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