Top 10 things to do in Nice this summer
Ideally
situated close to the French border with Italy and the principality of Monaco, Nice
is France’s 5th largest city and is a fantastic base for exploring the
Côte d’Azur. However, if you are flying in for a city break, you won’t be disappointed
spending all your time in Nice. A cultural crossroads, Nice is an exciting
place to visit to soak up the sun, lie on the beach, taste some local
gastronomic specialities, take a boat trip and visit some of the famous museums,
like the Picasso in Antibes.
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| The Coast at Nice |
1. Food and Gastronomy - What are the local specialities in Nice?
There are many local gastronomic specialities to be found in Nice, and the best way to sample them has to be in the Old Town. Here you will find "Pissaladière" – a pizza-like pastry with a sweet onion and anchovy topping. "Les Petits Farcis Niçois" – baked peppers, courgettes, and courgette flowers stuffed with mince and rice, and of course the world famous "Salade Niçoise".
The
wide variety of restaurants in Nice ensures there is something for every taste
and budget. Here are a few ideas for local places to eat out:
For
a Michelin experience, the majestic Restaurant Le Chantecler, located
within Hotel Negresco, 37 Promenade des Anglais, is home to the
two star-awarded chef Jean-Denis Rieubland. Prices €27 - €322.
For
a relaxed lunch on the beach why not try Blue Beach on Promenade des
Anglais, with fish, seafood and steak all on the menu, you can take one of
the sun loungers after lunch for a chilled afternoon €18-€50.
A
particularly family-friendly restaurant, recommended in the 2014 Petit Futé
publication, is Sarao Restaurant and Bar, located at 7 Promenade des
Anglais. With highchairs and kids menus and an in-expensive lunchtime set
menu, this trendy restaurant-bar is near the Jardin Albert I, the
perfect place to let the kids have a run around after lunch.
2. What
are the best markets in Nice?
A
trip to Nice would not be complete without a couple of hours spent experiencing
the fragrant and colourful fruit, vegetable and flower market on the Cours
Saleya. Also not to be missed is “The Marché Artisanal Nocturne”, an
evening craft market that brings the Cours Saleya to life during the
holiday season from mid-May to mid-September. During the refreshing summer
evenings, admire the jewellery, pottery and paintings lovingly created by Nice
artists. It is held every evening in summer from 6pm to midnight. For fragrance
lovers, a trip to the famous perfume capital Grasse is only a short
drive away.
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| Nice Market on the Cours Saleya |
3. What
are the best beaches in Nice?
The
beach in Nice starts near the airport and follows the curve of the Bay of
Angels for around 5 kilometres all the way to the port just beyond the Chateau
Hill. The beach is composed of smooth pebbles and so a good beach mat and "jelly
shoes" are advisable. You can make the most of your stay by using one
of the 15 private beaches. They are expensive (€12-€25 per day) but you will
benefit from a comfortable sun lounger, parasol and table, as well as showers, toilets
and a waiter service. The private beaches also have a restaurant area, and so
you won't have far to go should you wish to stay for lunch. If you are
looking for soft white sand you will to need to head west to Antibes. A
good compromise is the gritty soft shale beach at Villefranche, a pretty
village just east of Nice.
All
the private beaches are so different, here are some examples; The Castel
Plage is trendy and gay-friendly, the Blue Beach has a great little
pool for toddlers and Beau Rivage is the biggest private beach on the
Côte d'Azur.
There
are very limited services on the public areas, a few open showers and
portaloos. However there are three public beaches that have good facilities for
a small fee, for example the Plage Publique de Beau Rivage. For a few
euros there are clean toilets, showers, changing rooms and security lockers,
making a visit to the public beach much more pleasant.
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| The Blue Beach - Private Beach and Restaurant |
4. What is Promenade des Anglais?
The
well-known Promenade des Anglais, takes its name from the English
holiday makers who have flocked to Nice over the centuries enjoying their
strolls along the promenade. It is the place to be seen, whether it be on
roller-skates (you can hire them from a shop close to the Old Town), on
a bike, or simply hand-in-hand with a loved one. Adjacent to the promenade is
the 6-lane road which separates the shops, hotels and restaurants from the
beach.
5. What
cultural experiences can be found in Nice?
The
Côte d’Azur has always been popular with artists flocking from overseas. There
are galleries dedicated to both Chagall and Matisse in the city
as well as the Picasso Museum in nearby Antibes. The modern art
museum, located halfway between the old and new town, MAMAC exhibits
more contemporary works of art. Only 15 minutes’ drive away is Saint Paul de
Vence where the village is like an open-air art gallery.
6. Can
I take a boat trip in Nice?
There
are many opportunities to take a boat trip in Nice. Among the most popular type
of excursions are tours to take in celebrity homes and nature watching. If you
have more time to spend, you can take a boat from Cannes to the Lerin
Islands: Ile de Sainte Marguerite (where the famous Man in the
Iron Mask was incarcerated), and Ile Saint-Honorat (where monks brew
the alcoholic lemon liqueur “Limoncello”). Also, from Nice you could
take the high-speed ferry to Calvi and Bastia in Corsica.
7. What
is there to do in Monaco and beyond?
Given
the tiny size of the principality of Monaco, it would be a shame not to
visit whilst staying in the area. Going east from Nice it is only 30 minutes’
drive away; the best sights can be done in a day. The main attractions include
the prince’s palace, the tomb of Princess Grace in the cathedral
and admiring the collection of “mega yachts” to be found in the port. If you
have cash to spend, trying your luck in the casino is an experience in itself.
Or you could simply enjoy a coffee outside the Café de Paris opposite
whilst watching the “super cars” pull up outside. Just another 30 minutes’
eastwards brings you to the closest Italian town of Ventimiglia.
8. How
about Cannes and beyond?
40
minutes’ drive south-west of Nice is the world-famous town of Cannes.
During May the town is absolutely inundated with visitors for the International
Film Festival, making getting around pretty difficult. Even when the Cannes
Film Festival has long since rolled up the red carpet, you can imagine the
glitz and glamour at the site of the annual event; the Palais des Festivals
et des Congres. Be sure to stop at the convention centre, which hosts many
events throughout the year. Here you can see the handprints of celebrities
embedded in the flagstones outside the building. Also west of Nice you will
find the trendy resorts of Mandelieu-le-Napoule and Antibes with
sandy beaches, restaurants and cute boutiques.
9. Theatre
and Opera
What
better excuse do you need to get dressed up than a night at the opera? If you book
in advance, tickets can be bought for a bargain price. The Nice Opera House can be found next to the Cours
Saleya market place in the Old Town – handily located with an
underground car park adjacent and many restaurants close by. Theatre lovers can
indulge their passion at the Theatre National de Nice on Promenade
des Arts.
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| The Jardin Botanique |
10. Gardens
and stuff for kids
Phoenix
Park,
on the east end of Promenade des Anglais is home to one of the largest
greenhouses in Europe. The greenhouse accommodates seven different tropical
climates, the most spectacular and colourful scenery being yielded by the lush
fern forest and by the exquisite collection of orchids. The artificial lake
(which has an island) offers a splendid view buzzing with colour and life. The
exotic fauna also comprises species of tropical insects and birds. Visitors
should also take time to admire the Mediterranean waterfalls of the park. Other
notable parks include the Jardin Botanique, Jardin Albert 1er and Parc
du Chateau, located on a hill overlooking Nice. If you are holidaying with
children, a day at nearby Marineland, close to Antibes, will
provide fun and excitement. It is a waterpark, aquarium and adventure
playground.
Why not take a look at some of the holiday villas you can rent in the Nice area:
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| Overlooking Nice Villa Minou AM037A with Air-Con, Wi-Fi and a Private Salt Water Pool. Sleeps 8-9 people. |
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| Between Monaco and Nice, with Views to Die For Villa Cap Martin AM039A Sleeps 8-10 People. |
