Visit Nice, The Jewel Of The Riviera.
Enjoy Nice’s Many Attractions
Queen Victoria loved visiting Nice, her favourite town on the Riviera, and it is easy to see why. Wide pebble beaches, a charming Old Town, and a stunning coastline make Nice an enjoyable place to holiday. It is also an ideal base from which to explore other places on the Cote d’Azur, such as Cap-Ferrat, and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
This beautiful city offers something for everyone. Soak up the sun on the beach while sipping a glass of wine, or buy some souvenirs, such as Fragonard perfume, or scented soap. Explore the history-filled streets of the Old Town, or visit some of Nice’s many museums. If you want to get close to nature, hop on a bus to see one of the parks.
Discover The Old Castle
If you want to see spectacular views of Nice, walk up to the top of Castle Hill Park, overlooking the town. This is the first place that you should visit in Nice, especially if you are only staying for a few days, to see the panoramic vistas. Sunset is an especially scenic time to go. The remaining vestiges of the ‘castle’ are visible here — a military fort built in the 14th century which the French destroyed in 1706 on Louis XIV’s orders. Delight in a relaxing walk through the park, and be sure to take photos of the large artificial waterfall. Many people, especially children, like to run through the spray for fun. This large picturesque park is a favourite spot for residents.
Take the Art Deco lift down to the Old Port afterwards, and explore the marina, with its luxury yachts. The Old Port also offers lots of restaurants, and shops to discover. There are plenty of trams back to the centre, or walk along the Promenade des Anglais.
Stroll Along The Promenade des Anglais
No visit to Nice is complete without strolling along the famous Promenade des Anglais overlooking the wide pebble beach. Splendid Edwardian buildings on the Promenade include the Negresco Hotel, the haunt of movie-stars, and the even older Westminster Hotel. Don’t miss seeing the sumptuous interior of the Negresco Hotel features marble floors, a glass dome, and a priceless collection of paintings, and sculptures.
Enjoy eating at one of the many cafes on the Promenade, or walk in the large Jardin Albert Le Park with its luscious tropical plants and trees. Free concerts are often held here. This is a good way to get away from the busy streets, and trams. We enjoyed listening to a Danish band here once.
Visit Nice’s Fascinating Museums
Nice features several fascinating museums. Two of the best are the Massena and the Matisse. Other choices include the Chagall Museum and the Archaeological Museum.
The Massena Museum
The winter residence of the aristocrat Victor Messena, this stunning Belle Epoque building was designed by the Danish architect Hans-George Tersling. It is worth visiting for its glamorous interior design alone, featuring a grand staircase, magnificent chandeliers and beautiful panelling. Here you can gaze at carvings, paintings and photos from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and study the exhibits about the history of Nice. Two must-see exhibits are Napoleon’s death mask, and his wife Josephine’s mother-of-pearl tiara. I also liked looking at the fashions from past eras.
Don’t forget to visit the lovely gardens designed by Edouard Andree. These gardens feature an English-style garden, and a Court of Honour. Luxuriant and flower-filled, these gardens provide the perfect place to savour peace and tranquillity after visiting the museum. They also contain a memorial to the victims of the terrible terrorist attack in Nice in 2016.
Visit The Matisse Museum
Take the bus up to Cimiez, a leafy hillside suburb where Queen Victoria used to stay. This grand suburb is worth visiting for its own sake, with its Victorian and Edwardian villas. However, the Matisse Museum is well-worth seeing. The spacious yellow villa contains exquisite paintings, and paper cuts by the master, and presents an evolution of his work. It also features photos from his life.
Afterwards, walk through the park, and glimpse the views of the Roman bath complex. Walk through the spectacular gardens of the Franciscan monastery, and the peaceful cemetery where several famous people are buried.
Enjoy your trip to Nice. You will never want to leave this jewel of the Riviera!
