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Post by ouiparis on May 11, 2008 21:37:31 GMT -5
Nice is one of our stops this September. We will have 3-4 full days to explore the surrounding area. I have the DK Eyewitness Provence & the Cote D'Azur, but it's difficult to figure out what the must-sees are. So far, I'm convinced that I do not want to visit Monte Carlo, Cannes, and St. Tropez, but I do want to check out Eze, Cap Ferrat (Musee Ephrussi de Rothschild), Grasse (for the perfume), and possibly one of the lavender fields. Does this sound reasonable? Any suggestions are appreciated!
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Post by Roniece on May 12, 2008 8:06:45 GMT -5
oh oui!! I can recommend Eze soooo beautiful! and also a visit to Grasse!! the perfume factory is to die for!! check out "Beauty of the Night" devine fragrance !!  RDB |
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Post by ouiparis on May 12, 2008 11:20:54 GMT -5
Thanks, Ronniece! Also, I saw this weekend that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their brood are vacationing in the area. Did you have a car rental or did you use public transportation?
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Post by cigalechanta on May 12, 2008 11:25:23 GMT -5
The lavender is harvested in mid August and what remains in September will have lost its brilliance.
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keylimejet
Full Member
"When good Americans die, they go to Paris." Oscar Wilde
Posts: 140
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Post by keylimejet on May 12, 2008 19:25:57 GMT -5
Nice is wonderful. Definitely make a trip up to Chateau Coline, and wander the old town. Eat at Achiardo if you can. Musee Ephrussi de Rothschild is fabulous. It's nice to go in the late morning, tour the gardens, then have lunch in the tearoom, which is reasonably priced and has amazing views of the Mediterranean. The bus from Nice drops you off right at the bottom of the driveway to the villa.
Speaking of buses, they provide excellent, cheap, stress-free transportation all around the area. You can go to Villefranche, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and more. I prefer them to having a car, which I've tried, but it's just too stressful - the traffic, the parking, the finding your way - yuk! Now, if you want to wander further afield, you may need a car, but the bus goes most places you'd want to visit from Nice.
I totally agree about skipping Monte Carlo, and I've never heard anyone who's an "expert" on the area recommend Cannes. So it sounds like you're on the right track.
If it helps to save you time, there is a perfume factory in Eze that you can tour. That way you wouldn't have to go to Grasse too, unless you just want to.
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Post by ouiparis on May 12, 2008 20:00:05 GMT -5
Cigalechanta, would you say that you wouldn't bother going to see the lavender in September?
keylimejet, thanks for the great advice. Exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping for. Would you mind giving your recommended amount of time to spend in Eze, the Rothschild, and St. Paul de Vence? Good point about Grasse. Thanks again!
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Post by cigalechanta on May 12, 2008 21:51:28 GMT -5
the Lavender will be mostly harvested but the area is so lovely. In St Paul de Vence you must lunch at the famous Colombe D'Or and visit the magnificent Maeght Foundation full of art inside and out. Go upstairs in the post office to look at photos of the famous who stayed at the Colombe including Yves Montand who married there and played boule in the court i front of the café.
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Post by ouiparis on May 13, 2008 0:35:46 GMT -5
Ah yes, the Maeght does look lovely. Cigalechanta, would you recommend any particular lavender field?
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Post by sistereurope on May 13, 2008 7:04:05 GMT -5
We took the bus to Eze...I think we left Nice around 11. It was a short ride. We walked up the hill to the Chateau Eze where we had our big splurge lunch...even if you don't eat there, stop by as the views are incredible. Eze was lovely, but we were there on Easter and it was REALLY crowded with tourists. I'd love to see it during a not-so-crowded time.
After our huge lunch we WALKED down to the main road by the sea along a walking trail...burned off all those calories ;D Then we caught the bus back to Nice from there, and snacked on some oysters for our evening meal. I think that going to Eze for lunch works best, especially if you're taking the bus. The buses in Nice were great - we took the bus from the airport. It saved on our car rental expense - we picked up our car in Nice the day we left.
Oh, and we never made it to Grasse but they do have a perfume "outlet" in Eze. I wish I'd bought more! I'd still consider Grasse though, especially if the lavender is in bloom.
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Post by cigalechanta on May 13, 2008 10:11:43 GMT -5
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Post by cigalechanta on May 13, 2008 10:15:50 GMT -5
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keylimejet
Full Member
"When good Americans die, they go to Paris." Oscar Wilde
Posts: 140
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Post by keylimejet on May 13, 2008 20:03:50 GMT -5
ouiparis - my plan for almost every side trip from Nice is to leave Nice after breakfast, wander around the destination, have lunch somewhere charming, wander some more, then head back to spend the late afternoon on the beach in Nice. That's my daughter's reward for sightseeing with me all morning! Plus, we're both usually hot and tired by then, and ready for a swim and some lounge chair time. We like the Castel Plage where you can rent a chair and an umbrella, but roughing it on the public beach is also an option. I think you can start the half-day rental rates at 2:00 or later, and it doesn't get dark in the summer time until 9:30 or 10:00, so there's no hurry! Hope that helps.
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Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha