Help with a stop between Cannes and Aix
 

Spending three nights in Cannes and then five in Aix en Provence. Pretty much have our itinerary planned out for our five days in Aix but wondering if there's a nice town to stop in on our way there. Perhaps a nice place for lunch - nothing fancy, just more to soak up up some atmosphere.

Appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

I'm assuming you're driving? Cassis is slightly out of the direct route to Cannes (about 40 min south of Aix). It's a lovely town with restaurants and shops around the small port/harbor. If you have an extra hour (or afternoon*) hire a boat to see the calanques! They're beautiful.

*With a free afternoon you can take a boat to one of the secluded beaches tucked between some of the calanques. You can get picked up from another boat on your return (some physicality required to get in/out of boat since they pick-up/drop off passengers on a rocky path near the beach.

Cassis is absolutely worth the stop. Stay at the Chateux on a cliff overlooking the harbor---spectacular

The coastal drive can be very very slow. Just a word of warning. Can be slow in late February and early March so I hate to think how slow it may be in summer if that is when you're going.

I'd recommend driving around Mt. St. Victoire though it is just due east of Aix.

Also check for Mistral warnings before you head to Cassis as the Route de Crête may be closed when the Mistral is strong.

the Gorges du Verdon are rather spectacular and Moustiers-Ste-Marie would make for a pleasant en route stop. Can't really recommend anywhere to eat there as it has been many years since I last was there.

It does mean a detour compared to the direct Cannes-Aix itinerary, though. Probably not much more than Cassis in distance but certainly in time, as it would mean driving on slow and winding (albeit beautiful) roads.

The concierge at our hotel in Aix recommended two routes - this one and the other through Cassis so it seems y'all are well informed! Looks like we'll do this one as we are spending three nights on the water in Cannes.

Another question as long as I have your attention! We are deciding between driving one day to Eze and Monaco or taking a tour from Cannes that would be about 7 hours and cost around $125 per person. My wife is concerned about the roads in Monaco and the parking in city. Crazy or smart? Happy to take the tour mini-bus if the alternative is a hassle. Obviously not terrified of driving as that's what we'll be doing throughout Provence. Many thanks.

I'll let others comment on the parking situation in Monaco (again: I have not been back there recently enough to comment) but, if it were me, I would probably prefer to have the freedom of my own car to stop where I want rather than being constrained by the tour, perhaps taking St-Jean Cap Ferrat and VIllefranche en route or, before Nice, St Paul de Vence and Vence. For instance, you might love Monaco and want to spend some more time there or, on the contrary find it not especially interesting. With your own car, you can change plans and push further to Menton, for instance, if you find that it does not particularly float your boat. Monaco is only about an hour away from Cannes. Between Cannes and Nice, you are probably better off taking the motorway as the coastal road is very slow-going and not especially interesting . OTOH, after Nice, the roads (especially the "Moyenne Corniche") are beautiful.

Nick - thanks so much for all the info. Very helpful. Pretty much decided there is no reason not to drive.

Hi Stevens397, we are considering where to stay in between Aix and Nice so your post has been very helpful. A friend of mine recommended Cassis and based on the recommendations here, I think we would do that.

Any recommendations on where to stay in Aix? We have about 2-3 nights there and wouldnt mind a castle stay.

Thank you.

Hi Denroc, which hotel are you referring to? Unfortunately, Chateux is a rather common word in french which makes it hard to google.

Thank you.

château (plural: château) Yes, unfortunately the name is rather generic and can be a fancy palace, a mansion, a castle, a winemaker's abode (which can range from humble to massive and opulent) and thus is indeed hard to discern.

The plural is châteaux. :)

I'd love to spend a few days in Cassis. I've made three day trips there; it'd be cool to get to know it better.

Uh yes, just spotted the mistake


I find Cassis a bit overrated unless you want to get into the nearby calanques

Cornball As near as I can remember the name was Chateau de Cassis