South of France riviera - ideas

[GDLN]

Hello, we are travelling to Antibes in a few days for a couple of weeks, staying in my mother's holiday flat. We find it sweltering hot in the height of summer, however she gets quite hurt if we don't go and use her flat at this point in the year. Anyway, these point aside, we have 6 and 9 year old daughters. We wondered if anyone is able to give some recommendations of things to do in the French Riviera area. We won't have a hire car - we had one last year and found driving around those roads quite hair-raising - but we have access to a great train line which stops all along the riviera.
With grateful appreciation.

Beach at Juan Les Pins. There are trampolines on the seafront and a nice park/playground. Mini train round Nice - there are 2 routes. Take the lift to top of the colline du chateau for the views. Boat trip to Villefranche or Cannes or the Ste Margherite Island. Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. Marineland in Antibes. Antibes Land fun fair. There's an adventure park in Villeneuve. The steam train up to the mountains.

Le Village des Fous and Le Bois de Lutins are both great attractions right next to each other and accessible by public transport. Take the train to Cagnes-sur-Mer station. From there take bus line 500 towards Grasse and get off at La Vanade https://www.cirm-manca.org/docpdf/lignenicegrasse.pdf

Depending on if you think they are old enough to appreciate it, Picasso's studio in Antibes, or outside the locations for film events in Cannes.

I was also going to recommend Monaco - surprisingly child-friendly and the aquarium was great. Villefranche has a nice beach and harbour, and might be good for a wander.

We've been taking our DD (now 12) to Antibes since 2015. We love it and the fact you can get about cheaply on the bus or on the train. Our favourites have been;

• Shopping at the Provençal market
• Time at the beach
• Wandering around the ramparts
• Looking at the expensive yachts in the marina
• Going on the big wheel and wandering around at nights
• Hiring bikes (by the shop next to the market) and cycling along the Bord de Mer
• The Oceanographic and car museum in Monaco
• Chateau la Napoule, nr Cannes
• The Lérins Islands
• Villa Euphrussi de Rothschild
• The Petit Train to Juan les Pins
• the coastal path walk ('Tirepoil') - we usually start this no later than 9am if we're doing it but the views are lovely
• Fort Carre
• Walking up to the lighthouse

Lots of info here - www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/must-see-must-do/culture-heritage-urban-art

Oh and there's a summer programme of free concerts in the square by the bandstand and firework displays - you can download the guide or pick up a copy at the tourist info by the bus station (tip - that's where the best free toilets are)!

Shamelessly placemarking as I’ll be there in 2 weeks. Some excellent suggestions.

This is all incredibly helpful, thank you so much. My partner was just remarking, as I was reading out these responses, how generous it is for complete strangers to be helping out in this way. We will definitely follow up with the suggestions. If anybody is aware of any good restaurants which don't rip off customers (as things are incredibly expensive - especially the touristy stuff), that would be great.

I can definitely help on this as we've tried a lot over the years and some are not worth the money!! We have struggled with the fact that French children are often up later and early meals are tricky with most places not opening till 7 if you want something more than just pizza etc which serve all day. Now DD is older it's got easier .

• After 1pm the Provençal market converts to craft stalls and restaurants in the evening (often with music). We've had moules frites there and bolognaise etc when my DD was little . There's 2/3 all in a row and they're all ok

• There is a great fish restaurant (with kids options) that does a good value lunch meal, English menus and speaking staff

www.chezmo-antibes.fr

• For something a bit special, this restaurant will do a steak for children and are very welcoming

www.levauban.fr

• Le Village
• Le Petit Cagot instagram.com/leptitcageot?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

• L'alcyon brasserie-lalcyon-restaurant-antibes.fr/fr

There's lots of places which do pizza and pasta around by the port and the Place de Republic which are often busy but can be pricey for what you actually get. We tend to eat out only a few times but spend more on something French!!

And this ice cream parlour is worth a visit, tends to be open in the evenings www.gelateriadelporto.com

Finally, Carrefour Market, Intermarche and Mono Prix supermarkets are all handy

Wow!! These are fantastic restaurant suggestions. I couldn't have asked for a more comprehensive answer! I am so excited this time round, not intimidated to get things wrong. Thank you once again for all your time.

I hope you have a great time @GDLN. DH and I are travelling to Antibes in 3 weeks time, we are so excited. We will be staying in Menton for a few nights then on to Antibes.

@PercyPigs1 some really great suggestions from you here, thanks. Our air bnb is right next to Chez Mo so we look forward to trying that. I am obsessed with gelato so can’t wait to try Gelateria Del Porto!

That's a nice part of Antibes to stay with a good vibe! The Royal Beach is good for a drink

https://www.hotel-royal-antibes.com/en/restaurant-royal-beach/

and you're very handy for the Ponteil beach too .

Have a nice time

Hi we are going to Nice at end September- has anyone else been then? Any experience on the weather ? Suggestions of where to eat? Things to do etc ?
thanks

We were there end of September last year and it was glorious weather. All the beach clubs shut up shop on 1st October though. There are loads of places to eat round the flower market and vieux Nice. We took the lift to the top of the colline du chateau for the views. Lots of museums to see and the public transport network is fab. It depends what sort of thing you like doing really. It's very easy to travel up and down the coast - to Antibes and Juan Les Pins, or Villefranche, Menton, Monaco. You can do boat trips from the port.

Monday to Friday there is a beautiful lunch menu which is reasonable at Chez Mo fish restaurant in Antibes. It's lovely sitting inside. It was the only truly excellent dining we experienced.

I can recommend the old town of Menton and more specifically the beach that’s between the old town and the Italian border. The views from the water are really nice in all directions. You can also grab lunch at one of the beach clubs- the ones we tried were all good.

Thanks everyone - do you have to pay to sit on the beach? Is it expensive ? We like walking and mooching really - I’m hoping the weather will still be warm

I’m travelling on Wednesday and I can’t wait. We are staying for 3 nights in Menton then 6 nights in Antibes. Our air bnb in Antibes is right next to Chez Mo, so I look forward to enjoying a nice lunch there

I've never had a bad meal there :-)
One year I found a brightly coloured dead caterpillar in my Brocolli which was amusing. When I told the waiter we had a laugh as he told the chef who came back that at least we knew the meal was very fresh! Always makes me smile every time I go back!!
Not been to Menton in the 8 years of going to Antibes but might give it a try now