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Nice
Population : 348 721 inhabitants (2007)
Department : Alpes Maritimes
The famous and sunny city of Nice attracts numerous persons anxious to take advantage of its warm climate and the relaxed rhythm of life dear to the French Riviera. Not far from Italy and its dolce vita, around thirty kilometers hardly, the city of Nice extends along the Bay of Angels. Situated between sea and mountain, Nice is provided with numerous assets and knows how to use its charms... to attract every year 4 million tourists…
The town of Nice, by its border position had an animated history passing from a sovereignty to the other one during the history. A quiet town which made discreet, it is its tourist vocation which made its reputation, every year the tourists being more and more numerous coming to discover the French Riviera, it is a whole economy which then developed. Numerous hotels were built and numerous businesses were opened to answer these new needs, and the city prospered.
Nice city of culture
The border position of Nice facilitated since well for a long time the cultural exchange. The city abounds in places dedicated to the culture, several museums, an opera, a national theater, a national academy of region, a library with a regional vocation and concert halls. The numerous cultural activities proposed all year long, make of Nice a city where we do not be bored. The presence of an university and a business district also feeds this intense cultural life.
This abundant artistic and cultural production is maybe due to the premature tourist vocation of Nice. Indeed from the XVIIIth century certain known aristocrats spend the winter under the more clement heavens of the French Riviera. The symbolic promenade des anglais was the place of society life of these prestigious visitors, because the first aristocrats to have discovered the enjoyments of the winter in Provence were of English origin. It is afterward fabulously rich Russians who come on holidays on the French Riviera, then from rich Americans.
Nice elegant and society
These rich and noble visitors of the first hours doubtless printed in the city elegance and society life. The numerous cultural places which mark out the city show numerous society lifes proposed by the city to satisfy a sophisticated and greedy of culture and art clientele. This mark meets so printed in the architectural heritage of Nice, its mansions, luxurious private residences, palaces and castles !
Discover the time of a walk in the old town of Nice these authentic places, alleys which wind, small places hidden from the bend of a street and refined lordly houses…
To spend holidays in Nice it is the guarantee not to be bored... that you wish to spend sports or cultural holidays, farniente or fiesta, Nice waits for you ! And a grand event which livens up the city every year, one of the most important demonstrations of the French Riviera : Nice carnival.
Specialities
The Olives from Nice (AOC)
Fruits have to result from the European said variety of olive tree (Olea europaea). And the return on orchards does not have to exceed 6 tons of olives a hectare.
The socca
It is a speciality made with flour of chickpea. It appears under the shape of a big and fine pancake cooked in a pizza oven. The socca, chickpea pancake, tastes warm... a delight !
The pan bagnat
We do not present any more it famous sandwich. Made in a round bread with raw vegetables and decorated with olive oil, its treats youngs and big. The tuna replaces henceforth the anchovy in its composition.
The salade niçoise
This salad very appreciated during the warm season, can be as well a starter as a main course. To realize an authentic salade niçoise, here is the ingredients which you need : cébettes, tomatoes, févettes, celery, small purple artichokes, peppers, hard-boiled eggs, anchovy, olive oil and olives from Nice. Especially do not put either rice or French bean... sacrilegious !
Marchés
- Fruits and vegetables market
It is one of the most exceptional markets of France, it was selected by the National Council of the Arts of cooking.
Every day except on Monday
From 6 am till 5:30 pm
Cours Saleya
Discover the scents of Provence.
Every day except on Monday
From 6 am till 5:30 pm
Cours Saleya
Monuments
Adam and Eve's House is the only vestige of the painted houses which formerly decorated the old town of Nice.
The façade is decorated with magnificent bas relief dating from 1584.
Rue de la Poissonnerie - Angle Cours Saleya
This garden is one of the oldest gardens of Nice. This garden is above all a place of relaxation and stroll, spaces of greenery as well as a kiosk wait for you there.
A huge sculpture, "l'Arc" by Bernard Venet, is next to the typical palm trees of the French Riviera.
Built in the XVIIth century by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, this church is a remarkable example of the baroque decoration.
Rue Droite
Ancient aristocratic house from the XVIIth century situated in the old town of Nice, the Lascaris palace is a real jewel of Genoese baroque architecture.
It shelters the municipal arts and popular traditions museum since 1970 as well as the Heritage Center.
To note that this palace was classified as ancient monument in 1946.
15, Rue Droite
Tél. : 04 93 62 72 40
Its construction dates from the XVIIth century to pay tribute to the young martyred Sainte-Réparate, boss of the city of Nice. You can admire the elegant portal and the master-hotel as well as the balustrade of the chorus in marble.
Place Rossetti
The franciscan monks are in these buildings from the XVIth century. You will find inside three Louis Bréa's chief works, who is a primitive painter of Nice. Also discover a monumental sculptured wooden altarpiece, gilded in the sheet. In the convent from the XVIth century visit the exhibition of engravings XVIIth century.
Opened from 8:30 am till 12:30 am and from 2:30 pm till 6:30 pm.
The current Second Empire Opera was built on the square of the ancient municipal theater which was destroyed by flames in 1881.
The Opera was inaugurated in 1885.
Rue Saint François de Paule
Near the sea, the Ponchettes are a continuation of buildings from the XIXth century (two arched rooms) which were fitted out in galleries of exhibition.
Cours Saleya
This Orthodox Church dates from the XXth century. Its architecture is remarkable, made by pink bricks, by colored ceramic and by grey marble. The building is crowned with six domes with bulb.
Inside, this Russian church hides numerous treasures : you will discover icons, frescoes and magnificient woodworks.
Boulevard du Tzarevitch
Musées
At the request of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, the Asian Arts Museum was realized by Kenzo Tange, famous Japanese architect. It is a magic place with a remarkable architecture in which Asian arts and Westerrn culture mix harmoniously.
More information : Asian Arts Museum
405, Promenade des Anglais - Arenas. Tél. : 04 92 29 37 00
The MAMAC advances the European New Realism, the American expression of the Art of assembling and the Pop Art. The development of the movements "supports-surfaciens" in France and more particularly in Provence is also evoked through the various collections of the museum.
More information : www.mamac-nice.org
Promenade des Arts. Tél. : 04 97 13 42 01
This museum is a monographic and thematic museum which collects, according to Marc Chagall's wishes, his work on the Bible : seventeen paintings composing the Biblical Message.
More information : www.musee-chagall.fr
Avenue du Docteur Ménard. Tél. : 04 93 53 87 31 - 04 93 53 87 20
Within the Villa des Arènes, the Matisse Museum advances the evolution of this talented artist, its interest for the color and the graphic arts through a quite unique collection including paintings, cut gouaches but also engravings, drawings, photos and sculptures.
More information : www.musee-matisse-nice.org
164, avenue des Arènes de Cimiez. Tél. : 04 93 81 08 08 - 04 93 53 40 53
The collections of the museum propose a varied panorama of works from the XIIIth to the XXth century.
More information : www.musee-beaux-arts-nice.org
33, avenue des Baumettes. Tél. : 04 92 15 28 28 - 04 92 15 28 25A voir
A place where you have to go because this square is really the heart of the city ! Lined in the North by elegant buildings on arches which are colored with the famous pompéien red. In the East, you will discover a very beautiful perspective towards hills with toscan charm.
Nice owes it its reputation and its brand image ! The promenade des Anglais is a magnificent flowery maritime boulevard which harmoniously goes along the Bay of Angels. This boulevard was originally only a small path hardly two meters wide ! In 1820, it is Reverend Lewis Way, an English who makes it build completely at its expenses. The local population baptizes it "road of English people".
Events
Useful addresses
Tourist Office
5 Promenade des Anglais
B.P. 4079 - 06302 NICE CEDEX 04
Phone : 0892 707 407 (N° audiotel : 0,34 Euros by minut)
Fax : 04 92 14 48 03.
Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur
Terminal 1
Phone : 0 892 707 407 (N° audiotel : 0,34 Euros by minut)
Fax : (+33) (0)4 93 21 44 50
Post office Thiers
Opened from 8 am till 7 pm from Monday to Friday and from 8 am till 12 am on Saturdays.
Information on all the post offices of Nice
Phone : (+33) (0)4 93 82 65 00.
City hall
5, rue Hôtel de Ville
Phone : (+33) (0)4 97 13 20 00
Opened from 8:30 am till 5 pm from Monday till Thursday and from 8:30 am till 3:45 pm on Fridays.
Police stations
Rue Gabriel Fauré - phone : 04 97 13 31 85
Bd de la Madeleine - phone : 04 93 86 37 17
Place de L’Ariane - phone : 04 93 54 10 32
Rue Trachel - phone : 04 93 88 27 37
Place Saëtone - phone : 04 93 82 01 40
Main city hall - phone : 04 97 13 24 09
Local police - phone : 04 97 13 31 85.
Alpes Maritimes Prefecture
Departmental Administrative center of the Alpes Maritimes, route de Grenoble
Phone : (+33) (0)4 93 72 20 00.
Police headquarters
1 Avenue Maréchal Foch
Phone : (+33) (0)4 92 17 22 22.
Lost property : local police
1, rue de la Terrasse
Phone : (+33) (0)4 97 13 44 10.
Site map
Distance from towns
Saint Paul de Vence > 20 km, Cagnes sur Mer > 22 km, Antibes > 30 km, Cannes > 42 km, Menton > 32 km, Mougins > 40 km, Grasse > 53 km, Saint Tropez > 109 km, Toulon > 148 km, Sanary sur mer > 161 km, Bandol > 174 km, Aix en Provence > 182 km, Cassis > 189 km, Aéroport Marseille Provence > 205 km, Marseille > 203 km, Salon de Provence > 209 km, Apt en Provence > 230 km, Lourmarin > 212 km, Bonnieux > 231 km, Cavaillon > 239 km, Isle sur la Sorgue > 250 km, Menerbes > 261 km, Gordes > 261 km, Saint Rémy de Provence > 254 km, Roussillon > 271 km, Avignon > 268 km, Arles > 257 km, Pont du Gard > 295 km, Nimes > 288 km
Nice Carnival 2010
" The King of the Blue planet ". For this new edition the Nice Carnival is determinedly turned to the ecology.
Flower parades
During Nice Carnival, 20 floats parade on the Promenade des Anglais and flowers are thrown to the public.
Night procession
Every year, Nice Carnival is accompanied with a magnificent night procession.
The Asian Arts Museum
Built on the lake of the park in Nice, asian arts and western culture harmoniously mix in this place.
Train des Pignes
Discover luxurious landscapes during this journey in Provence, from the French Riviera to the Alps.