Nice is Nice!
Nice is a city on the move where it is nice to be all year round and doing a lot of sightseeing in Nice-South of France. Historical, due to its architectural heritage of an incredible variety; cultural due tu numerous museums; dynamic, due to its major urban projects.
There are so many ways to approach the capital of Riviera! The city is divided into two parts delimited by a very capricious river, the Paillon, now largely channelled under the Massena Square which is the urban heart of the city.
The Old Town of Nice
On the east is the old town ( Vieux Nice ), the hill of the Castle, the Port and Mont Boron.
To the west stands the new districts of the Arenas, the business center of the city but also the hills of Bellet and the residential neighborhoods of Fabron ans Sainte-Marguerite.
To the north, the hill of Cimiez where once there was a Roman fortress and where today the old buildings of the Belle Epoque mix with more modern ones.
If you want to make a lot of sightseeing in Nice-South of France, you must have at least a full day. But the city has such a concentration of museums and monuments that a complete and detailed inspection will take several days! Therefore, depending on the length of your stay, you can choose in advance and establish a clever route that will allow you to move from one site to another without having to go back your way: Take the time to enjoy the mild climate and beautiful scenery. Enjoy the numerous events, strolled through the old streets of the town and along the beaches of the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy trendy evenings or opera and you will realize that there is always something to do in Nice.
Gastronomy, Culture, Heritage, animations? So many pleasure to be discovered and to share!
Promenade Des Anglais
Hard to believe by looking at it today, that this imposing promenade was only a modest trail in the beginning of the nineteenth century! With the arrival of the first British wintering in 1760, the seaside became a pleasant place to walk: in 1844, a first section of 12 m was arranged southeast of the Paillon. Ten years later, the track is extended to Magnan. In 1930, the site is like today: villas and their gardens are destroyed, replaced by palaces, hotels, casinos or residential buildings.
You will notice that palaces like the Negresco or the Opera have their facades north, back to the promenade: Remember that Nice was a winter station appreciated for the softness of its climate but not for the sea! During the winter, only the English, numerous on the Azure coast at this time of the year, enjoyed the seaside walks, hence the name of “Promenade des Anglais”.
Now Legendary, it is almost 8 km of sea front by following the almost perfect curve of the Baie des Anges. “The Prom” (as the Niçois say) although sometimes overloaded with vehicles has become an indispensable place for roller enthusiasts, walking, cycling (a bicycle trail was drawn on the southern sidewalk) or just walks.
In addition to the numerous events (carnival, flower battles, marathon…), the promenade is famous for its “blue chairs” and pergolas, which are ideal for “farniente”and contemplation. Its street lights illuminate both the ground and the sky and serve as beacons for airplanes in approach for a landing at night at Nice airport.
Bereaved and murderous on July 14, 2016, bouquets of flowers are deposited along the gates to pay tribute to the victims of this terrible tragedy.