We are planning our first trip to the south of France for spring 2010. We have one son who will be 3 1/2 at that point (April May). We want to explore the coast by train, swim at the beach, take a boat to Corsica and relax.
Is Villefranche suitable for that? Is the beach good? Will there be any restaurants we can eat in with a well- behaved 3 year old? What other activities can you recommend?
We do not need a hotel but are planning to stay somewhere via www.homeaway.com
Thank you!
Christine
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Our daughter, husband and their 5 %26amp; 2 year olds are making their first visit to our flat in Villefranche at the moment and say that the children are enjoying the beach so much that they have postponed visiting other places. No sign so far of the jelly fish that sometimes cause problems along the Riviera. They have eaten in three restaurants without any problem.
Be careful renting. The address Villefrance extends some miles from the seafront. The old town is where you want to be.
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Hank you for your response. And you actually answered another question- should we rent a home with a pool. Sounds like it%26#39;s not necessary if it%26#39;s close to the beach. It seems like the flats with pools are a bit higher up in the hills.
One of the places that we are considering is in the Villa San Remi. Is that in the Old Town? Thank you again.
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Villefranche or Cap Ferrat are ideal for children, just be sure to be in the village area not on some hillside away from town. Kids will love it - very user friendly.
Corsica is also great - lots of open space and empty beaches if you get out of the main towns.
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Hi Chris,
Notice you are planning to visit Villefranche in April or May 2010.
The beach at Villefranche is not naturally sandy- the sand top coat is usually delivered May time.
Your 3 year old might enjoy the beach most if you try to arrive after the sand does. The water will be warmer for swimming too:)
Also, the later in the year that you time your visit, the greater the chance of everything, restaurants etc. being open.
Corsica has miles of naturally sandy beaches and is a great place to relax especially in low season.
Enjoy
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Don%26#39;t know Villa San Remi but the vast majority of detached homes are on what mdbasile describes as %26#39;some hillside%26#39;. I suggest you get the address and check it on the map. Hills around Villefranche are much steeper than they appear in photographs, so even a shortish walk can be challenging for some people.
Property close to the beach is almost certain to have no pool or to be very expensive. In April the sea will be cool for swimming, April around 57F, May 62, August 80. If a lot of swimming in warm water is your main priority, I would advise the pool but if you are mainly after a sight seeing holiday find an apartment close to the sea and to the station/ bus stop.
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Thank you for the great advice! I%26#39;ve started asking if the rentals are in old town and now that I know, I can tell from the photos if they are or not. We%26#39;re also looking more into May so it%26#39;ll be just a bit warmer. Thank you again!
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I am glad I found this thread! We too will be in Villefranche in early May 2010 when our cruise ship tenders there. We were going to spend the day on the beach and take it slow %26amp; enjoy the cafes as well. Having read the posts, was wondering if we will be disappointed being used to the beaches of Australia? I know its different...Do you think a trip to Eze with a 7yr old, a 5 yr old and an 18 month old is too ambitious? Also, do places close on Mondays like they do in Italy?
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Wow, a cruise with small children. That%26#39;s brave!
The beaches will be different to Australia for sure - you won%26#39;t get much surfing done in the Med, but you%26#39;re also unlikely to be eaten by sharks or saltwater crocodiles, stung by box jellyfish or scorpion fish or carried away by riptides. The food will also be a whole lot better.
My kids had a ball on Cap Ferrat beach and I%26#39;m sure yours will do the same. If your kids have been cooped up on a cruise ship for a couple of days I doubt they will be itching to get on a coach to go and visit a village, however pretty. Let them run round Villefranche %26amp; Cap Ferrat, play on the beach, swim in the sea and eat ice creams. They%26#39;ll love it.
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hehe, brave or stupide...time will tell! Thanks for the reassurance, original plan it is then.
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I%26#39;m sure it will go great. Just find a sailor to park them with then go hide in the bar!
Hope you have a great holiday.
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