From the Promenade des Anglais to the narrow streets of Old Nice: what to do and see in Nice.
Lying along the Bay of Angels, with a tourist vocation that has made it the true pearl of the Côte d'Azur,Nice(Nice in French) is a cheerful, colorful and maritime city.
With a belle époque style architecture, trendy pubs, equipped beaches and numerous events that enliven the streets of the city, Nice is a place in continuous movement, suitable for every season, never monotonous and always lively.
HOW TO GET TO NICE
There are several ways in which you can reach the city:
- Car: Nice is located near the border with Italy. Next to the Nice train station there is a huge car park where you can leave your car for a fee. The center is about 8/10 minutes on foot.
- Train
- plane: Nice airport is located at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais, 6km from the centre. You can reach the heart of the city by the Ligne d'Azur bus line, train or taxi.
- Bus: there are several companies, including low cost ones, which make connections from the main Italian cities.
READ ALSO:Lavender in Provence: itinerary and advice on when to go
WHAT TO SEE IN NICE
You need at least two days to visit the city well. I leave you the list of 5 things to do and see if you have decided to explore the cheerful Nice, capital of the Côte d'Azur.
Vieux Nice (Old Nice)
Characterized by narrow and long streets, with elegant yellow ocher houses that overlook splendid baroque squares, Old Nice (vièia vila in dialect) is the most picturesque part of the city. Don't hesitate to get lost in the maze of narrow streets that wind between the seafront Promenade des Anglais and the Promenade du Paillon, and which have their natural meeting point in the Cathedral of Nice.
Nice Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Reparata stands in the heart of Old Nice and is the main Catholic place in the city. Located in place Rossetti, it is presented in Baroque style with a marvelous 39-metre dome that seems to shine with its own light.
Promenade des Anglais
The famous promenade of Nice accompanies the Bay of Angels and represents the view of the Côte d'AzurFrancesouthern. Along the road there are pubs and cafes of all kinds, most of which offer tables directly overlooking the beach. The aperitif at sunset is highly recommended!
Parc de la Colline du Château
Known to most as "the cradle of the city", the Parc de la Colline du Château is a real labyrinth characterized by undergrowth, waterfalls and highly coveted (especially by photographers) panoramic points. The entrance to the park is located at the eastern end of Old Nice (at the end of Quai des Etas-Unis) and the opening hours are:
- From 1 October to 31 March: 8.30am – 6.00pm
- From 1st April to 30th September: 8.30am – 8.00pm
Place Masséna
It is the main square of the city, named in memory of André Masséna, the famous military commander of the Napoleonic Wars who was born in Nice. Place Masséna represents the conclusion of the Avenue Jean Médecim (the long avenue full of shops) and stands out both for its size and for the brick-red color of most of the buildings that overlook it. A curiosity? Looking up you will notice huge statues perched on pedestals over ten meters high. According to the will of the Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa, they represent the eight continents.
If you are an art and museum lover, don't miss a visit to theMatisse Museum (entirely dedicated to the works of the French painter Henri Matisse) and alMarc Chagall National Museum(it stands on the Cimiez hill and collects Chagall's paintings mainly inspired by religious themes).
Advice!Nice is considered an excellent starting point for an itinerary through the places of flowering of thelavender in Provence.
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