Nice

Nice - France's 5th largest city in terms of population and major achievements - is the flagship city of the Côte d'Azur, both elegant and popular, with its famous Promenade des Anglais, its many pebble beaches and its sumptuous Palaces, including the famous Negresco. From its cosmopolitan past, Nice, the true capital of the Côte d'Azur, has preserved the indefinable charm that makes it a tourist center of excellence, where art de vivre and local culture blend seamlessly.

The city lies at the head of the Baie des Anges, sheltered from the wind by an amphitheatre of hills, including the Cimiez hill, with its ancient remains and park housing the Matisse museum, and the Château hill, which separates the old town from the port of Lympia. You'll discover it on a stroll, with its flower gardens and parks, its old town with its picturesque alleyways and ochre facades in shades of yellow and red, its markets, including the famous 'flower market' on Cours Saleya, and its café terraces, which are always packed, even in winter, because the climate here is mild all year round, or the port, which for a long time was a working-class district and is now one of Nice's ultra-authentic districts, where you'll discover Place Garibaldi, the city's oldest main square and one of its most emblematic landmarks.

Nice's varied architecture reflects its history and evolution in every street and building. During the Savoyard period, several palaces and mansions were built, as well as Baroque-style churches. During the Belle Époque, the town was enriched with numerous villas, luxury apartments and hotels, thanks to the presence of powerful families of notables, then wintering families.

Today, sumptuous buildings such as Château de Bellet, Musée Matisse, Palais Lascaris, Palais Masséna and Château de l'Anglais are part of Nice's architectural heritage. Similarly, several establishments linked to the city's tourist past have existed since the 19th century - the Café de Turin, the Auer patisserie, the former Hôtel Régina, where Henri Matisse lived, the Negresco, the Palais de la Méditerranée...

Among Nice's highly sought-after sectors, we'll mainly mention:

La Colline de Cimiez

Nice's Colline de Cimiez is a renowned historical site. It is home to Roman remains, gardens, the Matisse Museum, a 17th-century church and is the burial place of artist Henri Matisse. Its architecture blends Roman and medieval elements, offering panoramic views over Nice, and this residential district is home to numerous hotels built during the Belle Époque and converted into luxury apartments, master villas and large, opulent apartment blocks .

Le Carré d'Or, dating back to the Belle Epoque

Nice's Carré d'Or is a chic district of the city, renowned for its elegance and central location. It is characterized by cobbled streets, luxury boutiques, restaurants and renowned hotels. The architecture blends historic buildings with modern constructions, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The Carré d'Or is a magnet for visitors in search of high-end shopping, fine dining and nightlife.

Le Quartier des Musiciens

Nice's Quartier des Musiciens is an elegant, peaceful residential neighborhood. It owes its name to the streets bearing the names of famous composers, creating a musical atmosphere. The district's architecture is mainly composed of Belle Époque-style buildings, offering a distinctive charm to the area. The Quartier des Musiciens is renowned for its calm, its parks, and its proximity to the city center and the Promenade des Anglais. It's a popular spot for its green spaces, local stores and residential atmosphere.

Nice Mont-Boron

Nice's Mont Boron district is an upscale residential neighborhood set on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the sea and the city of Nice. The district's architecture is characterized by superb villas, luxury properties and luxury apartments. Mont Boron is also well known for its parks, notably the Parc du Mont Boron, which offers areas for relaxation and outdoor recreation.

The neighborhood is appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere, access to nature, and proximity to the beach, Vieux-Nice and the port of Nice. It's a popular residential area for locals and expats alike, offering a high quality of life in a beautiful setting.

Le Cap de Nice

With its 'sentier du littoral': this is where the Palais Maeterlinck stands proudly facing the Mediterranean, and where the Villa Beau Site was erected in 1870. It is characterized by steep cliffs, picturesque beaches and spectacular sea views. The architecture in this region is mainly composed of luxury private residences, elegant villas and a few renowned hotels. Cap de Nice is renowned for its coastal charm, tranquility and exclusivity. It attracts affluent residents, visitors in search of tranquillity and elegance, and nature lovers with its cliffside hiking trails. It's a privileged place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Côte d'Azur and the Mediterranean.

La Promenade des Anglais,

Nice's emblem in the eyes of the world. Nice's Promenade des Anglais is one of the most emblematic promenades on France's Côte d'Azur. Lined with palm trees, it runs along the Mediterranean coastline. Its name derives from the English tourists who frequented the Côte d'Azur in the 18th century. Its elegant seaside architecture features hotels, restaurants, boutiques and cafés. It offers breathtaking sea views, and its pebble beaches attract many bathers.

The Promenade des Anglais is also popular with cyclists, joggers and walkers. The boulevard is the venue for numerous events and festivals throughout the year, making this promenade a veritable heart of Nice's social and cultural life. It embodies the charm of the Côte d'Azur and is an iconic place to visit during a stay in Nice. Nice is a country unto itself: people speak 'nissart', and the cuisine is typically Mediterranean - try pissaladière, ratatouille, pan bagnat or salade niçoise... and don't forget to add a dollop of olive oil and a few caillettes, the famous little black olives.

"Composition is the art of decoratively arranging the various elements available to the painter to express his feelings". Henri Matisse

Nice is also about art, culture and festivities, and there are no fewer than 850 cultural events here every year, including

Le Carnaval de Nice

The first written account of the Carnival Corso dates back to 1294! In 1876 appeared the first Bataille de Fleurs on the Promenade des Anglais, where 90% of the flowers - mimosas, lilies and daisies - came from the surrounding hills.

Le Nice Jazz Festival

Held for the very first time in the world in 1948, every year it welcomes the best of the national and international music scene (Jamie Cullum, Charles Lloyd, Kenny Barron, Brad Mehldau, Cerrone, The Roots, Kool and the Gang, Lauryn Hill, Ibeyi, Yael Naim, etc).

It's also France's 2nd-largest museum city, just after Paris - so you're likely to visit:

The Matisse Museum

A seventeenth-century Genoese mansion set in the bucolic gardens of the Cimiez hill, the painter's strolling ground where centuries-old olive trees mingle with ruins from Roman times.

The Musée D'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporaine (MAMAC)

whose permanent collections bear witness, among other things, to the work of European "New Realism" artists and works by American artists in "Assembly Art" and "New York Pop Art".

The Museum of Fine Arts

Installed in 1928 in a magnificent mansion built on the initiative of the Ukrainian princess Kotchoubey in 1878 and completed by the American Thompson, and whose emblematic works include La Crucifixion by Agnolo Bronzino (1540), La Console Jaune aux Deux Fenêtres by Raoul Dufy (1948), Le Déjeuner sur l'Herbe by Jules Chéret (1904), or Fenêtre Ouverte sur la Seine by Pierre Bonnard (1912).

Musée National Marc Chagall

Largest public collection of works by Marc Chagall.

 

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