The jewel on the French Riviera, Nice has much to offer tourists of all
ages and is the most popular holiday destination in France after
Paris. With its stunning marine vistas, world-class beaches,
historic architecture and plethora of museums, it is not hard to see
why Nice is a magnet for all visitors to the Côte d'Azur.
Situated on the south-east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea,
Nice is the capital the Alpes-Maritimes department and the fifth most
populated city in France, now just six hours away from Paris by TGV.
According to archaeological findings, Nice is the site of one of the oldest settlements in Europe, although the town itself was founded in around 350 BC by the Greeks of Massilia, who christened it Nikaia. Over the following centuries, Nice grew to become one of the busiest trading ports on the Mediterranean, and a rival to the Roman town of Cemenelum, the ruins of which can be seen today in the Cimiez area of Nice. For much of its subsequent history, Nice has been repeatedly exchanged between the kingdoms of France and Italy, although this did not prevent it from becoming an important centre of commerce. The city has been part of France since 1861. From the late 18th century, Nice became a favourite winter retreat for the wealthy English and Russian nobility. Today, with its fishing and manufacturing industries in decline, tourism has become Nice's economic mainstay.
One of Nice's main attractions is its picturesque Old Town (Vieux
Nice), which, with its maze of narrow streets and cosy restaurants,
offers a welcome retreat from the bustling city centre. The
Promenade des Anglais is the best-known of Nice's attractions, so-named
because it once swelled with English visitors. Facing the
stunning Baie des anges, this is an ideal place to take a stroll, go
jogging or just sit and soak up the sun. Not much remains of the
hilltop Château, another well-known Nice landmark, but a visit to
its ruins rewards with some spectacular views of the city and the
surrounding landscape.
With its striking onion towers, the Russian Cathedral is one of the city's architectural gems. Nice was once a popular retreat for the Russian aristocracy and the Russians left their mark on the city with their distinctive architecture. Arto Deco is another architectural style that is in abundance across the city. Whilst Nice is famous for its fantastic sea views, its beaches are a disappointment, consisting of flat stones rather than sand. Those seeking sandy beaches should head further along the coast to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Antibes. Nice port is also worth a visit, if only for its trendy nightclubs.
Nice has always attracted artists, drawn by the natural beauty of the area and the quality of its light. Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse were both inspired by Nice and their work is exhibited in the two museums that were named after them. Other notable museums that are worth visiting in Nice are the Museum of Asian Art (on the Promenade des Anglais), the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (near the central bus station), the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Archaeology Museum, which is located amidst the Roman ruins in the Cimiez district of Nice. The city's other attractions include the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, the Place Massena and the Parc du Château.
Nice's main train station is Nice-Ville, which provides a fast connection to Paris and other major cities in continental Europe. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the third busiest airport in France (after Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports in Paris) and offers frequent flights to Paris and other destinations in Europe and North America. From the busy port of Nice there is a regular ferry service to Ajaccio and Bastia, the main towns on the island of Corsica.
According to archaeological findings, Nice is the site of one of the oldest settlements in Europe, although the town itself was founded in around 350 BC by the Greeks of Massilia, who christened it Nikaia. Over the following centuries, Nice grew to become one of the busiest trading ports on the Mediterranean, and a rival to the Roman town of Cemenelum, the ruins of which can be seen today in the Cimiez area of Nice. For much of its subsequent history, Nice has been repeatedly exchanged between the kingdoms of France and Italy, although this did not prevent it from becoming an important centre of commerce. The city has been part of France since 1861. From the late 18th century, Nice became a favourite winter retreat for the wealthy English and Russian nobility. Today, with its fishing and manufacturing industries in decline, tourism has become Nice's economic mainstay.
With its striking onion towers, the Russian Cathedral is one of the city's architectural gems. Nice was once a popular retreat for the Russian aristocracy and the Russians left their mark on the city with their distinctive architecture. Arto Deco is another architectural style that is in abundance across the city. Whilst Nice is famous for its fantastic sea views, its beaches are a disappointment, consisting of flat stones rather than sand. Those seeking sandy beaches should head further along the coast to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Antibes. Nice port is also worth a visit, if only for its trendy nightclubs.
Nice has always attracted artists, drawn by the natural beauty of the area and the quality of its light. Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse were both inspired by Nice and their work is exhibited in the two museums that were named after them. Other notable museums that are worth visiting in Nice are the Museum of Asian Art (on the Promenade des Anglais), the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (near the central bus station), the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Archaeology Museum, which is located amidst the Roman ruins in the Cimiez district of Nice. The city's other attractions include the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, the Place Massena and the Parc du Château.
Nice's main train station is Nice-Ville, which provides a fast connection to Paris and other major cities in continental Europe. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the third busiest airport in France (after Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports in Paris) and offers frequent flights to Paris and other destinations in Europe and North America. From the busy port of Nice there is a regular ferry service to Ajaccio and Bastia, the main towns on the island of Corsica.
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