Antibes
Antibes is a few miles east of Cannes and a very popular
excursion from the city. It has one of the best markets on the
coast and an excellent Picasso museum in its ancient seafront
castle, the 16th-century Château Grimaldi. Picasso was lent a room
in the castle to use as a studio in 1946 and several extremely
prolific months followed before he moved to Vallauris, leaving all
his Antibes output to what is now the Musée Picasso. Although
Picasso donated other works later, most of the collection dates
from this one period, including the best known work, Ulysses and
his Sirens. Picasso himself is the subject of some of his
paintings. There are also works here by some of Picasso's
contemporaries, including Nicholas de Stael. Alongside the castle
is a cathedral which dates from medieval times; only the choir and
apse survive from the original Romanesque building, while the nave
and magnificent facade are Baroque. Nearby is a market which is
open every morning over the summer and overflows with local
produce.
Address:
Located 21 kilometers (13 miles) southwest of
Nice
Antibes
Gilbert Bochenek
Musée Matisse
Renowned artist Henri Matisse spent a good portion of his life
in Nice, living in the city from 1918 until 1954, and he is
honoured by this museum. The Musée Matisse has several permanent
collections, mostly painted in Nice and many donated by the artist
and his heir. The better known paintings include
(1937),
(1935/1942) and
(1905). There is also an ensemble
of drawings including
(1951) and
(1952). Seeing his nude sketches today, you'll
wonder why early critics denounced them as 'the female animal in
all her shame and horror.' The museum opened in 1963 and is located
near the Hotel Regina where Matisse used to reside. It is very
attractively housed and the striking, colourful building is
surrounded by an olive grove. The exhibits give a lot of insight
into Matisse's process and technique which is a treat for
enthusiasts. There are guided tours of the museum on offer in
French, English, Italian and German.
Address:
164 Av. des Arènes de Cimiez
Musée Matisse
Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau/Nice &
You
The Château de Nice
The Chateau de Nice was built in the 11th century for military
purposes. It is located in Vieux Nice and features on most
sightseeing tours of Nice, but the fortress itself is long gone and
only some ruins remain. The attraction for visitors is the Parc du
Chateau (or Colline du Chateau, that is, the Castle Hill) which
surrounds the former fortress. With wonderful views over the
rooftops and gleaming mosaic tiles of Old Nice, along the sweep of
the Promenade des Anglais and out to the Mediterranean, the Château
park is a lovely attraction in itself and a good place for visitors
to orientate themselves within the city. Visitors can take cool
walks in the shade of the trees, enjoy the large grassy park,
explore the Roman ruins and visit the waterfall; it is a pretty and
peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
The fortress was razed by Louis XIV in 1706 and the only part
left standing is the 16th-century Tour Bellanda, a tower which now
houses the Naval Museum. The cemetery where Garibaldi is buried
covers the northwest side of the park. To reach the park, visitors
can either climb the steps at the front, from the Quai des Etats
Unis, or for those who aren't up to it an elevator is
available.
Address:
Montee du Chateau
Château Park
Dale Harvey
Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice
Just outside of Nice, near the airport, this vast tourist
attraction includes a botanical garden and numerous animals, among
other things. 2,500 species of plant are collected in the Phoenix
Parc Floral and some of them are very rare; the tropical greenhouse
is one of the largest in Europe. There is a greenhouse dedicated
exclusively to orchids and another which features the biodiversity
of Southern Africa. The aviary contains many species of exotic
birds and there are beautiful butterflies in one of the greenhouses
and an insect zoo, as well as several aquariums and a big lake
containing birds and turtles. There is also a tacky theme park with
automated dinosaurs and mock Mayan temples which will probably
delight children. One of the highlights of the park is the Musée
Départemental des Artes Asiatiques
the Museum of Asian Arts - which houses a collection of
ethnographic artefacts, including silk goods and pottery, as well
as traditional and contemporary art. This is a great excursion for
the whole family and should happily occupy everybody for a few
hours at least.
Address:
405 Promenade des Anglais
Bird at Phoenix Parc
GIPE25
Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret
Housed in the former residence of the Ukrainian Princess
Kotchubey is a fine collection of 19th and 20th century art,
including works by Boudin, Ziem, Raffaelli, Renoir and Monet. The
Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret gallery includes great sculptures
as well as paintings, including works by J. B. Carpeaux, Rude and
Rodin. There is also an important collection devoted to the masters
of the Second Empire and Belle Epoque, a great attraction for
visitors to Nice. The building is truly lovely and would be worth
seeing even if it didn't house a museum, and there is a lovely
little garden to sit in as well. The collection is nicely arranged
in spacious rooms and there is a pleasant, airy feel to the place.
It may not take very long to see everything, but art lovers will be
richly rewarded by a visit.
Address:
33 Avenue des Baumettes
Jules Chéret
Garabombo
Cimiez
The Monastery of Cimiez, which includes a church, a cemetery and
a convent where some Franciscan friars still live, is located in a
residential area in the hills above the hustle and bustle of the
city. The convent houses the Musee Franciscain which is decorated
with 17th-century frescoes, and exhibits a monk's cell so visitors
can get an idea of how the austere religious life is lived. The
chapel dates from the 17th century and the lovely gardens have
sweeping views across Nice. Apart from the monastery, the grounds
of Cimiez include a large park set amid olive groves, the
Archaeology Museum and Matisse Museum. Also within the gardens, the
Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall displays some 450 of
the artist's oils, drawings, pastels, lithographs, sculptures, and
ceramics. There is plenty to see and do in this picturesque area,
which promises visitors a break from the bustle of the city.
During a couple of weeks in August, Cimiez is the site of the
Nice Jazz Festival, with music being played every day until
midnight and performed on three stages, in the olive groves and the
Roman Amphitheatre. It is an hour's walk, or a short bus ride from
the town centre.
Address:
About two kilometers (one mile) northeast of the
Nice
Olive Groves
Diane S Murphy
Cours Saleya Food and Flower Market
Nice's most famous market area, the Cours Saleya, bustles with
activity every day and is a riot of colour and fresh smells. Cours
Saleya is the famous promenade in the southwest of Vieux Nice. A
wonderful attraction for visitors, and beloved by locals, the
market is packed with flowers, fresh produce, souvenir shops and
sidewalk cafés. On Mondays the flowers and fresh produce disappear
and instead the area hosts a large flea market and an antiques
market; even those not looking to buy anything can enjoy the food
and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. The promenade and square which
house the stalls are impressive too and the backdrop of venerable
buildings contrasts pleasantly with the riotous colour and
frivolity of the market.
It is best to arrive as early as possible to enjoy the market
before the hordes descend. Also, those planning to do some shopping
should be sure to have plenty of change and small bills because the
merchants do not like to break large bills and may refuse if they
don't have sufficient change.
Address:
Between Place Massena and the Old Town
Opening time:
Tuesday to Saturday from 6am to 5.30pm. Closed Sunday
afternoons and Mondays.
Flower market
Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau/Nice &
You
Marc Chagall Museum
Celebrated modernist artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985), though
born in the Soviet Union, spent much of his career in France. The
Marc Chagall Museum in Nice has the largest permanent collection of
his works, including his Biblical Message Cycle, comprising 17
large-scale paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. The museum
contains a dazzling array of paintings, sculptures, stained glass
windows and mosaics and the vivid colours and dreamlike quality of
Chagall's work make the space come alive. It is a truly
well-designed museum which captures some of the joyful quality of
Chagall's work even though it is simple and small. Interestingly,
Chagall himself positioned many of the works, as he was alive when
the museum was built, and this goes some way to explaining how well
everything seems to fit. There is a great film on Chagall's life
running at the museum and it is really worth watching. One can also
listen to audio recordings of explanations for each of the
paintings and this hugely enriches the experience, particularly for
those who aren't familiar with the artist. The museum has
attractive gardens to wander in and a small cafe for
refreshments.
Address:
Avenue du Docteur Ménard
Marc Chagall Museum
Marc Chagall
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Nice and the French Riviera were fashionable holiday resorts for
Russian nobility in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading
to a close relationship between the regions that culminated in the
rose-pink Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the most beautiful
buildings in Nice. Topped with the onion-shaped domes typical of
Russian cathedrals, the church was built by Tsar Nicholas II in
1912 and is the largest of its kind outside of Russia. The interior
of the cathedral is also magnificent; it is in the shape of a Greek
cross and boasts some wonderful frescos, woodwork and art, as well
as notable goldsmith's work. The odd image of the Russian spires
set against the background of palm trees on the Cote d'Azur is one
of the most interesting sights in Nice. Strolling past the
cathedral, and getting some photos, is a must and it is well worth
going inside as well.
Address:
Avenue Nicolas II
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox
Cathedral
Jim McDougal
Nice has a typically Mediterranean climate with hot summers and
mild winters. During the hottest summer months, particularly in
August, temperatures often climb above 86°F (30°C), while maximum
temperatures in winter are about 59°F (15°C). August is the hottest
month and January is the coldest. Rainfall is moderate and mostly
occurs during winter; October is usually the wettest month.
Snowfall is extremely rare. Nice is sheltered from the wind by the
hills around the city so only the occasional mistral wind causes a
stir.
Summer is peak tourist season in Nice and this is the best time
of year to visit if you are going to enjoy the beaches. However,
the spring months of April and May can be lovely and it is far less
crowded. You will get plenty of sun but the water will be too cold
for swimming, making spring the ideal time to go if you want a
sightseeing holiday. Autumn can be rainy but the weather is mild
and this can also be a pleasant time to visit Nice.
Nice Cote d'Azur Airport
Location: The airport is situated four miles (7km) west of
Nice.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and
last Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
A free shuttle bus connects the airport's two terminals.
Getting to the city:
Buses leave regularly for hundreds of destinations between
Marseilles and Genoa, and Tram 2 goes into central Nice and to the
railway station from both terminals. TER trains and coaches go to
Cannes and most other main towns and cities from Nice, and the
stations are within a mile of the airport.
Car Rental:
All major car rental companies are represented in the arrivals
area, including Europcar, Hertz and Budget.
Airport Taxis:
Metered taxis are available outside both terminals. It costs
around €32 to get into Nice.
Facilities:
There are a number of restaurants, bars and shops, banks and
foreign exchange facilities in both terminals. Other facilities
include health services, VIP lounges, prayer rooms, meeting points,
and a business centre with meeting rooms and internet facilities.
Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should
contact their airline in advance. Luggage-wrapping services and
porters are available, as well as left-luggage facilities.
Parking
There is short and long-term parking available at both
terminals. P9 is the most economical, but P2 and P5 are closer to
the terminals and charge about double. Extra-security parking is
available in lots G1 and G2, and long-term parking is in lots P4
and P6, which are served by a free shuttle bus.
Nice city centre is small enough to get around on foot. Buses
and trams are the main form of public transport and cover most of
the city until midnight. Taxis are not a popular means of
transport, as they are known to overcharge tourists and are
difficult to flag down. The central train station takes commuters
to other towns along the Riviera such as Antibes, Cannes, Monaco
and more.
For many visitors Nice is primarily a launching pad for a French
Riviera beach holiday. The weather is certainly a major drawcard,
and despite its pebbly beaches, the luxury offered by the hotels
and restaurants along the coast ensures that visitors can enjoy a
beach holiday in immense comfort.
For those less interested in the prospect of a tan, Nice is an
historic and artistic city with a rich offering of galleries and
museums. Favourite art museums include Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art
Contemporain, Musée Matisee, and Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret.
History buffs will love the 11th-century Chateau de Nice, as well
as the Musée de Paléontologie Humaine de Terra Amata, which is
built on a prehistoric settlement and traces life on the Riviera
400,000 years ago.
Those looking for a religious experience will also not be
disappointed as Nice is home to a number of impressive churches and
religious institutions. The Cathédrale Saint Nicolas, a Russian
orthodox church, is an unexpected attraction in this French city.
The Monastery of Cimiez, which includes a church, a cemetery and a
convent, remains an active monastery and is a joy to explore.
Of course, throughout France the magnificent cuisine is a draw
for travellers and Nice is known to be a competitor in this regard.
Visitors looking for simple fare will enjoy Nice's most famous
market area, the Cours Saleya, where fresh produce and quaint
sidewalk cafés can be found. Those in search of glamorous fine
dining will find a diverse offering of fancy restaurants in
Nice.