Cannes-Antibes-St. Paul de Vence?

[perlgirlnj]

We will be in Cannes as a cruise stop in mid-October, after having spend several days in Nice pre-cruise. Our original plan was to visit St. Paul de Vence from Nice but our days in Nice are filling up. And our original plan for Cannes was to take the bus or train to Antibes.

 

Now I'm wondering if this plan would work: Rent a car from Mistral (to expedite our time because I gather it's closer to the tender station?). Drive to both Antibes and St. Paul de Vence. (Visits to the Picasso Museum, the Fondation Maeght, the Matisse Chapel, and a little bit of wandering around.)

 

Is there time to do this in one day? We're in port from 8 - 6. I'm okay with not sightseeing in Cannes unless someone tells me I'm missing something.

 

Is Mistral still okay to use?

[Hlitner]

Is it possible? Yes. Would you be somewhat rushed? Perhaps. We have actually driven from Cannes to St Paul de Vence in the morning and then stopped at Antibes in the afternoon before returning to the port. But only you can decide whether rushing through 3 museums, walking through St Paul de Vence, and having some time to stroll around Antibes is a bit much in a port day. Consider that much of France does not even open until after 9:30 am (many places do not even open until 10) and with a 6pm departure your last tender will likely be 5:30. In my world, when in France, it is hard not to spend at least 1 1/2 hours just enjoying a decent lunch...but that is a personal thing. And if your ship arrives in Cannes around 8, unless you have some kind of priority you will likely be waiting at least an hour (possibly more) before you can tender ashore. We have been lucky on some ships by being ready early and getting on the first tender, but that is never assured.

 

As to Mistral, you will hopefully find somebody who has very recent experience since old news is just that...old news. But if you do not use Mistral it will take you at least 20 min to walk from the tender pier to the area where most of the rental car locations are located.

 

But, the beauty of renting your own car is that you have flexibility and can adjust to the current situation. Just keep in mind that if you drive from Antibes back to Cannes along the slower (but more fun) coastal route you may encounter lots of traffic.

 

Hank