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to authentic Indian curries, ai noodles, Italian traditions, and more. Our winner was a local favorite deep in Nice's Old City called Lavomatique, with dishes so sumptuous we returned another day for the exact same order. Places Famous and Not-So Directly surrounding Nice are some of the most charming little burgs of the Côte d'Azur, each with their own personalities and attributes. Some are more known than others, and a few require short rides from the train station to enjoy their riches. Cagnes-sur-Mer is topped by a tiny castle snatched right from a fairytale. Perched high on a hilltop, the little town trickles down narrow stone streets with echoed footsteps. It seemed the perfect place to enjoy our supplies from the farmers market, overlooking the distant rock formations and closer hamlets green from recent rains. Hardly another visitor was encountered, allowing us to dream of past lives here centuries ago. In Antibes, we meandered from the train along the marina to the Picasso Museum, occupying the former Château Grimaldi on the city's outer ramparts. With views of the sea, Picasso painted masterpieces here which now hang on its walls for us to enjoy. Sated on art, our hunger led us steps away to a perfectly French waterfront restaurant called Les Vieux Murs, where we feasted on foie gras, country pâté, crusty bread, and a deliciously green pistou. e meal and view were perfectly improved by the accompaniment of a chilled local rosé. A hike around the point in Cap Ferrat with local friends was another highlight, as we picked our way along a rocky coastal path tracing bluest-of-blue inlets. Yachts and sailboats bobbed nearby as we inhaled the impossible beauty of the craggy coastline. Vence and its more popular sister St. Paul de Vence are both worth seeing for different reasons. Vence is where the locals thrive, its historic narrow streets dotted with shops, bakeries, and restaurants serving its residents and visitors with color and creative appeal. Just across the valley, St. Paul de Vence is the stuff of postcards, magnetic for its winding hilltop streets, ancient stone walls, and perfectly coiffed bougainvillea vines in full magenta bloom. On our next visit, we have other hamlets to explore including Cannes, Èze, Menton, and Monaco. Friends tell us that although world-famous, Cannes and Monaco are interesting for the sake of saying we've been there rather than the quaint charm of smaller towns along the coast and hillsides. Jon Bailey is a San Diego-based travel journalist, exploring the globe with his husband and their two daughters. For more adventures, visit 2dadswithbaggage.com OPPOSITE The hilltop village of St. Paul de Vence is picturesque, with narrow cobblestone streets and stone buildings filled with galleries, shops, and bistros TOP Freshly baked croissants and café au laits are the perfect way to begin lazy mornings in Nice, particularly when served at a street-side cafe MIDDLE Adventurous souls can hike the curving path along waterfront cliffs in Cap Ferrat, where the bluest of waters beckon visitors for a quick dip BOTTOM Atop the sweet little village of Cagnes-Sur-Mer sits the 14th-century Chateau Grimaldi, surrounded by quiet streets, blooming vines, and sweeping views of the countryside @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE JULY 2026 89