South of France

[LuckyVal]

We’re looking ahead to next year’s summer holiday. I’m thinking maybe a villa/air bnb in South of France. Kids will be 9 and 6. I hate to say it but know very little about France. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good region to base ourselves? Ideally, close to a beach and within a town or village where we can eat well and enjoy a few nice glasses of vin rouge! Without needing a car every day.
Thank you!

Last year we stayed in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, which is about 10km from Nice. It's a small town. We stayed in an apartment in the centre of the town. There was a free shuttle between the town centre and the beach, and another up to the Medieval village. We bought a travel pass which allowed us to travel to Nice for 1 Euro each way. There was also a railway station which we used to travel to Cannes and also to Monaco. It was a wonderful location. We'd definitely stay there again.

Barber that sounds lovely, how long did you stay?

I'd stay in Nice itself and get an AirBnB in the Old Town. It's a beautiful city that's had millions spent on it and only a short flight from the UK. There are great restaurants, shops, museums as well as the beach and Promenade. Place Massena has a water fountain park which my DD loves. I don't know Cagnes-sur-Mer, the train passes through it and I don't think it probably goes through the most attractive part. Villefranche is gorgeous - 10 minutes by train from Nice. It has a pretty old town with lots of cafe's for a glass of wine and a nice child friendly beach. There is a train line that connects all the towns along the Riviera so Marseille, Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Monaco etc so days out are easy. The trains are double decker and if you sit sea side on the top deck you get some great views!

Antibes.
Close to Nice and all the rest, it has old part and slightly more modern area by nice beaches.

@LuckyVal We were there a week. There was far too much to do and we ran out of time. Hopefully we'll go back again soon. The only downside/upside, depending on how you look at it, Cagnes-Sur-Mer doesn't seem to have many English speaking tourists, which tested our French. It does make it cheaper to stay in rather than Nice or Antibes.

Warning though, it can be very hot in the south of France in July and August. We've just got back and it was 40 degrees some days, similar temperatures last year as well. I actually prefer going there in May half term as there's far fewer tourists and it's not baking hot!

Warning though, it can be very hot in the south of France in July and August. We've just got back and it was 40 degrees some days, similar temperatures last year as well. I actually prefer going there in May half term as there's far fewer tourists and it's not baking hot!

Warning though, it can be very hot in the south of France in July and August. We've just got back and it was 40 degrees some days, similar temperatures last year as well. I actually prefer going there in May half term as there's far fewer tourists and it's not baking hot!

Sorry, the ap said my message hadn't posted?

Thanks for your suggestions. My GCSE French was so long ago I don’t think I can rely on it very much to get by so as much as I would like to I think an area where there is a balance of English will probably be more than useful!
Are Antibes/Nice generally expensive in terms of food, drink etc?

Thanks again for your replies

I wouldn't worry too much about your French - mine is abysmal but I've always got by (worse case scenario, you'll make a waiter or two laugh!). We did a mixture of self catering & eating out when we were last there. Depends on where you choose to eat but it's not eye wateringly expensive. Monaco was pricey but you kind of expect that!

Thanks for the tip about the heat @FogCutter. Definitely something to consider.

Thanks @SJane48S, yes would expect Monaco to be expensive. We’ll definitely do a self catering trip so can have the option of eating in a couple of nights .