FRENCH RIVIERA - HILL TOWNS AND VILLAGES - FAQ`S
The French Riviera, also referred to as the Côte d`Azur, extends west along the coast from Menton and Manoco 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. Nice Airport is composed of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These terminals are linked by a free shuttle bus. You should check your ticket to determine what Terminal you will be arriving in. If it is not on your ticket, check the airport website to see the Airlines that are serviced by each Terminal.
The city of Nice is an excellent transport hub, with its coastal rail links for local TER PACA rail services, TGV rail network (long distance high speed trains) as well as the starting point for the non-SNCF (route from Nice to Digne via Entrevaux and Annot).
You have many transportation options available such as buses, train service, car rentals, Uber and taxis can transfer you from the airport to points along the Cote d`Azur and the Hill towns and villages of the French Riviera. The below information provides information on these different means of transportation.
By Bus: The Ticket Azurallows travel on all Alpes-Maritimes bus network services. The cost of a single ticket is around €1.50 and travel for a single ticket allows you to take two transport networks in succession, to complete a journey, including one change between one of the lines on the Departmental Council`s TAM network and a line on the one of the following networks: Envibus (Antibes and surrounding area), Communaute de la Riviera Francaise (Menton and surrounding area), Sillages (Grasse and surrounding area), Bus Varmer (Carros and surrounding area), Ligne d`Azur (Nice and surrounding area, Bus Azur (Cannes and surrounding area).
The below bus companies on the French Riviera connect Nice Airport with various Hill towns and Villages:
Envibus: This bus network that connects Antibes with Biot, Villeneuve-Loubel, St-Paul de Vence and other inland towns and villages.
Sillages STGA: This bus network provides service for Grasse, Le Tignet, Pegomas, Antibes, Valbonne and Cannes central.
Lingend`Azur: Provides bus service for Grasse, Le Tignet, Pegomas, Antibes, Valbonne and Cannes central as well as the local bus service in Nice.
Bus travel along the French Riviera is inexpensive, all buses are about €1.50 (cheaper than the tolls you could pay if driving) and more reliable than trains which are sometimes plagued by strikes. Keep in mind that on Sundays the frequency of bus routes is far less than on weekdays and less than Saturdays. Some lines don`t run at all on Sunday. You will also want to avoid rush hour if at all possible. The buses get extremely crowded and traffic along the coast is extremely congested prolonging your journey. Rush hours usually fall between 7 - 9 am and 4:30 - 7 pm. 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. It is also worth noting that luggage is accepted on board the buses although bigger suitcases and strollers must be placed in the baggage hold.
Below are the listed most scenic bus rides available:
Line 112 from Nice to Monaco along the Moyene Corniche
Line 116 from Nice to Peille, stopping at La Turbie, which runs along the Grand Cornich
Line 114 from Monaco to La Turbie on the Grande Conriche
RCA (Rapides Cote d`Azur is the main regional bus network, listed below:
Line 100 Connecting Nice and Menton
Linee 100Xpres Connecting Nice and Monaco
Line 200 conneting the coastal towns between Nice and Cannes
Line 600 connecting Cannes and Grasse
By Train: The railways network that servesthe Cote d`Azur functions as both a means of transportation and sight seeing adventure.
TER is the division of SNCF (France`s national rail carrier) that handles regional services and the scenic Train des Merveilles.
The main service lines to get around the coast include:
Line3: Les Arecs-Draguignan-Frejus-St Raphael-Cannes-Nice
Line 4: Mandelieu-Grasse-Cannes-Nice-Ventimiglia
Line 5A: Nice-Breil-sur-Roya-Tende-Cuneo
Line 6: Marseilles-Toulon-Nice-Ventimiglia
Services: www.ter-sncf.com
Train des Pignes: The Chemin de Fer de Provence (www.trainprovence.com) handles the scenic Nice to Digne train that links the coast and the mountains. In the summer, this company runs the famous steam engine that makes a circuit from Puget-Theniers to Annot or Entrevaux on summer weekends.
ByCar: 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 that 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 into Monaco (but not vice-versa) and is 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 and 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: 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 in the French Riviera, what is the parking like? What is the driving like in the French Riviera?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?You`ll find the French Riviera asafe and secure destination although travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpocket and theives. 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 long 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 tourists and you will find that many people speak English in 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 less 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 on the Riviera?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. Store hours are around 10 am to 7 pm, and in some cases closes 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 is offered with the Cote d`Azur 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/towns 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 that offer a fast and inexpensive way to get around the cities. You will also find it easy to rent scooters and bicycles in different cites as well. We recommend you check with the tourist office of each individual town and/or village about bike rental options.
What is the best way to explore the villages and towns?All of the towns in the French Riviera are best explored on foot. Every town has a tourist office where you can pick up a map (tourist information offices are usually located within a short distance of the train station). In many of the hill towns and villages, you will find charming little alleyways and plenty of narrow, hilly streets but not to worry, it is surprisingly difficult to get disoriented!
What is the weather like on the French Riviera?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 on the Riviera like?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 and a staple inthe Mediterranean diet.
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, a vegetable stew from the Occitan region, is another Provencal staple. And Socca, a chickpea flour pancake, a delicious treat of a snack!
How do I call abroad?To call abroad: 00 + country exchange number + number
To call France from abroad: 00 + 33 + number
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