South of France Gem

Guest: GerryJudy (Vancouver Island, BC)
Date of Stay: 06/06/11 Review Submitted: 12/08/11

My wife and I rented this small studio apartment in mid June for 8 nights. The apartment is a cozy studio with kitchen, dishwasher, washer and great drying rack and was very clean. We arrived by train from Avignon and the owner was able to help coordinate arrival with the property careperson who met us at a local RER station. The apartment is only two blocks to the beach and marina restaurant area, however we liked the view and ate on the deck most nights. It is an easy walk to the centre of Cagne Sur Mer along the beach, about 15 minutes. There is such a great choice of restaurants there, and at the marina with reasonable prices for two course and three course meals. The weekly market was also a treat and we found vendors with local cuisine to go, which we took advantage of. The apartment is comfortably decorated, the bed was good for both of us. We really enjoyed the stereo and great collection of French, Jazz and other music CDs. The N7 main road bus stops were just 2 blocks above us and easy to catch buses to Cannes, Nice and Monaco for just a couple Euros. With Cagnes Sur Mer being west of Nice [airport] the buses are not over crowded going to Cannes or Nice. The owner has great maps and bus information in the apartment. Take advantage of getting to Renoir's house and the village Castle near upper Cagnes town. We did not have a car, but this is the only place I have seen in Europe with so much parking out front. The airport is a local bus ride as well and lets you off right in front. You may have to take a shuttle between terminals, so allow time. One warning of caution, we had booked a taxi for 530 am thru the Information centre near the Marina, only to have no one show up. Buses do not run til after 0700 am and our flight was at 0800. However, we walked up to the N7 bus stop at ten minutes to six am, hoping to flag a taxi. There we met a sweet older lady sitting at the bus stop. She saw on concern, and asked where we were going. She then advised us a 6:20 #500 bus would pass by, but we had to waive it down. We had asked her why she was at the bus stop, to which she replied, "oh my friend's cat was missing and I came to look for it, and go to the boulangerie at 600 am." We got the bus and out flight, thanks to our "angel". Overall we were very pleased with our accomodation, the area and our full week. We have already recommended this property to others to look into. Merci JoAnna.

Owner response:Thank you so very much Gerry. I can't wait to arrive there in early January! I hope you will have a need to return one day. Contact me if you are ever near San Francisco. Merry Christmas! Joanna

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car.

Great time in Cagnes sur Mer

Guest: C&G (Chandler, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11 Review Submitted: 12/07/11

This apartment provided a great home base for our stay on the Cote d'Azur. Public transportation was easily accessible and convenient for most destinations. We loved walking the block and a half to the beach and finding a restaurant for dinner. Via Veneto was definitely our favorite-- we ate there 3 times. There are two excellent bakeries, a small grocery store, and a wine shop two blocks from the apartment, right by the bus stop. If you decide to rent a car, parking is readily available by the apartment. When we arrived, the apartment had a nice, clean smell and seemed well maintained. The kitchen had ample furnishings to cook and eat small meals. The bathroom is large by European standards and very functional. The apartment is small but was fine for two people for a week.If we were there for much longer it may have been difficult to find room for our things. Perhaps better furniture placement could help that. Joanna was very easy to work with. There was no hassle exchanging the contract or getting the keys, and everything seemed to be as advertised. A map was provided with the keys, which was useful for navigating when we first arrived. There is a lot of information available in the apartment for local attractions or day trips. Joanna was very responsive to questions and offered suggestions to make our trip more enjoyable. Cagnes sur Mer is not the most exciting or glamorous town, but it was very hassle free and we felt like we really got to experience the local French people and lifestyle. Since it is right next to Nice, you will have the benefit of a larger city as well of the slower pace of a smaller town. We were very glad we stayed there.

Owner response:Greg, Thanks so much for taking time to write a review. I know how busy life gets. You will receive a disocunt on a return visit as will your referrals. Happy Holidays, Joanna

Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car.

Charming and quiet apartment with beautiful seaside views

Guest: OttawaGRL (Ottawa, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 12/07/11

My husband and I had the chance to stay in this cozy little apartment in June and we loved every minute of our stay. Comfortable, quiet and clean with a nice size balcony, perfect to enjoy your croissant and café au lait in the morning. Walking distance to seaside strip, with lots of fabulous restaurants and designer shopping! We had the best Bouillabaisse (our first time!) at one of these little restaurants - unfortunately the name slips my mind but it was highly recommended in the little book of reviews in the apartment (next to the bed, which you should definitely check out as there are lots of great recommendations of things to see and do in the area!). Joanna was a pleasure to deal with and made it easy for us to book the apartment as well as get in and out without a fuss. The caretaker of the apartment, who met us to deliver the keys, was very friendly and gave us some local recommendations as well. All in all a fantastic stay and I would highly recommend!

Owner response:Thank you so much Samanth. Come back any time! Joanna

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car.

Great location!

Guest: Mathilda (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/19/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

Just returned from a lovely stay at this studio.   We loved the fully-equipped kitchen. There are several supermarkets just up the street and we enjoyed cooking our meals and eating outside in the balcony. It was also great to have a washing machine. It just felt like being at home.   Don't bother buying books about the region, there are a lot of books in the studio as well as maps of the different cities. There is also a very helpful tourist office just down the street on the promenade.  The promenade – two blocks away – has a ton of restaurants, ice cream shops (etc.) and is a great place to walk at night.   There is also a great pastry shop and a coffee shop across the street from the pastry shop by the bus stop (we didn’t visit the wine store, but it’s close by as well). They pastries and baguettes were delicious and so cheap compared to the US.   We took the bus most of the time because it was only 1 Euro, very clean and with air conditioning. Buses run frequently, even on Sundays. We never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus. Just walk up the street for a couple of blocks and use Les Vespins bus stop.  You can pretty much access any neighboring city using the bus.   Make sure you visit Haut-de-Cagnes the Medieval Village. We walked from the apartment and it was quite a hike, but you can take a bus to get you closer if you don't want to walk as much.   We visited most nearby towns but if I had to pick three I would definitely go to Antibes, Eze Medieval Village and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Although we really loved the area and can't wait to go back again.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/09/08 Review Submitted: 12/09/08

I must admit I was a bit dubious about the Cote d’Azur (Cannes, Nice, etc.) before I got there. I pictured it as a place of bikinis and mindlessness. But I was very pleasantly surprised by the high level of culture available; various artists worked close by (e.g. Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Chagall) and there are museums devoted to theirwork within easy reach by train or bus. No car rental necessary. And then there is the opera in Nice and Monaco, both a quick train ride from Cagnes-sur-mer. Moreover Ithink the waiters in this part of France act more human and less like the food priesthood of Paris. Added to that you have California style weather. The apartment itself is well furnished and in a peaceful, beautiful (2 blocks to the beach) section of Cagnes.Highly recommended.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/09/08

I must admit I was a bit dubious about the Cote d’Azur (Cannes, Nice, etc.) before I got there. I pictured it as a place of bikinis and mindlessness. But I was very pleasantly surprised by the high level of culture available; various artists worked close by (e.g. Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Chagall) and there are museums devoted to their work within easy reach by train or bus. No car rental necessary. And then there is the opera in Nice and Monaco, both a quick train ride from Cagnes-sur-mer. Moreover I think the waiters in this part of France act more human and less like the food priesthood of Paris. Added to that you have California style weather. The apartment itself is well furnished and in a peaceful, beautiful (2 blocks to the beach) section of Cagnes. Highly recommended.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/11/08

Cagnes Sur Mer is a lovely seaside town with great restaurants - this apartment is about an 8 minute walk to the beachfront and shops and restaurants. Only a 10 minute train ride into Nice, or about 25 minute train ride to Monico. A cozy place great for two people - nice view from balcony, and modern bathroom and appliances.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/11/08

We loved staying here and would do so again and again. This was our perfect home base in the South of France. From this cozy, quiet, and most comfortable studio we could easily make day trips throughout Provence and the Cote' d'Azur to all those wonderful enchanting places. Markets, shopping, cafes, and beach are just steps away. The studio is immaculate, tastefully and effeciently furnished and sleeps 4 easily. Being able to eat-in was a stress free pleasure with the bonus of saving money and those extra restaurant calories. Price is right! A great place to call home while in the South of France...we highly recommend this charming studio and can't wait to return.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/10/08

From the minute my husband and I opened the door to the apartment, we felt like we were home. Everything was clean, cozy and comfortable - and as much as we loved exploring the neighboring villages, it was always great coming back to the apartment, setting out the great cheese, bread, olives and wine we bought at nearby marketplaces, and savoring it all on the patio. The location was perfect - close to buses, trains, and easy and beautiful walks within the town. We stayed a month, and wished we had stayed longer. Perfect setting to enjoy the Cote d'Azur.

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