Le Golfe Juan, Provence-Alpes-côte d’azur
Relax in the Heart of the French Riviera
Master bedroom with queen sized bed, Ultra HD Smart TV, and balcony access
Peaceful second bedroom with full size bed, closet, and Ultra HD Smart TV
Third bedroom with two single beds, Ultra HD Smart TV, and balcony access
modern bathroom with washer/dryer combo
heated, fog-free mirror, instant hot water, rain shower head
Location
Casa DonAndrea
Our apartment is right in the center of the village of Golfe-Juan, with Cannes ten minutes to the west and Juan Les Pins and Antibes ten minutes to the east. We are a couple of blocks away from the port and a beautiful sandy beach that stretches all the way to Juan Les Pins. The train station is literally a two minute walk from the apartment and stops at most towns along the route beyond Saint Tropez, and Marseilles in one direction, and along the route to Nice, Monaco, and even on to Italy in the other direction. One can choose from express or more local trains, depending on ones needs.
Get out and explorE
Things To Do
The Cote d’Azur is blessed with a warm and sunny climate. Even the winter is mostly sunny and on average stays in the 50’s F.
A ten minute train ride west to Cannes, famous for the international film festival, will give you the opportunity for high-end shopping, celebrity watching and exploring the old parts of the city, as well as dining at any of the hundreds of restaurants of all price ranges.
A five minute train ride east will take you to the charming seaside resort of Juan les Pins, where you can enjoy casinos, shops, restaurants and a lovely beach.
Another five minutes beyond Juan les Pins is the ancient city of Antibes where artists like Picasso lived and painted. You can visit the Picasso Museum and art studios throughout the town.
The winding and narrow streets are filled with shops and the famous covered market is great for people watching or buying local produce. There are clothing boutiques, hat shops, restaurants, cafés, and there is an old Absinthe Bar hidden under a shop where you can sip absinthe and purchase bottles.
For exercise, one can stroll, run, or bike ride along the sea in either direction and visit towns in between. Yoga classes are easily found as well.
Golfe juan Restaurants
Golfe Juan has many choices when it comes to restaurants. In the center of the village is Pacha Kabab, Asian Fusion, and Pizza Cho, among others for inexpensive, delicious eats to dine in or take out or for delivery. There are several cafés as well, and along the port, at least 20 restaurants of differing cuisine and price points. A favorite is La Cigalle Du Golf, a Lebanese restaurant with the freshest food and friendly service. Le Clos Cosette is a hidden gem serving traditional French cuisine, just a 5 minute drive from Le Golfe Juan in the hills of Vallauris.
The Charming Village of Le Golfe Juan
The village of Le Golfe Juan is distinct from other, nearby seaside resort towns. It is famous for being the port where on March 1, 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte landed with 600 men, having escaped exile on the island of Elba. His return to Paris, commemorated by the Route Napoléon, and the campaign that led to his ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo are known as the "Hundred Days". (wikipedia) The inhabitants are called Golfe-Juanais and most live here full time and consist of working class families, retirees and business people. Along with the full time residents, Le Golfe Juan has Camille Rayon Port for the many yachting visitors. There is a row of restaurants at the docks that caters to these folks, as well as the locals. Le Golfe-Juan offers that authentic, laidback French lifestyle of café life, and long leisurely lunches. Practically everyone drinks Rosé and in hot weather, it is not incorrect to add an ice cube or two.
Shop at the many outdoor markets along the riviera
From the local Golfe Juan market on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11-4pm, to the Marché Provençal, a covered farmers market in old Antibes, open from 6am to 1pm., one can find the freshest produce, eggs, milk, charcuterie, honey, and local crafts including clothing and olive wood carved items. The super charming commune of Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the oldest Medieval towns on the Riviera is known for it’s many contemporary art galleries, and also has a wonderful .The local producers' market takes place on Wednesday mornings, from 9am to 2pm, selling fruit & veg, pastries, cakes, tea, oil, cheese, local delicacies and, of course, socca, a crepe made of chickpeas that is a tradition of the area.
nightlife in NICE
The hustle and bustle of Nice slows at around 5pm and people flock to the many bars and cafés for aperitivo. It is sort of the French/Italian version of the American happy hour but more a drink/light meal that takes place at the end of the workday as a kind of warm up to dinner. . It is the time to relax and enjoy an Aperol Spritz, or other beverage with friends, accompanied by little appetizers. Later, one can stroll through the winding streets of old Nice on the way to the restaurant area on the Rue Saint-François de Paule. If you feel like burning a few of those calories after dinner, you can walk up Castle Hill to the ancient citadel that once guarded the bay of Nice, and enjoy sweeping views of the city and sea at sunset. You can also stroll along the Mediterranean on the Promenade Des Anglais.
“Yes Sir, there are things to see and do on the French Riviera without spending money.”
