Nice
The two most popular parts of Nice are the old town and the Promenade des Anglais. The old town is set back from the seafront, to the west of Nice port, and to the east of the Promenade des Anglais.It contains some beautiful sites and impressive buildings such as the Cathedrale de Ste Reparate. This cathedral is famous for its ceramic-tiled dome which caps its bell tower. The tiles make it shine during sunny summer days. The old town has a very Italian atmosphere. This is because Nice was once part of Italy. Nice's food and flower market is held every day except Monday and is held in the old town in the Cours Saleya. Every Monday the the same location is used by antiques dealers.
Nice, the capital of the Côte d'Azur, has been a popular tourist destination for royalty and the wealthy since the second half of the 18th century. During this time, the English organised the building of a walkway along the sea front. This became to be known as La Promenade des Anglais, which stretches out for 8km along a pebbled beach seafront. It’s well worth exploring the streets running of the promenade as a number of art museums and galleries are located there. The Promenade des Anglais is home to some very impressive hotels, one of which, dominates the promenade. The Hotel Negresco. It was named after Henri Negresco who built the hotel in 1912. At the time of opening, the enterence faced away from the beach, as was nornal for a hotel at this time.
Nice, a city of art and culture has the most museums in France after Paris. Inculuding museums of Matisse and Chagall. The architecture of Nice can be astonishing with the wild exaggerations of the Belle Epoque style or the Baroque influenced houses and marisions on the hills of Mont Boron. The floral gardens and parks of the hills of the Chateau, the Chambrun park or the Espace Masséna are also worth visiting.
Cimiez, just north of the centre, was built as a Roman town above the Greek city of Nice. There are Roman baths there, as well as a Roman theatre which is used in July for the World famous Nice Jazz Festival.
View Port de Nice
View ports arround Nice
Events in Nice
Nice CarnivalHeld during the 2nd half of February. The Nice Carnival is one of the major european carnivals. www.nicecarnaval.com
The festival of Annunciation
Held every year on the 25th March in Nice's Cimiez gardens. Celebrating the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ. The event traditionally symbolises the end of winter. The gourd is used in the celebration (cougourdon in French). It's a plant that is related to the cucumber, that produces a large fruit with a hard woody outer shell. Many uses are found for the shell including the making of lanterns decorated with engravings and paintings. The festival of Annunciation website (in french).
Nice Boat Show
End of March. Originally called "le traditionnel Salon Nautique de Nice" changed it's name in 2005 to “Nice Côte d’Azur Boat Show” to give it a more international reach.www.nicecotedazurboatshow.com
La Fête des Mai
Nice May celebrations. On May 1st, and each Sunday and public holiday in May, Nice hosts a festival celebrating traditional costume and folklore Held at the Jardins de Cimiez.
Fête de la Mer
Every June the fishermen of Nice celebrate Saint Peter's day. The festivities start with mass in Gesù church, followed by a processsion to Les Ponchettes beach, in old Nice, where a boat is burned in honour of patron saint of fishermen.
Nice jazz festival
Held for all of July. One of the most important European jazz festivals with over 500 musicians and 75 concerts in the Roman ruins and gardens of Cimiez. Inspired by the great American jazz performances, this international jazz festival is one of a kind. www.nicejazzfest.com
Nice Fête de la Vigne
Wine festival celebrating the Bellet wine in September. Held in the Jardins de Cimiez.
Nice Fête Patronale de la Ville de Nice Sainte Réparate
Held in October in the Old Town.
Nice websites:
Mairie de Nice Official web sitewww.nice.fr (In french).