NICE

Nice's Promenade des Anglais is in memory of the English who founded the colony over 200 years ago. After escaping from their homeland's grey winters they discovered beautiful headlands, sleepy bays and a skyblue colored ocean in front of snow covered alps. In 1851 Alexandre Dumace announced Nice an English town where one sometimes passes by a local. Did Nice become an early vicitm of mass-tourism? Sure enough the British pioneers of summer vacation proved taste. Everybody who came here, immediately wanted a piece of that land: the Russian aristocratic revolution refugees in the 1920ies, intellectuals escaping from the Nazis in the 1930ies, movie stars searching for cameras in the 1950ies and 1960ies and lately even the ordanary tourist. Shiny yacht harbours, gorgeous mansions and outrageously expensive restaurants give a little glimpse of the bold and beautiful who faithfully kept coming back to Côte d'Azure. More trivial though is watching family vacationists and globetrotters, living in cheap hotels close to the harbours and waiting to be hired as a member of a yacht crew. Indeed the coast has become everyone's destination to be which is fantastic.

Airport
The airport is located 7 kilometres west of the city. On a regular basis buses depart from the airport to the city centre (single tickets are € 1,30,-). Cab drives cost approx. € 20,- www.nice.aeroport.fr

Public transportation
Nice's traffic system is pretty tight. Buses depart frequently into town and the surrounding area. There is no subway, but a modern tram system since 2006. Taxis can be stopped right on the street or are found at numerous stands.
A 7-day ticket for the public transport of the entire region costs € 15,-, this ticket also allows you to use the airport line.

Tourist trains
The "Petit Train Touristique" is a good opportunity for sightseeing tours. The tiny train departs opposite of Hotel Meridien and offers a 45 min tour. www.petittrainnice.com

Old Town
The alleys and places, surrounded by richly colored buildings create the unique charm of the Old Town. Numerous restaurants, shops and markets bring life into town. Particularly interesting is the arcade-lined Place Garibaldi with monument of its hero. The Place St. François with the fish market and the Cours Saleya with the colorful flower market are also worth seeing. The most impressive building, the Palais Lascaris from the 17th century, was built after a Genoese palace with an imposing front. Other baroque masterpieces are Cathedral St. Réparate at Place Rosetti, Chapelle de la Miséricorde at Cours Saleya and St. Jacques church on Rue Droite.

Parc Phoenix
The botanic garden located close to the airport owns 2000 different plants over an area of 7 hectares. Furthermore there is a small zoo, a playground and a nature trail. One of Europe's biggest greenshouses the "green diamond" has 7 climes.
405, promenade des Anglais, mid april to mid october 9 am –7 pm (othewise 9 am – 5 pm), entrance: € 6,–

Carneval
Once "grosses têtes", giant paper-mâché figures, walk through the streets of Nice, carneval has arrived. Every year in February there are over 1.3 mio visitors to witness what seems impossible for most jesters: an elegant carneval. There are no princes but a king, people come to enjoy culinaries and not just to drink and the walk home upright instead of lurching.

Tepid nights
Once summer has started it's peak season on the beaches and at the discos, which means "open air dancing" to hot rhythms. Hotspot no 1 is La Siesta in Antibes on the road to Nice.

Tourist trap
The supposed art, that is sold on Côte d'Azur and the hinterland often turns out to be junk. You have to be very careful buying olive oil bottles that are decorated with provencial fabrics because the high priced content often is not worth the money. Pay attention to denomination of origin and authenticity certificate!

L'Esquinade
This cozy restaurant is located right at the old harbour (Vieux Port). Both fish dishes and desserts are highly recommended.
5, quai des Deux-Emmanuel, Tel.: 93 89 59 36, www.ger.cityvox.fr/restaurants_nizza/l-esquinade_19163/InfosPratiquesLieu

Brasserie Flo
Traditional French food with emphasis on seafood is served in this restaurant. Delicacies of the house are mussles and crustaseans. Furthermore value menues are offered.
2, rue Sacha-Guitry, Tel.: 93 13 38 38

La Barque Bleue
This Italian restaurant is very popular among locals. It offers delicacies from Calabria and Sicily.
7, quai des Deux Emmanuel, Tel.: 93 55 39 74, Sat noon closed

La Table Alziari
A slate replaces the usual menu, the regional dishes are cooked by members of the Alziari family themselves.
4, rue François Zanin, Tel.: 93 80 34 03, Sun and Mon closed

Petit Louvre
The simple but charming house has 35 small rooms.
10, rue Emma Trency, Tel.: 93 80 15 54, DR from € 40,–, Nov-Jan closed www.residence-petit-louvre-nice.cote.azur.fr

Massena
The 4-star-hotel with 166 rooms is located at the outer Old Town, only five minutes from the ocean.
58, rue Giofreddo, Tel.: 92 47 88 88, DR from € 90,–, www.hotel-massena-nice.com

Negresco
The luxury hotel built in Belle-Époque-style is managed by the same family for almost 50 years and classified as a historical building since 2003 for its fronts, glas cupola and baccara chandelier. Connected to the hotel are the high-class restaurants Le Chanteclerc and Bar Le Relais.
37, promenade des Anglais, Tel.: 93 16 64 00, DR from € 213,–
www.hotel-negresco-nice.com

Old Town / Harbour
The younger generation meets in Old Town around Cours Saleya, where e.g. live music at Pub Wayne's (15, rue de la Préfecture) is played. Just as popular are the Bar des Oiseaux (5, rue St-Vincent) and Disco Iguane Café (5, quai des Deux Emmanuel) at the harbour.

Rue Miralhetti/Rue de Saint Vincent
Rue Miralhetti's bars and restaurants you can eat and drink outside. Some places on Rue de Saint Vincent parties go on till early in the morning.

Casino Ruhl
The casino not only has Roulette and Black Jack but also an American bar and a restaurant with cabarett, dance, brunch and lots more.
1, promenade des Anglais, Tel.: 97 03 12 22, Fri and Sat 10 pm – 5 am, Sun - Tue 10pm – 4 am

La Havane
The restaurant is known for exotic cuisine and cocktails, later at night Salsa courses are offered.
32, rue de France, Tel.: 93 16 36 16, 4 pm – 2.30 am www.lahavanenice.com

Markets
Nice is famous for its beautiful markets in Old Town. The fish market (Tue-Sun 6am-1pm) at Place St.François is an institution. Cours Saleya is situated immediately next to it where you can find both the food market (Tue-Sun 7am-1pm) and the flower market (Tue-Sat 6am-5.30pm, Sun 6am-12pm).

Florian du Vieux Nice
Candy lovers watch out: hand made pralines, jelly candy and candied fruits are sold here. Free tour through the production area!
14, quai Papacino, Tel.: 93 55 43 50, www.confiserieflorian.com

Maison de l'Olive
Besides the best olive oil you can purchase all differnt kinds of fresh or dried vegetables.
18, rue Pairolière, Tel.: 93 80 01 61

Sirop't
Ludovic Simon and Hervé Vincent have a selection of 80 different kinds of sirup. Not only can this sirup be used for drinks but also to refine salad dressings and desserts.
4, rue de la Poissonnerie, Tel.: 93 27 00 84, www.sirop-t.com

La Ferme Fromagère
If you want to bring delicious cheese you should go to Jean-Paul and Jérôme Perrin's store. They have 20 different kinds of cheese and a big range of regional wines in their assortment.
27, rue de Lépante, Tel.: 93 62 52 34

Alziari
This is the place to buy world famous olive oil. You once buy one of the yellow-blue bottles and get it refilled every time you come back. The nicely wraped Tapenades (olive puree) is suitable as a small present.
14, rue St. François de Paule, Tel.: 93 85 76 92, www.alziari.com.fr