Nice is not just about relaxation, there are also plenty of tourist attractions that you can visit. Interested in taking a holiday in beautiful Nice? Read on for more…

The origins of Nice are to be located in the Gallic and Roman ruins at Cimiez which is a former settlement located in the hills above the Boulevard de Cimiez. Nice was once part of Italian Savoy and also the Kingdom of Sardinia until it was returned to France in 1860. The Mediterranean climate of Nice has been attracting visitors for well over 200 years.

In fact the main promenade on the seafront is called La Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English) after the many English aristocrats that holidayed here since the 18th Century. Receiving on average 4 million tourists a year, Nice is the second most visited place in France after Paris.

Nice is well located to the other main urban centres of France – the A8 autoroute is the most common way to get to Nice from the western France in Cannes or if you are coming from Italy by road. If you are coming from the west take the Exit 55 route which brings you into the city centre. Take Exit 50 if coming from the east. Nice is well served by bus and train, and Nice Airport is the second biggest in the whole of France, and services all the main European routes from Terminal 1.

Things to Do and See in Nice
There is plenty to see and do in Nice.  The following are what we recommend that you definitely check out during your holiday there:

Promenade des Anglais:  Started out as a small coastal road that was used by upper class English families, it is now one of the main roads used in Nice. Now it is an eight-lane highway, 8km long.

Colline du Chateau: Overlooks Baie des Anges and gives a magnificent view of the whole city, from 90 metres above. There are little remains of the castle, except for walls that are crumbling. The castle was felled in the 8th century. The view alone is worth the trek to the top. The hills now are home to a beautiful park, with typical Mediterranean foliage of pine trees and aloes, an alluring waterfall, and a play area for children. If you want another great view of Nice from a high vantage point, check out Mont Boron.

Vieux Nice (Nice Old Town): Nice Old Town is a wonderful maze of streets and alleyways. It is a colourful neighbourhood with tiny alleyways with charming and quirky shops, art galleries and eateries located between many traditional old style houses. The centre of Vieux Nice contains Saint Réparate Cathedral. There are some wonderful museums, including Palais Lascaris to the north east of the town, and decorated in a 17th century style. Rue St. Francois is home to some lovely little shops where you can pick up a bargain!

The very heart of the Old Town is to the south; along Cours Saleca, where the market is. You can smell the fresh fruit and flowers here. Grab a bargain any day of the week here, from antiques to clothes to ornaments! At the Palais de Justice you can pick a book from extensive market library on Saturdays. To the east of Vieux Nice is Colline du Chateau.  Colourful houses define Vieux Port, which is reached from Place Garibaldi, and a charming church called Notre-Dame-du-Port.

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Nice: This impressive building was built in 1859 and is regarded as the oldest Russian cathedral in Western Europe.

Nice is home to some impressive museums including:

Parc Phoenix:  Home to nearly 3,000 different plants in a botanic garden and an antique tropical glasshouse. There are some animals located here too.

Museé Chagall: With stained glass and art collections by the artist.

Museum of Asian Art: Located just across from the airport, and contains some wonderful art from the Asian continent.

Museé Matisse: Features a wonderful art collection in a 17th century Genoa style house.

Museé et Site Archeologiques de Cimiez: Located next door to Museé Matisse and features the relics of the Roman-Gallic settlement that was in Cimiez.

Nice Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: Near the central bus terminal, and features modern contemporary paintings and sculptures.

Museé des Beaux-Arts: Features work by various local artists such as Jules Cheret.

Beaches in Nice
One of the main reasons people go to Nice is for the long hours of sunshine. Please note that in the main, the public beaches in Nice are quite stony and containing plenty of pebbles. However, the stunning light blue waters that lap the stony beaches are more of a compensation, and there is nothing like a swim in these warm clear waters.

If you prefer the sandy type of beaches there are other beaches that you can visit in the locality such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cannes and Antibes. Villefranche is only a twenty-minute drive away and is a charming and aesthetic port town with a vibrant history.

Shopping In Nice
The main shopping street in Nice is Avenue Jean Medécin, and the Virgin Megastore is located here. Designer labels are very expensive here so if you are on a budget you will shop around for bargains. Gallaries Lafayette is a place to check out for more bargains.

A short drive over the Italian border to Ventimiglia will bring you to their massive open street market, which takes place every Friday.

The aforementioned Cours Saleva has wonderful markets, and is something you have to experience on your Nice holiday. The flower, fruit and vegetables markets are a joy to behold. Monday is flea market day – you might pick up some antique furniture, linen ware and china.

Eating Out In Nice
Dining out in the capital of the Côte d’Azur can be quite expensive, so as always it is best to shop around. Remember that lunch time meals can be quite good value so check these out. The Port area of Nice is a place where you can find good value budget restaurants. Mid value restaurants include Indian, Italian and local cuisine styled restaurants. If you want a real treat but at a huge price, try the Chantecler in the Negresco Hotel.

Festivals In Nice
Nice Jazz Festival: A local festival that dates all the way back to 1974, with a Grande Parade du Jazz when the main acts perform in the ruins of a Roman Amphitheatre, which was built in the 3rd century BC. It runs from the 17th-24th July 2010 and offers high quality jazz music for fans.

La Fête des Mais: Takes place every Sunday in the month of May, with music and dancing in a family style atmosphere in the Amphitheatre of Cimiez.

Nice Carnival: Takes place for two weeks in February every year, and is regarded as one of the most important events in the French Riviera. There is a marvelous programme of entertainment on offer, with colourful carnival processions and fantastic floats.  The major activity takes place on the Promenade des Anglais and the wonderful floral displays are well worth viewing.

Taking a holiday around Nice this summer or later this year? Remember that the best way to explore the city and the surrounding regions is to hire a car. For the very best deals in car rental, visit our Car Hire Nice Airport page.

Paris: fashion capital of Europe
Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street café’s and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.

Transport: how to get there and around:
The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.

Getting around Paris is best on foot, it’s a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.

Weather
Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.

Attractions & Events
Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.

* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.

*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.  

*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.

Nice: treasure of the Côte d’Azur
Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.

The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.

Transport: how to get there and around:
Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 km’s from town.  Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.
Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels

Weather
Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.

Attractions & Events
*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.

*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.   

*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.

There is plenty to do in Nice, and most of this revolves around sightseeing. There is nothing better than relaxing on an air-conditioned tour bus in the height of summer while someone explains to you all you need to know about the surrounding area and its history. However, one thing is better than this and this thing would be lying on a perfect beach in Nice. The coastline is breathtaking, with so many perfect spots to choose from that it would take several trips to the region just to be able to visit all of them.

The most important thing to do in Nice is to stay in accommodation that suits your needs. These needs could either be budget or proximity related, although these two often go hand in hand. You may find that the hotels and holiday apartments for rent that are closer to the centre of things tend to be more expensive. However, if you are lucky you may find something in the centre of things that is not out of your price range.

Nice is not considered a cheap European city by any standards, but it is also not the most expensive. With proper planning and a good budget you should be able to enjoy a great holiday in Nice and take in most of the city without having to break your bank or tap into your life savings.

You will find enough in terms of holiday apartments, hotels and self-catering rentals to satisfy your needs. The best place to find accommodation is right here on the internet because you can make an informed decision in the comfort of your own chair without the pressure of a travel agent. You can also see pictures of the place you will be staying in, so depending on your budget you should be able to find what you are looking for without any hassle.

All the most beautiful parts of France are just a hop away from Nice. You can hire a car and take in the glory of St Tropez, Monte Carlo and the rest of Nice. You can even hop across the border and have lunch in Italy. As long as you know that you are coming home to a comfortable bed, then you can do anything you want. Your accommodation is important, so take your time when thinking about it. You should not have to rush into anything. A holiday in Nice should be more than just a holiday. It should be something you remember for the rest of your life.

Nice Markets

The promenade between the old town and the sea is known as Cours Saleya, the site of Nice’s main market. Famous residents like Matisse, who lived at the end of the Cours in a big yellow house (No 1: it has snarling faces of plaster lions protruding from it), and Chagall loved the city.

Village Segurane

Main entrance on rue Segurane. Open 10am-noon, 3-6.30pm Mon-Sat.
When ELton John went on a decoration spree for his villa in Mont Boron, this is where he shopped: a two storey miniature village of antiques shops, stacked together on one square block.

Matarosso Bookstore/Gallery

2 rue Longchamp (04.93.87.74.55). Open 10am-12.30pm 4-7.30pm Tues-Sat.
This pioneer Nicois gallery also stock contemporary art books, original editions and engravings.

Marche de la Brocante

Cours Saleya. Open 8am-5pm Mon
Antiques galore at this inviting outdoor market, where you’ll find vintage phonographs, blue seltzer bottles, old linen tablecloths, art deco jewellery, assorted attic junk and dazzling silver cutlery

Fayences de Moustiers

18 rue du Marche (04.93.13.06.03). Open 9.45am-1pm, 2-7pm Mon-Sat
The only shop in Nice with delicately hand-painted porcelain from Moustiers; everything from cream jugs to fruit bowls. Pricey, but the real thing.

Faconnable

7,9,10 rue Paradis (04.93.87.88.80). Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat.
What began as a small Nice-based menswear label in this small shop now has stores in every major international city, selling elegantly preppy sportswear, suits and ties. Womeswear at Number 10.

The Cat’s Whiskers

30 rue Lamartine (04.93.80.02.66). Open 2am-6.45pm Mon, 9.30am-7.45pm Tue-Fri, 9.30am-noon, 3-6.30pm Sat.
A Small but smart selection of English book.

Boutique 3

3 rue Longchamp (04.93.88.35.00). Open 10am-1pm, 2-7pm Mon-Sat
Designer Jacqueline Morabito creates creamy linen tablecloths, flowing white shirts, shawls, ceramic dishware, and even a shelf of gourmet goodies handpicked by Chantacler chef Alain Llorca.

Blanc d’Ivoire

17 rue de la Prefecture (04.93.85.57.43). Open 10am-1pm, 2-7pm Mon-Sat.
The first outlet of the Parisian homeware brand to open in the provinces has hand-stiched Provencal quilts, curtains, sweet smelling bath salts and soaps.

L’Atelier des Jouets

1 pl de l’Ancien Senat (04.93.13.09.60). Open 10.30am-7pm Mon, Tue-Sat; 2-7pm Wed
A charming old-fashion toy shop on a pretty square in the old town, packed with everything from soft toys, puzzles and puppets to stocking fillers.

French Car Hire

Restaurants in Nice range from cheap and cheerful to Michelin-starred. If your hotel or apartment is in the centre of Nice or Old Town, you will have a wide choice of where to eat in Nice all within walking distance, not including the hundreds of fast-food cafes and bars and numerous boulangeries.

Most of the restaurants listed have been reviewed in detail on my Virtualtourist.com pages. For individual reviews, please click on the photos or ‘more info’ or use the dropdown menu on the left.

For restaurant locations, use www.mappy.com – enter the road name, ‘Nice’ and ‘France’ for a good, printable map. A road number will pinpoint the restaurant precisely.

The restaurants we return to every time are (in no order) La Tapenade, Chez Palmyre, Bar de la Bourse, Chez Juliette, La Grange, Rene Socca, La Barque Bleue and La Colombe d’Or (St Paul de Vence). If we could brook the expense, I should like to return to La Petite Maison, Le Comptoir, Le Tire Bouchon and my new favourite, Jouni de la Reserve. I have so many places I haven’t written about yet with an equal number on my to-do list.

I have been writing up my restaurant tips in www.virtualtourist.com since September 2003 so expect some changes like increased prices; I have made a few amendments, not all.

Most of my tips are based on restaurants as opposed to fast-food kiosks and boulangeries. I will be recommending these places in due course – they often provide the freshest food and the best price – superb for picnics.

There is a free guide to the restaurants in Nice from the
Tourist Office They can send it to your home address before your trip to Nice. Not every restaurant is listed, but it gives you a good start with addresses and telephone numbers; ask for the free map too.

I am always on the look-out for great places to eat in Nice, especially if they are close to my studio ie within walking distance of the Port area. Please email me your recommendations – I’m after good quality AND value. Better still, join the VT.com website – it’s free and add your tips for everyone to share.

Tips for eating in restaurants

Good idea to book in advance, the day before or even the same morning will probably do, either pop in or telephone.

It’s an early start for lunch – get seated at 12 noon, 12:30pm at the latest to get the restaurant of your choice but don’t expect to eat before 7.30 – 8 pm in the evenings.

Address the waiter/waitress as ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’, never ‘Garcon’ – this is now out of date and considered very impolite. Start off with ‘Excusez-moi’ or ’s’il vous plait’ to attract attention.

Ordering a carafe d’eau gets you free tap water – they prefer (obviously) to sell you a bottle of water- usually the sparkling Badoit – we’ve paid up to 3,50 euros for half a bottle. If you want the free water, ask very clearly for the carafe, if you just ask for water, you’ll be given a choice of fizzy ‘gaz’ or still ’sans gaz’ and then you will feel too intimidated to then ask for the free carafe, so get the words out first!

Some restaurants will offer an aperitif first, so unless you want pre-meal drinks, often a ‘kir’ (white wine and cassis) be ready to say no, just the menu please. Alternatively, order your wine to come straight away, but if the service is slow, you may end up ordering a second bottle.

A cheap way to order glugging wine is to order a pitchet – this is a jug with the local house wine, can often be good.A pichet is a litre, half a pitchet is half a litre, etc.

We have found beer to be extremely expensive in Nice, up to 8 euros a glass. I would stick to the house wine and a carafe of water to get the best value from restaurants. Buy beer from the local supermarket and enjoy it at your hotel or apartment before you head off to a restaurant.

When you buy beer in a restaurant, there are different ways to order it, often you ask for a ‘pression’ which is draught beer, either a ‘demi-pression’- half a litre or a ‘formidable’ – a litre, the name says it all. Or, order bottled beer by brand.

What you might consider to be the menu ie the list of food is called ‘La Carte’ and not Le Menu. Le Menu refers to a set-price meal of two or three, sometimes 4 courses. This is also known as the ‘formule’. A daily special, the ‘plat du jour’ or dish of the day may be chalked up somewhere. The ‘formule’ or ‘menu’ with or without the ‘plat du jour’ will be displayed with the ordinary Carte, often on a separate piece of paper or chalked up somewhere. Ask, if you don’t see it as it often gives the best value, certainly much cheaper than ordering a la carte. The plat du jour will be freshly made and the best item to order; this is often as good a way as any when choosing a restaurant; when you’re strolling past a group of restaurants, just go for whatever plat du jour takes your fancy.

Usually the formule or menu will give a choice of 2 or 3 items for each course so you can usually put together something you’ll like. Sometimes a coffee or a glass of wine or a drink (‘boisson’) will be part of the formule or set-price menu sometimes as an alternative to a pudding. For example, a typical 3-course menu may offer a Salade Nicoise or Beignet Sardines (battered sardines) as a first course or entree, then a choice of gnocchi and daube (Italian dumplings and stew), or Spagetti Bolognaise or moules frite (chips and mussels) as a second or main course – plat principal and then ice-cream, creme caramel or the patisserie maison (cake or pastry of the day) as the third course or pudding – dessert. This will cost on average between 12 and 20 euros per head for the 3 courses at most of the touristy restaurants in and around the Old Town.

It’s worth having a good look around at the various set courses on offer, not only is it the best value, you can aften find a combination that suits, for example, a 3-course menu for 12 euros could be a starter (entree), then a main course (plat principal), then a pudding (dessert). It could also be a starter and a main OR a main and a pudding plus a glass of wine. There are a few 2-course menus on offer too, usually starter plus main OR main plus pudding, I’ve seen some offering a quarter pichet of wine instead of a pudding. there’s so many combinations, it pays to have a good look around and often by ordering two different sets of combinations from the same restaurant you can feed 2 adults and a child for the price of just 2 set menu.

We have done this quite successfully, the daughter has had my starter and pudding, I’ve just had a main course and the husband has had a starter and main and the wine option instead of pudding, so for the cost of two set menus plus the carafe d’eau we’ve all been fed and watered. The french verb for sharing is partager. Sometimes with a child, you can ask for a plate, une assiete, and say ‘ont partage’ – ‘we are sharing’

If you do want the set 2 or 3 course ‘menu’ or ‘formule’, make sure the waiter knows this and order all the courses at the beginning, including the pudding if you can cope with this, as we have been charged invididually for items as though they were ‘a la carte’ and have paid a lot more, especially as we tend to share out two formules between the three of us.

The words ‘a volonte’ on the menu mean ‘eat as much as you want’ ie you can keep re-ordering the same dish at no extra cost. One of the restaurants on the far side of Nice Port offers mussels a volonte. Also, on the Cours Saleya, the restaurant Bistro Romain offers carpaccio of beef or salmon a volonte. Carpaccio is thin-sliced raw meat or fish, usually served drizzed with plenty of olive oil and sometimes parmesan shavings too.

By the way, something else I’ve noticed. I love the Nicoise Salads but they often appear on the menus as an ‘entree’ or starter. I’ve been worried about choosing it for my main course as I used to think it may be rather small. This has never been a problem, I have ordered these entree salads at many different restaurants now and, so far, they have all easily been main-course sized. So if you see something on the entree list that you would like by itself for your main course, just order it, I’m sure it will be enough. It also explained to me why some of the entrees seemed so high in price; they really are main-course sized portions.

If one person orders an entree or starter as their main course and another person orders a main course, make sure your waiter knows to serve both at the same time or you will take turns to watch each other eat. We have been caught out this way a couple of times. The French for ‘together’ is ‘ensemble’.

If you see a pudding you fancy, it is ok to reserve it at the start of the meal – the popular puddings disappear rapidly so have a look in the display counter if you get the chance.

Don’t expect a children’s menu, although I have noticed an increase in restaurants offering them and many restaurants won’t serve half-portions for children, although they are usually happy enough to give a empty plate so that a child can share bits from the adult. Don’t forget you nearly always get a basket of French bread with every meal so this, plus perhaps an extra plate of chips is enough for two adults sharing their food with a child.

In Nice there will be something a child will like – pasta and pizza is always a good bet. Be careful ordering a burger though as you will need to specify how you like it cooked or it will arrive quite pink in the middle. My daughter will eat pink beef but other children may be put off.

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘pate’ on the menus, it means pasta and not what I think of as pate – thick fatty meat paste. I think there may be a crucial accent or two missing, but you get the idea.

The french for medium is ‘a point’ , ‘bien-cuit’ is well done or ‘pas bien cuit’ – NOT well done should sort out a steak. ‘Bleu’ or ’saignant’ means still mooing (or neighing)

’service compris’ sometimes written at the bottton of the bill as ’sc’ – now on all menus (I think it is compulsory now) means service, at 17.5%, is included. We usually still leave a tip, but not as much as we used to and certainly not the usual 10-15% you might add to a UK restaurant bill. Really, an acceptable tip is the change in your pocket up to about 1 or 2 euros. For exceptionally poor service, leaving just 1 cent as a tip is more effective than no tip! If you have exceptional service, then leave whatever you want. Put any extra tip on the tray with the bill and not directly to the waiter which would be considered a bit vulgar.

A coffee after a meal will always be an espresso unless you specify otherwise. I’ve recently started asking for a cafe ‘americain’ which is an espresso topped up with hot water, the same price (USUALLY, but I have been caught out a couple of times) but lasts a bit longer. Also called a ‘cafe allonge’. Espressos seem to cost between 1,50 – 2,30 euros,
once you start on Cappucinos, the prices start to creep up, expect to pay around 4- 5 euros.

Non-smokers (like us). All I can say is, try and sit outside. You will be in the minority and deeply unpopular if you make a fuss or expect a non-smoking section. I know this is the cowardly way out but who wants to antagonise the staff before a meal?

We have noticed an increase in the number of wandering musicians, particularly near the touristy restaurants in the Old Town. They start playing near you, and believe me after a couple of nights, you know the repertoire and order of play. You are then asked for money. It’s up to you, give if you want, I do sometimes. I never buy from the hawkers who plant cigarette lighters and other items on your table then come back to close the sale. There are also tumblers and beggers, if you want to avoid all this then eat inside the restaurant or go to the local off the tourist track restaurants instead.

French Car Hire

Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. But there are several spots that a tourist simply must see, such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russian Cathedral and more. Nice is second only to Paris in the number of museums and galleries. Be sure you know which spots have the most allure before you visit.

1. Promenade des Anglais
Few spots epitomize Nice — or, in fact, the joie de vivre of the French Riviera in general — than the inviting Promenade des Anglais. It is always bustling with humanity.There are tourists relaxing in the royal blue chairs lining the shore. There are locals roller blading, biking or jogging along it. Vendors sell crepes and drinks on it. Best of all, there are delightful (if over-priced) seaside restaurants. Splurge on a chaise lounge, and let waiters bring you cocktails and appetizers.

2. Cours Saleya Flower Market
Nice’s famous Flower Market is one of the best attractions in the whole city. The edges are lined with cafés and souvenir shops, and the stands themselves are packed with amazing produce and myriad flowers. It operates six days a week, replaced on Mondays by a flea and antiques market.

3. Matisse Museum
The lovely and innovative art of Henri Matisse was inspired by the fresh colors and lines of Nice. Just take a look at any of his art peering out of balcony windows, and you will surely see the Riviera shoreline. This vast museum shows Matisse’s works from his more traditional early days to the end of his career. There are also some of his personal effects here. The museum gift shop features prints of the artist’s works.

4. Vieux Nice, or Old Nice
Old Nice is downright dripping with atmosphere. Its narrow streets are a one-stop shop for take-home finds, such as Provençal wares, household items, wine, gourmet gifts, hip clothing and more. There are numerous restaurants in the area, as well as several fun bars and nightclubs. Be sure to stop off for a delicious ice cream in this neighborhood.

5. Le Chateau
The best reason to visit the chateau is for the spectacular panoramic view of the city and sea. You won’t actually see much of a castle (only a few sections of it remain). You can take the elevator up for a nominal price or hike up the stairs for free to the park atop the hill. Be sure to bring your camera.

6. Rue de France Pedestrian Zone
The Nice pedestrian zone, or “zone pietonne,” is a hub of activity. This is the place if you need to load up on souvenirs. Street entertainers frequent this area. There are gourmet shops, clothing shops, news stands, bookstores and more. (Check out the Ducs de Gascogne store for some real finds). Grab a café au lait and watch the world go by, nibble on a crepe, or visit in the evening for a robust meal with an Italian accent. This is just a lively spot!

7. Theatre de la Photographie et de l’Image
This homage to the photographic arts is housed in a lovely renovated building a couple blocks off the busy Boulevard Jean Medicine thoroughfare. The museum typically hosts exhibits of universal appeal, such as a show dedicated to portraits of Hollywood celebrities over the decades and an exhibition on American Indians. Entry is free.

8. Russian Cathedral
What a juxtaposition: the traditional Russian onion towers in the background, and the tropical palm trees in the foreground. As odd a pairing as the two seem, the Russian Cathedral is just one of many Russian attractions in the city. The Russian aristocracy used Nice as a balmy getaway, and left their indelable mark on the Riviera city. The cathedral is the finest example, and provides a rare opportunity to experience the former U.S.S.R. on the Cote d’Azur.

9. Nice Archaeology Museum and Roman Ruins
The Russians weren’t the first to succumb to the allure of Nice. The ancient Romans also called the area home, and to this day visitors can see the ruins of a Roman arena and bathhouses at (or next to) this museum in the Nice Cimiez neighborhood (right next to the Matisse Museum). Inside, the archaeology museum houses an interesting mix of historic and archeological exhibits on the area.

10. Nice Port
The Nice Port area is one frequently overlooked by tourists, but it shouldn’t be. Just around the corner from Old Nice and the Quai des Etats Unis, this is a great spot to watch the Corsica ferries lift off. There are also some of the city’s hippest nightclubs here.

French Car Hire

Nice, named after the Greek word, Nike (victory,) has been a temperate, seaside playground since the time of the Greeks. The center of France’s “Cote d’Azur,” (azure coast,) Nice is the largest city between Marseilles and Genoa. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Nice along the Mediterranean coast of France, there are a variety of things to see and do in this delightful climate.

-The Beach. It’s glamorous and chic. Stretching over ten miles from the port to the airport, the beach (plage in French) at Nice is made of small, smooth stones. The major hotels along this strip have beach pavilions with shore-side drink service and small cafes. There is usually a charge for a chaise, but the experience is well worth it.

-The Promenade des Anglais. Much loved by locals and visitors alike, the palm-tree-lined Promenade des Anglais (English promenade) stretches for several miles along the Mediterranean shore. Named after a 19th century English visitor, Lewis Way, who financed the construction of the two-meter wide path, the promenade is popular with roller-bladers, skateboarders, dog-owners, and those just out for a leisurely stroll. Along the promenade are the Ruhl Casino; the fabulous, art deco Negresco Hotel; and the Musee Massena a neo-classical mansion devoted to decorative arts (see more on the museum below.) Best of all, there is no charge to enjoy the breathtaking sea views. The promenade is lined with delightful, seaside restaurants and boasts some of the best street food around – fresh crepes, fruit drinks, and pan bagna sandwiches, a kind of nicoise salad on a bun.

-A Day-Trip to the Principality of Monaco. The former home of Princess Grace and the ancestral home of the ruling Grimaldi family, Monaco is just fifteen minutes outside of Nice by train or car. Everything about Monaco screams luxury. The casino there is a “belle-epoque” masterpiece with gilt ceilings, sweeping staircases, and dripping, crystal chandeliers. This is not “Vegas.” There is a strict formality to the casino here as well as a dress code. Roulette is the game of choice here, although slot machines and blackjack (called vingt-et-un here) are also played.

-The Old town. The old town of Nice is located in the center of town, just up from the port. This area is a maze of narrow streets, italianate facades, and terra cotta tile. The area is teaming with activity. Here are the less expensive, ethnic restaurants of Nice. Try a pissaladiere, the nicoise, onion and black olive pizza. Located within the old town is the pedestrian zone, lined with cafes, bookstores, clothing stores, and food shops. Pause a minute to enjoy the street entertainers who people the zone.

-The Lavender Fields and Perfume Manufacturers of Grasse. Violets, roses, jasmine, and most notably lavender, are grown here for the French perfume industry. Rows of lavender plants in full bloom basking in the sun evokes the feel of an impressionist painting. They also produce a light, lavender perfume in Grasse. Many of the manufacturers are open to visitors. There is even a perfume history museum there. This is worth the trip just for the natural beauty.

-The Matisse Museum. The sunny, bold colors of the Riviera are visible throughout the work of Henri Matisse. The Mediterranean Sea sparkles through open windows in many of his paintings. This comprehensive museum showcases his vast body of paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, and paper cutouts from his early efforts to those of his later years. Opened in 1963, the Matisse Museum’s core collection was donated by the artist himself to the city of Nice, where he lived from 1918 to 1954. Located on Cimiez Hill, the museum also features some of Matisse’s own household items and the artwork of his many artist friends. A gift shop sells Matisse prints.

-The Port. The Port of Nice in the center of town is home to delicious seafood restaurants, trendy dance clubs, and sweeping water views. This is a major working port, second only to Marseilles along France’s Mediterranean coast. Sit at a café table along the wharf and watch the bustling activity as ships are loaded and unloaded. This is also a major ferry port with boats departing for St. Tropez, Corsica, and beyond.

-Get Out of town. Nice is centrally located along the Riviera coast. Just a short drive or train ride away are Cannes, home of the famous film festival and a beautiful, sand beach; Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a chic beach-side community with a small casino, relaxed atmosphere, and breathtaking views; Antibes, another thriving beach town and home of the Picasso Museum; and Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice’s nearest neighbor to the east, a lovely Provencal shipping village with traditional, narrow streets and taupe stucco architecture. For a day-trip, take the ferry to St. Tropez, that playground of the rich and famous, and stroll along the rows of million-dollar yachts.

-Other Museums. Many artists have been inspired by the Mediterranean coast and temperate Provencal climate. Picasso, Monet, Sisley, Dufy, and Degas have all left a body of work depicting this area of the south of France. Many fine examples are housed in the Musee des Beaux-Arts (the fine arts Museum) in Nice. This 19th century italianate mansion – worthy of a visit itself – houses a large collection of Dufy paintings as well as works by Boudin, Sisley, and Degas. There is a lively exhibit of belle-epoque commercial poster art as well.

Also atop Cimiez Hill is the Marc Chagall museum. Exiled from Russia, Chagall became a French citizen in 1937. The museum in Nice is devoted to his biblical themes. The paintings, lithographs, engravings, and stained-glass windows displayed here were a gift from the artist. The bold colors and abstract designs positively jump from the walls.

Also worth a visit is The Massena Art and history Museum (mentioned above) on the Promenade des Anglais. This mansion houses a large collection of decorative arts representative of the Nice-Piedmont region: furniture, faience ware, jewelry, and ceramics.

-The St Pierre Chapel in Villefranche-sur-Mer. The Chapel St-Pierre in nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer (just five miles east of Nice) is breathtaking in its simplicity. The stone walls of this romanesque, 14th century chapel are covered with frescos by artist, author, and film maker, Jean Cocteau as a tribute to the fisherman of Villefranche. His designs are soft, circular, and moving. No longer used for regular services, this small chapel is a wonderful place to stop for a moment and reflect.

-The Flower Market. Nice’s flower market is colorful, bustling, and inviting. Located in the old town, this daily market boasts fresh produce as well as a myriad of exotic and affordable flowers: violets, jonquils, birds of paradise. On Mondays, the market switches to a flea and antiques market. (also fun.)

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Visiting the picturesque village of Villefranche-sur-Mer (located a few kms along the coast to the east of Nice) on a Sunday have seen on the sheltered sandy beach, people in their bathing costumes and other people walking along the road a few metres away wearing  fur coats.

Like anywhere there can be exceptional weather conditions, there was thick snow at Antibes on the 24th November 08 and Marseille came to a grinding halt as a result of the snow on the 7th January. Along the coast at Nice it was just wet and windy. Riviera Radioâ??s local French news reported that city authorities were being blamed for the chaos and not being prepared for the bad weather. That sounds similar criticism of local authorities back in England who are often accused of not being prepared!

Last year I went up to Gréolières-les-Neiges which is a small ski resort approximately three quarters of an hour drive from Nice. It was very hot around sixteen degrees in the snow and as you walked along you certainly did not need a jacket.

This year although I did not visit the area, apparently the snowfall had been much heavier and for someone wanting to take a ski holiday and many visitors stay closer to the coast and drive up to the resort each day. This means they have the benefit of more choice of accommodation and the towns and beaches along the coast to relax in when not skiing.

The city of Nice is well worth a visit at any time of the year, in January it is ideal for climbing up to the top of Le Château. You can of course take the lift or even drive; however a walk on a mild January day to the top of La Colline du Chateau with the panoramic views of the city, the mountains the sea and the airport in the distance. You can walk around to the other side and look down onto the Port. There are two cemeteries a Roman Catholic and a Jewish one standing side by side.

The new tram system is now well established. It opened in November 2007 some fifty three years after the old system was closed. The line has been incorporated well into the paving and grass on the streets and offers a very regular service. 

There is an excellent choice of shops and department stores like Galeries Lafayette.

A visit to the Côte d’Azur would not be complete without a walk from Antibes old town to Cap dâ??Antibes. Park near the port and walk through the archway into the old town. Walk up to the ramparts and take in the view across to Baie des Anges (the interesting apartments built in a semi circle by the harbour), Nice Airport (Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur) with the sun setting and walking along the coast past the beaches (The Plage du Ponteil and Le Salis beach ) and start to walk around the Cap.

The area is full of expensive property and one such villa was for sale with a For Sale board reflecting the new cliental in the Côte d’Azur. It was written in French, English and Russian.  

A winter visit to the south of France would not be complete without going across the border into Italy. It takes under an hour to get there via the A8 autoroute and lunch by the sea at Bordighera. This area along the coast suffered a lot during the heavy storms in November with several sea front restaurants being destroyed.

Ventimiglia is the first town over the border. There is very large weekly market on a Friday attracting numerous visitors from Italy and over the border from France. The French are also attracted by the supermarkets and drink shops, as the duty of alcholol in Italy is much lower than in France and at the border with Menton there are outlets within ten metres of the border.
Driving back along the coast road in January is a pleasure. It can be very crowded in the summer months, back following the coast via Menton, into Monaco and Nice is great.
If you are thinking of going self catering take a look at the selection of holiday homes available at www.jmlvillas.com or www.cotedazurrental.com  and of course donâ??t forget your travel insurance particularly if you are skiing from www.jml-insurance.co.uk

If you’re planning a vacation break in Nice, France, you should definitely consider renting a car. Visiting Nice’s various scenic spots such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, Matisse Museum, and Le Chateau could be quite difficult and tiring if you’ll rely on public transportation alone. There are a lot of Nice-based car rental companies scattered all over the place so it’s makes the rental quite convenient and accessible for the tourists.

Searching for Nice car rentals online could also help you a lot in finding great car rental deals. You could have instant access to a number of car rental companies such as Car Hire Nice through the use of various search engines. With the advent of modern technology, tourists can now request for rental quotes and book online. It gives the convenience of getting the best deal without even leaving the comforts of your own home. As a final tip, try booking as early as possible. This way, you could avail of discounts and other perks.

Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.

This summer it unfeasible to go again to do the same thing, but me and one or two of the friends i made there are planning to meet in Paris this summer. I think we will go for about a week, but while we’re there i think we want to travel down to Nice for a couple of days too. what’s the best way to do this, plane, train, bus, coach? We can’t hire a car, as we’re 18.

Tnx.