Nice Hotels

The crowded hub of the Promenade des Anglais might be swarming with tourists, but it definitely has its charm – lined with palm-trees and soaked in sun. But the heart of Nice beats in the markets of Cours Saleya, a teeming flower market that smells – and looks – just like heaven.

This is all before nightfall, of course, when the pedestrian-only zone of Rue Messina literally lights up and the Old Town becomes a street party where the beautiful and rich mingle with gaping and not-so-rich backpackers in a celebration of la vie bien.

Don’t let the constant sunshine and beautiful people fool you into thinking that Nice doesn’t have depth, however. Nice almost rivals Paris in terms of artistic swagger, and instead of having a mere few museums filled with the work of great artists, Nice boasts several, some dedicated entirely to showcasing the work of a single artist. Check out the Picasso Museum, the Musee National Message Biblique Marc Chagall and the Matisse Museum, to drop a few names.

If this isn’t enough culture for you, check out the nearby Archaeology Museum or get up-close and personal with some real-life ruins at the ancient Roman ruins of Cemenelum.

France: Live it Up in Nice

The core of the Côte d’Azur, radial hub of the Riviera and focus of the south of France, Nissa La Bella is the comely capital of the Alpes Maritimes département and gateway to the likes of Grasse, Cannes, Monaco, Menton, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Tropez and Antibes-Juan-les-Pins.

To wit, a considerable percentage of the over 30 million annual domestic and global visitors to land in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur pass through Nice. Moreover, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the most important port of arrival in France outside of Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Orly Airport in Paris. As such, Nice is a staple holiday resort par excellence with the jet-set and hoi polloi alike.

Alas, our concern is with the former, or, more correctly, just how to live it up in Nice, upper-crust-style. Tag along as we underscore where to dine, where to shop and where to stay in the exceptional Mediterranean city.

Nice’s Top 10

Nice History

• Vieille Ville (Old Town) – A historic medieval village with quaint restaurants.
• Monastere de Cimiez – This stunning monastery is a must-see for visitors to Nice.
• Basilique Notre Dame – Built in 1868, this basilica boasts a beautiful gothic exterior.
• Palais Lascaris – A richly decorated, 17th-century palace boasting an opulent interior.
• Cathédrale de Sainte Réparate – A baroque cathedral dating back to the 17th century.

Nice Art & Culture

• Museum of Asian Art – Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian art.
• Musee Chagall – This popular Nice museum is home to beautiful stained-glass windows.
• Musee Matisse – A charming collection of artwork, all housed within a 17th-century Genoese villa.
• Musee et Site Archeologiques de Cimiez – The ruins of an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement.
• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) – The artwork of contemporary artists.

Nice Shopping

• Av. Jean Medecin – The main shopping avenue. Home to two huge entertainment stores.
• Galleries Lafayette – This is where designer stores can be found in abundance.
• Ventimiglia – A large, open street market selling inexpensive fashions.
• Etoiles – A shopping mall featuring many well-known stores.
• Rue de France – Exclusive clothing boutiques and many cafes and restaurants.

Gay & Lesbian Nice

• Blue Boy – A small yet busy venue and one of the most stylish gay discos Nice has to offer.
• Kf-bis – A restaurant with a considerable gay following
• Cherry’s Café – A popular bar and restaurant with a terrace on which visitors can enjoy drinks.
• Castro Street – This venue features dark, cosy areas for couples to relax.
• O’Neill’s Irish Pub – A drinking establishment with a friendly atmosphere.

Nice Outdoor

• Parc Phoenix – This magnificent park contains 2,500 different plants, many housed within a tropical glasshouse.
• Colline du Chateau – The castle overlooks the Baie des Anges and harbour and provides visitors with spectacular city views.
• Cliff Walk – Take the Sentier Littoral pathway around Cap de Nice. Enjoy the best of Nice’s outdoor scenery.
• Eze – A small village near to Monaco, located on a small mountain and boasting a beautiful cactus garden.
• Villefranche-sur-Mer Beach – The beach provides the ideal location to spend a day relaxing in the sun.

Nice Sport

• Watch the Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur (OGC Nice) football club at the Stade Municipal du Ray.
• Catch the Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing rugby club.
• Take a trip to the clay courts of the Nice Lawn Tennis Club to see tennis professionals in action.
• Visit the Sports Palace Jean Bouin, home to national and international figure-skating competitions in the autumn and winter.
• Watch golfers at Nice’s Golf de la Grande Bastide golf club.

Nice, France

Nice, the second most popular tourist destination in France after Paris, is located on the Mediterranean coast about 32 km (20 miles) from Cannes. Nice is believed to be one of the oldest human settlements in Europe; visitors come to see its architecture, such as Notre Dame de Nice, and to learn about its history.

Nice Attractions

• Place Garibaldi
• Promenade des Anglais
• Old Nice

Nice Activities

• Walk through the Place Masséna, an authentic Mediterranean city square reserved for pedestrian traffic
• Walk through the Jardin botanique de la Ville de Nice, a botanical garden with thousands of plant varieties
• Tour Terra Amata, an archaeological site displaying evidence of the early use of fire

Nice Climate

Nice has mild summers and a moderate amount of rain falling in the winter. Average highs in summer are around 27ºC (81ºF), average lows in winter do not approach freezing. Nearly 900 mm (35 inches) of rain falls each year, mostly between October and May.

Getting There & Around

Flights arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, one of the busiest in Europe. Alternatively, Nice can be reached from Paris by train in six hours. There are also numerous bus lines, which run to Nice from a variety of European locations.

Nice has a public bus system which operates until about 8 pm. Taxis are available but expensive. The main sites of tourist interest are in the town centre and rarely more than a 20-minute walk away.

Nice Local

It might be a blessing in disguise that drivers in Nice seem to get crazier as the streets get narrower. Strolling around the city is one of the best ways to explore it, so get off the long waterfront promenade and check out these top five neighbourhoods.

Cimiez

It’s been quite a few years since Queen Victoria used to holiday at Cimiez’ appropriately named Hotel Regina, but the quarter hasn’t lost any of its elegance. Cimiez isn’t exactly vibrant, nestled high up between the Old Town and Nice Centre, but you’re not here for the restaurants and nightlife.

The Roman-influenced town is now famous for its Roman ruins – which, unlike her late Majesty, are still aesthetically pleasing despite their age. The Roman Amphitheatre and the Archaeological Museum provide two of Cimiez’ main photo ops, while art lovers will want to visit the timeless masterpieces of Matisse and Chagall in their respective museums.

Vieux-Nice

Shadowy streets, cosy squares, colourful markets – during the day, Vieux-Nice looks as you might have imagined it to look two centuries ago… minus the iPod-wearing pedestrians. The Basilica of Saint Reparate and Palais Lascaris are masterpieces of Baroque architecture, and their interiors are almost as indulgent as the gelato at the nearby Glacier Fennochio.

Afterwards, head to the Cours Saleya or Marche Saleya for some shopping, or settle into a cosy alleyway bar to witness how thumping bass and hordes of young clubbers inject the Vieux-Nice with a decidedly new spirit after dark.

Promenade du Paillon

Nice’s River Paillon may have dwindled into a mere stream flowing under this 2km-long (1.25 miles) promenade, but the area above ground hasn’t suffered the same fate. Beginning from the Albert I Gardens and its open-air Théâtre de Verdure, make your way towards the 19^th Century square of L’Espace Masséna. Ignore the monstrous Shell car park and derelict bus station that only slightly detract from the majesty of Théâtre National de Nice – they’ll be replaced by a strip of lush greenery by 2013.

Port of Nice

Once an important port of call for cruise ships on the Mediterranean, the Port of Nice is now an important port of call for those who want either splendid architecture or a good oily pizza. Get both at Café du Port before checking out some of the attractions. The Notre-Dame du Nice church has a phenomenal interior even if it doesn’t encourage your faith to soar to equally lofty heights, while the candied mandarin oranges at Florian confectioners are almost as impressive.

Place Massena

The most beautiful plaza in the Vielle quarter is an observer’s paradise – whether you’re observing the people, the general opulence of the square or the pricey designer clothing through the windows of Fendi and Chanel. The café-laden pedestrian only zone of Rue Massina is also surrounded by a few stores that will allow you to shop with your credit card rather than your eyes, so make sure to visit Avenue Jean Medecin and Galeries Lafayette, France’s #1 department store.

Nice Eat & Drink

The dining scene in Nice is almost as ‘du jour’ as the boutiques lining the streets of Vieux-Nice. You won’t find coupons for all-you-can-eat buffets in the local guidebooks here, where it’s all about quality over quantity. You didn’t think the French stayed slim just by strolling, did you?

Nice Events

January’s Luna Park is a large fair with attractions for the young, the not-so-young, and the young at heart.

February marks the biggest revelry in Nice with the Carnival, celebrated with parades, food fests and fireworks. The best part is that it lasts for two weeks.

Serene Cimiez gets a healthy dose of energy in May for La Fete de Mai, Nice’s oldest festival.

Fête de la Gastronomie in September is where Nice cuisine is highlighted at restaurants around the city. All you have to do to celebrate is eat!

Free concerts take place all around the city for June’s Fete de la Musique, which promotes the music of local artists.

Fisherman celebrate Fete de la Mer with mass at the Gesu church, followed by a procession to Les Ponchettes beach to set a boat on fire. In honour of the patron saint, of course.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but at the Nice Jazz Festival in July you can pack a picnic and have a very cheap one to go with the free jazz.

Fireworks and dancing mark July’s Bastille Day Celebration, one of Nice’s (and France’s) biggest and best festivals.

At what point does a Christmas Village become a Christmas City? In December, the central square of Nice toes the line.

When To Go

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit, when temperatures are mild and mugginess is minimal.

Ocean breezes are less breezy and more blustery in winter, which is relatively mild but known for those strong winds.

With summer’s clear skies comes sweltering heat – although temperatures can drop to a more pleasant 17°C (63°F) after dark.

What To Avoid

Les Moulins and l’Ariane have little to offer tourists and have the highest crime rates in Nice.

Wine in restaurants is very expensive, so if you’re on a budget do as the locals do and order wine by the pitchet – a 50 centilitre jug.

The ‘duty free’ shops at Nice Airport have prices way above those found even in the high street.

Nice, France Information

Other Attractions

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More Info On Climate

More Info On Getting Around