Travel: South of France
Carol McGiffin reveals why the French Riviera holds a special place in her heart
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
I first came to the South of France in 1987 and fell in love with it right there and then and always wanted to have a house or a flat there. So, in 2016, Mark and I both sold our flats and bought a small house with a garden near Nice. We go there whenever we can and absolutely love it. The French Riviera is often seen as being a place only for the rich and famous, but it’s really not. Yes, there are a lot of posh boats, hotels, glamorous events and, of course Monaco, but anyone can enjoy its delights. The weather, the colour of the sea – hence why it’s known as the Côte d’Azur – are all simple delights that can be enjoyed for little or no money.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Nice Airport is the hub for the region and it’s very efficient and well-run. Queues are rare except in high season when everything is high, including the temperatures and the prices. High season is mainly August and a lot of places are closed as well because it’s when the French have their holidays, so avoid it then if you can. The best months are May ( but not this year!) and September – the weather is comfortable, it’s not too busy and getting around is easier.
DON’T MISS
Lunch or drinks on the beach in Nice can’t be beaten for great photo opportunities and people-watching. All the beach clubs get very busy and have a clubby vibe to them. Sundowners are perfect as the beach stretches from East to West so sunsets are amazing. Monaco is 30 minutes away by train and worth a wander if only to see the pristine streets and the ridiculous cars parked in the Casino square. A coffee on the harbour might cost €15, but it’s worth it for a few hours just to see what you could have won.
GETTING THERE:
easyJet, BA, Ryanair, and Jet2 all fly direct to Nice from airports around the UK. The flight is only 1 hour 40 minutes.
STAYING THERE:
If you’re on a budget, there are many great camp sites with top-class facilities. And the towns further inland have great little B&B guesthouses for around €100 a night. For high-end luxury, get ensconced in La Mas Candille in Mougins €144 per night, depending on the time of year or the Belles Rives in Juan les Pins, where F Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda lived. Trés glamorous!
FOOD AND DRINK
France takes its food very seriously, and the South is no exception. There are cafes and restaurants everywhere, but not many are ‘non-stop’ service – they only open for lunch and dinner. So if you’re hungry at 4pm then you might have to wait. Nice and the towns to the East are very Italian-influenced as it’s close to Italy, so expect pizza and pasta. Nice has fine French establishments, but the food can be rich.
The French Riviera is seen as being a place only for the rich, but it’s really not