I've heard people rave about the Côte d'Azur before; heard about all the celebrities who escape to the French Riviera each year. But I didn't really expect it to be a place that I could connect with. I'm not a ridiculously rich celebrity, after all.
But as soon as I arrived in Nice, France, I realized that my preconceived notions about the French Riviera were all wrong. It WAS a place I could connect with; a place I could enjoy; even a place that I could afford (well, mostly).
It just goes to show that you can't listen to things other people tell you about destinations. I've heard some people rave about Nice, while others have absolutely hated it. Nice IS expensive, but it's also colorful and interesting and has some truly beautiful parts. I'm glad I went and experienced for myself — because I otherwise never would have realized that the French Riviera is someplace I would like to see more of.
Here's a look at what I got up to during my short stay in the French Riviera:
Nice, France
Nice is the largest city of the Côte d'Azur, and is often referred to as “Nice la Belle” — Nice the Beautiful. I arrived to Nice by bus and was immediately taken by its bright colors and really attractive harbor. The next morning, I signed up for a free walking tour offered by my hostel (Villa Saint Exupery Beach) that had us exploring the Old Town and having a picnic atop Castle Hill. This last stop took my breath away — it's definitely the must-see view in Nice, and will help you understand why so many people rave about this part of Europe.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
After our hilltop picnic, some of us who had been on the tour headed to Villefranche-sur-Mer — an adorable little town along the Mediterranean coast with an inviting beach. Having traveled for 6 weeks through sweltering hot Europe without so much as one beach to visit, you can bet that I was one of the first ones into the water. This was also the place that made me realize that I'd had it all wrong about the French Riviera up until this point.
Monaco
As the afternoon slipped away at the beach, I made a decision. Since I was only a 30-minute bus ride away from the sovereign city-state of Monaco (and since said bus ride would only cost 1.40 Euro each way), I decided that it would be silly not to go. I mean, who doesn't want to visit one of the smallest countries in the world? With an area of less than 1 square mile, I figured it would be easy enough to see most of Monaco in a couple of hours. And it was. Sure, I felt slightly awkward wandering around the Monte Carlo Casino in my slightly-wet swimsuit cover-up, but it was fascinating at the same time. Never in my life have I seen so many expensive cars, yachts, and stores in one place as I did in Monaco.
I only spent one full day in the French Riviera, and I now know that it was not nearly enough time.
I'll just have to add this part of the world to my ever-growing “must re-visit” list.
[stextbox id=”info” caption=”Essential Info”]I stayed at Villa Saint Exupery Beach (6 Rue Sacha Guitry in Nice), where dorm bed prices start at around 20 Euro per night and can be up to 45 Euro per night, depending on the size of the room (I paid 42 Euro per night for a 3-bed female dorm). The hostel offers free wifi, free breakfast, and a deal where if you buy a drink in the evening from 7-9 p.m. you get a free bowl of pasta. The hostel also organizes free walking tours (highly recommended!).
To get to Villefranche-sur-Mer or Monaco like I did, hop on the 100 bus, where tickets are 1.40 Euro per ride. From the bottom of Castle Hill, Villefranche is 10-15 minutes by bus, while Monaco will take 35-40 minutes.[/stextbox]
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What do YOU think of the French Riviera? Have you been? Do you want to go?
*Note: I visited Nice as part of my Busabout trip around Europe. They provided me with transport on all 3 of their Europe loops, but all opinions of the destinations I visit are entirely my own!
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your stay on the French Riviera! I have the opportunity to live here from 2014 and it’s a heaven on earth ;-). You should come back and visit some hidden treasures in this region of France! Greetings from Nice, T.
I would have loved to go to Monaco but I let my fear of feeling intimated get the best of me…
Sounds like maybe a return trip is in order! 🙂
I am lucky enough to have a friend with an apartment near Nice. I’ve spent a few days there every summer for the last nine years. I love it =)
Awesome! It’s a very beautiful part of Europe.
[…] The French Riviera: I Get It Now […]
So far we have avoided the Cote D’Azur, because, like you, we have had the impression that it was way out of our league price wise. We do like the south of France, well, all of France really, having visited Uzes, Orange, Nimes, etc. Now, after reading your post, we are going to have to reconsider. Not a bad thing at all.
It definitely was way more affordable than I expected. I would highly suggest at least stopping for a few days to explore some of those pretty coastal towns!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cote d’Azur, travelling from Toulon to Sanury-sur-Mer and Bandol. It has such a charm I never saw anywhere else in Europe, so relaxed and laid back. We ate in a little Boulangerie the best quiche and hot dog ever. The colourful boats in the bay, it was delightful. I never got to Nice or Monaco, but there is always next time.
I would love to go back and explore more of the Cote d’Azur – I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did!
It’s funny, when I went to Nice and Monaco myself many years ago, I too had lots of pre-conceived notions – I guess I just didn’t really think it’d live up to the hype and kept wondering what the hype was about it – but when I got there, it was all just so beautiful with an amazingly relaxed pace of life and some fabulous ice cream too!
I’m planning a trip to the south of France with Boyfriend this year. Excited, but also a bit afraid of the prices. To be continued:)
It’s definitely not cheap, but at least the buses are affordable! 😉
Really, though, I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
The first time I went to France (roughly 12 years ago), I spent quite a bit of time on the French Riviera. I enjoyed it – why wouldn’t as I as I was on vacation? I would like to visit a sandy beach – I once visited Nice, which was nice. But I’m sure I would enjoy the French Riviera again.
I agree that it’s a great spot for a vacation! Don’t think I would want (or could afford) to live there, but I would definitely like to visit again!
I have to say I had a hard time connecting with Nice, but maybe it was because of the fact that we went in autumn when it all seemed kind of subdued..I loved Antibes and Grasse though! We enjoyed the food market in Antibes in particular. It was a riot of color and smells in a beautiful setting of the Old Town — very inspiring mix of cheese, olives, hams, sweets.. you name it! You could taste everything and the traders didn´t look at you as if you were a criminal if you didn´t buy anything. Very enjoyable atmosphere indeed.
Yum, Antibes sounds great, too!
Wow. I’m out of words. Is that a road going through a house. The houses are so fresh like they get a coat of paint every day and the place is so clean. The beaches are to die for as well. I guess Monaco doesn’t come cheap either.
It’s a much prettier place than I ever anticipated finding. But no, Monaco isn’t cheap!
Places like Nice and VIllefranche are incredibly affordable compared to Monaco, or even St-Tropez and Cannes further west. I paid 5 euros for a bottle of water in St-Tropez! Incredibly expensive and not all that interesting. Nice and Villefranche are much more sensible picks.
Yikes, 5 Euro for a bottle of water?? That’s insane! Then again, I’ve paid that much at airports, I’m sure… Luckily I didn’t really have to spend any money in Monaco!
I visited Nice in November a couple of years ago and the weather was gorgeous. I didn’t love Nice itself, but I did find a small treasure in Eze-le-Village. A small village carved into one of the hills overlooking the water. Gorgeous!
I heard about that village, but sadly didn’t have enough time to visit myself. Next time though, for sure! There are loads of places along the French Riviera that I’d like to visit now that I know more about them!
Wow beautiful photos! I have to give the French Riviera a chance next time in the area, I always thought it was a bit too crowded for my taste 🙂
It probably is too crowded in the summer months. Go during a shoulder season, though, and you might love it! It’s really really pretty.
Wow nice purple car. Is it yours? 🙂
Haha, I wish!! There were so many people crowding around it to take photos.