Flavors, scents and colors mix harmoniously with the smell of the sea in this sun-kissed city bordered by the Mediterranean at the southeastern France.
Mercure Nice Promenade des Anglais Hotel
Situated at the top of the Promenade des Anglais overlooking the sea, the contemporary hotel is all about seaside relaxation with modern comfort. Enjoy a unique experience by choosing the Privilege Room with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean from your bed. The hotel is within walking distance to not only the beach, but also Casino Ruhl and Albert 1st Garden, one of the oldest green spaces in Nice. With easy access to tram stop, train station and airport, you can easily venture the city from this hotel.
mercure.com
Hi Hotel Eco Spa & Beach
This high-end, urban hotel is far from conventional. Expect unique spatial arrangements, allowing sharing of one’s experiences and smoother transition from one activity to another. Each type of room offers different concepts, inviting you to experience something new in each visit. The innovative elements are carried throughout the hotel with bright specks of colors and contemporary interior design. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone, or else you might not enjoy your stay to the fullest.
hi-hotel.net/en
Galeries Lafayette Nice Masséna
The red-ochre façade and Turin-style arcades of the department store is a feast to the eyes, but wait until you see what the stores inside have to offer. Playing host to top labels, a total of 600 brands are represented across a whole range of items. The wide selection of designer labels might get confusing, so when in doubt of what to buy, it’s always great to stick to the things you love and can’t find elsewhere.
Cours Saleya
Dominated by pedestrians, the area is reserved for daily market with pretty striped awning. It is split between the famous flower market and the magnificent food market with pastries, glazed fruits and many more. An antique market replaces both markets on Mondays if you’re looking for some souvenirs to bring back home. CoursSaleya is also lined by restaurants and cafes which expands to fill the square after the market closes for the day.
Le Gaglio
Looking for a taste of the city? Look for the Cuisine Nissarde label, awarded to restaurants that work to promote Nice’s cuisine. Following the fine tradition of Parisian brasseries, Le Gaglio offers excellent lunches, dinners and even tea breaks, with warm service to back it up. The portions will fill you up in a good way and the general atmosphere is stylish, making the restaurant a great choice when you’re wandering in the old town area.
restaurantgaglio.com
Luc Salsedo Restaurant
Yet another holder of the Cuisine Nissarde label, the restaurant combines the inventiveness of a chef with the gastronomic influences of Nice and Southern France. The cuisine is local and seasonal, with menu that changes every ten days to reflect the mood of the market stalls. The wine list is remarkable, and the dishes cater to both vegetarians and meat lovers, so there is no reason for you not to try it out.
restaurant-salsedo.com
Restaurant Jan
You will know that it’s a fine dining restaurant from the moment you step inside. The dark blue walls, elegant décor and uniquely selected dinnerware match the refined cuisine that will be brought to your table. Offering modern French food with a touch of South African heritage, Chef Jan sets out to serve relaxed lunches and formal dinner with new interpretations. The degustation menu can be broken down to your liking or enjoyed as a journey of culinary creativity.
restaurantjan.com/en
Le Chantecler
Michelin starred Chef Jean-Denis Rieubland defines his cuisine and style as “inspired by Provence, with the respect of its products and traditions”. With preference to transmit his taste of “the true”, he presents a menu served in the great tradition of French gastronomy. The restaurant is also renowned for its wine cellar that contains 15,000 bottles. Le Chantecler is situated in Le Negresco Hotel and only opens for dinner.
hotel-negresco-nice.com
Enjoy the sights
From the 7km beach, monuments, churches to gardens and squares, Nice is a wonderful city to explore. Many walking tours offer insights of the city’s archeological significance, architectural gems and old town heritage. You can also go around on top of a double-decker bus or ride the tourist train, both with guided tours in various languages. In summer, try walking through the mirror-like Promenade du Paillon and be surprised by the fountains that launch in random patterns.
Museums & Galleries
Renowned artists have been inspired by the city’s beauty. Choose your own inspiration and see their works in the twenty municipal museums and galleries alongside a large number of private contemporary art galleries & artists’ studios. Not to be missed is the Matisse Museum which houses the artist’s works and personal objects, while the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art shows the key role of Nice in the development of groundbreaking art movements from the 1960s and 1970s to the present.
Join in the Festivity
Nice cultivates the art of celebration throughout the year, from sporting events, traditional cultural festivities, the Christmas Market, and Jazz festival. But one that attracts most attention is the Carnival of Nice. Giant, colorful parades take place day and night, even merrier with musicians and dancers from across the world. The Flower Parades, part of the Carnival, feature floats decorated with the stunning floral compositions and extravagantly dressed characters throwing out mimosas, gerberas and lilies to the spectators.
Outside the City
You can easily ride the trains to the many destinations around nice. Tourist train Le Train des Merveilles will take you up through the sights of the Paillon, Roya-Bévéra valley and the Mercantour national park. Discover splendid coastal towns, medieval villages, rugged valleys, natural parks and towering mountains. Enjoy skiing down the slopes of the Auron village resort or see the Greek Kerylos Villa, a reminiscent of the Ancient Greece.
photos by
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Nice (en.nicetourisme.com)
For more information check out Atout France website rendezvousenfrance.com
