Nice

Nestled in the heart of the French Riviera with the sun shining an average of 300 days each year, Nice has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in France.   The city is a cosmopolitan mix of young and old, the bustling shopping street of Jean Médecin and hip bars and clubs, contrasting the beautiful and historic old town of Vieux Nice. 

The picturesque backdrop of vast mountain surrounds and sparkling blue Azur waters attracts a wide variety of people, from those seeking a relaxing holiday to those in search of a bit of inspiration.  You only have to visit the Matisse and Chagall Museums to see the dramatic effect that this place can have on a person.

Nice is second only to Paris in the number of museums and galleries to visit.  There are also several other must see tourist spots including the Fruit and Flower market, the Chateau and the Promenade des Anglaise.

Located in the centre of the Riviera with an extensive (and cheap!) public transport system, Nice is the ideal place to stay when visiting the Cote de A’zur.

Fruit and Flower Market

Every morning the Cours Saleya comes alive with street venders selling an array of locally produced fruits, flowers, breads, meats, herbs and cheeses.  It is situated in the heart of the Old Town and is surrounded by restaurants and cafes providing the perfect place for your morning coffee and a spot of people watching.  The Fruit and Flower market is one of the most memorable attractions of the city.  It operates 6 days a week, replaced on Mondays with an antique market.

Promenade des Anglaise

The Promenade des Anglaise is the heart and soul of the French Riviera.  The natural beauty of the area, combined with the mild Mediterranean climate, captured the attention of the English upper class in the late 18th centrury. This seafront was so popular amoung the English that it was named the ‘Walkway of the English’.

This cresent shaped pebble beach is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sparkling blue Azur water.  For the more athletic, the promendade provides a wonderful platform for  jogging, cycling or roller blading along the seafront.  Or why no splash out on a chaise lounge or refreshing cocktail in one of the luxurious seaside resturants.

Le Chateau

Situated between the port and the Promenade des Anglaise, Cilline du Chateau boasts spectacular panoramic views of the coast north to Monaco, and south toward Antibes. You can take an elevator to the top for a small price or hike up the steps for free.  Not much remains of the original castle but the view that greets you will be worth your while so be sure you take your camera!

Old Nice – Nice Vielle Ville

Nice Old Town is bursting full of colour and character.  The narrow cobbled stoned streets are lined with delightful shops selling anything from souvenirs and postcards, to Provençal wares, gourmet food and wine, and stylish clothing.  You will also find an array of superb restaurants and cafes as well as numerous hip bars and clubs.

Museums

For the more culturally inclined, the city of Nice boasts an extensive array of Museums, ranging from the Matisse Museum up in Cimiez, displaying a selection of paintings, drawings and sculptures, to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, featuring constantly changing exhibitions from around the world.  The latter can be found in a spectacular building with glass walkways and marbles towers offering one of the best views of the city from the open-air terrace.

Another must see is the Museum of Marc Chagall, considered one of the biggest influences on modernism and one of the best figurative artists of the 20^th century. Entry is free to all museums in Nice except the Chagall Museum where adults pay €8.50

Transport

Transport around Nice is second to none with an extensive network of trams and buses connecting every area of the city from north to south and east to west.  The main tramline runs from Nice Nord right through the centre of the city passing the train station, the Old Town and connecting the beach to the port.  Buses are the best way to travel to anywhere in between or to nearby towns such as Monaco and Eze Village.  They are user friendly, frequent, and cost just €1!

Activities in and around Nice

If adventure is what you seek then Nice has plenty to offer.  Just a walk down to the Promenade des Anglaise will present a number of options such as wake boarding, paragliding, rollerblading and much more. 

If you are after something more specific, Villa Adventure Tours offer an extensive array of options at a reasonable price including a day sailing the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea, rock climbing, SCUBA diving, canyoning or even yoga!