Languages French (official) French is the official language and spoken
by everyone; regionally however you will come across Flemish, Alsacian,
Breton, Basque, Catalan, Provençal and Corsican as well.
Currency Euro (Euro)
Electricity 230V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details European plug with two circular metal pins
Nice (pronounces Nees) stretches over a coastal plain opening southward onto the
Mediterranean, bounded from East to West by a succession of wooded hills. In the
background, rise the first magnificent peaks of the foothills of the Alps, some
reaching over 9000 feet above sea level. This spectacular city is the capital of
the French Riviera and the largest city between Genoa and Marseille
Modern Nice stands on the same spot in the hills overlooking the sea that was
originally selected by the Greeks and subsequently the Romans for settlement. In
the intervening years, the city has spread down to the flat land along the
water. Sheltered to the east and the west by outcroppings of rock, and with the
Maritime Alps to the north, Nice has an ideal climate with mild winters and
perfect summers.
Nice is also France’s fifth largest city, and the top cruise ship port in
France. Almost 200,000 passengers use the Port of Nice-Villefranche annually.
Located in Southern Europe at the southeastern extremity of France, Nice is a
privileged crossroads between the Alps, Provence, Corsica and Italy.
Riviera Panorama by Minibus - All The Riviera In One Day Escape to Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Juan les Pins and the Old town of Antibes on this full day experience. Be introduced to the many facets of the French Riviera and revel in its beauty! Throughout the day you will tour the Grand Prix circuit as well as a stop at Eze medieval village and time to linger around the famous Fragonard Perfume Factory.
Cannes, St Paul de Vence, Gourdon and Grasse by Minibus Be amazed by the beautiful countryside, medieval villages and local history on this full day tour. Visit the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse. Explore Mougins and seek out its vast array of restaurants and art galleries. Onto Cannes where you'll be introduced to the old Port, la Croisette, Palais des Festivals, designer shops and trendy beaches.
Monaco and Monte Carlo by Minibus Admire the picturesque coastal scenery as you journey to Monaco. The city is beautifully situated on the Mediterranean Sea and tucked into the Maritimes Alps. Explore the Old Town and be surprised and astonished by the magnificent views from the medieval village of Eze. Next you can admire the breathtaking Casino Square in Monte Carlo plus drive around its famous race-track.
Antibes, Juan les Pins and Cannes Step into the glitz and glamour where movie stars rub shoulders with millionaires on the boulevards of Cannes. Get a taste for how the rich and famous live as you pass trendy boutiques, glamorous beaches and extraordinary yachts. Spend a few hours exploring the Mediterranean French Riviera, book today!
Saint Tropez by Minibus Spend the morning enroute to the glitzy Saint Tropez along the westward motorway and travel through the beautiful Adrets Forest. In Saint Tropez envy luxury yachts and fashion boutiques. On the return journey stop at Port Grimaud, known as the "Little Venice" and remember to bring plenty of film to capture the enchanting scenes of canals, bridges, boutiques and charming houses.
Nice City Tour by Minibus Discover the history and the treasures of Nice. Experience the pleasures of so many great stops including Castle Park and the flower markets in the Old Town, the Roman Arena of Cimiez, Garibaldi districts and the famous Promenade des Arts. Tour includes tasting of La Socca, a traditional Nice dish.
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The French Riviera is not only famous for its coastline, and its incomparable
weather. The ski resorts in nearby mountain villages have steadily gained in
popularity over the years. Guaranteed sunshine, pristine snow and mountain peaks
are all within easy reach of Nice.
Easily accessible to Nice are the towns of Eze, Vence, Grasse and St. Paul.
The route in their direction is one of olive groves and pine woods stretching
for miles down to the shore. Foothills are carpeted with flowers in the light
that inspired generations of painters from Renoir to Matisse to Picasso.
For many, the Riviera offers all the grandeur of bygone days: casinos,
stately hotels, villas, and historic sites. Hotel Beau Rivage is where Henri
Matisse lived and painted. Now a gentle, low-key resort, life thrives in Nice
amid pure air and sun above the blue of the Mediterranean, and modern art
museums flourish.
As long as anyone can remember, the French seaside Riviera was Europe's
foremost resort. Graced by palms, beaches and sub-tropical flowers, the Azure
Coast (Côte d’Azur) ranked for over a hundred years as the preferred first class
travel destination.
In the mid 20th century the Riviera additionally became known as the place
where the bikini got its start, and a whole new leisure lifestyle evolved.
Mid-July to early September now marks the high season, when stars of the
entertainment world arrive for sun and sports from golf to horse racing.
It is easy to get around the Riviera with its excellent rail service, luxury
buses, and car rentals. In Nice, just a few blocks from the Promenade des
Anglais is the colorful "old town" with open-air market for shoppers, and
restaurants with hearty Niçoise cuisine at moderate prices.
Centrally located, Nice is 77 miles south of Paris, and 20 miles northeast of
Cannes.
From the Nice airport, (the second largest in France), trains and buses
travel the entire coast. Because of its brilliant sunshine and relaxed living,
artists and writers have been attracted to Nice for years. The city has, on
average, 300 days of sunshine a year.
It also has 5 miles of marvelous beaches, many attractions of interest to
families with children, and the relaxed lifestyle that makes it the perfect
place for a family vacation. The French and Italian influenced cuisine can also
be described as “sunny”. The favorites range from seafood, salads, stews,
grilled fish and meat, to delicious pancakes and fine wines.
Shopping in Nice is exciting as well. In addition to quality department
stores there are hand crafted and embroidered items and many fascinating antique
shops.
Nice has a selection of dynamic theaters, concert halls, and an opera, as
well as nightclubs, a casino, a variety of cabaret restaurants and live music
bars. Local festivals are always popular, especially Carnaval et Bataille de
Fleurs and the annual Jazz Festival.
Acres of parks and gardens, filled with paths for walking and cascades of
brightly colored flowers, add to the warm welcome, joyful spirit, and many
reasons to visit and revisit this city without equal.
When it comes to Carnival, Nice is France's Rio de Janeiro. More than a
million visitors are drawn to the usually low-key French Riviera town, which
becomes party central for two weeks. Highlights include phenomenal flower
parades, samba troupes, clowns, wacky stilt-walkers, jugglers, street
performers, traditional floats, and lots of merriment. Still, the magnifique
event, dating back to the Middle Ages, is one that's quite manageable and even
family-friendly (How many Mardi Gras events can you purchase tickets for well in
advance?) Live bands, theater performances and DJs can be found playing all over
town until the wee hours. Place Masséna and the rues surrounding the waterfront
are where most of the action takes place, including the awesome presentation of
the ginormous King and Queen Carnival effigies. The grand finale takes on a more
serious mien, when the towering King-puppet effigy is set afire. Then, fireworks
burst, and the party is finis.
Districts of Nice
Old Town (Vieille Ville)
Until the 1970’s Nice’s Old Town was a decaying slum seldom visited by
tourists. Today it is one of the liveliest, most colorful neighbors in the city,
and is constantly filled with visitors. Interesting old houses, baroque
churches, and 17th-18th century civic buildings have been restored.
Cimiez
Set above the town center, this was a residential area for the wealthy in
Roman times, and remains so today. The Romans called it Cemenelum. Cimiez was
the capital of the Maritime Alps province. Within the district, a Roman site has
been excavated revealing the remains of an amphitheater and Roman public baths.
Housed in a nearby archeological museum are the treasures uncovered there.
Seafront (Promenade des Anglais)
Early in the 19th century the English discovered the mild winters of the
French Mediterranean coast. As thousands flocked to Nice and surrounding area,
afternoon strolls became fashionable. The rocky footpaths bordering the sea
proved unacceptable for strolling ladies and gentlemen. In 1820, Reverend Lewis
Way took the matter in hand and inspired construction of a sweeping promenade
planted with palm trees and flowers. Thus was created “The Englishman’s Walk”
(Promenade des Anglais).
Masséna
Elegant, arcaded Place Masséna is located behind the Promenade des Angláis,
and is considered by many to be at the heart of the city. In the center of the
square is a sparkling fountain from which broad boulevards, lined with designer
stores, extend. On both sides of the square run more than a mile of gardens.
Among these are the Jardin Albert I and the Promenade du Paillon, a stepped
garden filled with azaleas, camellias and aromatic pines.
Attractions
Museums
Note: There is free admission offered to the museums of Nice on the first
Sunday of each month.
Carte Musées Côte d’Azur is a pass which entitles the holder to visit 62
museums on the French Riviera for the price of the pass.
Or buy a Carte Passe-Musée from the local tourist office in Nice for a 3-day
pass, or 140 F or a 4-day pass. There are no reductions for students or
children. It will allow you admission into seven of the city's largest museums.
Anatole Jakovsky International Museum Of Modern Art
Château Sainte-Hélène, Avenue de Fabron
04 93 71 78 33
10 a.m. - noon and 2 - 6 p.m., closed Tuesday and some holidays
Admission charged
Opened on 5 March 1982 in the former residence of the perfumer François
Coty, this Museum owed its existence to the large donation by Anatole and
Renée Jakovsky: 600 paintings, drawings, engravings and sculptures retracing
the history worldwide of Modern Art from the 18th century to the present.
Works by Bauchant, Bombois, Rimbert, Séraphine... Croatian, Haitian, Brazilian
artists... completed by a rich State collection from the National Museum of
Modern Art Centre Georges Pompidou.
Archaeology Museum Of Nice–Cimiez
160, Avenue des Arènes
04 93 81 59 57
10 -noon and 2 - 6 Nice. 1 April - 30 September; 10 - 1. and 2 - 5: 1
October - 31 March, closed Monday and some holidays
Admission charged
Founded by Augustus in 14 BC, Cemenelum was, from the 1st to the 4th
century, the capital of the Alpes Maritimae province. You can visit the
amphitheatre, the public baths (3rd century AD), see the paved streets and the
Palæochristian Episcopal Group (5th century AD).
The Museum, inaugurated in January 1989, offers collections ranging from
the Bronze and Iron Age (1100 BC) to the Dark Ages: ceramics, glass, coins,
jewelry, sculptures, and tools.
Designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, in the heart of Parc
Phœnix, in a subtle architecture of glass and steel, this museum offers
classical works and contemporary creations. The tea pavilion evokes the
aestheticism of the Zen ceremony.
Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas à Nice
Av. Nicolas-II From the central rail station, head west along av. Thiers
to bd. Gambetta; then go north to av. Nicolas-II. Off boulevard du Tzaréwitch
04-93-96-88-02
May-Sept, daily 9-noon and 2:30-6; Oct-Apr, daily 9:30-noon and 2:30-5
Admission charged.
Ordered built in 1903 by Tsar Nicholas II, in memory of his son, Nicholas,
who is buried on the grounds. This is the most beautiful Orthodox edifice
outside Russia and is the perfect expression of Russian religious art abroad.
It dates from the belle époque, when some of the Romanovs frequented the
Riviera. The cathedral is richly ornamented and decorated with many icons. It
is crowned by ornate onion-shaped domes. Church services are held on Sunday
morning.
Centre Du Patrimoine (Prieuré du Vieux-Logis)
59, Avenue St Barthélemy
04 93 84 44 74
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and 1 Sunday each month, 3 - 5 or by
appointment for groups
Admission free
A late medieval interior reconstructed in a 16th-century home with
collections of 14th, 15th and 16th-century objects.
Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts)
33 av. des Baumettes
04-92-15-28-28
Tues-Sun 10am-noon and 2-6pm
Bus: 3, 9, 12, 22, 23, or 38
Admission charged.
The collection is housed in the former residence of the Ukrainian Princess
Kotchubey. There's an important gallery devoted to the masters of the Second
Empire and belle époque, with an extensive collection of the 19th-century
French experts. The gallery of sculptures includes works by J. B. Carpeaux,
Rude, and Rodin. Note the important collection by a dynasty of painters, the
Dutch Vanloo family. One of its best-known members, Carle Vanloo, born in Nice
in 1705, was Louis XV's premier peintre. A fine collection of 19th- and
20th-century art is displayed, including works by Ziem, Raffaelli, Boudin,
Renoir, Monet, Guillaumin, and Sisley.
Franciscan Museum, Church And Monastery Of Cimiez
Place du Monastère
04 93 81 00 04
daily 10 a.m. - noon and 3 - 6 p.m., except Sunday and holidays.
Admission free
A re-creation of the life of Franciscan monks in Nice from the 13th to the
18th century intended as an illustration of the spiritual and social message
of Saint Francis of Assisi through paintings, sculptures, engravings,
illuminated manuscripts, frescoes, recon Nice.tructed chapel and monk’s cell,
prayer-books on parchment.
Matisse Museum
164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez
04 93 81 08 08
open 10 - 6 1 April - 30 September and 10 - 5 1 October to 31 March,
closed Tuesday and some holidays. For annual closing: contact the Museum.
Admission charged
This completely renovated 17th-century Genoan-style villa in the heart of
the olive grove in the Gardens of Cimiez houses the personal collection of the
great Fauvist painter who lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954.
Works from all periods of his life offer a comprehensive panorama: from
the first paintings made in 1890 to the famous gouache cutouts, 236 drawings,
218 engravings and the complete presentation of the books illustrated by the
artist.
Marc Chagall National Bibilical Message Museum
Avenue du Dr Ménard, corner of Boulevard de Cimiez
04 93 53 87 20
10 - 6 : 1 July to 30 September and 10 - 5 October to June (without
interruption), closed Tuesdays
Admission charged
Biblical scenes illustrated in 17 large paintings, sculptures, stained
glass windows, mosaics and tapestries, 205 preparatory sketches, 39 gouaches
(1930), 105 engravings (1956) and 215 lithographs.
Museum Of Contemporary And Modern Art
Promenade des Arts
04 93 62 61 62
10 a.m. - 6 p.m., except Tuesday and holidays
Admission charged.
This original architecture (four grey marble towers linked by transparent
walkways) and a major permanent collection trace the history of the European
and American avant-garde since the early 1960s.
Naval Museum
Tour Bellanda (Castle Hill)
04 93 80 47 61
10 - noon and 2 - 7. 1 June to 30 September and 10 a.m. - noon and 2 - 5
p.m. 1 October to 31 May, closed Monday, Tuesday and some holidays
Closed from mid-November to mid-December.
Admission charged
Located in Tour Bellanda, a listed historic monument, this museum has a
large collection of weapons, models of boats, instruments of navigation,
engravings and paintings on the theme of the sea.
Palais Lascaris
15 rue Droite
04-93-62-72-40
Tues-Sun 10am-noon and 2-6pm
Bus: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 16, or 17
Free admission
The baroque Palais Lascaris in the city's historic core is intimately
linked to the Lascaris-Vintimille family, whose recorded history predates the
year 1261. Built in the 17th century, it contains elaborately detailed
ornamentation. An intensive restoration undertaken by the city of Nice in 1946
brought back its original beauty, and the palace is now classified as a
historic monument. The most elaborate floor is the étage noble, retaining many
of its 18th-century panels and plaster embellishments. A circa-1738 pharmacy,
complete with many of the original Delftware accessories, is on the premises.
Every Wednesday between 2 and 4pm, the museum presents programs of appeal to
children, inviting craftspeople to show the details of how they accomplish
their art forms through live demonstrations.
Terra Amata Human Paleontology Museum
25, Boulevard Carnot
04 93 55 59 93
open daily 10 - noon and 2 - 6 , except Monday and some holidays.
Library by appointment 8:30 - 5
Reconstruction of a prehistoric (Acheulean) occupation site, plaster
casts, documents on the site of an elephant hunters’ camp in Nice 400,000
years ago.
Theatre De La Photographie Et De L'image
27, boulevard Dubouchage
04 93 80 11 00
free entrance from 10-12 and from 2-6
Closed Mondays and certain holidays.
The "Théâtre de la Photographie et de l'Image" in the heart of Nice in the
building which formerly housed the "Théâtre de l'Artistique", has maintained
its charm and elegance of the Belle Epoque period. Its mission is to collect
photographs of Nice and its region by researching ancient documents but also
sending photographers to "report" on the city's human, urban, historic and
industrial heritage.
Villa Arson
20, Avenue Stephen Liégeard,
04 92 07 73 73,or 04 92 07 73 80
daily 1 - 7 July - September and 1 - 6 October - June. Closed Mondays
October - June
Splendid 18th-century villa, surrounded by contemporary architecture of
concrete and pebbles. This site covers acres of terraces and gardens housing
the National Art School and a Contemporary Art Center and residence for
artists.
Riviera Panorama by Minibus - All The Riviera In One Day
Cannes, St Paul de Vence, Gourdon and Grasse by Minibus
Monaco and Monte Carlo by Minibus
Antibes, Juan les Pins and Cannes
Saint Tropez by Minibus
Nice City Tour by Minibus
