Nice, October, rainy days with toddler

[TheRookieMum]

We're off to Nice, France, for a week in early October. Can anyone recommend what to do with a toddler if it rains for the week? We will have a hire car. TIA.

Le Petit Train de Nice - Train touristique in Nice - Nice City Life is good, and will also allow you to see the sights, and Accueil | Kid City Nice is a big soft play. Bring a puddle suit and wellies and head to the pebble beach, the kids still enjoy picking up stones etc.

There’s a large aquarium in Monaco

The botanical gardens near the airport are lovely- some inside bits and some animals.
there was also a little funfair/theme park place nearby.

aquarium in Monaco?

What's crossing the French Monaco border like in a hire car, post Brexit? We've not crossed borders while abroad for years, and never been to Monaco.

You don't need a hire car in Nice - parking will be awful and public transport is brilliant. Trams and buses everywhere and you can get the train up and down the coast. I certainly wouldn't drive to Monaco. But there is no border anyway. Into Italy on the train you might get asked for your passport.

It's very unlikely to rain constantly for a week in October. There are loads of galleries and museums. Tourist train as mentioned by pp. Long walk on Promenade des Anglaise. Juan Les Pins and Antibes have lovely sandy beaches for some sandcastle building.

@TheRookieMum we went to Monaco from Nice but didn’t use our hire car, as the traffic wasn’t great (that was July though). The coastal train from Nice is a lovely experience, as it goes past lots of beaches and pretty areas. There are some lovely gardens in Monaco, near the palace I think. There’s also a tourist train which your toddler might like.
If you do drive, there are no border checks and also no border control at the train station. It’s just like going to another city.
Driving into Italy from Nice is easy, and there is a border control at Menton. We’ve never been stopped, just drove through, but we do carry our passports. There is a small duty free supermarket at the Italian border which is fun (maybe not for your toddler though!)
The beach and little town at Villefranche sur Mer is
worth a visit; it’s just round the corner from Nice. Again, really easy on the train as the station is almost on the beach. You could easily drive too.

Unless you go inland or further than St Raph, you won't need a car. It'll be a pain to park everywhere. Use the train or tram. Don't take it into Monaco, it's a real PITA driving and parking there.

There’s a train into the mountains to Digne les Bains. Stunning! We were in nice in October 2 years ago. En route Genoa. The border I can’t recall even stopping. And while I hate the summer traffic it was fine in October. Loved going round the ports and looking at the swanky yachts.

We did park in Monaco in an underground car park. It was a nightmare! Teeny spaces and all cars massive. Very stressy. Yes buses or trains as far as poss.