Solo Female Travel to Nice

I am planning to do some travel in Europe by myself next month, and was wondering if there is anything I need to know about Nice (safety wise) before I go.

I am a 24 year old married female, and will be traveling, likely, 100% solo.

Are there any areas to avoid in Nice, or anything that you would really recommend for a solo traveler to see or do? I like socializing, but don%26#39;t like it when men are too forward (as I am married and not interested in romance, at all, obviously). Just friendly conversation, especially at restaurants and bars would be super helpful. I am straight, but don%26#39;t care if a place is focused to gay/straight whatever crowds or clientele, so long as they are friendly.

I like meeting lots of different kinds of people, but unfortunately barely speak any Italian and Spanish, and NO French thus far. Can you suggest a few helpful phrases?

I thought I heard something about a female-only beach from a friend. Any idea where this is located or if it actually exists?

As this will be just a small part of 12 weeks of (getting expensive) travel in Europe, I%26#39;d like suggestions for affordable, safe, and good accommodations in Nice. Looking for 4 nights from 24 June 2009. I won%26#39;t be splitting the cost with anyone else on this leg, so I am hoping to spend less than $75 per night if possible. I am willing to visit hostels with female dorms, but can%26#39;t seem to find any available for those days :( B%26amp;Bs, budget hotels, and apartments also welcome!

Thank you for your help!

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Your questions suggest a degree of anxiety about this trip, but relax, Nice is a safe and female-friendly place, and you do not have any reason for concern. There is a large proportion of English-speakers among its many visitors and more than a few Americans. (I know as I can usually hear them, even from a distance!)

If you eat out in the popular Zone Pietone I%26#39;ve often ended up in conversation with fellow diners. Its a friendly atmosphere. There are %26quot;pubs%26quot; in the Cours Saleya and Rue de la Prefecture which are popular with the younger crowd, a lot of %26quot;girly-weekend%26quot; groups and again a lot of English spoken. (As for pushy men, the expression %26quot;go away%26quot; is generally well understood)

Whilst polite greeting locals in French (Bonjour, Merci etc) goes a long way, don%26#39;t raise their expectations - if they think you speak reasonable French you will immediately get a stream of unintelligable fast French back. In these circumstances nod vigourously with a %26quot;d%26#39;accord, a%26#39;accord%26quot; - I agree - it should get you out of trouble.

The only single sex beach I have come across is for naked men, at Golfe Juan, so otherwise I can%26#39;t help other than to say it is not necessary here - everything beachwise is friendly relaxed and a mix of couples, singles, families, kids, and babies.You won%26#39;t be bothered.

$75 a night will easily get you a room of your own in a two star hotel - pretty basic, but its just a room, and not the Hilton. There are lots to choose from, but we%26#39;ve used the Crillon in Pastorelli - very central, safe, and basic but low cost. Peronally I would avoid hotels around the immediate area of the railway station, as they are a little sleazy, like most cities. A good central hostel is

Les Camélias 3, rue Spitalieri 06000 email: nice-camelias@fuaj.org

Happy travels - should be warming up nicely!

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There isan%26#39;t anywhere specifically to avoid- Nice s a very safe city for women [or men] just take the usual precautions you would take anywhere, don%26#39;t get visibly drunk, don%26#39;t flash money around or use cash machines late at night , walk on the main streets rather than taking short cuts.

The tram runs till about 2am and is very safe , also the tram route is a good route to follow if walking home as its really well lit.

As far as being hassled is concerned,well France is not like parts of Italy where men will shout and stare and grope.

French men might speak or ask you for a coffee but a polite %26#39;non merci%26#39; suffices.

Saying %26#39;I%26#39;m married %26#39; generally gets an %26#39;i don%26#39;t mind %26#39; reply from the guy btw.

The station area is improving all the time - its quite safe but because it was a run down area [though the buildings are getting refurbished now] and there are a couple of sex shops foreigners often found it a bit offputting

My parents [late 60s early 70s and frankly quite prim and proper and not at all street-wise ] always stay near the train station when the visit us and never have any problems walking around at night

I%26#39;ve lost track of how many times they have visited Nice but its a lot.

I walk home alone regularly and never see any trouble or have any hassle - though i did once get asked to go salsa dancing, I just took it as a compliment .

I don%26#39;t worry about my teenage daughter coming home on her own -0except for the usual mum worries if you see what i mean.

I%26#39;ve never heard of an all female beach in the area- but them I%26#39;ve never looked for one.

A lot of women go topless, the only people who would openly stare are tourists . Topless sunbathing isn%26#39;t compulsory either.

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I was there last weekend with some friends, but got seperated after leaving a bar and was set upon by four guys. Luckily I managed to %26quot;fend%26quot; them off and got back to a busier street.

It can happen anywhere, so just make certain you know who%26#39;s around you especially in the windy back streets of the old town.

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Hi! I%26#39;m also travelling on my own for month so need to keep costs down. Thanks very much to above posts for helpful advice - except I actually hope people DO ask me out for coffee ha ha ha. My last 2 trips I didnt meet anyone except some married couples and the 2 ferry boys on the way over to Capri!! I gotta try harder! LOL

Anyway, I booked Hotel Rex in Nice at EUR50 a night. It has some good reviews on this site and old exteriors dont worry me as long as room is clean and tidy.

www.hotel-rex.com. Cant get better placed than Rue Massena for that price!

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Fingers crossed, Yasmine- hope you get loads of the coffee invitations.

As an addendum to the stuff about the station area, a new Monop%26#39; - a mini monoprix shop is going to open across from the station - i saw a lot of the shopfitting had been done when i passed yesterday so it can only be a few weeks away at most

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Good to know Yasmine I won%26#39;t be the only single travelling to Nice.For me,a 3 week stay - albeit a single male 50+!

Though my 2 daughters will be each with me over 2 out of the 3 weeks I%26#39;m sure they will want their own time also,it had crossed my mind about how to fill that time too.Definitely coffee,LOL

As Selkie says,fingers crossed!

Have a great holiday.

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rykar - fingers crossed for you too =]

Nice - Cannes- St Tropez - which order?

hi everyone!! We%26#39;re planning to fly into Nice for a day or 2, then go to either Cannes or St. Tropez for a day or 2, then the other (Cannes or St Tropez) for a day or 2 and then go back to Nice to fly back.

I%26#39;ve looked into buses, trains, and ferries and I don%26#39;t know what the best way would be to see all 3 and the best order (we don%26#39;t want to rent a car). I thought we could do the ferry to St Tropez, then ferry to Cannes then bus to Nice??

Also, We will be going the first weekend of september - Will all the beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife still be open?

Thanks for all of your help!!!

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The day ferries from Nice or Cannes to St Tropez only offer day return fares.If you are planning to stay overnight in St Tropez it might be better to take the train to St Raphael and a ferry to St Tropez from there- St Raphael boats offer single fares.

On the way back from St Tropez, take a ferry to St Raphael and then a train to Cannes.

Everything will still be open at the beginning of September. It%26#39;s a nice time to go because the big crowds will have left but there%26#39;s still plenty going on.

Would suggest the train from Cannes to Nice as the bus is very slow and the journey more scenic by rail.

Enjoy!

Artwork as carry on ?

We fly out of cdg Paris on June 2nd to Chicago. I bought a large oil painting on canvas which is rolled up. I am unable to put it inside my check-in luggage because it is a little long and won%26#39;t fit. Since I have to take it as a carry on, do you think anyone at the airport might object maybe because it is oil on canvas or due to its size? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge. Thanks for your help!

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As long as it%26#39;s in the 30-36 inch range (I assume it%26#39;s in a tube?) I wouldn%26#39;t think you would have a problem - certainly, not because it%26#39;s a painting, or in oil/acrylic. I have carried things like that several times, although not quite that size. Alternatively, the gallery (if you bought through a gallery) might be willing to arrange to ship it.

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Thanks for replying! Actually it is 36 inches and yes it is rolled in tube. I just checked United%26#39;s website and it says ..

%26quot;should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm)%26quot;

I am hoping that we should be fine because it is well under 45%26quot;.

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We brought home tubes with posters inside on Air France and no one said a word

Paris arrondisements

We will be in Paris the first week of August. We are thinking of staying in the Latin Quarter in 5e or 6e.

What is this area like ? Is it better to stay by the Louvre?I would like to walk to some cafes for informal eating, be close to a metro etc. Any suggestions woiuld be a big help. We haven%26#39;t been to Paris in 10 years.

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I think you will enjoy the 5th or 6th (and le Louvre is within walking distance). There are a good number of cafés and the area is animated in the evenings. If you have not already chosen a hotel, the %26quot;Paris Hotels%26quot; link in the upper left portion of this page is a good place for ideas.

Everywhere in Paris is near a Métro station so public transportation is always convenient.

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Everyone will have their favourite arrondissement of Paris. For first timers, the 1st to the 7th are probably the best. Near to the Seine.

Everywhere is close to metros, it is the best transport system in the world! Cafes etc all over wherever you are..

1st. Big shops. Opera Garnier. Louvre. Palais Royal. Tourists, French people working. Expensive. Posh hotels Ritz.

2nd Love it! my favourite. More french people fewer tourists. Rue montorgieul market street. Handy to get anywhere in the city. Walk to river.

3rd and 4th. The Marias. also love it. Tourists. shops , narrow streets. lots of museums and houses to visit. Place des Vosges. ( wonderful square) near Bastille. Walk to Notre dame across the ile de st Louis in the centre of the Seine.

6th is full of tourists, cafes, bars,shops etc. Near Notre Dame, the river. Lots going on day and night. Musee d%26#39;orsay Louvre just across the river. Expensive tourist prices. Personally would prefer somewhere else.

5th also lots going on, lots of students and their parents, as near Sorbonne. Mouffetard market street. Panthenon. Luxemberg gardens. Still easy to get anywhere.

7th. Quieter but not dead, Overshadowed by Eiffel tower. Ecole militare. More upmarket. More Parisiens. Still tourists.plenty cafes and shops. Rue Cler. market street.

Denise

Love from England

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Have a look at the Henri IV Rive Gauche. It gets consistently good reviews here on TA and the location cannot be beat. It%26#39;s near the river, the metro, the RER as well as numerous good restaurants.

http://www.henri-paris-hotel.com/

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Thanks you all for so much input. We stayed very far out in Vanves 10 years ago and I want to be closer to everything. What are the best markets to shop in and when?

Thanks from Cin

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My favorite open air (farmer%26#39;s) market is on the Avenue Saxe, the Saxe-Bruteuil Market. It, and three others, are listed here...

www.parismarkets.net/Saxe-Breteuil.html

You must do some planning as these markets are only open on certain days of the week. The Saxe-Bruteuil is Sat and Thurs.

hth

Pjk

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Here is a list of all the markets in Paris.

www.v1.paris.fr/EN/Living/markets/markets.asp

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Another list of all food markets as well as other specialty markets:

paris.angloinfo.com/information/6/markets.asp

Paris cdg airport to disney - best option/price??

we arrive paris charles de gaulle on 17 july at 10 am and leave on the 19th at 10pm - what would be the best option (convenience and cost) to travel to and from eurodisney at this time of day for 4 people with some luggage?

many thanks

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Here are the options from CDG to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (Disneyland)

1. TGV

(non refundable fares vary depending upon departure time from 15€ to 30€)

Travel time 9-10 minutes, last departure about 9:55 p.m.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

depart: AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV (95) arrive: MARNE LA VALLEE CHESSY (77)

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2. Bus (VEA)

http://www.vea.fr/uk/index.asp

Adults – 17€, children under 12 – 13€

Departures every 20 minutes from 8:55 a.m. until 8:05 p.m. except:

Until 8:25 p.m. on Monday %26amp; Thursday

Plus 10:25 p.m. on Friday

Plus 9:55 p.m. on Sunday

Travel time about 1 hour

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3. RER (train/métro)

http://www.ratp.com/

RER Line B towards Chatelet-Les Halles; change to Line A for Marne-La Vallee/Disneyland

This is probably the cheapest option (about 14€) but it can take up to 2 hours.

__________

4. Shuttle

http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/

Private shuttle from 1 to 8 people – 60€ to 100€

Shared ride from 1 to 8 people – 45€ to 12.50€ per person

http://www.shuttle-inter.com/

Private shuttle from 1 to 3 people – 70€

Private shuttle 4 to 8 people – 75 to 110€

Travel time about 1 hour

Reliability varies

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5. Taxi

http://www.taxisg7.com/

Convenient but can be expensive

Travel time about 1 hour

Cost estimate: 75€+

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Most hotels have transportation from DLP/Chessy. There is a free %26quot;pink shuttle bus%26quot; that connects a large number of hotels in the area. This free shuttle can be very crowded and difficult to board at times, particularly with luggage and children.

7 Days in France

I have 7 days to spend in France and I am trying to decide if it would be better to spend the whole time in Paris with a few day trips or spend 3-4 days in Paris and then go to the south of France (Avignon/Nice) for 3 days? Is there enough in Paris to keep us occupied for a whole week?

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There is enough to keep you occupied an entire month in Paris.

I recommend either staying in Paris the entire time (taking a day trip or two) or spending 4 days there and 3 days somewhere such as the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Brittany, or perhaps Provence but to where you will need to travel after these 7 days is a very important factor in determining the best choice.

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There%26#39;s probably enough to keep you occupied for a whole year! I personally think you should spend the week in Paris, and save the south of France for another trip. But that%26#39;s just me.

What are you interested in? You name it, they%26#39;ve got it in Paris.

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Sarastro we posted at the same time :-)

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just came back from paris...spent a total of five days....my guess...it could take you over a month to cover the whole of paris and that%26#39;s being very very conserative......but...as far as the the ambiance, the environment and the attitude of Paris...you would have to basically move there to cover it all off :-)...guess you get the drift....spend the whole 7 in paris....you%26#39;d regret leaving for anywhere else...and 7 days is not an suitable amount of time cause you%26#39;ll feel like you been traveling all along.

Enjoy!!

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%26lt;%26lt;Sarastro we posted at the same time :-)%26gt;%26gt;

Just we did, but I think you are right about the one year to see all of Paris.

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Stay in Paris the whole time. It takes a couple of days to get settled in and over your jet-lag. Having to pack up again and travel after just a few days is a drag. Spending more time in Paris will allow you to discover this wonderful city at a more leisurely pace instead of running around trying to see the major sites quickly. I was just there for 6 days with my kids. I wish it had been 6 weeks!

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Thank you so much for your help. My husband and I will be there to celebrate our 11 year anniversary. I think we are going to stay in Paris the whole week based on everyone%26#39;s advice. I want to take a day trip to Bruges and maybe some other nearby places but still be able to roam around Paris without being too rushed. Thanks again!

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There certainly are those who venture to Bruges for the day but there are others who consider the distance too great to travel to and from in a single day.

Here is a list of day trips from Paris which you may want to consider:

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Giverny

http://giverny.org/gardens/

Open daily except Mondays from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm from April 1st to October 31st

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Vaux-le-Vicomte

http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/

Open from March 15th to November 9th from 10.00 am to 06.00 pm, last admission at 5.30 pm

RER D to Melun

Shuttle (3.50€) or taxi (15€ to 19€) from Melun station

Entrance: from 14€

__________

Chantilly

http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/

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Fontainebleau

http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/

Take SNCF train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon in the direction of Montargis Sens and disembark at Gare de Fontainebleau Avon

Fare 9.40€

En route time 1+02

http://www.transilien.com

From Gare de Fontainebleau-Avon, take Aérial bus line A to Château

Fare: 1.40€

Buses every 15 mintues.

Entrance fee: 8€

Students: 6€

Free entry the first Sunday of each month

Entrance plus one hour guided tour (in French only): 11€

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Provins

http://www.provins.net/

Low Season

Open from January 2nd to March 21st and from November 3rd to December 31th 2008:

Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekends %26amp; public holidays from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

High Season

From March 22nd to November 2nd :

Daily from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m..

General closure December 25th and January 1st

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Versailles

http://www.chateauversailles.fr/

RER C: direction Versailles-Rive-Gauche-château

Gare Montparnasse: SNCF train serving Versailles-Chantiers

Gare Saint-Lazare: SNCF train direction Versailles-rive-droite

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Chartres

sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cath…

http://www.mymaze.de/chartres_technisch_e.htm

http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/

__________

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We took a day trip to Bruges and Brussels. It%26#39;s really worth it. Save it for the end. After all the visitors traffic in Paris, Bruges will be so calm and serene and a good break. You%26#39;ll be thankful.

Oh and dont miss Versailles. It%26#39;s about a 45 minute train ride from Paris and the palace is marvellous. Its a master piece. Dont miss it at all!!! They have the musical fountain show sometime in the evening - check out the time before you go. You%26#39;ll need a whole day there. You could probably have a romantic dinner or go to the Eiffel tower after that.

My husband and I did in 5 days Paris, 1 day Versailles , 1 day Bruges and Brussels last year. We would have liked to spend more time in Paris and Belgium - but with the time we had, it was perfect. Bruges is much more beautiful than Brussels.

Have a fun trip!! I am so jealous :)

Happy anniversary!

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I really do want to go to Bruges so it is nice to hear from someone who thinks the trip is worth it. I will check out all of the other great ideas for days trips though. I just bought my tickets today. We leave on October 11th. Now I have to brush up on my high school French (which was 18 years ago). I wonder what I can remember.

Itinerary help... Paris/London/English Countryside/Amsterdam

Suggestions on Itinerary and best way to get from one to the other would be greatly appreciated. We have been to London. Would like to see Paris this time and possibly include Amsterdam or Brussels?Also want to see some of the countryside in England. Wondering if may be better to concentrate on Paris with day trips to countryside then do England/London and skip Amsterdam. Just thought we could include as not too long of a train ride. We have about 14 days. Thanks...

Robin

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I would have thought two weeks would be enough to see all of the above, or alternately you could have a longer holiday in one of two places, it just depends what you want to do.

Them ore I go to Paris the longer my visits get, so you could easily have a week to ten days there alone, but equally it can be visited for just three or four days and you can see quite a lot.

What part of England do you want to see? Obviously, we have quite a large amount of %26#39;countryside%26#39; - North Yorkshire, Devon, the Norfolk broads, Dorset and the Jurassic Coast, Cornwall,and the Peak District amongst lots of others and Scotland and Wales have a lot, too!

I went to Amsterdam last November and feel that I got a good feel for the city and saw a lot in the space of four days, but then again I know people that go again and again.

So, it all depends, and would need to factor in how far you planning to travel in the UK, as well.

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Hi there, from Paris it is very easy to get to Amsterdam or Brussels.

Amsterdam is cerainly worth a visit, but I would strongly recommend Brugges over Brussels for its exceptionally preserved middle-age atmosphere.

Both cities are just a few hours by train, but it would be too long for a day trip, so maybe you should plan a few nights nights in each.

Enjoy your trip !

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If you fly open jaw, it%26#39;s fine. Amsterdam to Paris is a 4 hour train ride that goes through Brussels.

Amsterdam - 2 days in Amsterdam and 1 or 2 day trips to other Dutch cities (The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft.....).

Belgium - check your bags at the station in Brussels, take an overnight bag and go to Bruges and Ghent. There is a lot more to see in those two small towns than Brussels or Antwerp. Take a late train into Paris (this is the high-speed train, so you won%26#39;t see much anyway, I believe it takes about 1-1/4 hours).

Now you have 8-9 days left. I would stay in Paris. Actually I would just spend the 14 days in Paris (smile), but taking 4-6 days to see the Low Countries, if you%26#39;ve never been, would be nice.

If you very much want to return to London (I don%26#39;t think the train ride is long), you could spend less time in Paris, or skip the Low Countries.

I think 5 days is an absolute minimum for Paris and I don%26#39;t think there is another city in Europe that has so much to offer the visitor.

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If you do want to see some of the countryside in the north of England, like the lake district or north Yorkshire, fly easyjet to Liverpool and hire a car.

Eurostar only goes to London in the south, a long way from the beautiful countryside of the north.

Whenever I%26#39;m in Paris people assume I come by Eurostar, they don%26#39;t realise that for me, living in the north of England, it%26#39;s quicker and cheaper to get to Paris than to get to London.

Denise

Love from England

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PS. Forgot to mention, if you want to go to Yorkshire you could fly to Leeds.

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Thanks to all who took the time to share your thoughts and info. I have a strong desire to visit the Peak district. Would also like to visit York. Not sure if we will have time to make it up to the Lake District. Someone mentioned Easy Jet to me as an alternative to the train as it may be cheaper and faster. Definetly want to include Paris and figured 4-5 days which would give us an opportunity for a day trip. I have a cousin who resides in Lyon. Don%26#39;t know how far it is from Paris? He may end up meeting us in Paris. We want to do Paris, London and English Countryside. Only if we have time...include Amsterdam or Brussels...if worth the trip this time around. Considered these as possible add ons... since seems so close. My concern is how to go from one to the other and best way to do it. Presently flying into Paris and flying out of London. Any suggestions??

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I would suggest you fly easyjet from Paris CDG to Liverpool £50 -£60 return if you get the right flights.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp

You can hire a car and visit the Peak district in Derbyshire, it is not far away from Liverpool. The Peak district would be difficult to visit by public transport. You will need an overnight stay.

You could then get the train from Manchester Picadilly to London Euston. 2hours 10 mins.

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/default.aspx

Second class is cheap one way. The prices are only released twelve weeks beforehand. If you wait until around six weeks beforehand you can book first class for around £35. I always travel this way to London.

You could then catch the eurostar from London back to Paris or catch a cheap flight to Amsterdam or Brussels. Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2 are all British budget airlines. Just google cheap flights from London to wherever.

Denise

Love from England

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Just another thought. I know that the USA is a very large country and to you Americans places in Europe seem close together compared to the US, but here it is considered a LONG way from Paris to London to Brussels to Amsterdam, It%26#39;s all relative. I would not dream of attempting to do all this in two weeks.

Better to spend a week in Paris and a week in England. Also don%26#39;t forget you will already be jetlagged!

Although the train ride from Manchester is only two hours ten minutes, it can take me another one and a half hours in traffic to get to Manchester Piccadilly in traffic or stood up on the train and I only live 12 miles north. We are a small island with a lot of people, crowded roads and not a very good train system.