Alex and I went to the South of France the first week in September. We absolutely loved the Côte d’Azur and cannot wait to go back. It was an extra special trip because we got engaged! Click HERE to read about our love story. But for now, enjoy our itinerary that took me months to organize and curate after going through every social media and blog post I could find. It was the perfect trip!
Hotel: L’Hôtel Petit Palais Nice
- Pros: Quiet and far away from the downtown city area, close to the train, beautiful views of the city and water, there is a pool, the friendliest staff and beautiful interiors.
- Cons: 15-minute walk downhill walk to the water, but also 15-minute uphill walk back to the hotel, but we didn’t mind.
Day 1: Travel Day + Nice
o We flew Delta from JFK direct to Nice, France. It was so easy. The flight was pretty expensive but it would’ve cost the same if we flew to Paris and then flew Easy Jet or Ryan Air to Nice, and paid to check all our bags. Nice’s airport is tiny, so customs took a while. But besides that, it was fine.
- Explore Nice:
o Port Lympia
o Walk along Promenade d’Anglais
- Dinner: La Cucina Nice
o They do not take reservations, but if you wait outside the restaurant, the waiter will put you on his invisible wait list which exists in his head. You can get a cocktail from the restaurant and wait outside. This is the #1 TripAdvisor restaurant. The food was great but it was full of tourists so if you do not want to be speaking to other Americans all night, I would avoid. I wouldn’t go back, but it was good considering how jetlagged we were.
Day 2: Nice
o You can make reservations online. The club was very chill and relaxing. We got beautiful seats by the water. You could eat and drink in your lounge chair by the water or go to a table to eat. The food was fine. I highly recommend bringing water shoes because the whole beach is huge stones and very painful to walk on.
- Snack: Fenocchio
o Delicious ice cream!
- Dinner: Le Plongeoir
o This restaurant is all over social media. It is a bit of a tourist trap, but it was a super cool spot. The service was great and the food was delicious.
Day 3: Antibes + Saint Paul de Vence
- Antibes
o Transportation: To get to Antibes from Nice, it is a 20-minute train ride.
o Explore:
§ It is a very small and cute old town. I probably wouldn’t go back unless we went to Hotel du Cap for lunch.
§ There is a Picasso Museum but it was closed when we went.
o Lunch: Chez Jules
§ A lot of restaurants closed at 1 pm, so plan accordingly.
- Saint Paul de Vence
o Transportation: We tried to be economical and take the train and then a bus to Saint Paul de Vence but it was total mistake and we got caught in the rain…do yourself a favor and take a cab to Saint Paul de Vence from Antibes.
o Explore:
§ Our favorite city of the trip. It was such a beautiful and magical walled in city.
§ Go for a wine tasting at a wine cave.
§ A famous photo spot: Maison de Jacques Pervert
o Dinner: Le Tilleul
§ This was the best meal of our trip. We ate under the stars. The food was incredible. I would 100% go back to Saint Paul de Vence just for this restaurant.
Day 4: Monaco + Menton
- Monaco
o Transportation: Quick train ride from Nice.
o Explore:
§ Walk from the train to the Monte Carlo Casino. We didn’t go in because business casual dress is suggested and there is a fee. It was beautiful from the outside.
§ Next walk behind the casino and see the Formula 1 hairpin turn.
§ Walk along the harbor and climb the hill and you will arrive at Monaco City.
§ Monaco City has the Royal Palace, Cathédrale de Monaco and the Musée Océanographique. This museum was really cool!
- Menton
o Transportation: We took another train from Monaco and ended up in this beautiful town right on the Italian border known for their lemons.
o Explore:
§ Next we walked to Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton which is next to famous yellow steps.
§ Stop at the beach under Saint-Michel, and relax. We bought beach towels at a little shop next to the beach.
- Nice
o Dinner: Le Bistrot Gourmand
§ Recommended by our hotel. Really delicious and classic French food.
Day 5: Vieux Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze
- Vieux Nice
o Explore:
§ Vieux Nice is the old part of the city. There is a cathedral and a market. It was fun to wander.
§ After wandering, make your way to la Colline du Chateau (castle hill) which is an incredibly large park overlooking the water.
§ After taking in the views, head down the hill and start walking on the coastal path, which is past the port and starts by Le Plongeoir. You will walk along the water towards Villefranche. It will take you about 2 hours.
· This was Alex’s favorite part of the trip. You can stop and take a dip in the water along the way.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer
o Explore: Walk around this small costal town
- Èze
o Transportation: We took a cab from Villefranche to Èze. Èze is a tiny mountain top town. The cab dropped us off at the bottom of the hill and then you have to hike these very slippery stones up to the top. It was also kind of raining, so these stones were extra slippery and honestly, quite treacherous to walk on even while wearing sneakers.
o Lunch: La Chèvre d’Or: Restaurant Les Remparts
§ This restaurant has beautiful views of the sea. It was expensive and the food was okay. But you really are paying for the views.
o Explore: At the bottom of the hill is the Fragonard perfumery.
o I would skip Èze. It was similar to Saint Paul de Vence but Saint Paul de Vence was less busy, prettier and bigger.
- Nice
o Dinner: Le Millésime
§ This was another hotel recommendation and it did not disappoint. It is a tasting menu so it was a fun and unique experience.
Day 6: Beaulieu-sur-Mer & Cannes
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer
o Alex coordinated an engagement photoshoot for us before we left in Beaulieu sur mer. Such a beautiful town. Glad we got to see it and explore it even if it was for an hour or so for engagement photos. See our engagement photos HERE.
- Nice
o We made it back from our photoshoot just in time for a quick dip in the water.
- Cannes:
o Transportation: We took the train from Nice. It was again quick and easy. We took a cab home.
o Explore:
§ Walk around water
§ See the famous Carlton Hotel
o Dinner: La Môme
§ This is such a cool and trendy restaurant. The food was actually delicious for such a trendy spot. But it was really fun and a great for people watching.
Day 7: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferret & Nice
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferret
o Transportation: We took a cap to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild from Nice.
o Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
§ Explore: Honestly, I was disappointed. It’s a beautiful mansion and it’s pink, so it’s fabulous, but it was overrated and I wouldn’t go back.
- Nice
o Beach club: Opéra Plage
§ We went in the afternoon and walked up and there was lounge chairs available for us. We had lunch here. It was fine.
o Dinner: Restaurant Chez Acchiardo:
§ Another favorite meal from the trip. This is THE spot for traditional Nicoise food. It was recommended from our hotel. You have to make a ressie over the phone or in person. This place books up fast. It was so worth it.
Bon voyage!