ville franche or antibes

would love some advice on which is best for 4days, we%26#39;re after good beaches, restaurants, bars and lots of things to do?

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I would expect Antibes to be a bit more lively. Villefranche is a small fishing village with a large, deep bay that welcomes cruise ships. Antibes could also be described as a fishing village, but it%26#39;s also one (if not the) largest yacht marinas on the Cote d%26#39;Azur, and so you may imagine the businesses that have been established that attract yacht crews.

I%26#39;ve visited both many times, but never stayed, so perhaps someone who has lived there or stayed over several nights can help (SelkieNice for Antibes and LondonBob for Villefranche).

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While i like both places, I think Antibes beats Villefranche for beaches plus nightlife and you have the option of Juan les pins too, an easy walk away.

What sort of things do you want to do?

Both places are useful for day trips by train along the coast

There are also possibilities of day trips from both places by bus

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Have stayed in both and would recommend Antibes every time for the things you mention.

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I agree with Selkie. Main advantages of Villefranche over Antibes are spectacular location, ease of travel to Nice and to the most stunning part of the coast. Plenty of restaurants but they tend to be pricey. No late night life so far as I know. Got to go to Nice.

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thanks very much everyone for your advice, we%26#39;re goign to go with Antibes...next question is accomodation recommendations? value for money is key, but we also dont want to be too far from the action (ie walking distance ideal). Also any restaurants you could recommend as well would be fantstic!!

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These two hoteks are in the old town if Antbies and good value for money

relais du postillon

http://www.relaisdupostillon.com/

auberge Provençal;

http://www.aubergeprovencale.com/ANG/

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Another question, should we stay in antibes or juan-les-pins, just looking at restaurants etc and there seems to be lots in both but is one better to stay in?

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If you are looking for more nightlife then Juan-Les-Pins wins hands down....Antibes is lovely with loads of restaurants, bars, shopping, cafes etc, it has a cuter, quainter feel than JLP which is more modern and flashy, definitely geared to a younger crowd with several nightclubs open to 6am.

There is also a bigger stretch of beach in JLP, lots of beach restaurants and watersports.

It%26#39;s really not far between the 2, from the Old Town of Antibes you can walk to JLP in 25 minutes.

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JLP is lively and brash but not rowdy - lots of night life and more of a beach experience if you like private beaches, option of beach activities

Antibes is more sedate - the beaches are nice but don%26#39;t have much of a choice of extra sea side activities

Both places have good beaches for swimming

both have lots of restaurants

Pick Antibes if you want a quieter more relaxing stay and JLP if you want more bizz, remembering that you can mix it up easily by walking from one to the other.

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thanks very much everyone. has anyone stayed at Olympe?