Nice – the very word sparkles with sunlight and glamour . In the 19th century, the European aristocracy colonized the place, drawn by the glorious curve of the Bay of Angels and the mild winter weather. More recently, it has been the turn of film stars to endow France’s fifth city with a legacy of luxury. And there’s a legacy of culture, too. Artists such as Matisse and Chagall were inspired by Nice’s limpid light and left their mark here with their abstract works (see Painters in Provence). Alongside this opulence, however, there is another Nice, rooted in Mediterranean history and fiercely independent. The city voted to join France only in 1860 (it had for centuries been part of the kingdom of Savoy) and retains its own Niçois dialect, cuisine and traditions. It is from the marriage of these two different halves that the real fascination of Nice is born.
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Great "residence" hotel, clean and spacious. Good value for a family of five, and right next door to a great little bakery (and Fragonard Perfumery, if you are intereted). We have three children, so the kitchenette and the hotel's proximity to Nice, Monaco, etc. made our trip that much more enjoyable.
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This Italian Ristorante has the best food. I ordered a wonderful baked rigatoni and my husband had an enourmous sea food pasta, full of fresh clams, mussels, and lobster. This place can be quite busy, so be sure to have a reservation or arrive early in the evening. We both remember the food as some of the best we've eaten anywhere in the world. The staff was also very pleasant and helpful, even with our poor attempts at French!
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One of the handful of places where you can go on a short tour of the perfume process, very important in France and only a few professional "noses" exist in the world. Then, you can shopping in the small boutique for some lovely presents (and items for yourself).
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This is a flat promenade about 7Km long and great for walking and people watching. One side features a great beach and beautiful sea, the other cafes, restaurants and some fantastic hotels, old and new. The evenings have atmosphere and perfect for terrific sunsets.
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Le Grand Cafe de Turin and Chez Pistol on Place Garibaldi are two seafood restaurants under the arches - perfect for Sunday lunch with people watching and sunshine laid on in spades. Terrific platters (panaches) of Fruits de Mer, sea urchins, lobster, you name it. Turin is grander, Pistol is cheaper and does fabulous fries.
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