WESTERN FRENCH RIVIERA - FAQ`S

What is the French Riviera?

The French Riviera, also referred to as the Côte d`Azur, extends west along the coast from Menton and Monaco to Théoule sur Mer and up into the Southern Alps. The Riviera contains some of the world`s most famous beaches and destinations, including Nice, Cannes, and Saint Tropez, as well as, fourteen national parks, medieval villages and Roman ruins. Once a health retreat in the 18th-century, the area attracted aristocrats and artists, and today brings the rich and famous, sun lovers and socialites from around the world.

After I arrive at the airport, what are my transportation options?

Most international flights arrive at Nice International airport, the main hub for the French Riviera and the second busiest international airport in the France. There are many transportation options available such as buses, train service, car rentals, Uber and taxis that can transfer you from the airport to points along the Cote d`Azur and the western area of the French Riviera. The below information provides information on these different means of transportation.

By Bus: The bus services in the Gulf of Saint Tropez are run by VarLib (www.varlib.fr). The routes are extensive (248 routes between Var municipalities) and links to most of the towns, villages and resorts around Saint Tropez. From Sainte Tropez`s station on Avenue de General de Gaulle, VarLib buses travel to and from St Raphael, the town with the nearest train station, about 1 ½ hours, depending on traffic.

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station or on the bus. The cost is about €3 for a single journey, the ticket covers any required changes on a journey up to 90 minutes. You can also buy a 10 trip ticket (which is a better value). The services are regular if not frequent, and times will vary depending on the season. Timetables are available on the VarLib website for the lines listed below and for the routes in the area and for onward journeys from Saint Raphael or Toulon.

Bus 7601: Saint Tropez - Saint Raphael
Bus 7701: Saint Tropez - Gassin - Cogolin - Grimaud - La Garde Freinet
Bus 7703: Saint Tropez - Pampelonne Beaches- Ramatuelle
Bus 7705: Saint Tropez - Pampelonne Beaches - Ramatuelle
Bus 7801: Saint Tropez - La CroixValmer - Le Lavandou - Bormes - Toulon

In order to request a stop while riding the bus, you will need to use the red button, `Arret demande,` to alert the driver. If you do not push the button to stop and there are no passengers waiting at that particular stop then the bus will not stop.

Luggage is accepted on board the buses although bigger suitcases and strollers must be placed in the baggage hold.

By Train: There is no train station in Saint Tropez, the nearest station is in Saint Raphael, which is the rail line running between Italy, Nice and Toulon. The train station serving Frejus, Var department, is the Gare de Frejus, situated on the Marseille-Ventimiglia railway.

From Nice Airport you can walk to Nice St Augustin station (about a 20 minutes walk from Terminal 1) and pick up the local train to Antibes, the cost is about €12. You will change in Antibes to the hourly St Raphael Train. Saint Raphael is the terminus for the VarLib buses (the bus station is just beside the train station). A bus ticket will cost about €3.

Alternatively, from Gare de Nice Ville (located 4 miles from Nice Airport), has an express bus direct to Saint Raphael, the cost is about €20 per person/one way. The service is fairly frequent but not hourly. The bus station for VarLib is located right behind the train station.

Services: www.sncf.com/fr/trains/ter

By Car: One of the most convenient ways to get around the Riviera is by car. All of France and Europe`s major car rental companies have branches at Nice Airport. For parking, you typically have to pay for from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. In the summer months, traffic conditions may prove to be difficult along the coast. A car will allow you to optimize your time, as well as more flexibility than the train or the bus, especially if you`re moving around late.

A8 motorway crosses the whole French Riviera region and provides swift, easy access to Frejus and other towns along the coast. To reach resorts along the Esterel, you must follow the coastal highway N98 east. To get to Saint Tropez and the resorts at the foot of the Massif des Maures, follow N98 southwest from Frejus. To explore the hill towns and the Gorges du Verdon, slow and scenic roads lead north and west from Frejus and Cannes. N98 can be very slow at times, but is the most scenic route and connects you to coastal resorts in between your journey.

By Uber: Uber is available throughout most of the Côte d`Azur and a much easier option than calling a cab or waiting for one at a designated taxi stand.

By Taxi: There are taxis stationed at the Nice airport that are easy to locate. Taxi ranks in town are indicated by a blue panel. To reserve a taxi, central booking services are available in the Riviera`s main towns. It is important to note that taxi`s can be expensive on the Cote d`Azur.

By Boat: A Boat from Nice to Saint Tropez runs from the end of May to the end of September. The boat leaves from quai Lunel in the Nice Port, and takes about 2 ½ hours. The views of the red cliffs of the Esterel are magnificent. From Saint Tropez you will find a network of bus lines on the VarLib to reach other destinations in the western area of the French Riviera.

From the port of Saint Raphael, a boat runs daily to/from Saint Tropez. The trip is about 1 hour and costs €25 return.

The shuttle boats are operated by Les Bateaux Verts (www.bateauxverts.com). Another shuttle services, Trans Cote d`Azur (www.trans-cote-azur.com) departs from Nice and Cannes and goes to Corniche de l`Esterel and Saint Tropez. Some of these routes are only offered from May to early October.

I will have a car on the French Riviera, what is the parking like? What is the driving like?

Parking can be difficult and expensive. Paid parking on the streets is available but at times, tricky to find. Should you find street parking, make sure to look for and pay the horodateur (meter), take the ticket and put it in the windshield of your car. You typically have to pay for parking from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to noon and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Having a car can make your itinerary very flexible, plus there are some amazing scenic drives of the coastline that will take your breath away. The downside to renting a car is the traffic conditions on the Riviera, especially during the summer months, on the coastal roads and in the town centers. It is advised to avoid rush hours, around 7:30 - 10:00 am and again between 4:30 - 7:30 pm. It is important to be aware that the drivers on the Cote d`Azur are known to be aggressive. Make sure to respect the speed limits on highways and motorways.

Is the French Riviera a dangerous place? Are there certain areas I should avoid?

France is considered relatively safe, although travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpockets. Bad things can happen anywhere but by exercising precaution, you`ll find the French Riviera a safe and secure destination. Theft is more common in summer months and at frequent tourist attractions such as museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports and subways. It is smart to wear a bag diagonally across your chest and carry your passport on your body or keep only a copy on you and not the original. When on the beach leave your valuables at your hotel or pay for a private beach. At night, don`t walk down unnecessary dark streets. Try to stay on the busy ones and try not to be obvious as a tourist. Avoid walking in and around train station/subways at night as it can be home for pickpockets.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency in France and on the Riviera is the Euro. Once you`re in France you will need to use the Euro in most all places. It is recommended to exchange at least some money before you leave home so that you can avoid lines at airport ATMs. There are various ATMs throughout the cities, towns and major villages in the Riviera. If you need to exchange currency, do so at a bank, not a currency exchange desk, hotel, or shop.

Tipping in France can vary (refer to our Tipping in France page). It is not automatic and generous as it is in the US, but for special service, tips are appreciated, if not expected. At cafes and restaurants, a service charge is always included in the price of what you ordered, but you won`t see it listed on your bill. Unlike in the US, France pays servers a decent wage. Because of this, many locals never tip. If you feel the service was exceptional, it is kind to tip up to 5% extra but don`t feel guilty if you don`t leave a tip. For taxi drivers, it is safe to round up for a typical ride. If the ride was longor or the cab driver goes above and beyond, you may want to add a little more.

I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?

French is the official language spoken on the French Riviera. The area has a large population of international tourist and you will find that many people speak English in the restaurants, bars and hotels. If you do decide to travel into the surrounding, more rural villages, or head off the beaten track you may find fewer people that speak the English language. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What are the typical business hours?

Major department stores and grocery stores may be open Sundays, but most of the smaller boutiques and markets are closed. Restaurants often close on Sundays and may also be closed on Mondays. Most banks are open Monday through Friday from around 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Many, especially in the smaller towns, take a long lunch break. Most museums close one day a week, usually on a Monday or Tuesday, and generally on national holidays as well. Stores hours are around 10 am to 7 pm, and in some cases close for a lunch break (up to two hours).

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services.

What do I need to know about the Beaches on the Cote d`Azur?

The choices of beaches in the Coted`Azur are magnificent, with private hidden coves and civilized urban beaches in the heart of coastal cities. The temperatures of the sea vary from a low of around 57° F in January to a high of 78 ° in July. Along the coast, you`ll find some sandy beaches, but many are pebbly. Topless bathing is common, especially in Saint Tropez.

Many of the private beaches close down in the off season, usually the end of October through to April. There are about thirty beaches across the Cote d`Azur that remain open year-round. The private beaches offer mattresses, parasols, changing cubicles and showers, as well as a restaurant overlooking the sea, prices will vary. It is important to note that it can be quite crowded in the peak season, on weekends especially. It is recommended to call ahead if you are looking to reserve a bed at one of the private beaches; the first row facing the sea go fast. If you don`t want to pay, you can get everything you need and go to the public beaches.

What is the Cote d`Azur Card and what is offered with Card?

If you are planning on doing a fair amount of sightseeing, the Cote d`Azur card allows you to visit over 180 sites and activities on the French Riviera. A 3 day pass will cost about €45; a 6 day pass will cost around €72. The pass includes admission to most major museums like Monaco`s Oceangraphic Museum, the Picasso Museum, the Cocteau Museum of Menton, to name a few, as well as kayak rentals in Menton and guided cruise tours around the coast. The Cote d`Azur card is available at tourist offices throughout the region, and in hotels and other accommodations, as well as online at the official website: www.cotedazur-car.com.

How do I get around the cities by bicycle?

Many cities in the Riviera have set up a public bicycle-rental program. This allows people to rent bikes on a short-term basis, and then return these bikes to various stations around town. These bike systems are efficient and offer a fast and inexpensive way to get around the cities. You will also find it easy to rent scooters and bicycles in different cities as well.

Cote d`Azur is great to explore by bike, offering a way to see the city in a short period of time. Often, the cities will offer cycle routes and trails so you don`t have to fight too much traffic to enjoy the lovely surroundings. In addition, there are bike routes that run the coastline; you can travel for miles enjoying stunning views of the coast on your journey. Keep mind that roads are rarely level.

What is the weather like?

The French Riviera benefits from a Mediterranean-type climate, characterized by exceptional sunshine, you can expect almost 300 days of sunshine and mild temperatures for most of the year. It rains heavily but infrequently, with stretches of rain mostly around March/April and October/November. In winter (Dec - March), freezing temperatures are rare, but sweaters are advised.

What is the food like? What time do they usually eat?

From the fresh seafood markets to the abundance of locally grown fruit and vegetables, the area is widely renowned for offering healthy, flavorsome and colorful cuisine, as well as traditional dishes. There is a mix of unique flavors only available in this region - traditional Provençal and Niçoisecuisine (the term coined for the style of food) isn`t the typical French food. With influences from the Mediterranean Sea, its warm and sunny climate, and proximity to Italy, the offerings include lots of fresh fish, vegetables, and herbs, along with Italian favorites such as pizza and gelato. What sets Nicoise cuisine apart from traditional French fare is the use of olive oil rather than butter. In fact, the use of olive oil in the French Riviera cuisine is reflected by the fact this region is one of the main suppliers of olive oil in France.

The Cote d`Azur offers numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and alfresco dining in charming cafes is popular from spring to autumn. Some traditional local dishes you`ll want to be sure to try would be Beignets de Fleurs de Courgettes (Courgette flowers), this is a firm favorite when they come into season. The Bouillabaisse, a traditional Provencal fish stew, originated by the Marseille fishermen, it has become one of the best-loved and most popular dishes along the French Riviera. The Pissaladiere is another favorite sold in pretty much every bakery and market, it`s a caramelized onion and anchovy flatbread. The traditional Ratatouille, vegetable stew from the Occitan region, is another Provencal staple. And Socca, a chickpea flour pancake, a delicious treat for a snack!

How do I call abroad?

To call abroad: 00 + country exchange number + number
To call France from abroad: 00 + 33 + number

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In an Emergency dial 112

Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com) - sponsored by a group of travel medicine practitioners, may offer helpful advice on traveling abroad.

International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org) - offers a list of medical clinics overseas.