We’ve combed through our hotel listings throughout Nice to find the best budget stays that are clean, comfortable, and safe, yet still, have plenty of charm to spare.

More tips for the South of France:
• 10 Ways to save on your trip to Nice
• A Budget guide to visiting Marseille
• Menton, France: A French Riviera gem

Best budget hotels in Nice

We’ve picked our five favorite budget hotels in the city for this year, so you can save time and money while booking your next vacation.

Guests love the affordable rooms at Hotel Lepante.

Hotel Lepante

Neighborhood: Train Station & City Center
Doubles from $63

With a high review score and low rates, Hotel Lepante is just the kind of place we like to settle in for a few days. Our favorite rooms come with cozy balconies (ask ahead) but every room features free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Head to the rooftop deck to relax in a lounge chair. Read the full review

We love the bright and airy lobby at Hotel Aria.

Hotel Aria

Neighborhood: Train Station & Center
Doubles from $72

With a location near the beach, the train station, and Mozart Park, Hotel Aria is a great home base for Cheapos adventuring in Nice. The hotel offers bright rooms with air conditioning, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Premium rooms, worth the extra euros, offer balconies overlooking the park. Read the full review

Enjoy the nice garden at Nice Garden Hotel.

Nice Garden

Neighborhood: Near Promenade des Anglais
Doubles from $74

The Nice Garden hotel offers comfortable rooms in a prime location near the city’s commercial district and the beach. All rooms offer air conditioning, flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi, but we suggest getting one of the rooms that open up to the hotel’s orange tree garden. And yes, the garden is very nice! Read the full review

In the warmer months, enjoy a drink at the outdoor summer bar at Excelsior.

Excelsior

Neighborhood: Train Station & Center
Doubles from $81

If you have expensive taste but enjoy being frugal, book one of the stylish rooms at Excelsior. Rooms feature playful travel-inspired motifs, and some even have balconies to enjoy the views of Nice. Don’t miss out on spending some time outside at the hotel’s garden and summer bar. Read the full review

Hotel Meyerbeer Beach sits on a charming street just steps from the water.

Meyerbeer Beach

Neighborhood: Near Promenade des Anglais
Doubles from $97

Just a stone’s throw from the sea, Meyerbeer Beach hotel offers affordable rooms with quirky charm. Rooms have kitchenettes and televisions, and the hotel provides a fully stocked communal kitchen and free coffee, tea, and beach towels. Read the full review

Hotel photo credits: Booking.com

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More budget hotels in Nice

Looking for more cheapo-friendly stays? Check out our favorite budget hotels in Nice.

The post Best budget hotels in Nice for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But its popularity can make it expensive, especially when you consider its proximity to notoriously pricey places such as Monaco and Cannes.

However, with a bit of planning, it is possible to keep your trip on a tight budget. Follow these simple tips to enjoy a taste of the French Riviera without the big price tag.

Related: Stay cheap at our favorite budget hotels in Nice

Nice budget travel tips

Looking to save a few euros on your French Riviera getaway? Here are 10 ways I saved on my trip.

1. Avoid peak season

May through August is peak season in the south of France, especially August when most of Europe is on vacation. By visiting in September, I took advantage of big savings on my airfare and accommodations but still enjoyed the gorgeous weather. It was also a lot less busy than it would have been had I visited the previous month.

Can’t make it in September? Mid-March to April is also a good time to consider a trip.

Related: When should you book hotels for the best rates?

The lovely view from Lou Souleou Bed & Breakfast. Photo:

2. Book a hotel in a central location

I made life a lot easier, as well as cheaper, by picking out a budget hotel in a good location. Lou Souleou Bed and Breakfast, now a seaview guesthouse, was easy to get to using the airport bus and overlooked the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, where you can find many other budget hotel choices. It was also ideally placed for Cours Saleya and Vieux Nice. That meant that within Nice itself, I didn’t need to take public transport anywhere. I also had the bonus of discovering streets and vistas at my own pace that would have been inaccessible by public transport anyway.

Know your dates? Search over 740 hotels in Nice

The breakfast spread at Lou Souleou can keep you going all day long!

3. Make the most of the free hotel breakfast

Many hotels offer complimentary breakfast — a great way to fuel up for the day ahead. At Lou Souleou, I could pick from fresh bread, homemade crepes, fruit salad, cereals, and yogurt, with a selection of jams, coffee, and orange juice. Meaning it was a long time before I needed to think about splashing out for food again!

Related: Nice hotels under $100 per night

4. Take a free walking tour

I’m a big fan of walking tours to get your head around a place, and in Nice, I took the free tour offered by the Riveria Bar Crawl company. It was a great way of ticking off some of the sights, as well as picking up some insider tips and hints.

5. Use the markets and have a picnic

Eating out could quickly become pricey in Nice. But it’s easy to pick up food for picnics at markets and supermarkets. I enjoyed delicious fresh food from the outdoor market Cours Saleya and supplemented it with pieces from the supermarkets. These are surprisingly plentiful — there’s a large Monoprix on the main avenue Jean Medecin, for example.

What’s more is that Nice is brilliant for picnic spots — enjoy your meal on one of the famous blue chairs overlooking the beach or on the beach itself. You can also have a picnic with the picturesque views from the Parc du Chateau.

A shop making socca, a local specialty and popular street food in Nice. Photo: Passion Leica

6. Enjoy Nice’s street food

Another way to refuel on a budget is to take advantage of Nice’s street food. Pissaladière — a tart/pizza topped with anchovies, olives, and onions — was a great way to fill an empty stomach. I also enjoyed socca — a chickpea flour-based pancake. You can pick up a plate for only €3 from Chez Rene Socca in the Old Town.

7. Invest in a museum pass

The region’s link to modern art was one of the reasons I wanted to visit the south of France, and destinations such as the Matisse Museum were high up on my to-do list. I made a significant saving by investing in a 7-day Musées de Nice pass for €20, allowing me access to 13 museums. With the entrance to the Matisse Museum alone costing €10, this worked out as a great value.

Relaxing on one of Nice’s beautiful beaches. Photo: Frances Ambler

8. Avoid private beaches

You could enjoy Nice’s beaches from the comfort of a sun lounger, but it would cost you up to €20 a day. On the other hand, the public beaches are completely free — you just need to come prepared for the pebbles! Many hotels and hostels loan out inflatable mattresses for the beach. I also found that by taking a short train ride, I found much quieter public beaches, including the luxury of a sand beach near Antibes!

9. Explore the area by public transport

Public transport along the Côte d’Azur is a real bargain, with bus fares at a flat rate of just €1.50 within the region and train tickets not exceeding more than €10. That makes more expensive destinations such as Monaco and Cannes accessible for day trips. It also opens up lesser-visited parts of the coastline for exploration.

One of the favorite days of my trip was when I took the train to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (€4) and walked the path along the coastline to picturesque Menton. From there, I even walked onto Italy — before taking the train back for just €9.

Related: Cheapo day trips from Nice

10. Enjoying the free entertainment!

I could have rushed around ticking off the “must-dos”, but I really enjoyed allowing myself to take in the sights and sounds of Nice itself. From the skaters, runners and street performers to the atmospheric twists and turns of Vieux Nice, there was more than plenty to soak up for free — making for a relaxing visit, as well as a cheap one!

Have you been to Nice? Tell us your favorite things to do in the comments.

Photo credits: Booking.com

The post Nice, France Budget Travel: 10 ways to save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s one strategy for lowering costs: eschew particularly expensive locations for cheaper alternatives. As always, think broadly about alternatives. In some cases, a neighboring city will be less expensive than a popular tourism draw in spitting distance. In other situations, you might consider swapping one region for another half-way across the continent.

Here are five suggestions to get you thinking.

1. Consider Bratislava instead of Vienna

Vienna is glorious. It is impossible to forget that the city was once the seat of an empire. Though there are low-cost hotels, it can also be expensive and, during the summer months, overrun with tourists.

Enter Bratislava, the cute, relatively diminutive capital of Slovakia, just 40 miles to the east. It is a quieter and far less expensive alternative to Vienna. You can count on paying around €40 per day less in Bratislava between budget accommodations, meals and bar tab. Plus, hotels in Bratislava can go for as little as $40-50 per night when we did some searching for dates in the spring.

Furthermore, it’s easy and relatively cheap to travel between the two capital cities. A one-hour one-way train fare will set you back €15; the almost two-hour bus journey costs only €8. You can upgrade the trip with a 75-minute boat ride for as low as €20.

2. Switch out the Slovenian Alps for the Swiss Alps

Let’s compare two popular Alpine destinations, one in Switzerland and the other in Slovenia.

In the winter, a double at a cheap bed & breakfast in St. Moritz, Switzerland runs 110 CHF ($112) per night; in Bled, Slovenia: €29 ($35). In the summer, rate differentials aren’t quite so dramatic. A cheap studio in St. Moritz in mid-July is 63 CHF ($64); an equivalent property in Bled mid-July runs €36 ($44). Bled is less developed than St. Moritz, and (arguably) more interesting in terms of geology and landscape.

As an aside, Slovenia offers far more than Alpine vistas. Other places of note include Ljubljana, the country’s dynamic, pretty capital, and a tiny little arc of the Adriatic, centered on Koper.

Lisbon is one of Europe’s greatest and cheapest cities to visit. Photo: Francisco Antunes

3. Try Lisbon over Madrid and Barcelona

Lisbon is one of the most appealing cities in all of Europe — and an outstanding value to boot. It’s got everything one might want in a European capital: atmospheric neighborhoods, grand plazas and boulevards, good coffee, affordable public transportation, cheap taxis, great restaurants, and perfect egg tarts at more or less every bakery. It’s much cheaper than Madrid, Barcelona, and even Paris.

Hotels in Lisbon start around $30 for simple rooms, and you can score 3-star accommodations for as little as $60. In other words, Lisbon is still a cheapo paradise!

The French coastal region of Côte Bleue, west of Marseille, is a great alternative to the ritzy Cote d’Azur. Photo: Jeanne Menj

4. The Côte Bleue in place of the Cote d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur remains charming despite the glitz and celebrities that keep it humming. But goodness gracious is it pricey. For a less expensive holiday, look to the Côte Bleue, to the west of Marseille.

Carry-le-Rouet, a fishing village surrounded by a nature reserve, is one idyllic spot. In Carry-le-Rouet, the Villa Arena Hotel offers double rooms for €60. And in the nearby village of La Rove there is a simple, welcoming guesthouse called L’olivier, with double rooms for just €55 in July.

Jahorina in Bosnia offers a fun ski vacation for almost 75% less than the Alps! Photo: vladotesanovic

5. Go east for an affordable ski vacation

A quick glance at the top resorts in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria turns up exorbitant daily lift pass costing as high as €70 ($86) in Zermatt. Even relatively good value resorts in the region, like Courmayeur in Italy’s Aosta Valley, cost €44 ($54) per day for a lift pass.

A turn to the east reveals much less expensive territory: Jahorina, Bosnia (€20, or $24 for a lift pass); Popova Sapka, Macedonia (900 MKD, or $18); and Brezovica, an ethnic Serbian mountain enclave in the south of Kosovo, where a lift pass costs just €12 ($15) per day.

Related: 5 affordable ski vacations in Europe

The post 5 cheapo alternative destinations in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you don’t mind a little grit with your beauty, you’ll instantly fall for Marseille. Nestled right in the heart of the famous French Riviera, Marseille is a much more affordable option that other jet-setting towns in the region.

Strolling around the Old Port is always fun, but get off the main drag a bit, and you’ll find plenty of affordable restaurants (from fresh seafood to pizza), sandy beaches, and bustling markets.

More budget tips for France
• 50 Ways to save on your next trip to France
• How to find cheap hotels in France
• 22 French phrases every traveler should learn
• 10-day France itinerary from Paris to Marseille

Budget travel guide to Marseille

Located just a three-hour train ride away from Paris, this spectacular city has been at the center of trade and migration along the Mediterranean for centuries. The people reflect this rich history with a diverse population unlike almost anywhere in France. At night, you can literally watch the ferries sail off to Tunisia and Algeria every night. The connections between Marseille and the world are still as relevant as ever.

This vibrant mix is also a big plus for budget travelers. While a lot of tourists come seeking the high life in Provence, get away from the restaurants and hotels along the Old Port, and there are incredible deals to be found.

The best part of visiting Marseille? The unforgettable view of the boats bobbing in the harbor is always free!

A fishing boat docked at the Old Port. (All photos by Craig Nelson)

When to go to Marseille

Tourists flow through here during the summer high season seeking sun, Pastis on patios, and leisurely strolls along the port. As a result, prices tend to soar beyond our budget during July and August.

Our solution? Beat the heat (and the crowds) and come in the off season. On a recent trip in October, the Old Port was buzzing but not packed, and the prices were very attractive for Cheapos.

Getting to Marseille

From Paris: You can take the TGV high-speed train from Paris to Marseille-Saint-Charles Station in a little over three hours for prices starting at €25. Book at least two or three months in advance to get the best deals. The train drops you off right in the center of town, about a 10-minute walk to the Old Port.

Related: How to get cheap tickets on the TGV train in France

From London: You can take budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet direct to Marseille from London for as low as $33. Check times and prices on CheapoSearch.

The tram is an easy way to get around Marseille.

Getting around Marseille

The easiest way to get around to the city’s main attractions is on foot. You can easily stroll from the Old Port to Le Panier (Marseille’s oldest district) in just a few minutes. There are some hills that are a steep climb, but the views are worth it.

There is also a subway and tram system for those intrepid travelers wanting to explore the outer neighborhoods. Check the RTM transit website for more details or look into getting a CityPass that includes free public transportation on the bus, tram and metro (along with museum perks). Get a 1-day pass for €26, a 2-day pass for €33 or a 3-day pass for €41.

There’s also a tourist trolley, called the Marseille Fun Train, but it was hard not laugh every time it went by. It looks like a toy train you’d find at a kiddie amusement park!

A narrow street in Le Panier, the oldest district in Marseille.

Free and cheap things to do in Marseille

Considering there aren’t many major tourist attractions, it’s hard to spend a lot of money on sightseeing in Marseille. Instead, soak in the views of the harbor, visit a museum or historic church, then head to the Old Port for an after-dinner walk.

The Old Port (Vieux Port)

You can’t come to Marseille without taking a leisurely stroll around the Old Port. The walkway is car-free, and the sunset views and people-watching won’t cost you a thing. If you need a break, you can always grab an outdoor table at a cafe and enjoy a drink for a few euros or take a ride on the Ferris wheel for a great view of the city.

Le Panier Neighborhood

Wandering around Le Panier, the oldest district in Marseille, leads you down ancient streets where you’ll find small shops and neighborhood restaurants. The graffiti-strewn walls add a touch of grit, and it’s hard not to be charmed by the architecture.

For something more sacred, just steps away is the massive Marseille Cathedral (free admission).

Soaking in the turquoise waters of Marseille from the road Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Endoume.

Endoume

Take a spectacular walk or bus ride that hugs the sparkling Mediterranean coast. Just south of the Old Port, you’ll come across neighborhood beaches, charming fishing villages, and seaside restaurants. Just follow the road Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy until you get tired of the amazing views.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Also known as “La Bonne Mère” (the good mother), this magnificent Neo-Byzantine church perched high above the city opened in 1864. You can take a bus up to it, but if you’re in the mood for a heart-pumping walk, the views along the way are incredible. Admission is free.

MuCEM

Opened in 2013 when Marseille was the European Capital of Culture, MuCEM is short for the “Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations”. It has a fascinating collection documenting history and culture in the Mediterranean basin and is connected to the imposing Fort Saint-Jean that dates back to the 1600s. Admission is €9.50.

Cours Julien

To see the multi-cultural side of Marseille beyond the tourist districts, head to this lively city square. Check out the street art, pop into a bookstore or vintage clothing shop, or browse the outdoor market selling everything from fruit to antiques.

A boat tour cruising past Fort Saint-Jean, part of the MuCEM complex.

Château d’If

There are several harbor cruises that leave from the Old Port. We like the boat ride that goes to Château d’If, the famous island where the classic novel The Count of Monte Christo takes place. The cruise costs €10.80 per person.

Admission to the island is extra, so you can save a few euros by just riding the ferry out to the island and back. The views are amazing, and if you take a late afternoon excursion, you can be back in time for a Pastis in the Old Port.

Calanques

One of the highlights of visiting Marseille is the stunning natural beauty located just a quick bus ride away outside of the city. The Calanques are a series of inlets with rocky cliffs and turquoise waters, perfect for hiking and swimming. Calanques National Park makes a great day trip.

Cheap Eats in Marseille

With its deep connection to the sea, it’s no surprise that Marseille has excellent seafood. However, the famous bouillabaisse (a decadent seafood stew) doesn’t come cheap. If you want to try it, we suggest staying away from the touristy restaurants right along the Old Port. Here are few places to enjoy a nice meal in Marseille without blowing your entire budget:

Pan-fried cuttlefish with lemon and eggplant in tomato sauce at Chez Etienne.

Chez Etienne
43 Rue Lorette

A classic Marseille spot for pizza and seafood in the heart of Le Panier, Chez Etienne doesn’t disappoint — especially when we received a plate of complimentary olives and anchovies to kick off the meal. It attracts just as many as locals as tourists, so get there on the early side to get a table.

La Boîte à Sardine
2 Boulevard de la Libération

It’s a little bit of a splurge for Cheapos, but you can still enjoy a delicious seafood lunch with wine for about €25 per person. Feast on fresh sardines, oysters, and the catch of the day.

Bar des 13 Coins
45 Rue Sainte-Françoise

Located in Le Panier, this friendly corner cafe and bar serves surprisingly good food, including daily specials, burgers, and salads. You can also just stop by for a coffee or a drink at one of the outdoor tables.

Le Souk
98 Quai du Port

For a memorable Moroccan meal with a view of the Old Port, Le Souk is a nice splurge for budget travelers. Enjoy a tagine, couscous and grilled meats with The entrees are around €15 but the portions are quite big.

Tasty slices are only €1 each at Pizza Charly.

Pizza Charly
24 Rue des Feuillants

Surprisingly, Marseille adores pizza, and that’s great news for budget travelers. We dare you to walk by Charly Pizza and not grab a slice or two. A slice of anchovy, cheese, olive, or sausage is huge (a quarter of a pie) and will only cost you €1!

Pizzeria La Bonne Mère
16 Rue Fort du Sanctuaire

Off-the-beaten-path from the central city, this pizzeria is run by an Italian couple that really knows their dough. The wonderful pizzas go for €10, and during our visit, we enjoyed an espresso and grappa on the house! Our total bill, including two pizzas and a bottle of wine, was just €34. Before you make the trek, make sure to secure reservations because they only have two seatings a night.

Olives, lemons, beans…with prices so cheap at the markets in Marseille, you can try a little bit of everything!

Food markets in Marseille

With its diverse population, the flavors of Marseille come from across the world. The markets bustle with the flavors of North Africa with a large selection of Middle Eastern products alongside French favorites, and of course, a great selection of fresh seafood.

Vieux Port Fishing Market
Old Port

Browse the fruits of the Mediterranean at this fish market that doubles as a tourist attraction. It kicks off each morning around 8 am and winds down around 1 pm. Even if you don’t have a kitchen to cook up a feast, this marché aux poissons is still worth roaming around to soak in the atmosphere of old-world Marseille.

Market Noailles
5 Rue du Marché des Capucins

Just a short walk from the Old Port, the Market Noailles features outdoor vendors selling fresh fruit and produce. Pop into nearby Saladin World of Spices (10 Rue Longue des Capucins) for sensory overload for you eyes and nose.

It doesn’t get any fresher than the Vieux Port Fish Market.

Pastis with a view, nightlife, and culture for less

Marseille has dozens of waterfront and bars, but most of them are unfortunately way out of our budget. However, if you don’t mind a little walk, you can find a lovely patio where you can enjoy a couple of drinks for a decent price.

We liked Bistrot Plage (60 Corniche J.F. Kennedy) which poured a round of cassis for €5.

For a more classic experience right on the marina try the Bar de la Marine (15 Quai de Rive Neuve), although their prices are not exactly cheap, we loved the old-world atmosphere inside.

The view never gets old from the roof deck at Hotel Hermes.

Cheap hotels in Marseille

Unless you require a view of the harbor or four-star service, there are quite a few budget hotels in Marseille. Even in the summer, you can find deals for under $100 per night. Some hotels offer free breakfast, and if you’re willing to stay a little farther out, you can score a harbor view for less at some of the hillside hotels.

Here are a few of our picks for budget hotels in Marseille:

• Hôtel Hermès is perched right next to the historic Le Panier district and features an amazing roof deck.

• Radisson Blu Hotel Marseille Vieux Port has an excellent location and a swimming pool to boot.

• For a lovely B&B just outside the city center, check out Le Clos du Jas with a Mediterranean garden and homemade pastries for breakfast.

Looking for even more hotels and apartment stays in Marseille? Check out our 11 top cheap hotels in Marseille, or search more than 590 hotels in the city.

Your tips for Marseille

Have you been to Marseille? Share your tips for visiting the city on a budget in our comments section below!

The post A Budget travel guide to Marseille, France appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Times have changed. For those with the means, Nice was surely truly delightful in its pre-World War I heyday, when royalty from Russia, England and Germany enjoyed a leisurely winter season in the Riviera city.

The Roaring Twenties

Cycling along the Promenade des Anglais

In the early 1920s, Nice changed dramatically and the city was reshaped. Reshaped to accommodate the automobile, and reshaped to accommodate a totally new kind of visitor: Americans. Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to drive, not walk, along Promenade des Anglais.

The new Riviera was brasher and louder than its pre-war counterpart. And the thousands of flappers and playboys who cruised over the Atlantic to enjoy an American summer season on the Côte d’Azur created a new kind of Riviera. They drank cocktails (free from Prohibition restraints), explored the Mediterranean coast and revelled in summer rather than winter sun. It was visitors from the US who persuaded Nice hoteliers that they should not bar and shutter their premises from Easter to early October.

The Americans did not stay long. Their love affair with the Riviera was abruptly curtailed by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. But the Roaring Twenties left their mark, creating a Riviera style that still greatly inflects how we perceive the region today.

Nice today

The Promenade des Anglais is not the gentle walk it was a hundred years ago. Six lanes of traffic speed along Promenade des Anglais, unhappily separating the city from its beach. Critics of the Riviera city argue that the beach was overrated anyway. There is not a speck of sand in sight on this long stony sweep of coast.

Yet Nice still has something going for it, and it’s a great city to explore for a day or two. In the Musée Matisse and the Musée Chagall, both north of the city center, Nice has two world-class art galleries. Its Orthodox cathedral is a very fine example of Russian sacred architecture and contains a treasure trove of Russian religious art.

The old part of town (called Vieux Nice) is a great place just to wander, especially on weekday mornings (not Mondays) when the streets and squares around Cours Saleya host a lively open market. Then climb up to Le Château (which curiously has no château) for fine views of Vieux Nice and the port below.

Where to stay

Nice remains a popular spot for Russian visitors and the city has a good range of restaurants and shops that cater to this Russian clientele. And for somewhere to stay, why not try the hotel favored by both Lenin and Chekhov? They both stayed at the Pension Russe.

Okay, the name has changed and nowadays the old Russian guesthouse styles itself Hotel L’Oasis. The hotel reopened last year after renovation. It is in a lovely leafy courtyard, a calm green retreat off Rue Gounod that offers the perfect antidote to the noise and bustle of Promenade des Anglais. Double or twin rooms run from €65 low season to €79 high season (including breakfast).

How to get there

Nice is easy to reach. It has direct trains from seven European capital cities, among them half a dozen daily trains from Paris. The journey time from Paris is less than six hours.

The local Nice Côte d’Azur Airport receives direct flights from over 100 cities in Europe and further afield. Travelers from North America can fly into Nice on direct daily flights from New York (JFK) with Delta and twice weekly flights from Montréal with Air Transat.

Nice has one of those small and manageable airports that make a great gateway into Europe. But rather than just changing planes, why not stop off for a day or two to explore the French Riviera’s major metropolitan center?

The post Nice, France: Give Nice a chance! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hints of Italy

Menton hints of Italy even before you cross the border, with its bilingual street names and Italian-style architecture. Curiously, the town only became French in 1860, having historically been part of Monaco until in 1848 it seceded from the Principality in a spat over taxes on lemon exports. Menton then enjoyed a brief fling as an independent republic before throwing in its lot with the Kingdom of Sardinia and eventually joining France.

Mentonasques are quick to remind visitors even today that Menton is in France merely by choice, and the town’s window shutters in that distinctive Ligurian green are a reminder that this most Italianate of French Riviera towns still has a part of its heart in Italy.

Menton’s health resort history

Climb up to the cemetery high above the Old Town and you will quickly discover how Menton established its credentials in Riviera tourism. A hundred years ago, Menton was one of Europe’s premier health resorts, with thousands of northern Europeans taking their bronchial bacilli to sunny Menton to try and rid their lungs of tuberculosis. The crowded cemetery, full of those who died of consumption, attests to the fact that a few months of indolence in Menton did not always guarantee recuperation. Russians, Germans, English and Irish share the same burial ground, all victims of a disease that indiscriminately struck down poets and philosophers, counts and colonels.

The pulmonary pilgrims of yesterday have been replaced by a new generation of traveler, often anxious to find the quieter side of the Riviera. Menton is always a great stopover on routes from Provence to Genoa —made easy by the frequency of trains along this stretch of coast. Both westbound towards Nice and eastbound into Italy, trains generally run twice hourly.

Exploring the town

But with direct daily TGV services from Paris (and a useful direct overnight train, too), Menton is a place worth visiting in its own right. Our best Menton days have involved nothing more demanding than wandering around the produce stalls in the Moorish market on the waterfront and then drifting from café to café.

Our favorite local curiosity is the “salle de mariage” (wedding hall) in Menton’s City Hall, which is a striking piece of interior design by French artist and film director Jean Cocteau. Further afield, the attractive mountain town of Sospel is reached by direct bus from Menton. And the stunning Giardini Botanici Hanbury (Hanbury Gardens), just over the border in Italy, which we featured last year on EuroCheapo, are only four miles east of the city.

The post Menton, France: A Riviera gem appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since I didn’t have a yacht to travel the coast (it was in the shop, of course!), I took the next best thing: the €1 Ligne d’Azur bus.

What’s that you say about €1?

That’s right. One euro gets you anywhere from Cannes to Montecarlo, and everywhere in between (price is per trip). So, for pennies, I hobnobbed from Nice to Monaco and had time to visit Cannes along the way.

At this price, you can’t exactly expect hors d’oeuvres to be served, but all buses are air conditioned, have comfy seats, and big windows from which to watch the view as you glide by. And, get this – the locals use them like they would public transport. In fact, during my ride to Montecarlo, an older woman asked me if we had gotten on the express. My elementary French was good enough to understand the question and say yes.

Before you hop on…

Nice is a major hub and there’s no need buy tickets in advance. Pay on board the bus and head to Juan les Pins, Cape d’Antibes, Antibes, or the lavender-scented Giot. Or, do as I did and visit Montecarlo for an afternoon. Cannes is also on the Ligne d’Azur’s list of bus stops. Otherwise, just hop on the Ligne’s #100 bus (also known as the Monaco Express) from Nice to Montecarlo and vice versa.

Buses leave from Nice’s Gare Routiere.

For more information, visit the Ligne d’Azur’s official web site where fares and schedules are easily accessible. Fares and schedules are available here.

The post Nice Tip: Travel the French Riviera for 1 Euro! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.