53301CDA
Cote D’Azur
Route Marches
Opening days/times, entrance fees, etc. listed on Yellow Pages.
This includes:
Cannes
Chapelle Rosaire
Eze inc Fragonard
Monaco
Nice
St Paul de Vence inc Maeght
NB: Monaco, Eze, Fragonard is a half day excursion but if you have a touring bus you can alter timings on this excursion according to your schedule. Local half day bus service must end by a set time (check voucher). At busy times consider doing Monaco first (it will be quiet, shops just opening but no traffic or parking problems) and Eze/Fragonard after. Lunch best in Nice or Monaco.
Cannes
If staying in Nice and visiting Cannes, drive to the centre of town. When you can go no further, the Croisette and the Palais des Festivals are over to your left. The driver should turn right and set down opposite the Vieux Port by the square (there is often a Marché Brocante here during the season).
Cannes Bus Drop Off:
The bus cannot wait. Ask the driver to return and pick you up in 2 hours’ time on the opposite side of the road. Give free time.
A popular group excursion is a short cruise – 30 minutes each way out to the Lerins Islands from near where the bus drops you in the old port – see left side of the map below – brilliant no shopping option! 30 minutes each way and at least one hour on the main island, Île Sainte Marguerite (reputed to be where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned – you can visit the prison, it is in the fort which also holds the museum of the sea). Lovely forest and rocky beaches to swim. Good idea for a picnic. Almost nothing over there – great contrast to Cannes. Be careful of sea urchins on the rocks if swimming. Frequent schedule. Adult €18.50 11-25 years €16.50
La Croisette, made world-famous by the film festival, is still the main attraction of Cannes. Suggest that they stroll down La Croisette. Beachside: Palais des Festivals & Esplanade Georges Pompidou. Left hand side are haute couture boutiques and smart hotels (Carlton, Martinez and Majestic).
Shopping – as a general rule the further you walk north of La Croisette, the less expensive the stores become. La Croisette is haute couture, Rue d’ Antibes (one street back and parallel from the Croisette) has many brand names and is less expensive than La Croisette though still pricey. Rue Meynadier has affordable clothes shops and is good for students.
Generally the group does not have enough time to visit La Croisette/shops as well as the old town (opposite direction of La Croisette on other side of port, church visible on hill) – they should choose which they would prefer. Old town (Le Suquet) has small trinket shops as well as some lovely but expensive restaurants. Take Rue St Antoine.
Beaches are nearly all private in Cannes! The nearest section of public beach is just down the Croisette from the Palais des Festivals (when facing the Palais des Festivals, over to your left). Cannes has now added semi-private beach areas where you can rent a deckchair for a few euros and use the changing facilities (about a 10 minute walk from the Palais des Festivals down La Croisette) Best are near bus set down/pick up at old port/ Lerin Islands departure and arrival.
Eze inc Fragonard
The only access to Eze village by coach is via the Moyenne Corniche, which is signposted from the Vieux Port of Nice. Spectacular views. Possible photo stop on the right overlooking Cap Ferrat/Villefranche sur Mer if not already occupied by other vehicles doing the same – do not promise this – it is sometimes not possible.
Toilets are either in Fragonard (free) or just up the steps from the village bus park (fee payable).
Eze Bus Parking
Allow 1 hour for visit to Fragonard & 1 hour for Eze village. It is better to visit Fragonard first and then go up to the village. Turn into the Fragonard entrance by the sign. Drive down the steep hill and the bus stops outside the main building (plenty of free toilets to the right of the entrance). Make a rendezvous before the group gets off the bus for 1hr later. A hostess meets you at the entrance and will take over for the guided tour. Each member of your group will receive a coloured sticker. They can buy perfumes after the tour.
After the visit, ask the driver to take you up to the bus park below Eze village (or, with an energetic group, walk up the steps in the far corner of the bus park). Arrange a rendezvous at the bus 1hr later. The driver should not pay the parking fee, you get a receipt/pass to give the driver when you pay entrances to the Jardins Exotiques at the top of the village.
To access the village, follow the path at the far corner of the bus park (this path takes you past the public toilets and the Tourist Office) and turn right at the end of the path. At the top of the road you will see some steps. Keep going up and eventually you will come to a stone arch which is the entrance to Eze village. Stop on the small square (often a spice seller here) and indicate the way down. Rendezvous after the visit at the bus.
Continue ahead with your group together, under the archway and take the first steps on the right. Follow signs to Jardins Exotiques. Pay entrances and remind group to make their own way down to the bus. Amazing views from the top – a real must if the weather is clear. Amazing collection of cacti too.
Monaco
Route from Monaco to Nice: Some drivers are willing to return via the Basse Corniche. Although picturesque, passing through Villefranche etc, be aware that this journey takes 30 mins extra. It is faster to return the same way on the Moyenne Corniche or via the autoroute (esp. if travelling to Cannes).
You may have to stop on entrance to the Principality and the driver presents his booking (made by the coach company) for the police permit to proceed to the compulsory coach park under the Palace. Follow signs to parking for le Rocher.
Bus Parking Monaco Le Rocher:
Make a rendezvous with the driver for no less than 1 1/4 hrs later. Toilets on level -2 of the bus park (free and ample) and in the gardens below the cathedral (paying and few)
Lead the group up the escalators as far as possible. Then go up further using the elevators at the end of the tunnel ahead of you. Once out of the elevator, turn to your left and take another escalator to get above ground. You will see the YELLOW SUBMARINE of Jacques Cousteau and Beatles fame.
Once above ground the Oceanography Museum is to your left. Make another rendezvous here with the group 10 mins before your rendezvous with the driver so that you can count up before you return to the bus. Tell the group to follow the signs to Musée Oceanographique to return to this point.
Lead the group up the hill past the Museum through the gardens (fine views) following the signs for the Cathedrale (ahead on the right). Exit the gardens at the level of the Cathedral and tell them they will have time to visit it during free time (Princess Grace’s tomb is in the floor on the north/left side of the ambulatory). NB Point out the red path running beside the gardens which leads back to the Oceanography Museum and is slightly quicker than going through the gardens.
Take the road to the left of the Cathedral which leads to the Palace. When facing the Palace, on the far right there are great views of the Casino and harbour. To the left is a tabac and postcard shop.
With the Palace behind you, you see several narrow streets leading away from the square in front of you. These streets are filled with sandwich sellers, restaurants and souvenir shops. The Mairie will stamp groups passports for free. Not at lunch time or Sat/Sun!
Changing of the Guard is at 11.55, although the square gets very packed and it is often difficult to get decent photos! Be there in advance if you can for your guests to be able to find a good spot for a picture. If you are doing this head straight to the square from the Oceonagraphic museum and leave the group to return through the gardens if they want.
Cathedral – tombs of Prince Rainer and Princess Grace (no shorts).
Oceanography Museum formerly directed by Jacques Cousteau (there is usually no time to visit, as you need a minimum of 1½ hours).
Buy a Monégasque stamp for your postcards (tabac by the Palace). Postcards must be posted from orange mailboxes before leaving the Principality (there is one nearby the Oceanography museum).
The Casino: In Monte Carlo. Most groups do not do this but if you have a touring bus and an adult group that wants to visit the Casino, allow 45 minutes. You must be over 21 and respectably dressed. Passport required, fee for tables. (They can play slot machines in the outer lobby (right on entering) for free and without formality and also at the Café de Paris). Security may let you enter the foyer if in small groups and well behaved.
Driver drops you and group under new conference center below Casino gardens. The 3 digit number on your entry permit will be needed to call your bus back. Take group via steps, a tunnel and elevators to the Casino terrace. When you arrive at the Casino Terrace turn left, and walk up stairs. The Casino is over to your right. After the visit, reverse procedure.
Bus Drop-Off Monaco Casino:
For anyone wishing to stay longer in Monaco, there are regular train and bus services back to Nice. Adults can make this an evening excursion.
Nice
If staying in Cannes and visiting Nice, your time will be limited. Your group will probably want to see the old town and do some shopping. The beach is better in Cannes because of the sand. Check with your itinerary/ teacher if they would also like to visit Cimiez, the old Roman settlement and Russian Church. Check General notes.
Driving is problematic because of the tram and many one-way streets. Drop off either on the Quai des États Unis (for the old town) or Ave Verdun on the north side of the Jardins Albert 1er.
Nice Bus Drop Off (Avenue de Verdun):
Best would be the Quai des États Unis but you will have to get off the bus quickly. Some drivers won’t stop here. If they do, from here, walk your group through the archways into the Cours Saleya (centre of the old town). Most mornings there is a wonderful fruit and flower market here UNTIL 1PM except Sundays when it is a flea market.. Also many, many cafes and restaurants. The old town is perfect for exploring. There are loads of little streets full of shops and hidden photo opportunities. Aim for Place Rosetti and Fenocchio’s ice-cream in the old Town Square! Not far, the Cathédrale Sainte Réparate is beautiful too. And really worth going in. Baroque style.
Cimiez is a small village just north east of Nice where Matisse lived and worked and where your group can now visit an olive grove, flower garden, 14th century monastery, Roman arena and baths and see Matisse’s house (now the Matisse Museum).
Get the bus to drop you on the right on the corner by the Arenes (just after the hotel Regina on your left). Arrange to meet your driver 45 mins later in the parking area on the other, upper side of the gardens.
When you get off the bus there is a little gate you can walk through to access the (small) arena. Walk straight through and Matisse’s house will be to your right. Walk in front of it. The extensive Roman baths are down to your right and fantastic photos can be taken from above. Continue through the gardens, left along Ave Dizzy Gillespie (the garden has a jazz theme!) and up some steps which will bring you out by the monastery.
Here give your group some time to wander around the flower garden with its amazing views (to your right), see the monastery and its cemetery (behind it). Matisse is buried here. Meet your bus to your left in the parking bays. The whole thing should take 45mins.
Chapelle Rosaire
The Chapelle du Rosaire (Chapelle Matisse) is a 15-minute drive from St Paul. It is located on the Avenue Matisse, which leads off the D2210 towards St Jeannet and Carros.
The Chapelle Rosaire has undergone a big makeover. It now incorporates a museum and, upstairs, a room full of Vestments designed by Matisse for the clergy using the Chapel.
Arrive at the Chapelle du Rosaire which looks like nothing from outside. You will just see a plain white building and small entrance door. The bus waits in the road outside the entrance.
Prepare the group that they are going to visit a small chapel which is part of a working religious community. Ask them to behave appropriately. Pay entrances and lead the group downstairs to the chapel. You will be received by a guide, (the nun has retired) who will give the group an intro talk in English. The visit lasts about 30 minutes. Afterwards give them some time in the small exhibition area/bookshop.
CALL in advance – booking is necessary. They must be dressed appropriately.
St Paul de Vence inc Fondation Maeght
As you approach St Paul de Vence you will see the village perched on the rock over to your right shortly before arriving at the bus park. No buses are allowed in the village so you must set down on the bus park, located on the left before the village. Make a rendezvous with the driver for departure.
Indicate the direction to the Maeght Foundation – up the hill, away from the main road you have just turned off, take the path on the left and continue to the top of the hill. It is about 15 minutes’ walk from the bus park – great to visit for anyone interested in modern art. If they want to visit the Foundation, advise them that they will not have time to visit St Paul as well.
St Paul de Vence Bus Parking:
To get to St Paul, walk the group down to the main road and then left up the hill.
Take the first road on the right by the bank and opposite the Post Office. There is a public bus stop beyond the Post Office on the other side of the road. Beside the bus stop there are public toilets. (Not the best!)
Walking down the road you pass souvenir shops and the restaurant le Colombe d’ Or is to your left. At the end of the road you reach a large square. It is easier to rendezvous here with the group after 1 hour, as opposed to at the bus. Here there are often Pétanque tournaments and a market at the weekends.
There is one main street that leads through St Paul de Vence and down to the cemetery at the far end with the tomb of painter Marc Chagall. (He is on the right-hand side just after the entrance)
Plenty of art galleries inside those little streets. Suggest that they walk along the ramparts for great views of the surrounding area (the best views can be found if you bear left at the Porte Royale and walk clockwise) and the façades of some houses which are beautifully decorated with flowers.