What to do in Nice?
Nice is a city located between the sea and the mountains, which is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Côte d'Azur. In addition to its pleasant climate all year round, Nice has no shortage of unmissable sites to discover or rediscover during a visit. Here are some places not to be missed during a visit to Nissa la bella.
Old Nice
Old Nice, the historic heart of the city, is a district that has a very particular charm, which may remind you of that of certain cities in northern Italy. A walk through the streets of Old Nice is one of the best ways to discover this city in an authentic way. At the bend of one of its alleys which wind between the large yellow, orange and red buildings, you will be able to come across some nuggets. Place Rossetti and its baroque cathedral should not leave you unmoved.
In this district, you will also find many restaurants to taste all the specialties of the region, such as the famous Niçoise salad or the pissaladière. In Piazza Rosseti you will also find the Fenocchio, the most popular ice cream parlor in the city, which offers more than 100 different flavors.
The Promenade des Anglais
You cannot pass Nice without making a detour to the most famous place in the city, and perhaps even in the entire Côte d'Azur. Since the 19th century, the English have made this avenue their favorite vacation spot, giving it its name. The Promenade des Anglais is an avenue that runs along the Baie des Anges and stretches for nearly 7 kilometers.
You can easily stay right next to the Promenade des Anglais by taking, for example, an aparthotel in Nice near the sea.
During a walk to reach the hill of the castle, you can enjoy the climate of Nice and the sea air. All along this very luxurious avenue, on foot or by bike, you can admire the palm trees, the beach and the azure blue sea. On the other side of the street, you can discover a large number of luxurious and typical buildings such as the famous Hotel Négresco.
The hill of the castle
At the end of the Promenade des Anglais, you will come to the hill of the castle, which dominates the whole of the old town of Nice. At the top of this hill, accessible by a staircase or with an elevator, you will arrive at the heart of a wooded green space, and can also visit the remains of the fortress which overlooked the city in the past.
The hill of the castle is not only a true little corner of greenery in the heart of the city, but also an exceptional panoramic point of view. From the top of this hill, you can rediscover Nice and its region. In addition to being able to admire the whole city and the Baie des Anges, on a clear day you can even see the distant Alps.
The hill of Cimiez
On this hill was a real Roman city during antiquity. This district on the heights of the city shelters in particular an archaeological site where it is possible to discover the ruins of the ancient Roman city with the amphitheater, the thermal baths and the early Christian basilica. The archaeological museum brings together the remains discovered during excavations in the region.
Today, Cimiez is an upscale residential district, very rich in cultural and historical terms, which is home to many museums. The Matisse museum is notably located on this hill, in the middle of the olive trees. It houses a large collection of works of art by the famous painter, consisting of 70 paintings, 100 photos and nearly 200 sketches and sculptures. In the monastery gardens, which form a terrace overlooking the city, you will discover a breathtaking view of Nice and the coast.
Nice carnival
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of the biggest carnival in France, plan a stay in Nice during the winter. In February, for 2 weeks, the whole city comes alive during the Carnival of Nice. Several parades, parades and rallies are organized throughout the festivities. For the exact dates of the Carnival, go to the website of the city of Nice.
The battle of flowers and a unique spectacle, where floats decorated with superb floral arrangements parade. Day and night, the Carnival Corso is a parade of floats with burlesque decorations, big heads and musicians. When night falls, lights and pyrotechnic effects come into the show to make these parades even more magical. Artists from all over the world are present to participate in the celebration, and all visitors are invited to come in costume.
