Places To Go
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Click on the links below for more details on places and events near Nice Nest apartment:
Visit www.allaboutnice.com for interesting information and lots of useful links on Nice. MuseumsAll Municipal Museums offer free entrance on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. Visit Ville de Nice to find out more on the museums of Nice. The site is in French. Calendar of Events
Nice Old TownBaptised "Nikaia" (victorious), by the Greeks in the VI century BC, its name was then changed to "Nicea" by the Romans. In the XVI century, the decision by Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy to strengthen the citadel because of the Franco-Turk siege in 1543, lead its civil population to abandon Castle Hill and to settle at its foot, now known as Vieux Nice. Tall buildings had to be erected to house its increasing inhabitants, in a confined space. A second line of city walls encircled the Town from the Marine quarters to the South, all along the West banks of the Paillon River, now Avenue Jan Jaurès, right up to its main Parolière Gate to the North, now Place Garibaldi. Vieux Nice with its winding narrow streets, lovely hidden squares teeming with souvenir shops, trendy boutiques, typical restaurants and interesting historical sites, is a must.
The Flower Market - Cours SaleyaThe "Marché aux Fleurs" was created in 1897 along the Cours Saleya. It marks the boundaries of Nice's old town to the south and runs parallel to the nearby Ponchettes Beach. Open every morning except Mondays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, when it is used as an antiques market. Le Marché aux Fleurs is considered as one of the most picturesque in France and is also classed by le Conseil National des Arts Culinaires as an exceptional culinary market. It is a pleasure to walk along the many colourful stalls, displaying with pride beautiful shrubs, pot plants and flower displays. They are all fresh and locally produced like the seasonal fruits and vegetables next to them. A mosaic of colours, scents and sounds hit you from every corner. Then, near lunch time, your nose directs you towards the enticing smells of the pissaladière - socca and beignets de fleurs de courgettes - some of the tasty specialities made in Nice.
The Antiques Market - Cours SaleyaMondays in Nice are quiet. Several shops that open on Saturdays and Sundays are closed on Monday but Cours Saleya opens every Monday as Nice's Antiques Market. You can easily spot the locals but there are also buyers and sellers coming from outside Nice and from abroad hunting and being hunted for bargains! Les PonchettesThe Ponchettes, an area named after the Castle Hill's pointed Rouba-Capeu rock formation, overlooks the Baie des Anges. The Ponchettes docks, now called Quai des Etats Units was, until the XVIII Century, Nice's main landing site before Port Lympia was built. The Anse Saint-Lambert, a cove formed between the Ponchettes Beach and the Rouba-Capeu rock, was the only site capable of harbouring medium sized vessels. Two rows of low terraced houses, one facing the Flower Market and the other looking onto the Mediterranean sea, were once home to Nice's Fishermen. They are now housing busy ethnic restaurants and several modern art galleries.
Beaches in NiceThere are several private and public pebble beaches all along la Promenade des Anglais and Quai des Etats-Unis. At regular intervals, man-made public sections of sand are dedicated to children and to volley ball. Public areas are free and serviced by showers and toilets. To the east of Nice's Harbour, beaches are rocky and suitable for swimmers only. The nearest beaches to the Palais du Pin, well within walking distance, are la Plage du Castel at Castle Hill's foot and la Reserve just off the port entrance. All the private beaches are open from April to October and offer sun loungers, umbrellas, cabins, showers, bar and restaurant service.
Getting around by Public TransportLigne d'Azur operates bus and tram services covering Nice and several towns and villages around Nice. This service is excellent, frequent and good value for money. Tickets are valid for both bus and tram and can be bought on board (except for the tram) for as little as €1 one way, €4 for the full day including Airport buses 98 and 99 and €15 for a 7 day unlimited travel pass. |
