. We love modern art and there are small museums for Matisse, Leger, Picasso (when he lived in Antibes for a year), Chagall and others. Nice has an excellent museum and the Maeght Foundation in Vence is wonderful. The museums are very quick and in beautiful settings small children may enjoy. We will also go to Grasse because our friend loves and collects perfume bottles. Nice has a nice shopping area and a charming open air market.
3 and 6 year olds present an interesting challenge. You may want to rent a house with a pool for their entertainment. Otherwise I would stay near the beach for convenience if possible.
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Thank you Jim. Will have to check out the Chagall museum, Nice markets, and perhaps heading out to Grasse (I know my wife would like it). Maybe head out to Grasse in AM and PM in beach one day, and AM beach the other day and PM in Nice. All excellent ideas! Thank you
Reconsider Antibes. A nice town with a nice beach and lots of stuff to do. And Jim is correct in everything he said. I couldn’t imagine travelling to the area without a car.
Menton is a nice town, but small. A good choice if you want to spend most of your time on the beach. Nice is a great town, but its beach is rocks. I’ve only driven through Juan le Pin and St. Jean Cap Ferrat, so I can give you much info on either. Have a great time
We just got back. We rented a car for the first five days and then used Uber for the last three days. Even if you go far the Uber prices were not horrible and it was a lot more relaxing. We rented a house that had a great view but a horribly steep driveway and hairpin approach. If we go back I would probably Uber the whole trip.
Le Vieux Mur in Antibes was outstanding(and had valet parking). It is next to the Picasso museum.
Les Agitateurs in Nice was also great but not for kids.
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