Nice Côte d'Azur
Temperature
24°
Time
11:24 PM
Nice Côte d'Azur
The Greeks and Romans did it, as did rich lords, film stars, artists, and thousands of tourists. They were just going to pass by but instead remained in Nice and along the Riviera. Some for just a few weeks, others for months and years. They were too captivated by the light, enchanted by the scents, and charmed by the taste of olives, wine, and succulent vegetables. In addition to this, a Nice Nouveau has evolved – a sassy Mediterranean metropolis with pulsating nightlife, new avant-garde hotels, and daring art galleries. All this with a chance to dabble their toes in a turquoise sea!Find your trip
The cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Admire the beautiful ornamentation and friezes in the refreshing cool of the cathedral. On the outside, the shimmering colours on the dome have become one of Nice’s landmarks.
Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice is the world’s largest greenhouse. Seven different tropical climates (damp, in other words) covering seven hectares, packed with 2.500 different plants. You can walk in the shadow of an (almost) unknown palm tree here, look at a baby shark, smell a thousand flowers and listen to bird song- on the loudspeakers.
The Russian-born master painter, Marc Chagall, is one of the Riviera’s many adopted children. The museum was built in consultation with the artistic genius himself, on the theme of Biblical art. The museum has regularly recurring exhibitions of Jewish art.
Nice wants to make a name for itself as a centre for pop art. Admire Nice’s famous local artists such as Ben and Niki de Sainte Phalle in this imposing building. The latter has donated 170 of her works but there are also works of Andy Warhol, Picasso, etc.
Let’s face it, you are not going to find any of Matisse’s greatest works here. They are all in the USA. On the other hand, there is a clear picture of the artistic genius’ development, from his sickbed as a young man to his grave behind the museum. After a visit, you can walk around in the painter’s footsteps and compare the light in each painting. In addition, the red ochre villa is beautiful in its own right.
In the days of the tsars, the people who enjoyed themselves in the Riviera’s casinos until late on Saturday night, were not exactly short of money. They went here, to church though, on Sundays. After the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, things are much as they were in the old days, but thick wads of dollars now rain down on the Riviera - and the beautifully restored cathedral. Strict dress code.
Villa Arson is a centre for modern art in Nice – you could call it art in real time. This is both a school of art and an exhibition centre, frequently featuring students or former students. They also have performance art.
Cours Saleya is the largest square in the city and a historic centre. Perfect at any time of day, for a coffee or lunch, beneath what used to be Matisse’s balcony. A market takes place at Cours Saleya daily, offering vegetables and fruit, flowers and a flea market (on Monday).
The cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Admire the beautiful ornamentation and friezes in the refreshing cool of the cathedral. On the outside, the shimmering colours on the dome have become one of Nice’s landmarks.
Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice is the world’s largest greenhouse. Seven different tropical climates (damp, in other words) covering seven hectares, packed with 2.500 different plants. You can walk in the shadow of an (almost) unknown palm tree here, look at a baby shark, smell a thousand flowers and listen to bird song- on the loudspeakers.
Le Café de Turin is a genuine 1900s brasserie, with everything that the shellfish enthusiast could dream of – above all, heaps of oysters. Lightning fast waiters, as you would expect at a place like this.
La Reserve de Nice is a one star Michelin restaurant with a panoramic view of the best of what Nice has to offer - a lovely ocean view and a sunset over the Baie des Anges. The chef Sébastien Mahuet works with locally produced flavourful vegetables which brings exquisite taste to his cuisine.
Chantecler is Nice’s culinary and cultural heritage flagship on the beach promenade. The restaurant is like the hotel: overblown and extravagant - bordering on kitsch. It also has a hidden low-price dining restaurant, “La Rotonde,” with market décor.
The restaurant-wine bar Vingt4, located in Nice, offers a romantic dining in an elegant setting. You can enjoy traditional French cuisine like sea bream fillets, roasted lamb and fresh scallops. This is a very modern restaurant but yet very cosy.
JAN brings a twist of South Africa to this chic European city. It is a popular restaurant with both tourists and locals and is located just behind the old port. The food is absolutely amazing.
La Route du Miam is the place to go if you love duck and would like to try all different types of preparations of it. Now, do not make the mistake and get too full after the main course because you do not want to miss the dessert here.
America and France might not always mix, but this Steak House brings great American flavour among all the foie gras and escargot. The Cheese Steak City is the perfect place to go to if you are in the mood for take away and enjoying your lunch in the sun.
Brasserie Carlton holds a lovely view of the ocean and La Croisette, located in the Carlton Inter-Continental Hôtel. This famous restaurant has a certain way of bringing together a lovely lunch with the longing of a relaxing day. Here you will find a well-stocked buffet and a la Carte with Mediterranean tones.
Le Café de Turin is a genuine 1900s brasserie, with everything that the shellfish enthusiast could dream of – above all, heaps of oysters. Lightning fast waiters, as you would expect at a place like this.
La Reserve de Nice is a one star Michelin restaurant with a panoramic view of the best of what Nice has to offer - a lovely ocean view and a sunset over the Baie des Anges. The chef Sébastien Mahuet works with locally produced flavourful vegetables which brings exquisite taste to his cuisine.
This is France’s Rolls-Royce of department stores. Here you will find many of the finest things that France has to offer in the way of clothes and souvenirs. It is also centrally located – even if slightly hidden behind its pillared arcades. Essential place to shop during the big sales in January and July.
Cours Saleya is the largest square in the city and a historic centre. Perfect at any time of day, for a coffee or lunch, beneath what used to be Matisse’s balcony. A market takes place at Cours Saleya daily, offering vegetables and fruit, flowers and a flea market (Monday).
First take a walk along the avenue de Notre Dame. You can find some labels at bargain prices for children in places like Bisque-Bisque Rage! At the Basilica, turn south along the avenue Jean-Médecin. This avenue cannot (and should not) be missed. This is where you will find many of the major brands like Zara - Spain’s answer to H&M, Monoprix, Quick Silver and Virgin Megastore. In addition, there are a number of brasseries where you can take a break. Turn off onto the rue de la Liberté, (this is when the fashion thermometer starts to rise) and end up with the rue de la Liberté. This could be called Nirvana. It is hotter than hot here – you should be able to find everything that makes French fashion what it is - Kenzo, Chanel, Mont Blanc… End by going back to the Place Magenta and turn left onto the designer street, the rue Buffa, and visit, for example, Halogène at number 21.
At rue St-François de Paule, you can revel in tasting Alziari’s world-famous olive oil. Or why not enjoy the fragrance of Bruno, the truffle king’s black fungi? Not to mention the sweets at Maison Auers! Take a look at Nice’s pulsing heart, the ProvProvençal- scented flower market (marché aux Fleurs), then turn eastwards along the rue de la Préfecture. Don’t miss either the Antic Boutik or one of the other stylish fashion shops (Asso, Habit Magique). If the Cours Saleya is Nice’s heart, its main artery is the rue Droite. Walk along it. Look in on some of the many art galleries and souvenir shops, or stop and relax in a café.
After a visit to the Modern Museum (Mamac) and its souvenir shop, walk along rue Defly to rue Gioffredo. This houses an interesting range of everything from home furnishings to a milliner. Take a peek at rue Gubernatis – if for no other reason than to stock up on wine bottles at nos. 16 and 17. If you still have not found what you want, try the Galeries Lafayette department store.
In recent years, Monoprix – with its food and clothing departments – has gained an increasing cult status. This is where you can really find an exciting selection of goods at low prices. Look out especially for their own-label brands on the delicatessen shelves.
If you are travelling with your teenage kid, be careful to go to Cap3000 because you just might end up spending the night here. This big shopping mall has 150 shops and restaurants, needless to say that you will find anything that you are looking for.
Cop Copine is a brand perfect for young, chic and edgy girls. The design is clean, simple and always with an interesting twist with lovely attention to detail.
This is France’s Rolls-Royce of department stores. Here you will find many of the finest things that France has to offer in the way of clothes and souvenirs. It is also centrally located – even if slightly hidden behind its pillared arcades. Essential place to shop during the big sales in January and July.
Cours Saleya is the largest square in the city and a historic centre. Perfect at any time of day, for a coffee or lunch, beneath what used to be Matisse’s balcony. A market takes place at Cours Saleya daily, offering vegetables and fruit, flowers and a flea market (Monday).
France can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
With a mild Mediterranean climate and over 300 sunny days a year, any time is a good time to come to Nice. The best time, however, is in the spring and autumn, when the weather in Nice is warm and sunny but not overly hot. Winters on the Cote d’Azur are sunny and crisp, with no crowds, and a real village feel. The only month to avoid, ironically, is late July and all of August, when temperatures are at their hottest and all of Europe goes on a month’s vacation, jamming the roads, beaches, hotels and restaurants.
Airport Nice-Côte d´Azur is 7 km outside Nice. The airport bus departs every 20 minutes. A ticket gives you unlimited travel for the rest of the day in Nice. Taxi prices vary, but there is an updated list on the airport web site.
Buses and trams are an efficient way to travel in Nice and along the Riviera. You can use the same ticket on both bus and tram. Timetables and a map are available from the tourist information office. Trains are the most comfortable and fastest way to travel along the Riviera. The station in Nice is on avenue Thier. From here, it takes 20 minutes to Thiers, Cannes, 20 minutes to Monaco and 1 hour to Saint Raphaël. Bicycles can be rented from a company called Nice Allocation Rent. Rollerblades can be rented from the Roller Station.
From Saint-Tropez, noisy but pleasant boats travel to and from Saint-Maxime.
Taxis are available when the taxi lamp on the roof is fully illuminated. There are taxi stations at places like the Hotel Méridien on the promenade des Anglais. Four people are not always accepted - or are charged extra, and the same applies to luggage. Central Taxi Riviera:
Most post offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 am-7 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to midday. Main Post Office:
Pharmacies are called Pharmacie and are identified by an illuminated green cross. If closed, there is generally a notice on the door with the address of the nearest open pharmacy, day and night. 24H pharmacies: Rue Masséna 7 +33 49 38 77 894 Avenue J. Médecin 66 +33 49 36 25 444
France can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
With a mild Mediterranean climate and over 300 sunny days a year, any time is a good time to come to Nice. The best time, however, is in the spring and autumn, when the weather in Nice is warm and sunny but not overly hot. Winters on the Cote d’Azur are sunny and crisp, with no crowds, and a real village feel. The only month to avoid, ironically, is late July and all of August, when temperatures are at their hottest and all of Europe goes on a month’s vacation, jamming the roads, beaches, hotels and restaurants.
