Well that was an eventful spring in more ways than one! But maybe now you’re thinking about your summer holidays - will they even be a thing this year? Perhaps you have considered the French Riviera but you are not sure what it will be like? Will the restaurants be open, will everywhere be too busy? In this blog I will try and give you a lowdown not only on what's open now in France but more importantly 15 fantastic family-friendly activities to enjoy during your summer holidays.
Also, you will probably never find a quieter year to visit the Riviera. Many of the regular tourists that flock here come from out of Europe and from the cruise ships and both these numbers will be significantly down on a normal year. Why not take the opportunity to enjoy this hugely popular destination without the hordes of tourists?!
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| Alfresco dining! |
Headline news is the bars/restaurants and beaches are all open. As are museums and even cinemas from the 22 June. On the beaches groups of up to 10 are asked to keep 2m apart and in restaurants it is a maximum of 10 per table. Masks are obligatory on public transport and in a large proportion of supermarkets and shops. This website keeps very up to date information on what is / isn't open. Connexion France.
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| Beaches mid June in Cannes. Plenty of social distancing! |
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| The centre of Cannes mid June and very quiet |
PRACTICALITIES
A. How to get there?
First up you will need to check travel restrictions / quarantines imposed by your home country and the reciprocal agreement France has in place at your time of travel. This article outlines the current UK policy with regards to coming to France Travel Advice for France. It is hoped that on the 29th June the UK will announce some of their 'air bridges' making travel possible without quarantine from early July onwards.
First up you will need to check travel restrictions / quarantines imposed by your home country and the reciprocal agreement France has in place at your time of travel. This article outlines the current UK policy with regards to coming to France Travel Advice for France. It is hoped that on the 29th June the UK will announce some of their 'air bridges' making travel possible without quarantine from early July onwards.
The easiest way for most Europeans to get here is by car and this year it would probably be my advice. A car will give you a self-contained journey to your destination as well as many more options once you are here. For those coming from the UK/Ireland flying is also an option depending on whether your airline is flying and how comfortable you are taking a plane. In lieu of that the ferries and Eurotunnel are a great plan B and you can make the first few days of your holiday a road trip through France.
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| Nice Airport - one of the most beautiful landing strips in the world |
B. Where to stay?
In terms of a family holiday, self-catering is usually the best and most flexible option and with the onset of Covid 19, this becomes an even more attractive option. Rental owners have been advised to take bookings of a minimum of 1 week and to leave over 24 hours between rentals which means when you arrive at your rental accommodation you should have peace of mind that it will have been fully disinfected and once installed you don’t need to pass through lots of communal areas, lifts etc. We recommend checking out this small company who have apartments and townhouses right in the centre of Cannes available for a week for as little as €1,200 for a 3-bedroom apartment. Cannes Accommodation
C. What to do?
Now for the best bit. You’ve arrived you’ve got your rose wine chilling, what are you and the family going to do for two weeks? Here I will outline a big selection of ideas for you to pick and choose from. Some of them will require a car others will be possible either on foot from Cannes or on public transport. For each activity I will note the distance / time from Cannes centre.
15 AWESOME FAMILY ACTIVITIES
1. Take a boat shuttle to explore the coast:
A relaxing way to start your holiday is to buy a day ticket for the boat shuttle and hop-on and hop –off (€10 for an adult ticket) as the navette takes you along the coast from Cannes to Mandelieu/La Napoule to Theoule-Sur-Mer and on to La Figuerette. This means you can check out where the quietest beaches are and relax accordingly.
TOP TIP – returning after sunset on a boat into Cannes is a magical experience.
2. Watch the sunrise
TOP TIP: Why not add in an early morning jog as well before the heat of the day?
3. Go on a safari!
Take a day away from the coast and go on a guided safari with the bisons in Thorenc, which is in the Pre-Alpes national park area. Monts d’Azur is a 700 hectare natural sanctuary for European wildlife. The European bison roam wild and free over the plains and forests of Thorenc alongside Przewalski horses, deer, chamois, wild boar, foxes, wolves, lynx and many other species. Take a 90 min guided walking (or wagon) safari. There are also options to lengthen your visit and stay overnight. (Approx 1h drive from Cannes)
TOP TIP: Add on a hike up to Castelleras to see the ruined Roman remains - Castelleras Hike AND/OR pay a visit to a lake which is perfect for a picnic lunch.
4. Go underground on a treasure hunt
5. Kayak around Rocher de Roquebrune
Most visitors to the French Riviera will recognise the imposing Rocher de Roquebrune sitting proud on the south side of the A8 motorway as you approach Mandelieu/Cannes from the west (about 35 minutes drive). In cooler months it’s a superb hike to the top but is unadvisable in the heat of the summer.
You can however admire her beauty from the cool and calm of a kayak and spend a peaceful few hours pottering around the river. Base du Rocher
TOP TIP: Find the secret inland lake for a picnic away from the crowds.
6. Visit the wolves!
Get up to the mountains and visit the wolf park at Saint Martin Vesubie. The Parc Alpha is a wonderful outdoor park in the fresh mountain air about 1h30 drive from Cannes. Take a picnic, a short family hike, or for the adrenaline junkies you can check out Vesubia mountain park with climbing walls or even the zipline in La Colmiane. Whatever you choose this beautiful area in the Mercantour is the recipe for a super day out away from the coast.
TOP TIP: One of the most beautiful outdoor pools is located 10 minutes from the park at La Bollene Vesubie
7. Dive beneath our oceans in Monaco!
Standing proudly for well over a 100 years upon a clifftop in Monaco is the world- renowned Oceanagraphic Museum. It was founded in 1889 and showcases 6,000 animal species. Young and old will be dazzled by over 1,000 fish species in over 100 tanks ranging in size up to 450,000 litres – the monumental Shark Lagoon! Don’t miss the kids play area and spectacular views from the top floor. You can drive to Monaco in about 1h or take the train (approx. 45 mins)
8.Take a boat ride out to the islands just off Cannes.
The Lerins islands are a haven of calm and tranquillity and a lovely change from the hustle and bustle of the coast. There are two islands – the bigger one, Sainte Marguerite has a Royal Fort where the Man in Iron Mask resided and a maritime museum as well as guided trails to discover the island.
The smaller of the two, Saint Honorat, is home to a monastery and Cistercian monks. There is a monastic tower to discover on the south side of the island and a beautiful restaurant, La Tonnelle.
Boats for both depart from the Quai Laubeuf in Cannes
9.Cross the border and get on yer bike
If you head just over the border with Italy to San Remo you can have a fabulous day out renting bikes and cycling along the purpose built cycle path that was once the old railway line along the coast.
The ‘pista ciclable del ponente ligura’ offes 24km of flat cycle path giving your family a safe and entertaining way of enjoying the coastline. There are plenty of bike rental places and of course Italian restaurants for ice-cream and lunch stops! The drive to San Remo is approx. 1h20 from Cannes or you can take the train
TOP TIP: Buy a few bottles of Italian wine to sample when you return!
10. Hike up the hill and meet a rather magnificent lady!
Take the family on an easy hike behind Theoule and discover the splendid statue of Notre Dame D’Afrique. This short hike is manageable by most fit and able families and you can combine it with lunch or a picnic on the beach in the wonderful seaside town of Theoule-sur-Mer.
TOP TIP: There is also an underswater snorkelling trail in Theoule – get the map from the Tourist Information in the centre.
Theoule can be reached in 20 minutes in the car or by train. Notre Dame Blog
11. Swim with the billionaires!
Head off early to the Cap D’Antibes, park at La Garoupe and walk the 1h30 circuit around the coastal path. Bring some water and snacks and then stop off just before the absolutely stunning Baie des Miliardaires – here you can jump off the rocks into the crystal clear waters and don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins! Cap D'Antibes Blog
TOP TIP – go earlier in the day rather than later as it is a very popular spot for the local teenagers.
12. Leave the coast for a day of water sports at the lesser-known Lac St Cassien!
Only 30 minutes drive away from the hustle and bustle of the coast is a beautiful man-made lake which is home to lots of wildlife as well as enough activities on land and on water to keep the family entertained for hours.
Lac St Cassien Blog
Lac St Cassien Blog
TOP TIP: Book you activities right away when you arrive as the slots fill up fast.
13. Visit Grasse and the perfume factories and museum.
Grasse is the world’s perfume capital so why not include a day of culture in your holiday schedule discovering the factories and museums dedicated to scent. The Fragonard museum and Musee de Parfums in the centre of Grasse are free to enter. If you would like to create your own scent head to Galimard for their perfume-making workshop. Grasse is 20 minutes by car or train from Cannes.
14. A theme-park in the trees!
The water parks may not open this year but take the kids (and adults) to Bois des Lutins - a theme-pakr with a difference - and you’ll be assured of a great day out. Cargo nets, climbing ropes and ladders take you on a journey through the forest canopy. Only 30 minutes drive from Cannes.
TOP TIP: If you’re still looking for adventure and excitement there are two other attractions at the same location – Canyon Forest and Village des Fous.
15. Explore the Esterel
The Esterel is the ‘mountain’ range that frames Cannes’ famous sea view to the west. Beautiful to look at and even more incredible to explore. There are some amazing hikes but be prudent when hiking in the summer and avoid the heat of the day. Another option is to rent electric VTT (mountain) bikes or kayaks and explore the calanques as the red rocks drop down into the sea.
If I am being honest I still haven’t even scratched the surface – we could add Saint Tropez, the Gorge du Verdon, the Mercantour, and countless others, but hopefully this will give you a bit of an insight into what else we have to offer other than the traditional sun,sea and sand holiday!
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CANNES SOON!!!
