Nice la Belle, Nice the Beautiful, is the largest city on the French Riviera and the second most-visited place in France after Paris. More than 4 million tourists a year are drawn to the natural beauty of the area around the city as well as to the mild climate of the Mediterranean and to the famed sunlight of the
Cte d'Azur.
Summers are hot and dry with only a couple of days of rainfall in July and August, the height of the season. The average annual maximum temperature is about 35 C (95 F) with a range of 20 C (68 F) to 30 C (86 F) being most common.
Geographically, Nice rises up from a level beach toward the hills and the mountains beyond and lies between two bays. The picturesque boulevard, the Promenade des Anglais or the walkway of the English, which runs along the seaside, is named for the 18th century British aristocrats who were the citys first tourists and its discoverers.
As Nice grew in prominence as a European travel destination, it attracted painters like Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Miki de Saint Phalle, and Arman whose works reflect the special blend of luminosity and atmosphere peculiar to the south of France.
By the 1920s, English aristocrats were replaced by the wealthy of Europe as the season shifted from the winter to the summer. After World War II, well-to-do Americans increasingly patronised Nice, which is now one of the most metropolitan cities in the world.
Two convention centres play host to international business conferences year round, a draw that helps to explain why the
Cte d'Azur Airport is the second busiest in the nation. The TGV high-speed train running from Paris also brings visitors into the city via a ten-hour overnight run with a stop in Marseilles.
Major attractions include the old town, Vieux Nice, famed for its examples of Italian architecture and its exceptional cuisine. Small establishments line the narrow streets, nestled beside restaurants and cafs, creating a superior atmosphere for strolling and shopping. (Another architectural must is the Russian Cathedral built at the beginning of the 20th century and dedicated to St Nicholas.)
Art lovers will be drawn to the Muse Matisse, showcasing paintings by Henri Matisse including Blue Nude IV and Woman with Amphora. Visitors will also want to take in the Roman Ruins, the Place Massena, the Nice Archaeology Museum, the Muse des Beaux-Arts, Parc du Chteau, and the landmark Cours Saleya Flower Market.
Factor in gastronomic offerings like traditional Provenal cuisine and bistro dining at award-winning establishments like Le Caf de Turin (and the flawless beaches for which the entire French Riviera is famous) and the bottom line becomes obvious. Theres little in Nice to disappoint and everything to delight. A must-see destination on your holiday to the Cte d'Azur.
