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Monaco/Monte Carlo
Travel there and back by train - don't forget the discount if you're over 60 - you will have to ask to get it.
When leaving the train cross over the tracks via the bridge and out through the doors near the foot of the bridge. Walk down to the road and you will find yourself on the sea front near the swimming pool - made famous by the Grand Prix commentators.
You will be able to see Monaco old city on the top of a promontory to your right. To get to it walk along to its base and you will find a road and a path going up. Walk up the path.
The royal palace is at the top. There is a "Petite Train" which starts on the road outside the museum nearer the tip of the promontory. This will give you a complete tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo including virtually all of the Grand Prix circuit.
Another spectacular location is the Jardin Exotique which is a "garden" of enormous cacti and succulents planted on the side of a cliff with paths winding down and up it. At the lowest level there is also a cave (grotte) that is very well worth visiting.
Grasse "Perfume Capital of the World"
Catch a bus from the bus station in Antibes or train from Cannes plus free shuttle (Navette Gratuite) up to the town.
To see - the old town and perfume museums.
To get to the perfume manufacturers go down the road towards Cannes, you will find Molinari there.
Haute-de-Cagnes
This is a "perched" village i.e. built on a rocky outcrop. There are a dozen or so of these on the Côte d'Azur.
Take the 200 towards Nice and get off at the bus station in Cagnes-sur-Mer which is half way between Antibes and Nice.
At the bus station you can catch a free shuttle bus (navette gratuite) up to the chateau at the top of the village. Be careful to leave the bus at right place or you will start coming down again.
You can gain entry to the chateau (closed at lunchtime) and the view from the top of the chateau is spectacular.
St Paul de Vence
This is another perched village, larger than Cagnes and very attractive.
It houses artists and a few restaurants.
Travel on the 200 bus to Cagnes gare (railway station) walk the way the bus is going and cross over the road. You will catch a bus from the bus stop there to St Paul.
St. Raphael/Fréjus
St Raphael is a very pleasant, and cheap, train journey away. The town is relatively modern with a beautiful, wide, sandy beach with comprehensive water sports available.
If you walk along the sea front towards the west you will come to Port Fréjus which is very modern with many boats.
The old town of Fréjus is further inland and it is possible to walk there from Port Fréjus, but you might prefer to return to St Raphael bus station (next to the railway station) to catch a bus.
Fréjus has many interesting features including 2 Roman amphitheatres.
Île Ste Margeurite & Île St Honorat
Boat trip to the island. During the season from Jean-les-Pins beach otherwise from the far side of Golfe Juan marina. This island is covered in trees, mainly parasol pines, and can be cooler than the mainland. There is a fort designed by Vauban where you will disembark from the boat and it is here that you will also find a restaurant with gorgeous views towards Cannes and the Esterel mountains.
There is a boat service to Île St Honorat from where you disembark/embark from the Juan les Pins boat.
Friday - Ventemiglia, Italy
The terminus of the French train that goes through Nice and Monte Carlo is here in Italy. It's a lovely journey. There is a large outdoor market along the sea front selling designer labels at what I am told are very good prices.
Spirits are cheap here.
The old town across the estuary is worth a look although it is totally untouristy.
On the way back you might stop off at Menton which is a beautiful town.
La Napoule
A beautiful mediaeval castle sits on the edge of the coast. An American restored it from ruins in the early 20th century. It can be visited and access is from the coast road at the far end of the marina. There is a large car park next to the bridge over the first river estuary.
Saturday - La Bocca (Cannes)
Next to La Poste, Av Francis Tonner, a large market with a food section.
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