Where to Spend the Perfect Weekend on the French Riviera
To read this post in Italian click here
When you start dreaming of your perfect French vacation do the images of sipping wine, walking down cobblestone streets with your significant other wrapped around your arm, or dinner with views of the Eiffel tower fill your head? I’m not saying Paris isn’t a great city to spend a vacation, however I’m merely suggesting a French city that could also surpass your idea of perhaps a perfect French vacation.
Nestled along the French Riviera, not too far from Italy, lies the city of your next French vacation: Nice. Once your eyes catch sight of the Mediterranean sea, you’ll never want to leave, with waters as blue as the sky that you’ll never get tired of looking at. Apart from all the beauty Nice has to offer, the city has a countless amount of things to do. So why not top all this perfection off with a day trip to Monaco during your stay? Walking the streets of Monaco will make you feel like you just walked into a picture from a storybook. Here I’m going to share with you how to spend an unforgettable weekend (or really any 3 consecutive days of the week) on the French Riviera.
Nice, France
A great way to reach Nice would be flying into the airport there ( Aeroport Nice Cote D’Azur) or if you’re maybe already in France or nearby like I was you can definitely take a train there, the train station is walking distance to many sites, stores and hotels. If you’ve come to France to shop then you’re in the perfect place to do so, but there is so much more that Nice has to offer. One of my personal favorites about my time spent here would be the Cours Saleya market, everyday it has stands of fruits, vegetables, flowers, candies, fish, candles and along with a variety of others. If you’re keen on doing some waking and enjoying breathtaking views then take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais. There is quite a lot to take in here, with the city and traffic on one side, blue coastline on the other and tourists in between. You can rent a bike and go for a ride or enjoy a meal by the sea. Another great area is the Promenade du Paillon, where you can enjoy modern art sculptures while relaxing on the grass.
Cours Saleya Markey
Monaco
A great way to save money would be going to Monaco for a day trip (rather than spending a weekend there) since accommodation can be pretty expensive. To reach Monte Carlo, Monaco from Nice you can take a train, which is only about 30 minutes and has fantastic views along the way, or if you prefer you can rent a car and drive there. The train station in Monte Carlo is probably one of my favorites (in case you were wondering) and since Monaco is a fairly small country everything is extremely walkable. In Monte Carlo you’ll see some pretty fancy stores, however if you go on a Sunday the clothing shops (and the chocolate shop to my dismay) will be closed. The first place I went was the Oceanographic Museum, which if I remember correctly was 14 euros (per adult). Although it may not be a huge museum it’s definitely worth checking out. Walking down to the Prince’s Palace is a rather enchanting experience and if you’re lucky you might even see the changing of guard, to see inside the price is 8 euros. St. Nicholas Cathedral holds the tomb of Grace Kelly, along with other royal family members, and its opulence and history have much to tell (if only they could). Personally, one of my favorites during my visit were the botanical gardens. The Japanese Garden, Princess Rose Garden and Exotic Garden of Monaco all had some of the best views I’ve ever seen, and you never know where each path may take you. Monaco has a lot to offer and you can definitely fit more into your day. I enjoyed every minute in Monaco and cannot wait to return.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Oceanographic Museum
