Villas and apartments – where to stay in Nice
Nice is one of the major highlights of the
French Riviera. It is a stunning city and is the second most visited location in France after Paris. The city was founded in Roman times and the remains of its beginnings (called Cimiez) can be found on the hill behind Nice. The area has changed hands several time and has been occupied by Italy, Spain and France. It is on the southern tip of France and has a large seafront and harbor. There are many hotels and hostels in the town including some well-known places such as
The Regina Hotel, which hosted Queen Victoria during winter. There are also plenty of apartments to rent on a short-term basis, as well as guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation. Staying in an apartment will give you a good feel for French life and you might end up staying in an area you wouldn’t normally see. The city has a relaxed atmosphere and has attracted many artists over the years
Fun Facts
72% of the adult French population finds it hard to read the labels on French wine.
Nice is often cloudy in the summer, so photos of Nice with its famous blue skies are usually taken in the winter.
The area between Nice and Monaco is the third most expensive place in the world for real estate.
Henri Matisse did most of his painting in Nice.
The French produce over 60 million hectoliters of wine a year.
Exploring Nice
Nice city centre is a stunning mix of old and new. The
Old Town is very quaint with plenty of winding alleyways to lose yourself down. The
New Town area, along the beach front, is lined with trees. There are plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy yourself on. Nice is not just a holiday town and there are plenty of museums and historic attractions. Nice enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year – it’s the perfect city for a visit! We suggest you take a walk down the beachfront
Promenade des Anglais as soon as you arrive. You will be carrying on a tradition that dates back to when the English aristocracy used to come to Nice. The promenade reflects the important influence of these people in shaping modern day Nice. There is some impressive architecture along the seafront – check out the stunning Belle Epoque mansions. Next you should investigate Old Nice – the oldest part of the city. There are market stall, pavement cafes and plenty of churches and cathedrals to explore. We suggest you explore the baroque masterpiece that is the
Chapelle de la Misericorde – it’s only open on Tuesdays though so time your visit well if you wish to see it! The
Eglise Saint-Jacques is famous for its wooden interior and frescos and is also worth a visit.
Art in Nice
In terms of museums, we would recommend the
Palais Massen which is situated on the Promenade des Anglais. More of a stately home than a palace, today it houses the
Museum of Art and History. Many artists were attracted by the quality of light in the Provence region and several museums display their works. Without a doubt Nice’s most famous artist in residence was
Henri Matisse. He lived in the Cimiez neighbourhood and this is the location of the
Matisse Museum, which celebrates the artists life and output. It contains a lot of his artwork, which he donated to the city. Colline Du Chateau, or Castle Hill, is where you can find great views over the city. There used to be a castle here and a few parts still remain. Here you can find panoramic views over the city and Mediterranean. A visit to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is also highly recommended. It is an architectural gem of early 20th century design and is a reminder of the large amount of Russian aristocracy who came to Nice in the mid-19th century.
Getting around
Nice Airport is one of France’s busiest airports. If you are flying to Nice, make sure you admire the spectacular view over the French Riviera as you descend towards the airport. The airport is approximately 30 minutes from Nice city centre and the most reliable way to travel from the airport into Nice is by airport express bus. The bus company operating in Nice is called Lignes D’azur and it is the main form of public transportation in the city. Everything you’re likely to want to see is concentrated in the centre and it is possible to walk between all the major attractions. Cimiez Hill can be reached by bus. The transport system is reliable and cheap and it is integrated meaning your ticket will cover you on both the bus and new tram system. Nice’s long and stunning beach front is stunning for cycling along.
Monaco is 10 miles away and the Italian border is 20 miles away.
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