Nice has been a favourite spot for visiting English tourists since the latter part of the 18th century when a sea front walkway was built along the beautiful Baie des Anges and named La Promenade des Anglais. Nowadays there are few better spots on the Côte d’Azur for people watching in the sunshine. Make time to sample some famous Niçoise cuisine too.
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The Le Meridien Nice is a contemporary style hotel with 318 spacious guest rooms. The hotel features a bar, two restaurants including the rooftop 'La T… More info
Explore the glamorous Côte d'Azur in the South of France with its glittering Mediterranean coastline. More info
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The Ellington Hotel in Nice is a newly refurbished hotel with 119 bedrooms and suites. The hotel has a cosy library, a bar and a patio. The hotel is in… More info
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The Windsor Nice is a modern hotel located in the heart of the city. All 57 artistically decorated rooms feature air conditioning and free wireless. Dur… More info
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The Palais de la Mediterranée was built in 1929 and includes 188 art deco style bedrooms. The hotel has a terrace overlooking the Baie des Anges, and a… More info
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera, and averages 300 days of sunshine per year. Nice was originally a Roman settlement, and became popular with artists, and English upper classes and aristocrats in the 19th century. Wander along palm lined seafront boulevards, or explore the winding streets of the old town.
Nice is 5½ hours from Paris by train.
Vieux Nice
Vieux Nice is the area around the Chateau park and the colourful Italian style buildings, which line the tiny streets, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Climb up to the Château park (or take the lift!) for views over the tiled rooftops of Vieux Nice to the sea. Wander around the streets of Vieux Nice to discover hidden art galleries, churches and boutiques, or just relax in one of the cafés.
Cimiez
Cimiez is north of Nice centre, and was originally the Roman capital of the Alpes-Maritime area. There are a few Roman remains scattered on the hillside between the exclusive villas - including an amphitheatre and Roman baths. The Musée d'Archéologie traces the history of the site, and includes many of the archeological finds.
Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais is Nice's most famous street. The palm lined street was built in the 19th century for English residents to stroll along the sea front. Wander along the seafront for views over the Mediterranean, admire the grand hotels, or watch the world go by from one of the cafés or restaurants.
Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain
On the north edge of Vieux Nice is the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, set in a spacious and light modern building, with rooftop terraces and glass corridors. The museum includes French and American art from the 1960s to the present day. Exhibitions continually rotate, but pop artists displayed include (amongst others) Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
Musée des Beaux Arts
Just off the Promenade des Anglais is the Musée des Beaux Arts, in the former home of Ukranian Princess Kotchubey. The museum contains a collection paintings and sculptures from the 13th to the 20th century. Highlights of the collection include works by Degas, Rodin, Monet and Sisley.
Musée Matisse
The artist Henri Matisse spent his winters in Nice, and died in Nice in 1954, and a museum containing his new work was established in a 17th century villa in the Cimiez area of Nice. The museum includes many of Matisse's drawings, bronze sculptures, paintings and cut out compositions.
Monaco
20 minutes from Nice by train
Monaco is an independent principality, ruled by the Grimaldi family. At the centre of Monaco is Monte-Carlo where you can visit the famous casino and admire huge yachts in the Port de Monaco. Explore the royal Palace overlooking the port, or walk around the roads and follow the famous race course.
Antibes
30 minutes from Nice by train
Antibes is the home of the seriously rich on the Côte d'Azure. Antibes has an excellent market, Musée Picasso contains a large collection of Picasso's work from the period he lived in Antibes. Visit the 16th century Château Grimaldi for great views over the sea, and a terrace garden including sculptures by famous French artists.
Cannes
25 minutes from Nice by train
Cannes is famous for the annual film festival that takes place in the town every summer. Visit during the festival to catch a glimpse of the stars, or for a more relaxing trip take a boat ride out to Ile de Lérins. Wander along the main street on the seafront - La Croisette - to enjoy the views out to sea, or visit the designer shops.
Once the preserve of the wealthy, Nice has transformed into a modern, diverse city. The most colourful part of the city is its old quarter, which hosts some of the most impressive buildings from the city's past as a playground for the rich and aristocrats of France. Set back from the seafront, the old town contains some beautiful sites, including the pretty flower market and imposing Cathedrale de Ste Reparate. This cathedral is most famous for its ceramic-tiled dome which caps its bell tower and the tiles make it shine like a beacon during sunny summer days. Cours Saleya is the route between the old town and the beachfront and a mini-train regularly runs the route, taking tourists from the relaxing calm of the beach to the interesting architecture of the town centre and beyond, around the city. The route also enjoys a daily market selling a variety of locally-sourced produce, from fruit to flowers and even antiques. West of the old town lies the more modern part of Nice, with 18th and 19th century stucco villas and Neo-Classical hotels demonstrating the opulence with which this city was once associated. The Promenade des Anglais is perhaps the most famous part of Nice, with palm trees lining the promenade along with café terraces serving food and cooling drinks to the sun-drenched tourists relaxing on the beach.
One of the highlights of Nice's calendar is the annual Carnival, one of the largest in the world, which runs over a period of fifteen days. This year's theme is 'the King of Sport', which is a reference to the London 2012 Olympics as well as a celebration of sport in France and throughout the world. Carnival processions of twenty gigantic floats work their way along the Promenade des Anglais to the Place Masséna where there are always huge decorations. The processions take place day and night accompanied by over a thousand dancers and musicians from all over the world. During the Flower Parade, floats decorated with lavish displays of flowers process along the sea front and over a hundred thousand flowers are thrown into the audience. Take part in the Bataille des Fleurs and see if you can catch gladioli, mimosas, gerberas, daisies, lillies or a carnation. This is the perfect way to banish the winter blues!
Next on: 17th Feb 2012 to 4th Mar 2012 (over 17 days)
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