Day Trips from Cannes

Cannes Travel Guide - Day trips from Cannes

The best way to travel along the Cote d'Azur is by train. St Raphaël in the west and all stations east to Menton are easily done in a day. One can hop on and off the trains as well - don't miss Villefranche sur Mer. Combining the train and a bus ride make some inland towns, such as St Paul de Vence, very accessible.

There is also a train from Nice, called train de merveilles, which goes north through the stunning Roya Valley - eventually to Cunéo in Italy.

Another train from Nice - going to Digne - is a great day trip for visiting towns difficult to reach by road. This train leaves from Gare CP, very near the main Nice station. Long awaited new rolling stock has finally arrived for the Nice- Digne line. This scenic railway winds its way through the mountains via 32 tunnels and across 500 bridges reaching at its highest point 1,823m. The journey takes three hours 25 minutes. Because the train is heavily used by schoolchildren, the work on the tracks is to be carried out during the school holidays. NB This summer there is a bus service between Nice and Lingostiere. Shame really.

Tip: Either buy your rail tickets the day before or leave plenty of time to purchase them on the day. Oldies - over 60 in France - get reduced fares by the way.

...even to Italy

Every Friday there is an enormous market in Ventimiglia in Italy well worth visiting, one stop beyond Menton.

The other way to go to Ventimiglia is by luxury coach for 29€. Door to door - the coach picks you up at your hotel or appartment - it's much cheaper than a taxi.

This company Autocars Musso also provides a number of tours, including a half day to the grottos of St Cézaire for 32€.

In summer there is a daily Rando bus, 5 euros return, that takes you up into the back country. Leaving from Nice, destinations include La Colmiane, St Dalmas-le-Selvage and Valberg. Ideal for those who like hiking or just to visit the Alps. See www.cg06.fr

...and the islands and beyond

Day trips by ferry are great and the boats go from Cannes, quai Labeuf, to the Iles de Lérins, Monaco and St Tropez throughout the summer. The other route to St Trop is by train to St Raphaël and then by bus. If you must go by car in the summer – it’s hell actually – drive to Ste Maxime and take a boat to St Tropez.

Have fun.

The Folly Too, moored in the Old Port, is a 14 meter sailboat which offers excursions at 10.30am and 6.30pm for 81 euros pp including a meal and wine. The captain's wife and cook, Joyce, is English. On board you get to work and play. A great day out. Tel: 04 93 43 48 80 or go to www.rent-follytoo-boat.com

It is also available for cruising. It takes 12 for day trips and eight for cruises.

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