Nice

Visit the flower and fruit market in the old part of Nice

The Cours Saleya Flower Market between the old town and the promenade is well worth a visit.

The market sells an unimaginable array of flowers throughout the seasons. The narrow walk ways between the stalls helps create a bustle type atmosphere.

Around the market there are many cafes and restaurants.

On Monday's the flower market gives way to a flea market.

The Baroque church of Chapelle de la Misericorde is considered a master piece of baroque architecture is worth a visit.

The church was built in 1740 in what was at the time one of the most prestigious areas of Nice.

Discover the old town of Nice, close to the waterfront.

The old town of Nice set below the chateau is a series of narrow cobbled streets opening out into squares usually beside churches.

Some of the more popular squares have many restaurants and bars. Other parts have small shops selling anything form house-hold goods to fashionable clothes.

At night the atmosphere changes as the Old Town becomes alive with the sound of bars and music venues.

In the old town there are a number of churches worth visiting.

Eglise Saint-Jacques, a Jesuit church built in 1612 has some Louis XIII woodwork and the frescoes dating from 1850.

The Cathedrale Sainte Reparate was built in the 1690s and named in honour of Nice's patron saint, the interior is glorious. This church is also worth a visit.

Explore the port of Nice, within easy walking distance from the city

Nice Port is on the east side of the Chateau Hill. A walk way above the sea, goes direct from the promenade to the port, passing a large interactive sundial and a War Monument built into the side of the Chateau Hill.

The port can also be reached from the old town along rue Cassini.

From the port area there are trams and bus services direct into the city and train station.

The area around the port is pedestrianized.

Along the waterfront there are numerous restaurants and bars.

The Port is both a marina for leisure boats and a working harbour for larger trawlers, small oil tankers and the ferries to Corsica and Sardinia. 

Ferries

Regular ferries travel back and forth from the port of Nice to Corsica and Sardinia.

Both Corsica Sardinia Ferries and SNCM Ferries work the route with roll on roll off car ferries and NGV ferries (high speed).

SNCM run ferries to and from Calvi, Bastia, Ajaccio and Ile Rousse.

Corsica Sardinia Ferries also sail to Ajaccio and Calvi.

Walking the promenade along the front of the city.

If you are interested in the water then Nice is a great location.

From there you can

Wind Surf,

Sail,

Jet-Ski

Canoe to the Lerins islands,

Take a scuba-diving trip in the harbour of Villefranche,

Join a boat trip to see dolphins,

Go fishing for shark and other game fish

Take a speed-boat trip to Saint-Tropez

Parascend in the most spectacular way.

Nice for Walkers

If you are a walker and enjoy the countryside, then take a local bus or train out of the city to the country and mountains

There are many well marked walking trails, which wind their way around the hills above Nice.

Walk through some of the small villages, maybe sample some local wine or enjoy lunch in a roadside cafe. Walk by the vineyards, olive groves and flower fields as you watch the sun dazzle off the Mediterranean way below.

Southern Alps

For the more ambitious walks, then head to the Southern Alps only an hour from the city.

In winter and late spring the mountain tops will be covered in snow.

The mountains offer so much to the visitor from simple strolls to longer hikes and extreme activities.

The Boulevard runs along the coast from the old town almost to the airport.

Promenade des Anglais famous for its promenade (La Prom), which was constructed by beggars, who were employed by the English to give them easy access to the beach because their houses were some distance away. Now the Promenade is a hive of activity for strollers, runners, cyclists and skaters.

The Quai État Unis is the continuation of Boulevard des Anglais and continues along the coast almost to the old port.

Discover and explore the Mediterranean city of Nice.

<p>Situated on the Mediterranean, Nice is at the heart of the French Riviera in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. The city has much to offer the visitor, with beaches (stony) right along the town, a sea side promenade approx. 6km running just above the beaches, museums, old buildings, a vibrant market and of course a Mediterranean climate, with summer lasting from May to October, winters are mild.</p><p>The city is one of France's most populous with over 350,000 inhabitants and lies close to the Italian border (approx. 20km) and within a short distance of the principality of Monaco.</p><p>A bit of History</p><p>Up until 1860, Nice was a city state. Over the previous 300 years control of the city switched between Savoy and France and latterly the kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont, each controlling the city for long periods.</p><p>The treaty of 1860, between the Sardinian King and Napoleon III gave the city and Savoy to France as a reward for French help in the 2nd Italian war of Independence against Austria.</p><p>Not all agreed with the decision and Italians opposed to the treaty harboured thoughts of reuniting Nice to Italy.</p><p>For a period in the 2nd World War the city was occupied and administered by Italy.</p><p>Airport</p><p>Access to the city is very simple by plane. The airport is about 7 km from the city centre, just at the end of the promenade. Regular buses take passengers from the airport to the city. The bus stops at various points along the Promenade des Anglais. From the bus stop it can be just a few minutes' walk to the hotels which generally are on the streets parallel to the promenade.</p><p>Transport</p><p>Nice is an excellent location to use as a base when exploring the region.</p><p>The train station, located at the back of the town about 10 minutes' walk from the Promenade, has regular scheduled trains (2/3 an hour) running along the coast to Ventimiglia in the east,stopping at many of the small seaside towns and also at Monaco.</p><p>A similar schedule of trains travel east as far as Saint- Raphael stopping at Cannes, Antibes and many other sea side towns enroute.</p><p>To travel to St Tropez you need to change train at Cannes.</p><p>Trains also go inland to a multitude of destinations including the perfume city of Grasse.</p><p>The Nice-Tende-Turin line is a picturesque train that goes daily to the villages in the Roya-Bevera Valley and beyond to Limone, Cuneo and Turin.</p><p>Cost of a train trip along the coast isn't expensive and you can hop off at a station, walk about the town and hop on the next train, all on the same ticket.</p><p>Ferries</p><p>Regular ferries travel back and forth from the port of Nice to Corsica and Sardinia.</p><p>Both

The square is named after artist Yves Klein who hails from Nice.

The Nice Festival of Flowers is held every year during Feruary/March

The Nice Carnival is one of the largest in the world and runs annually for 15 days.

The Festival is held in February, though the starting dates change annually as they are based on the date of Easter and the Lenten period, so always check the dates for the upcoming year.

Each year the Carnival has in excess of 30 floats plus bands walking along the promenade. During the festival times, part of the promenade is closed off and tiered seating is installed.

The Flower Parades should not be missed. The floats are decorated with floral compositions, and the extravagantly dressed characters throw out flowers such as mimosas, gerberas and lilies to the public.

After the parade, the public walk home with armfuls of flowers.

There is a charge to view the festival, the price depends on whether you wish to stand or sit.

By standing you can move about and find the best location.

The parade moves up and back down the promenade ( two lane road ) on the opposite lane, so either side of the road gets a great view.