One of our favorite unexpected stops along our Eurail journey was Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France. It was not one of those big, famous cities that had been at the top of our travel list, but that ended up being part of what made it so special.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is only a few minutes from Nice by train, but it felt much quieter and more relaxed. The Eurail dropped us off right in town, making it an easy stop along our route through France.
We stayed at a small boutique hotel called Hôtel Select. It had the charm of a quaint European walk-up hotel, but thankfully, it also had an elevator for our suitcases. After traveling from city to city with luggage, an elevator can feel like a true luxury!
The hotel was located right on a little town square. As soon as we stepped outside, there were small restaurants, cafés and local activity all around us. During our stay, flea-market vendors set up right in front of the hotel, so we could walk out the door and browse the tables without having to go anywhere.
That was one of the things we loved most about staying there. We did not have to plan some elaborate itinerary or travel across the city to find things to do. We could simply walk outside, look around the market, choose a nearby restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere of the town.
And then, within about a two-minute walk, we could peek over and see the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
There was something so peaceful about being able to wander through a small French town and suddenly catch a glimpse of that bright blue water. It felt completely different from the busier cities we visited during the trip.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer was definitely an off-the-beaten-track destination for us. We had planned some of the more well-known stops along our Eurail route, but this little seaside town gave us a quieter and more authentic experience. It allowed us to slow down, enjoy the local restaurants and take in the beauty of the French Riviera without feeling surrounded by crowds.
Sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip are not the major attractions or famous landmarks. Sometimes they are the little town squares, the flea markets outside your hotel, the restaurants just steps from your door and the unexpected view of the Mediterranean waiting around the corner.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer gave us all of that, and we were so glad our Eurail journey brought us there.