Anonymous
05/13/2025 12:21
Subject: Re:Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:I stayed in Antibes several years ago in the middle of July and it was lovely but HOT and humid. I wouldn't call it "off the beaten path". I do really love Antibes and particularly plage de la gravette (it's really nice stay super close to it as you can swim almost any time of day and watch the sunset nearby. I stopped by Villefranche during my stay and it was lovely as well but I didn't think it had quite the same vibes as Antibes. I love Antibes, it's just SO hot and humid in the summer that I was uncomfortable most of the time.
I've not been to Bandol but it is super close to Cassis. Cassis is also not really "off the beaten path" as these are popular places, but I am returning there myself this summer because it is cooler, less humid, the town is gorgeous with a lovely little night market, and the water is clear and very cool, so it is super refreshing. I think there is a little bit of a nightlife scene during certain days but tbh, I was solo and wasn't looking for a major nightlife scene but some 20-somethings did go out and party/dance at this one place I believe.
I can't speak to the other places.
I really want to go to Cassis. Did you fly into Marseille? Where did you stay? Good with kids?
Anonymous
05/13/2025 10:50
Subject: Re:Off the path: South of France
I stayed in Antibes several years ago in the middle of July and it was lovely but HOT and humid. I wouldn't call it "off the beaten path". I do really love Antibes and particularly plage de la gravette (it's really nice stay super close to it as you can swim almost any time of day and watch the sunset nearby. I stopped by Villefranche during my stay and it was lovely as well but I didn't think it had quite the same vibes as Antibes. I love Antibes, it's just SO hot and humid in the summer that I was uncomfortable most of the time.
I've not been to Bandol but it is super close to Cassis. Cassis is also not really "off the beaten path" as these are popular places, but I am returning there myself this summer because it is cooler, less humid, the town is gorgeous with a lovely little night market, and the water is clear and very cool, so it is super refreshing. I think there is a little bit of a nightlife scene during certain days but tbh, I was solo and wasn't looking for a major nightlife scene but some 20-somethings did go out and party/dance at this one place I believe.
I can't speak to the other places.
I've not been to Bandol but it is super close to Cassis. Cassis is also not really "off the beaten path" as these are popular places, but I am returning there myself this summer because it is cooler, less humid, the town is gorgeous with a lovely little night market, and the water is clear and very cool, so it is super refreshing. I think there is a little bit of a nightlife scene during certain days but tbh, I was solo and wasn't looking for a major nightlife scene but some 20-somethings did go out and party/dance at this one place I believe.
I can't speak to the other places.
Anonymous
05/13/2025 09:26
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Go to Eze
Beautiful beach but boring for college age kids. Great for mom & dad tho.
Do the Eze hillside fort/medieval town with the college kids for a fun day trip. Have lunch up there overlooking the Med.
Anonymous
05/12/2025 14:54
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Go to Eze
Anonymous
05/12/2025 14:54
Subject: Off the path: South of France
The ocre trail in Roussillon is really nice (you need to bring cheap shoes or easy to clean shoes). Also the gorges du Verdon for kayaking. Both are really well-known to French people but probably less so to Americans. This is a good site that shows you a few places which are less popular but still very nice: https://www.plusbeauxdetours.com/detours-a-la-carte/
Anonymous
05/12/2025 13:58
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Cannes has everything you're seeking - beach clubs, walkability, tons of restaurants, villas just a bit up the hill, lots of shopping, safe for young adults to wander off on their own, etc.
Villefranche and Beaulieu-sur-Mer are bit too small. Very picturesque, but its more residential with a strong focus on the waterfront marinas/boating. Same thing with Eze - gorgeous quiet beach but its all residential.
Personally, I think Antibes has A LOT of car traffic and its bigger than Cannes (but smaller than Nice) with more apartment buildings.
The issue is that if you're dead set on a villa, that usually means you will be up a hill from the beach and the town. If you want a walkable, bustling town....that usually means villas are further away. The villas with access to a beautiful walkable beach are in very small villages. Catch 22.
Isn't Cannes gross and cheesy?
Nope, it's fine. Antibes has the medieval old town with very narrow streets and pedestrian-only walkways, so that's sorta charming.
But the beaches are significantly better in Cannes - three long, sandy beaches. Compared to Antibes which has a series of short beach coves, mix of sandy and rocky.
Anonymous
05/12/2025 13:51
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Beaumont-sur-Mer
Typical American:
Ok new poster here but what's your problem? So what if this itinerary has been done before? What's your point?
Lighten up, Francis.
"Beaumont-sur-Mer" is a fake town on the French Riveria in the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The animated photo is from that movie.
New rule: you can't visit the French Riveria if you haven't watched DRS. Literally top 10 comedy of all time.
Anonymous
05/10/2025 11:57
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Beaumont-sur-Mer
Typical American:
Ok new poster here but what's your problem? So what if this itinerary has been done before? What's your point?
Anonymous
05/10/2025 11:37
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Fly into Nice and go to Antibes. Not “off the beaten path” in the least. But has a good village vibe and evening options for the college kids (just have them watch out for the yacht crews).
Any hotel recs in Antibes?
How is this one?
https://capdantibes-beachhotel.com/en
Anonymous
05/10/2025 11:34
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Cannes has everything you're seeking - beach clubs, walkability, tons of restaurants, villas just a bit up the hill, lots of shopping, safe for young adults to wander off on their own, etc.
Villefranche and Beaulieu-sur-Mer are bit too small. Very picturesque, but its more residential with a strong focus on the waterfront marinas/boating. Same thing with Eze - gorgeous quiet beach but its all residential.
Personally, I think Antibes has A LOT of car traffic and its bigger than Cannes (but smaller than Nice) with more apartment buildings.
The issue is that if you're dead set on a villa, that usually means you will be up a hill from the beach and the town. If you want a walkable, bustling town....that usually means villas are further away. The villas with access to a beautiful walkable beach are in very small villages. Catch 22.
Isn't Cannes gross and cheesy?
Anonymous
05/09/2025 15:54
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Fly into Nice and go to Antibes. Not “off the beaten path” in the least. But has a good village vibe and evening options for the college kids (just have them watch out for the yacht crews).
Anonymous
05/09/2025 14:55
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Looking to rent a villa for 10 days at end of June.
Thoughts on:
Bandol
Ramateulle
St. Tropez
Juan-les-Pins
Antibes
Villefranche
Hoping to have a villa walking distance (or very close) to lively central village/town area for college aged kids (and their friends) to go out at night and for dinners.
Close to beach clubs for daytime.
Traveling occasionally in the area for market days and lunches out.
Boat days.
Fly into Nice or Toulon from London.
Ideas?
If you have not booked flights yet, United now has direct daily flight from IAD into Nice
It's not daily- it's 4 days per week, starts in late May.
Do you know if this is just a seasonal flight? Or will United be running this year round?
Seasonal- ends end of September per Google Flights. This route is almost purely about satisfying increasing American upper middle class summer demand to southern Europe. Same with their new Dulles-Venice flight.
https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125351
Anonymous
05/09/2025 14:46
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Looking to rent a villa for 10 days at end of June.
Thoughts on:
Bandol
Ramateulle
St. Tropez
Juan-les-Pins
Antibes
Villefranche
Hoping to have a villa walking distance (or very close) to lively central village/town area for college aged kids (and their friends) to go out at night and for dinners.
Close to beach clubs for daytime.
Traveling occasionally in the area for market days and lunches out.
Boat days.
Fly into Nice or Toulon from London.
Ideas?
If you have not booked flights yet, United now has direct daily flight from IAD into Nice
It's not daily- it's 4 days per week, starts in late May.
Do you know if this is just a seasonal flight? Or will United be running this year round?
Anonymous
05/09/2025 14:45
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Anonymous wrote:Beaumont-sur-Mer
Typical American:
Anonymous
05/09/2025 14:15
Subject: Off the path: South of France
Beaumont-sur-Mer