2 days, south france with kids...

[jaymanek]

Hi all,

Advice please.

We only have a full day Sat, Sun and half Day Monday. Staying in a place called Sainte Maxime which is near St Tropez.

We have two kids and are hiring a Mini convertible. Thinking drive to monaco for one of the days and the other day spend in St Tropez which is nearer?

On way to Monaco, we would be driving past Nice & Cannes but obviously not enough time to do it all...

Any suggestions?

Is Nice/Cannes better for a day out than Monaco? Just really fancied driving around monaco with my boys!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I know Ste Maxime.

I wouldn't bother driving to St Tropez as the traffic can be mental, there is a cheap boat taxi from harbour to harbour that takes something like 20 mins and is more fun plus you can have some extra wine with lunch!
The watch shops in St Trop are worth a look as is a mental shop called Billionaire, they didn't like me laughing at those silly loafers that look like my Gran's slippers in there.

I have enjoyed driving along the prom at Cannes but that was during the film festival so plenty more to see, never bothered with Monaco but you might like it if you are a F1 fan.

Ste Maxime is a good base but there's not much to see or do really except enjoy the weather and the harbour.

 

[st13phil]

As lewyboy says, the traffic around St Tropez is absolutely mental and you'll likely spend more time getting hot and annoyed in stationary queues than doing anything else. There are some lovely places along the coast but frankly, on a weekend this time of year, the coast road in either direction from Ste Maxime will be pretty rammed.

My personal advice would be to head north from Ste Maxime on the N555 through Draguignan to Comps-sur-Artuby and then turn west on the D71 along the Route de la Corniche Sublime. This is a spectacular drive along the top of the Gorges du Verdon (often known as "the French Grand Canyon"). Depending on time, you could either continue up to Saint-Clair and drive back along the other side of the gorge before heading back south, or turn south on the D957 back south to Aups and Lorgues on the way back to Ste Maxime.

 

[markmifsud]

I was never sure of why people even bothered with St Tropez, its just a small village with a boat harbour. Bored me to tears when I went there.

 

[bh13coupe]

St Maxine is on the far end on the Cote D'azur Strip. St Tropez is a traffic Jam fest for sure. Monaco is a tad limited for doing stuff but u can do the GP circuit and have a drink in Cafe De Paris in Casino sq. there is an underground carpark directly opposite which is handy. I would also recommend Antibes as a stop off back from Monaco, plenty of restaurants and Port Vauban has some of the best Yachts close to hand. Its relatively Oligarch free compared to Monaco which is a bonus.

 

[Harrythedog]

There's a small place just along from St Maxime called Port Grimeaud, a sort of mini Venice which is ok for a night out with the kids. Nice and Cannes have lovely sea fronts but I'd choose Monaco as there is loads to see in a short walking distance but don't be afraid of heights on the motorway drive.
Nice perfume factory at Grasse just off the motorway north of Nice if your lass fancies some posh perfume.

 

[whitenemesis]

Monaco is a great place to visit. Yes, you can drive the GP circuit along with thousands of others, many in very exotic cars..

But why not visit the Japanese gardens? A very tranquil interlude in an otherwise mad place. Or The Exotic Gardens and the Observation Cave? Well worth the effort as is the Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection and Palace gardens with the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology just across the square.

Spent many a happy day in Monaco, never driven in though, it's always very busy roads. We helicopter in from Nice airport.

 

[Darrell]

Loved the S of F.

We went every year as kids for the entire 6 week holiday.

We would go down together in the car, my dad would stay a week and then fly home and then he would come back for the last week and we would all drive back together.

We stayed in Antibes but we did the whole of the Cote. Every time we went to Monaco it rained!

Magical and happy times with many good memories.

 

[Darrell]

Monaco is a great place to visit. Yes, you can drive the GP circuit along with thousands of others, many in very exotic cars.. But why not visit the Japanese gardens? A very tranquil interlude in an otherwise mad place. Or The Exotic Gardens and the Observation Cave? Well worth the effort as is the Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection and Palace gardens with the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology just across the square. .

Because he has 2 young kids!

 

[whitenemesis]

Because he has 2 young kids!

Children love watching changing the guard? They love Dinosaurs? Exploring caves?

 

[Darrell]

It was the Japanese gardens bit and a museum.

 

[MD5]

Any suggestions?

Is Nice/Cannes better for a day out than Monaco? Just really fancied driving around monaco with my boys!

Jay, going round the "circuit" at Monaco is one of those memorable experiences, rekindled every time you watch the Grand Prix, or anything else from Monaco for that matter. As you can drive through both Nice and Cannes to get there, you may decide that they have more of interest for an earlier return to stop off on the way back (via the coast road for the beautiful views). Cannes would be my choice for a late afternoon/early evening meal, depending on the kids needs, time wise. The whole coast line is beautiful, so it's all good.

A good suggestion to use the ferry for St Tropez in relation to traffic, as is a visit to Port Grimaud, but taxis aren't brilliant. Too much to choose from in just two days!

 

[jaymanek]

Thanks all, thats very helpful.

What would the traffic be like from Ste Maxime to Monaco? Is it a nice run? I am with 2 young kids. Maps says its a 1.5 hour drive?
Most likely we would do this on the Sunday.

Stop half way, Cannes maybe, on return leg for dinner.

Looking forward to it.. wish we could have taken more time off, but not possible currently...

 

[st13phil]

What would the traffic be like from Ste Maxime to Monaco? Is it a nice run? I am with 2 young kids. Maps says its a 1.5 hour drive?
Most likely we would do this on the Sunday.

That would be on the inland route, using the motorway. If you're more interested in the destination than the drive there it's ok. I'd suggest taking a look tomorrow on Google Maps with the traffic option turned on - it'll give you a good idea of what to expect. I looked just now, and if you're on the coast road it doesn't look like fun

 

[jaymanek]

probably take the motorway route just to get there!

 

[Piff]

Jay, going round the "circuit" at Monaco is one of those memorable experiences, rekindled every time you watch the Grand Prix, or anything else from Monaco for that matter. As you can drive through both Nice and Cannes to get there, you may decide that they have more of interest for an earlier return to stop off on the way back (via the coast road for the beautiful views). Cannes would be my choice for a late afternoon/early evening meal, depending on the kids needs, time wise. The whole coast line is beautiful, so it's all good.

A good suggestion to use the ferry for St Tropez in relation to traffic, as is a visit to Port Grimaud, but taxis aren't brilliant. Too much to choose from in just two days!

This would be my choice. Although have done it many times before (have stayed in Ste Maxime once and on a camp site between Ste Maxime & Port Grimaud several times - The bay is excellent for water-skiing early morning & late evening!)