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Factfile
Nice Côte
d'Azur - South of France
Nice
is has been a popular city for years. It was popular with
British Royalty (Queen Victoria was a regular visitor to the
area (including Menton), and Winston Churchill enjoyed holidays
in the area.
It
has France’s no 2 airport and with the expansion of low cost
air travel from within Europe is the gateway to the French
Riviera.
The
city of Nice extends inland with its pedestrian area featuring
luxury boutiques, Massena gardens with their fountains and
the picturesque old town. Nice stretches the length of the
Baie des Anges, lighting up the whole of the Riviera with
its majesty. When you fly into Nice airport the views are
superb by day or night.
It
is a magnificent city, the epitome of Riviera charm, a gentle
way of life and luxury that has an exceptionally mild and
sunny climate, blue sea and azure skies. Nice is a thriving
tourist city, sought after all year round by lovers of the
French Riviera. The Promenade des Anglais is a world-famous
attraction, which is the pride of the city of Nice.
The
Promenade des Anglais is synonymous with prestige and stylish
living. Graced by majestic palm trees, hotels, Casinos and
famous restaurants, a pedestrian area, long stretches of beaches,
pergolas and sky blue chairs, the Promenade des Anglais is
a prominent feature along the Baie des Anges and almost a
microcosm in its own right! "A feast for the eyes, Nice
- where Queen Victoria was amused, Matisse painted his Blue
Nudes and Coco Chanel invented the suntan.
It
is marvelous to escape from dreary winter in northern European
into its sharp light and balmy Mediterranean air: to wander
round the harbour, through the flower market in the ornate
Cours Saleya, or into the bar of the Hotel Negresco for a
cocktail as exotic as the building itself. Home of one of
the biggest summer jazz festivals, off-season Nice also offers
cool sounds in many a late-night cafe-bar. In winter you are
only 40 minutes drive from the Alpine ski slopes and another
world and only a short drive from Monaco and Italy.
What
to see:
Nice
offers everything you could wish for in a holiday destination
- history, spectacular scenery, architecture and a buzzing
nightlife, not forgetting plenty of sun and sea. The 4000-year-old
city has many historical sights to see. Visit the Old Town,
which dates back to medieval times or La colline du chateau
dating back to the eleventh century.  The
old town contains within its narrow alleyways, the expanses
of its squares and the Cours Saleya over 250 restaurants,
200 boutiques and galleries. Other excellent places for sightseeing
include the Basilique Notre-Dame - the largest church in Nice,
built in 1864. Other sightseeing hotspots include La Cathedrale
Saint-Reparate, built in the seventeenth century, and the
16th century L'Ancien Hotel de Ville, formerly Nice's town
hall. Climb (or take the lift) up to the castle and enjoy
panoramic views over the Baie des Anges and visit the two
cemeteries lying side by side the Christian and neighbouring
Jewish cemetery.
Nice
benefits from a superb climate. Thanks to sea breezes the climate
is mild even in winter and never too hot in summer. Inhabitants
often have lunch in a T-shirt in the middle of February while
the rest of France is shivering in the cold. Also known as the
'Bay of Arts', Nice has three theatres, an opera house,  a
symphony orchestra and many museums and art galleries. Visit
the Musee et Site Archeologiques with its magnificent collections
from the Bronze Age to the late middle ages. Be sure to explore
the Bibliotheque du Chevalier de Cessole, with its many old
books and manuscripts tracing the history of the city. Nice
has always held on to its independence and even has its own
language. The people of Nice like to keep their individuality
intact with their own folk-dancing troupes, street bands and
craftwork. Theatre is also a very important part of the town's
culture and The Opera de Nice is well worth a visit.
If
you are looking for art, then Nice is the place to visit. The
old town, especially Rue Droite, houses numerous artists' studios,
framing shops and galleries. The Museum of Modern Art (MAMAC)
on the Promenade des Arts hosts’ regular seasonal shows as well
as its own collection of contemporary European and American
works. Chagall was a long time Riviera resident and the purpose
built Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall en route
to Cimiez shows a spectacular collection of his paintings, stained
glass mosaics and sketches. In Cimiez itself is the Musée Matisse
set in a renovated 17th century villa which houses not only
a collection of his work but also holds excellent temporary
shows. Simply walking the streets of Nice and exploring the
antique markets is a great
Shopping
If
you enjoy strolling around the shops then you are in the right
place; Nice offers excellent variety. Choose from small boutiques
in the Old Town specialising in provencal fabrics, jewellery
shops on Avenue de Verdun and Rue Paradis with its up-market
shopping arcades, department stores and chic couturiers.  There
are also many markets, including the Marche a la Brocante -
a flea market open all-year-round and the Marche aux Poissons
- a fish market open every morning except Monday and the flower
market a stones throw from the so close to the Promenade des
Anglais.
Nice
by night
Nice
is lively by day and even more lively by night. You are spoilt
for choice when it comes to discos, nightclubs, casinos and
restaurants. And you could, if you prefer, go to a karaoke club
or one of the many cabaret clubs, which are equally delightful.
You can even choose to do some late-night shopping, as there
are many shops that stay open 24 hours a day. You can dine out
in the old town in the area that is the flower market by day
and is transformed into a magical dining area by night.
In late July each year the Nice Jazz Festival is held
in the Jardin & Arenés. It normally starts just as the Jazz
à Juan - Juan-les-Pins
Jazz Festival is drawing
to a close.
History
From
the time of the Second Empire to the roaring Twenties the famous
Promenade des Anglais was the fashionable meeting place where
luxury hotels and palaces flourished and high society strolled
along the promenade in the warm Riviera sunshine enjoying the
sea views. In 1929 Le Palais de la Mediterranee and the sumptuous
decor of its lounges and Casino attracted a clientele of rich
men and elegant women who enjoyed its magnificence and the pleasures
of life. Princes, barons and other aristocrats enjoyed a heady
lifestyle at the height of the Belle Époque. Nice is just as
popular today and after a period of disuse Le Palais de la Mediterranee
has been rebuilt and restored to its former glory - as beautiful
and luxurious as before. The 1929 facade has already been restored
and now visitors to Nice can enjoy the jewel of the Promenade
des Anglais with its host of events, quality of life and magical
atmosphere that reigned in the Palace so close to their hearts.
©jmlpropertyservices04/05
Photos of Nice,
Monaco, Menton & other areas in the South of France in the
1920s and 1960s Click
here
South
of France Fact File Click
Here
Places
to see and visit in the South of France Click
Here
Historic
Monaco Grand Prix Click
Here
Riviera
realty from French Property News September 2006
Click Here
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Côte
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