Provence & the French Riviera - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 610

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Need to Know
ADVANCE PLANNING
• » As early as possible Book accommodation, especially for July, August and
during the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix (both in May). Reserve
tickets for Avignon's theatre festival ( Click here ) and ferias (bullfi ghting festivals) in
Arles and Nîmes.
• » Two weeks before Book tables for big-name restaurants, especially in Mar-
seille, Nice and St-Tropez.
• » Two days before Order bouillabaisse at Marseille's bistros ( Click here ).
RESOURCES
• » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ( www.decouverte-paca.fr ) Pan-regional informa-
tion, including advice on accommodation and green travel.
• » Nice Tourisme ( www.nicetourisme.com ) Nice's main tourist office website.
• » PACA ( www.crt-paca.fr ) Umbrella site for Provence and the Riviera.
• » Côte d'Azur Tourisme ( www.cotedazur-tourisme.com ) Comprehensive online
resource for the Riviera.
GETTING AROUND
• » Train An ideal way to explore the Riviera coastline. Base yourself in Nice and
take day trips to Monaco and Cannes, stopping off at lovely Riviera towns en route.
• » Car Essential in Provence. On the coast July and August means hellish road
traffic, especially on Saturdays and pretty much all summer around St-Tropez. Take
extra care when driving along the Corniches.
• » Boats Scenic cruises depart from Marseille, Cannes and St-Tropez; don't miss
a trip to the Îles de Lérins ( Click here ) or the Îles d'Hyères ( Click here ).