Learn About Nice

Nice is just a romantic place and its appeal is universal. It's attractive to walk around the Old Town (Vieille Ville) with its close-packed Italian architecture like the backstreets of Venice. Or to relax on the glorious pebble beach and lap up the sun. Then stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and admire the energetic bikers, walkers and rollerbladers passing by. And then enjoy the best of French cuisine at one of many excellent restaurants, taking as long as you like sampling wines before making your way back to the hotel.

The free public beaches along the 4 km Baie des Anges alternate with private beaches that are well equipped with small restaurants, sun-loungers and parasols. For half of this length, alongside the beach runs the wide Promenade des Anglais, a focal point for most tourists. From the Promenade you can divert off to visit parts of the town, then return and continue along the way.

The narrow streets of the Old Town form a maze of shops and restaurants, bars and cafes.

The area has remained much the same since the 1700s, and you might as well just get lost and enjoy the atmosphere. You'll come across Cours Saleya, a square with busy flower and food markets, frequented by locals and tourists alike. With bars and restaurants nearby, of course, where you can get good Italian-style coffee and freshly caught seafood...

Place Massena is the main square in Nice. It used to be the home of the rich, with archways, fountains and statues. Now it is lined with shops and restaurants, and at night becomes lively with street performers and artists. The tramway runs through the center of the plaza, but otherwise it's pedestrian only...

Leading from Place Messena is the Promenade du Paillon, walking down to the Promenade des Anglais where the underground river Paillon (which used to separate the Old and New Towns before it was covered over) hits the sea. On the way you'll encounter the unusual and huge Water Mirror area, dotted with fountains that launch in random patterns. The kids will love getting soaked but you might not be so pleased - unless it's a very hot day! You'll pass the Théâtre de Verdure where the Nice Jazz Festival takes place in the summer.

On Castle Hill, rising above the East side of the Vieux Ville, you can climb up to Parc du Château - alternatively a free lift to the top can be found on Rue des Ponchettes beneath Tour Bellanda. On the way up you'll pass Cascade Donjon, an 18th-century artificial waterfall, with viewing platform above...

From the top of the hill you can enjoy the panorama of all of Nice, along the Baie des Anges...

On the other side of the hill you overlook the Port with a dramatic view....

Nice is located on the Riviera with the Maritime Alps not far north...

There are many interesting visits a short drive away. For example, Antibes and Cannes are not far along the coast to the West, and nearby to the East is the beautiful Saint-Jean-Cap-Farrat peninsula, the amazing hilltop village of Èze, and then the famous city state of Monaco.

Watch this video to learn more...