Nice
The city of Nice, France’s second-largest city is located on the French Riviera in Provence-Alps-Cote d`Azur. The airport Nice-Cote d`Azur is served by flights from around the world and is just 10 – 15 minutes drive from the centre of Nice.
Often spoken of as the star of the Cote d`Azur, Nice has much to offer visitors. In Nice and its surrounding area there is a large choice of holiday apartments and other types of holiday accommodation for rent. There are charming hilltop villages with their Provencal coloured buildings looking down on to the beautiful blue-green Mediterranean, wonderful shopping, bright and colourful flower markets, art-deco facades and numerous excellent restaurants and vibrant pavement cafes.
There are about 15 private beaches in Nice with many public beaches in between. Nice is also a great base for trips to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco or Italy as they are all within easy reach of your holiday rental, whether you are driving or using the excellent train service.
Places of Interest
Place Rossetti
This square is entirely pedestrianised and located in the heart of the old town and is definitely a place to see. It houses the beautiful Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate and there is a charming fountain in the centre surrounded by traditional restaurants and cafes and where it is reputed you can find the best ice-cream makers. This same square changes character at night where it attracts tourists and the youth of the city and where music can be heard throughout the night. The square’s lighting makes it a magical place to sit and enjoy refreshments and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Discover some great value holiday homes in Nice by searching through the large selection on Rent Property Direct and enjoy an fantastic holiday in France.
Place du Palais
The square is home to the city clock and the elegant buildings of the Palais de Justice and the Palais Rusca and is very lively both day and night. From your holiday let in Nice take a stroll to the square and enjoy one of the many concerts and other events take place in the Place du Palais.
Nice Observatory
This fine example of architecture with its impressive dome is located on the summit of Mont Gros and once housed the world’s largest telescope.
Cours Saleya Flower Market
This is a must on most visitors list, a place of vibrant colours, fragrant flowers, ripe produce, and lively pavement cafes.
Promenade de Anglais
This well known palm lined promenade with its long beach runs all the way to the airport. This is the place where you will see people throng to see and be seen during the summer and where street entertainers, joggers and roller bladers all find their way. Rent a holiday apartment and enjoy the city as a local. Along the promenade you will see the opulence that are the art-deco hotels, residences, exclusive restaurants and cafes from where one goes to soak up the sun and people watch.
Avenue des Baumettes
There is the Musé des Beaux-Arts Jules. In a small park on Rue de France there is the Musée Masséna named after a local boy who was made a Napoleonic general.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Built by the Tsar Nicholas the cathedral holds superb treasures of woodwork, icons and frescoes and is well worth a visit.
The Port Area
This makes a good base with its attractive harbour lined with restaurants and from where you can easily access the old town with its galleries and artisan shops. Visit the superb fish restaurants in the beautiful square. There is a wide variety of vacation rentals in and around this city. There are many trips and cruises available from the port including a ferry to Corsica.
Activities
For families, the Promenade de Anglais provides hours of entertainment with an adventure playground, table tennis, swimming lessons in the seawater swimming pool and pontoon. There are paddle boats, jet skis and parasailing. You can enjoy a relaxed lunch with excellent cuisine on a shaded terrace overlooking the beach. Take the lift from Rue des Ponchettes and visit the amazing park of Colline de Chimiez where you are surrounded by pine trees, carobs and figs. There is a beautiful waterfall, a children’s play area and stunning views over the city. Unwind in the tranquillity of the Jardin Albert Ier where the children can enjoy the quaint wrought iron carousel.
Nice offers opera performances, open - air music events, theatre, night clubs, bars and casinos, puppet shows, skating, walking tours, cruise and boat trips, summer festivals and events and of course golf courses such as; Golf Country Club de Nice; par 27, 9 holes with club house, The Royal Mougins Golf Club 18 hole course north west of Cannes, rated as one of the best in Europe and easily accessible from your holiday rental in Nice. Take a drive down to beautiful medieval and picturesque Roquebrune east of Nice and between Monaco and Menton for a warm welcome at the 18 hole Roquebrune Golf Club, well known for it’s friendly atmosphere and where you will enjoy your game while enjoying the scenic views of Frejus Bay. Finally there is Biot Golf Course, 18 holes just 15km from Nice and close to charming Antibes.
For the non golfers in your group the locations of these courses offer beautiful scenery and charming villages and towns to explore offering the opportunity to taste wine before buying and to browse around for the numerous other Provencal quality products.
Cuisine
Nice cuisine is part Provencal, part Italian and consists of a wide range of ingredients including olives, tians petits farcis, pan bagnat and especially bocca which is a famous chickpea pancake. Salade Nicoise with tuna, boiled egg and anchovies is another speciality. Reflecting the Mediterranean climate, many of the dishes are based on fish and vegetables. There are also numerous mouth-watering pasta dishes to sample at the incredible choice of superb restaurants. Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Mexican restaurants are also available, but the top restaurant in Nice is without doubt at the Negresco Hotel, offering exclusive dining in a luxurious atmosphere. For traditional French food, visitors can sample the excellent a la carte and set menus of l’Horloge and Don Camilo, both of which are centrally located. Grand Café de Turin comes highly recommended for lovers of seafood. The wines proffered are mainly from the Cote de Provence and are of high quality. Relax at your holiday home with a chilled glass of local rose as the sun sets after a fun day in Nice.