French Riviera-Wheelchair-Friendly Alternatives to Eze & St Paul

[googalini]

Can anyone suggest nice alternatives to Eze & St Paul in the French Riviera region that are not as hilly as those locations and, thus, more wheelchair-friendly?

 

We will be traveling with my mom, who has walking difficulties, and will likely be using a "push" wheelchair. While we would like to visit Eze and St Paul, as we have read great things about them, our guide cautioned us that it will be virtually impossible to use the wheelchair in either town, as they are very hilly with lots of steps and mostly cobblestoned. He suggests that, instead of visiting Eze and St Paul, we spend more time in places such as Nice, Cannes, Monaco/Monte Carlo and he even suggested a stop in Antibes.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Hlitner]

Both Eze and St Paul de Vence would be out of the question for a wheelchair. Your guide is giving you very good advice in that both Nice and Cannes are very flat, have wide sidewalks, and would be fine. Antibes is a bit more congested, but would also be OK with a wheelchair. Monte Carlo is quite hilly, but if you have a car/guide/driver they could take you to specific areas such as the Palace where you would have some mobility with a wheelchair.

 

Hank

[Destin Mom]

Hi googalini. Hank is clearly the expert on these questions. I agree with him. In Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is completely flat along the Mediterranean. Also, at the eastern edge of Nice, there is the Chateau. There is an elevator that takes you to the top and some very dramatic scenery once you are up there overlooking the sea and the town. Also, there are some ruins. Most of the area up there is easily navigated with a wheel chair. (we have two young kids so are pushing strollers ourselves a good bit of the time). If you go back a block off of the Promenade in Nice, you will see markets, shops, cafes, etc. Old Towne is a few blocks further back but harder to navigate with a wheel chair. In Monaco, you could go through the gardens at the Palace but this is pretty hilly. You could stroll along the shops in Antibes- there is a great wine shop owned by some American expats just across from the end of the market- across from the church. Also, there is a Picasso Museum in Antibes. There are stairs up it though. I'm not as big on Cannes but it too has a nice flat promenade, great shops and cafes. Have a great trip.

[googalini]

Thank you both for your feedback.