Promenade
des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais runs along the coast and is the best known road in Nice. The promenade is dotted with fancy hotels, museums and a casino. The Hotel Le Negresco is particularly well known and opulent. Go inside and take a look, you won't miss the crystal chandelier by Baccarat.

The Promenades des Anglais dates back to the early 19th century when a path was first started to make travel easier for the legions of foreigners, mostly British, who owned property along the coastline.

Vieux Nice

Vieux Nice or Old Nice is a labyrinth of recently renovated ochre, yellow and pale houses. The old town offers the visitor the inner charms of a Mediterranean city. Of particular interest are the Cathedrale de Ste Reparate, the Place Garibaldi and the array of art on display almost everywhere.

Cimiez

Cimiez is a wealthy suburb of Nice. It used to form part of Roman settlement and the remains of a Roman bath and Amphitheatre are still there to visit. The Musee d'Archeologie is particularly interesting to visit.

Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas

This beautiful cathedral, located in Cimiez, was built in a distinctly Russian style of architecture, was completed in 1912 and is the only Orthodox style building outside of this faith's traditional geography. The Cathedral is now home to an excellent collection of Russian Orthodox art.

St-Paul de Vence

St-Paul de Vence is renowned as an artist mecca. The fortified town is a popular attraction for visitors to the French Riviera.

St-Paul de Vence has an association with art that goes back to the early 20th century when various artists gathered in what is now called "Colombe d'Or" restaurant. The artists paid for their room and board with their paintings. The restaurant is owned by the artistically wealthy Roux family who collected a vast array of art as a result of this and still have it on display.

The Fondation Maeght just outside the village is an amazing museum set in a pine forest. If you are into art, have a look, you'll like what you see.

St-Tropez

The height of Glamour and one of the best known spots on the French Riviera. The immensely popular town can swell in population to over 12 times its winter size. This can become a bit of a problem as the traffic jams in and out of town in the summer become ridiculously long. Get there early and leave late and you'll be fine. Visit the Vieux-Port and people watch from one of the many cafes or visit the old citadel by strolling the streets and taking in the old ochre houses.

As far as St-Tropez beaches are concerned, Pampelonne is the most popular beach. On Pampelonne, you'll have to frequent one of the many restaurants that run the length of the beach. These restaurants all rent out deck chairs and parasols. For other alternatives go to Bouillabaisse, Les Graniers or Plage des Canebiers.

Cannes

Best known for its international film festival, Cannes is a beautiful Provencal seaside town a short distance from Nice. Some interesting sites include the St-Honorat monastery, the charming old town and the popular beach, Plage de la Croisette.

Monaco

The Kingdom of Monaco is sandwiched between the borders of France and Italy to the west and east and the Mediterranean and Alps to the south and north. Monaco is the height of opulence.

Shop

The stores in Nice are amongst the most fashionable in the world. Bring your credit cards and shop away. The Place Massena has the boutiques and stores avid shoppers are looking for.

Museums

Museums of interest in Nice include the Musee d'Archeologie, Palais Massena, the ever popular Musee Matisse, Musee des beaux arts and the Musee Marc-Chagall.

Go to the
beach

The beaches in Nice and the surrounding areas are popular with locals and tourists alike. The beaches along the Promenade des Anglais are popular, rent a deck chair, an umbrella and enjoy the view.

Salade
Nicoise

Home of the popular salad. Lettuce, boiled egg, green beans, olives, tuna, anchovies, tomatoes and olive oil.

Beer

Enjoy a 33 Export or the popular Kronenbourg.

Bouillabaisse

This soup, a poor man's meal in old times, consists of rockfish, squid, tomatoes and a variety of spices. Do book ahead of time and state that you will be ordering a bouillabaisse.

Ailoli

Garlic, Garlic and more Garlic! With some vegetables of course.

Ratatouille

A traditional vegetable stew, it is delicious and goes with just about anything.

Mechoui

An Arabic dish, it consists of slow cooked lamb or chicken served with couscous and vegetables. Delicious. Be careful with the Arissa, it's spicier than you think.

Rose

To be served cold, this Provencal wine will quench your thirst on hot summer days.

Tapenade

Tapenade is a paste that can be made from several different ingredients. Tapenade d'olives is probably the most popular type around but you can also find anchovies (anchoiade), aubergine, pistou and pesto tapenades. The additional ingredients are garlic, olive oil and anchovies.

Champagne

Named after the region in Northern France, Champagne is the standard drink to celebrate success.

Pastis

This aniseed alcohol, taken as an aperitif is not for all but is a traditional afternoon ritual in many circles. Why not join the locals at a small café, sit back and sip a nice Ricard or Pastis 51.

Foie Gras

Goose liver pate is a delicacy. Served with a well-chilled sweet Sauterne, it makes for a delicious entrée but be careful as it is quite expensive and heavy to digest.

Saucisson

A traditional dried French type of salami made from pork, beef, wild boar and virtually any other meat flavour you can think of. Terrific entrée for any meal and eaten with plenty of bread.

Cheese

The French are renowned for their cheeses and there are plenty of them to choose from. Camembert, Brie and Rochefort are but a few of them.

Hotels

You can find excellent hotels in Nice. Find and book Nice Hotels.

Hostels

There are loads of hostels and cheap accommodation around Nice. Prices vary from hostel to hostel but are generally affordable. Search and book a hostel in Nice.

Airport

The airport in Nice is modern and newly renovated. There are two terminals, one for domestic flights and the other for international travellers, so double-check what terminal you arrive and depart from. The journey from the airport to the city center takes about 30 minutes.

The national airline of France is Air France and you can find them at www.airfrance.com

You can get more information on the airport in Nice by visiting - www.nice.aeroport.fr.

Taxi

Best way from A to Z.

Bus

The public transportation system in Nice is very good and will get you where you want to be at a very affordable price.

Car

The best way around the French Riviera is definitely by car. Rental prices are affordable but gasoline is not cheap. Be vigilant on the roads, the French tend to drive like they are in a race so don't try and compete with them, especially in the cities. You can find cheap car rental in Nice.

Eurostar

The Eurostar is a great way to get around France's major cities, and to London and Amsterdam, at high speed. You can great packages by checking out our Eurostar Deals

Train

The main train station in Nice is called the Gare du Sud. The SNCF, the French Train body covers the country and is often the most economical and best way to get from one end of France to the other. Visit their web site at SNCF.com.

Glamourous

Nice is a beautiful city with beautiful people.

Language

French

Time Zone

GMT +1

Currency

Euro

Useful Links

Nice Hotels & City Guide
Cheap Car Rental Nice