The promenade along the Mediterranean coast with palm trees immodestly enjoying the sun is a happy contrast to the pastel-colored old town, which offers entertainment for different tastes and smells throughout the year. Today, Nice, with almost 500,000 inhabitants, is a modern tourist, cultural, industrial and university center.
It is best to start in the old baroque Nice, which is located at the bottom of the embankment Chateau on the eastern part of the city coast. Lively Cours Saleybut it is the heart of the old town. A fruit, vegetable and flower market opens here every morning, and on Mondays it also attracts antique lovers. You can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the market while visiting the church Chapelle de la Misericordie, a pearl of sophisticated Italian baroque. If you want to add flavor to the colors, many restaurants offer fragrant croissants, and for the more daring, fresh oysters with a glass of champagne! North of the market lies one of the city's most beautiful squares Place Rossetti with the 17th-century Ste-Reparate Cathedral, famous for its ceramic-clad dome. A cup of coffee in Rosetti Square is a must-do on any visit to Nice. Nearby stands the Baroque Palais Lascaris, the only palace open to visitors. For a picture-postcard view of Nice, climb the stairs east of Piazza Rossetti towards the 92-meter-tall Chateau. The view from the vantage point offers the city in the palm of your hand, while the eastern side offers a view of the old port. To feel the exclusivity of the Riviera, you must visit the northern Cimiez, Nice's answer to St. Tropez. An attractive location with lush growth and well-kept gardens and palaces leads first to Musee National Message Biblioteque Marc Chagall, with a wonderful collection of Marc Chagall's late works. Nearby is the Musee Matisse (both museums are closed on Tuesdays) with an equally impressive collection. Museum lovers should not miss the Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain - MAMAC (closed on Mondays) with the L'Ecole de Nice collection from the 1960s. The western part begins with the sunny Promenade des Anglais, which attracts walkers, bathers, tourists and locals. It got its name from the English settlement in this place. Contrasting with the Mediterranean sea are white villas, neoclassical hotels and gardens with fountains and flowers that entice the eyes. The hotel Negresco, a symbol of Belle Epoque riviera luxury, built for the wealthy Romanian Henri Negresco, is also located in this area. One of the most visited attractions is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas.
FOR UNDER THE TEETH
Cours Saleya and the surrounding streets are full of small restaurants. Every day exactly at noon, the city cannon announces that it is time for lunch. The restaurants between the stalls with fruit, vegetables and fish offer a variety of menus, but of course the atmosphere of the French market and the Provençal liveliness are unsurpassed. Chez Theresa is the best place for a traditional socca (traditional pancake) and for fish specialties the best place to visit is L'Embarcadere. Le 22 Septembre is a popular hangout for young people. No matter where you go for lunch, don't skip the fresh seafood and of course the famous Nicosia salad. The restaurant Le Chantecler in the Hotel Negresco caters for real gourmets with very original menus. Just a stone's throw away from authentic Provençal cuisine is Brasserie Flo, while traditional dishes dressed in a modern guise are proudly served at Le Karr restaurant and bar. The right choice for vegetarians is the restaurant La Zucca Magica. Wine and, of course, champagne are the obligatory companions of every meal, so try the rose wine from the surrounding vineyards, and of course the music of Edith Piaff belongs to good food and drink.
FOR SPENDERS
The longest shopping street is Jean Medecin. Etoile Mall, Galeries Lafayette and a number of different shops with clothes, shoes and other essentials for a better life are located side by side on it. The well-known Sephora, offering a wide variety of perfumes, also found a place on the same street (not far from Nice is the small town of Grasse, which is considered the perfume capital), as well as clothing brands Zara and Mango, which are popular among young people. Those with deeper pockets and, of course, all those who enjoy the so-called window shopping, can take a breather on the streets of Paradis, av. de Suede and av. de Verdun. Everything you admire on the catwalks can be found here: from Chanel, Sonia Rykiel, Kenzo, to name just a few big names. And don't forget, Christmas and New Year sales are coming! In the old part of the city, small shops offer Provençal souvenirs, which means various spices, lavender and tablecloths, without which tourists rarely leave the city.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Nice offers various events throughout the year. In November, don't miss the big Sadeca antiques and furniture exhibition at the Acropolis Exhibition and Convention Center, and the city also hosts the Maneca contemporary music festival. December is especially charming because of the big Christmas market with countless stalls, mulled wine, sweet croissants and a big ice rink that attracts adults and children. One of the central winter events is the international Star Regatta, and only this year, on December 14, chanson lovers will be delighted with a concert by the great Mireille Mathieu. New Year in Nice is warm, happy and full of fireworks over the city. Perhaps the most famous event in Nice is the carnival. Next year it will take place from February 16 to March 4. Carnival means a lot of music, flowers and parades through the city, in short, a party that lasts almost three weeks!
NIGHT LIFE
Old Nice is the center of nightlife. Local residents first go for an aperitif. Those with bigger wallets can treat themselves to one of the elegant hotels, such as Le Relais with its piano bar, while those who enjoy a livelier atmosphere head to La Civette du Cours on the Cours Saleya. Dinner is the most important part of a French evening and usually lasts a few hours, after which they head off to the party. There are bars along the coast that are open long into the night. Les Trois Diables and Le Bar des Oiseaux are popular here with live music and occasional short shows. The mild winter invites people to the streets, so the nightlife takes place mainly outside. For young people who want loud music, L'Ambassade near the Promenade des Anglais is the right place.
LIVING
Let's start with the most famous Hotel Negresco. Elegant and salty (from 300 to 1,600 euros per night), but for everyone who wants dream service and a view of the sea and can afford it, it is the best choice. You will also find peace and supreme pampering in the former palace of Russian aristocrats Chateau des Ollieres (from 145 to 350 euros). Hotel Hi (from 190 to 390 euros) is pleasant and very popular among trendy visitors. Hotel Winsdor has an exceptional location (from 80 to 170 euros). If you want to sleep in the old town, Hotel villa La Tour (from 65 to 135 euros) is a good choice. And if you want to see the sea, but the Negresco prices are out of reach, choose the nice Le Petit Palais (from 75 to 145 euros).
