Cannes Travel Forum

I am traveling to south france via paris at the end of July. I have 5 days and would like to know the best place to stay. I want great beaches, shopping and nighlife- without paying a million dollars a night for a hotel. Which area would you recommend staying? I see there is cannes, nice, monaco..?? any must sees or hotel recommendations? three girls in our early 30's

I stayed at a great little hotel in Cannes in June last year for around EUR50 per night. It was called the Little Palace and is right across the road from the main Train Station and right in the middle of the shopping, restaurants and nightlife and two hundred metres from the beach which is lovely. There are also great little budget hotels in Nice and once again plenty of restaurants, shopping and nightlife - only drawback is the beach is all pebbles, no sand like in Cannes. Monaco is expensive to stay at but lovely to visit for a quick day trip from Nice or Cannes. Trains go regularly. (about every 20-30 minutes. I have stayed in Nice and I have stayed in Cannes and really liked both. They are all so close together and the trains are so good and quick and regular, that it really doesn't matter which one you choose. I would guess at Cannes for 3 X 30yr old girls as it is a bit more classy than Nice but then again Nice is much bigger. Any way you choose, you can't go wrong.

I was going to make some observations of my own but I've just read Maryimelda's reply and agree totally with everything she has said.

Just out of Nice is a lovely spot called Villefranche Sur Mer (where the cruise ships anchor). It has a small beach and is sheltered. There are some nice bars/restaurants by the waters edge. You could hop off the train on your way to/from Monaco if you like.