... and would like some inside information of places to visit, or not to, then please e-mail me. I've been living here for 16 months and have explored most of the region and have been amazed with the amount of such diverse scenery and local history and industry. Areas I know well (and love) cover from the Italian border to Toulouse, Camargue, Provence, Languedoc and the Var, as well as Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Monaco.

Blue Skies

[This message was edited by Carolebay on December 07, 2001 at 01:56 AM.]

Hi there. I am going to Cannes for New Year and was wondering if you had any information or recommendations etc - I have never been to that part of France before

Thanks

Hi,

In response to the first question above about great places to visit in the South of France, I have a few ideas! One is a small town not far from Nice, called Villefranche. My friend and I noticed this town as we were passing by on the train from Nice to Monaco, and it was so beautiful we hopped off and spent the day! It's not very famous, I don't think, which is nice because it's really laid back and typical of a French resort town along the Riviera. Not nearly as glitzy or expensive as Cannes, Nice, etc. Really just a lovely little pastel-colored, slow-paced and sun-drenched town which I would definitely recommend.

In the other direction, west of Nice and not along the coast but in the Luberon Valley, are two other gorgeous towns I'd recommend: Rousillon and Gordes. Both are just stunning - Gordes is atop a big hill and you drive up a long winding road to get there, and it's really charming and French in every way. Beautiful architecture, cathedral, twisty streets, etc. And Rousillon is totally unique in that it's built from the stone from nearby quarries which is blazing red, orange and yellow, so the town is the color of a Hawaiian sunset. Just amazing.

Hope that helps... let me know if you do go, and post some pictures in the Photo Gallery in the Community section of this site!

Jen

Wonderful choice! Cannes is both charming and exciting. Lots of restaurants and cafes, nightlife, shops and stores etc, whatever you want, and although it is expensive if you go to the designer places and top hotels there are lots of alternatives to choose from at a sensible cost. The Beverly Hotel is good. It's central and in a quiet pedestrianised street, not far from La Croisette, Rue Maynadier and Marche Forville.
Tel No 0033 493 063000. Fax 0033 492 986563

New Years Eve is the night of St Sylvest, the restaurants have special menus, which are fantastic, but are much more expensive than the norm.

There are usually firework displays, not too sure about Cannes, but along the coast at Juan les Pins their display on 1st Jan at aprox 6.30pm is magnificent.

If I can be of any further help then please e-mail me.

Blue Skies

Carole

Villefranche, a truly gorgeous place, so pretty from the train but even better when you get into the town. The colours of the sky, sea, rocks, sunshine, palm and plane trees, buildings and the surrounding scenery leave you breathless.

For high sites, try Gourdon, just above Le Bar sur Loup where I live, the views are really magnificent, and if you're in that area then the road to Caussols winds through natural arches in the rocks. It's been used for many adverts and films, you're bound to recognise some of the views.

Blue Skies

Some great information and I'll certainly use it next year when I'm in france.
Catalunya Spain

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