Nice a Cote d'azur favorite
Nice a busy and vibrant French city that is the leading resort and hub on the Cote d'Azur. The city sits in the Baie des Anges and enjoys a mild pleasant climate as its sheltered by beautiful hills. The city which is the 5th largest in France is in fact only 20 miles from the Italian border.
How to get there.
Nice airport is well connected to various destinations in Europe and in particular the UK with all the main budget airlines and holiday companies offering flights.
It is also possible to travel to Nice by train with Nice's main station being in the city center and the city enjoying good train connections to all major cities in France, Italy and beyond.
Finally you could drive there from Calais for example it is approximately a 11 hour drive.
Nice train station.
Cruise Ships/Villefranche
Nice is a popular and busy port stop on many cruise itineraries, it has two main cruise ports, one in the cities own port, however it is the smaller vessels that can only be accomadated here from where its a 20 minute walk into the city and its promenade.
The larger ships in fact drop anchor in the bay at Villerfranche just outside of Nice and use tender craft to disembarkation there passengers where from there its only a short bus or train ride into Nice, you can in fact walk from Villefranche into the city but it would take a couple of hours, so not for everyone the route however is picturesque.
Cruise ships in the bay at Villerfranche
Accommodation
Being the main City on the French Rivera accommodation is not something you will find difficult to find however it can be more expensive than in other areas of Europe and the Mediterranean.
That said the range of hotels and apartments is large and covers all preferences so if you shop around you will find something to suit your budget.
What to see and do
Promenade des Anglais
Built in the 1820's this famous long promenade next to the Mediterranean has been a major part of the city ever since. It runs for 7 KM and is flanked by the sea on one side and 19 th century regal buildings on the other. It a busy busseling area which is great to simply walk along or take a seat on a bench under a palm tree and watch the world go by.
Promenade des Anglais
Logistics Manager on the Promenade
Poseing on Promenade des Anglais
Nice Old Town & Cours Saleya Market
A real must see on any visit is its old town area with its shady alleyways colourful buildings with Mediterranean shutters. The area is great to wander around and enjoy, its numerous local shops, bars restaurants and cafes.
It is also home to the Cours Saleya Market which is a busy local flower and produce market which operates daily except Monday when it is replaced by a flea market. Its here you can find and try local produce like socca which is made in the market.
Cours Saleya Market
Square in the Old Town area of Nice
Castle Hill
This high hill and park which sits above the Old Town area owes its name to the Military fortress that sat there since the 11th century. It provides some of the best views over the city and particular the bay and promenade as well as the harbour. If you don't want to walk up, it is a stop on the city toursist train and there is also a elevator that you can use to get access to this area.
Logistics Manager at Castle Hill with the bay and promenade in the background
Visit Musee Massena
This 19 th century classic villa on the Promenade des Anglais was donated to the city by the Duke of Rivoli in 1919 on condition it should be open to the public as a museum of local history.
It's gardens are beautiful and were designed bythe same architect responsible for the Monte Carlo Casino. The museum has a mixture of unusual objects including Napoleon's death mask.
Musee Massena
Enjoy a Ice Cream
OK you can do this in many locations but one thing you may not know is Nice has a few well known and very good ice cream shops, well remember it is only 20 miles from Italy.
So you can enjoy Italian style ice cream and very good ones in Nice. A couple of really good ones to try are in the Old Town, the first is Fenocchio but one we found and really enjoyed in the nearby Rossetti Square was Azzurro.
Fenocchio
Azzurro
A lazy day at the beachNow its fair to say Nice like large parts of the French Rivera dose not have large golden sands, no the beach is more pebbles than sand. However it still provides a relaxing day in the sun.
There are public parts to the beach but all along the Promenade you will find very good serviced sunbeds and parasols. These areas have all the facilities you require including waiter service, toilets and changing facilities. So if you just want to chill and relax like we did on a few occasions they are a very good option.
Yours truly chilling on Nice beach
Lunch with the Logistics Manager on Nice Beach
Nice beach
Sunbeds and Parasols
Shop to you drop.Ok hands up this is one I am not a fan off but many are and Nice is a city where you will not be short of shops to shop in if thats your thing.
It has a vast array of options to find the particular item your looking for no matter what it is. Now if its a designer brand then it again offers plenty of choice with all the main brands well represented here. Plus you can find many of them in the popular shopping district and in particular the indoor mall NiceToile
Shopping Street and Mall NiceToile
Hotel Le Negresco
This unique hotel and its domb are a French National Monument, the family owned hotel is famous and very unusual with its striking interior home to rare antiques and art works.
It has had a long list of celebrity guests during its history and remains a icon on the Promenade des Anglais.
So why not enjoy a cocktail in its Cocktail Bar or on its terrace overlooking the Promenade.
Hotel Le Negresco
Statue at entrance of the hotel.
Interior ballroom of the hotel
Visit Nice's Museum's Nice is home to a number of celebrated Museum's. So if your visiting why not visit some of them, for example the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or for something a bit different head to the Old Town where you will find the Palais Lascaris which has a collection of old musical instruments some of them very unusual indeed.
Promenade du Paillon
This modern garden and fountains is worth a visit but be carefully you never know when the fountains will burst into life, you could be walking across what looks like a square when suddenly your in the middle of a fountain.
The area also has some beautiful long well layed out gardens so it really is worth visiting.
But mind and watch for the fountains 😊
Fountains in action
Visit Monte Carlo, Villefranche or Cannes
Nice is a brilliant base for visiting all three of these iconic French Rivera destinations. All are a easy train journey away from Nice Central station. If you want to try and spot your favourite celebrity then Monte Carlo or Cannes are the places to go as for Villefranche well its a place you will know if you have arrived by large cruise ship but on its own it has a small beach and some really nice cafes and bars to enjoy a lazy lunch.
Visiting Cannes
Logistics Manager dreaminb of brea,ing the bank in the Monte Carlo Casino behind her
Coastal path in Villefranche
Where to eat and drink
If there is one thing the French take seriously its there food and drink and Nice is no different.
So you will find many options and choices to suit every pallet and taste.
You find restaurants and cafes all over the city but we found the Old Town had some brilliant nightime venues to enjoy. So if you head there you will find something to suit you. It can get very busy in summer but it's a great atmosphere.
Enjoying the Old Town
Conclusion
We did enjoy Nice and its surroundings and it makes a great base for exploring the Cote d'Azur and all its towns and resorts., if you visit on a Port stop from a cruise and have been to Monaco before ( most passengers seem head for there) then Nice itself offers much for you to fill your day. If like us your on a extended stay well again you will find a vibrant city that offers much to enjoy.
Hope you enjoyed my thoughts and suggestions of Nice if you did please share on social media or please like and follow my page on Facebook at Travel the world and Smile Happy travelling with Davie
Davie.
