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Note the splendid Baroque church at the top of the hill and wind your way down the medieval streets to the amazing chapel by the sea, lavishly decorated by Jean Cocteau and dedicated to fishermen in the area who initially refused to enter because of the flamboyant naked male angels painted on the walls.

If you like Cocteau's work, travel onwards to Menton to a very camply decorated registry office and a wonderful museum, containing a huge Cocteau collection.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14879 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13723
Easily accessible by train from Nice and surrounded by beautiful hills perfect for exploring by foot or cycle.

Great entry point to the Mercantour National Park.

The town has its share of interesting buildings including an ancient bridge and the baroque Saint Michel cathedral set in an impressive town square.

With plenty of places to eat well Sospel is a peaceful haven away from the hectic coastal area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13670
The views over Menton, Monaco and the surrounding valleys are truly fabulous and there are at least a couple of restaurants to admire them from.

The town is only 20 minutes drive from Menton, or less from the corniche roads and motorway, but feels off the beaten track.

For the adventurous, try climing to the old XII fort and medieval garden at the top of the town which are in a shambolic state of disrepair.

The town contains numerous vaulted passageways and you can admire beautiful houses dating back to the XV century, with their magnificently restored doorways.

For those looking for more recent history, the town is the entry point for a tour into what remains of the Maginot Line fortress.

The restaurant with the best views in town is Le Righi, 1 place du fort, 06500 Sainte-Agnès. Reservations are recommended and can be made on: 04 92 10 90 88.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13670 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13632
Half way along is the small church of N.D d'la Menour. You park and climb above and away from the road up to the small courtyard of the church.

It is blissfully peaceful with the smell of the lavender and buzzards circling below in the valley.

My brother and I spread my mother's ashes there, as a more beautiful spot I can't imagine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13632 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5952
The views as you leave Nice and curve around the Cap de Nice into the Rade de Villefranche are spectacular.

Loads to do when you get there whatever your tastes. Sightseeing: the Citadel, Rue Obscure, the old Port; culture: four museums/galleries, all free entry; relaxing: two beaches, one coarse sand, the other stony; and loads of bars and restaurants.

There's a food market with local produce on Saturdays, antiques (well bric-a-brac) on Sundays, and above all it's a nice, relaxing, cosy place after the brashness of Nice.

PS don't take a car!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5952 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5951
The park at the top of the hill (just after the statue of Queen Victoria) houses a nice olive grove, Roman ruins (with the associated archaeological museum), the Matisse Museum and the monastery with its phenomenal gardens (and nice views).

All in all, a great place to chill out for an afternoon, mingle with the locals on a weekend and wander around.

The park is also where the jazz festival takes place every summer - www.nicejazzfest.com - which is why the alleys are named after the jazz musicians who have performed there (Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie among others).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5951