Accommodation & Practical Information
Where to Stay?
Nice — The Best Base Camp
Nice is the best base for the Côte d'Azur: centrally located, excellently connected by train, with an airport on the doorstep and the widest range of accommodations in all price categories. From here, you can easily reach Monaco (20 min.), Cannes (35 min.), Antibes (25 min.), and Menton (35 min.) by train.
- Old Town (Vieux Nice): Most atmospheric — winding alleys, market on the doorstep. Can be noisy at night. From 80€ double room.
- Promenade / Carré d'Or: Elegant, close to the beach and museums. More expensive: from 120€ double room.
- Port / Garibaldi: Up-and-coming district, authentic, good restaurants. From 70€ double room.
- Cimiez: Quiet, near Matisse and Chagall, but further from the beach. From 60€ double room.
Alternatives to Nice
- Antibes: More charming, quieter, family-friendly than Nice. Sandy beaches. From 70€ double room.
- Menton: The quietest and cheapest. Ideal for those seeking relaxation. From 55€ double room.
- Cannes: More glamorous, but more expensive. In summer from 150€ double room.
- Monaco: Extremely expensive (from 200€ double room). Only if budget is not a concern.
Tipp
Book on the Côte d'Azur as early as possible — especially for May (Film Festival), July/August (high season), and February (Carnival). Outside these times, you can find good hotels in Nice from 60€/night. Holiday apartments in the hinterland (Grasse, Vence, Mougins) are significantly cheaper than on the coast.
Practical Information
Language
French is a must — English is understood in hotels and tourist facilities, but a few words of French open doors and hearts. Essential: "Bonjour" when entering any shop/restaurant (considered rude in France not to do so), "S'il vous plaît", "Merci". In Monaco, Italian and English are also spoken.
Safety
The Côte d'Azur is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common at tourist hotspots: Promenade des Anglais, Old Town Nice, Croisette Cannes, Monte-Carlo. Especially in crowded buses and trams. Keep valuables close to your body, do not hang bags over chair backs. Avoid the areas around Nice-Thiers station at night.
Tipping
In France, service is included in the price (service compris). Tipping is optional but customary: 1–2€ in a café, 5–10% in a restaurant, 1€ for taxi drivers. In more upscale restaurants on the Côte d'Azur, 10% is appropriate.
Opening Hours
France has a pronounced lunch break: Many shops close from 12:00–14:00 or 14:30. Supermarkets and tourist shops are open continuously. Many museums and smaller shops are closed on Mondays. Public life largely comes to a halt on Sundays — plan accordingly.
Useful Apps
- SNCF Connect: Buy train tickets and check departure times
- Ligne d'Azur: Bus and tram schedules in Nice
- Uber / Bolt: Ridesharing in Nice and Cannes
- Google Maps / Citymapper: Navigation (also for public transport)
- TheFork (LaFourchette): Restaurant booking with discounts
Packing List & Travel Essentials
The Côte d'Azur requires a versatile wardrobe — from beachwear to smart casual to something more elegant for evenings in Monaco or Cannes:
Essentials
- Sun protection: SPF 50+ (the Mediterranean sun is intense), sunglasses, hat
- Water shoes / Aqua shoes: Essential for Nice's pebble beaches!
- Comfortable walking shoes: The old towns and mountain villages have steep cobblestone alleys
- Light jacket: It can get chilly in the evenings even in summer (Mistral!)
- Smart casual: For restaurants and especially Monaco (dress code in the casino: no shorts, no flip-flops)
- Reusable water bottle: Tap water is drinkable, fountains are everywhere
- Adapter: Type E/F — German plugs (Type C) usually fit, but an adapter can help with round sockets
For the Hinterland
- Hiking boots: For the Gorges du Verdon and mountain villages
- Backpack with water: Few shopping opportunities in the hinterland
- International driving license: Recommended for car rentals (not mandatory for EU citizens)
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