Nice Tourism & Culture
Click on the links below for more info on:
• Museums
• A month by month calendar of events
• Nice Old Town
• The Flower Market
• Les Ponchettes
• Beaches in Nice
• Gardens and Parks
And for interesting places you can visit close to Nice Nest:
• Castle Hill
• Nice Harbour
• Promenade de Anglais
• Promenade du Paillon
• Cimiez
Museums
All 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
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Circus Festival, Monte Carlo |
| February | Nice Carnival |
| March | International Cycling Race, Paris - Nice |
| April | Semi-Marathon, Nice |
| May | Cannes Film Festival; Formula One Racing, Monte Carlo |
| June | Festival of the Sea, Bay of Monaco |
| July | Nice Jazz Festival |
| August | La Castellada, Castle Hill - Nice |
| September | Théâtre de Verdure concerts, Opera, Dance - Nice |
| October | Military Bands Festival, Nice |
| November | Cannes International Dance Festival |
| December | International Christmas "Star" sailing regatta, Nice |
Nice Old Town
Baptised "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 the 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
The "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, Le Marché aux Fleurs is considered as one of the most picturesque in France and is classed by le Conseil National des Arts Culinaires as an exceptional culinary market.
It 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.
Les Ponchettes
The 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 then the only site capable of harboring 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 Nice
There are several private and public pebble beaches all along la Promenade des Anglais and Quai des Etats-Units.
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.
Gardens and Parks
All the following gardens and parks are free to enter.
1. Parc du Château
• This is the nearest Park to "Nice Nest" – 150m.
• Size: 193,000 m², the largest Park in Nice.
• Info: Remains of de Notre-Dame-du-Château, Water
fall, Tour Bellanda, Musée de la Marine, Fontaine des Oiseaux.
• Walks: several km of trees and shrub-lined paths.
• Spectacular 360° views over: Nice Bay,
Old Town, Harbour, Mont-Boron.
• Transport: Bus 1,2,9 10 – stop Place Garibaldi.
• Parking: on the plateau or along the roads to the top.
2. Castel des deux Rois
• Distance from "Nice Nest" - 500m.
• Size: 34.000 m².
• Info: ideal for families with small children, picnics, walks,
water jets, mini golf, children areas, mini zoo, mini train, giant open air chess.
• Transport: Bus stop 14 at start of Moyenne Corniche André-de-Joly.
• Parking.
3. Parc Vigier
• Distance from "Nice Nest" - 800m.
• Size: 10.000 m².
• Off Boulevard Pilatte.
• Info: overlooks Nice Harbour. A quiet, refreshing spot dotted
with palm trees including the famous Phoenix Canarensis planted in 1884 and
other exotic plants.
• Opening times: 8am to 7pm.
4. Jardin d'Eden
• Distance from "Nice Nest" - 400m.
• Location: off Boulevard Risso
• Size: 25,000 m².
• Info: It recreates the Provence feel with plenty of olive trees,
lavender and masses of wild flowers. Squeezed between the Mamac
Museum and the Acropolis,
right above the Paillon River, it feels as if you are immersed in open countryside.
• Opening times 10am to 6pm.
Jardins du Paillon (5 and 6)
• Distance from "Nice Nest" 400m to 1000m.
• Location:
Bd Jean Jaurès.
• Several parking spaces.
• These gardens include:
Les jardins suspendus
• Size: 12,300 m²
• These interesting hanging gardens were created in
the 70s above
the Bus Station and car parks right above the Paillon river.
• Info: a variety of Mediterranean plants cultivated on a flat roof
top.
5. Esplanade du Paillon
• Size: 14,300 m²
• Info: Pergolas, fountains,
impressive water jets, carpets of flowers, sculptures,
a secluded square dedicated to Général Leclerc.
6. Jardin Albert 1
• Size: 2,124 m²
•
Info: Nice's oldest garden, overlooks la Promenade des Anglais. French
style garden, sculptures, open air theatre "Théâtre de Verdure".
7. Jardins de Cimiez
• Distance from "Nice Nest" about 2km.
• Location: Cimiez.
• Transport: Bus 15 and 30 from Gare Routière towards
Rimiez Les Sources also 17, 20, 22.
• Info: is made up of 2 separate gardens:
Le Jardin des Arènes
• Size 34,770 m²
• Opening times: 8:00 to 18:00 in winter and up to
20:00 in summer
• Parking outside the gardens is possible but difficult on Saturday afternoons.
• Info: Roman remains, Musée Matisse, Musée archéologique. The
Nice Jazz Festival in July.
Large lawned areas dotted with of olive trees, ideal for picnics. Food
and beverage stands with public toilets nearby.
Jardin du Monastère
• Size 9,550 m²
• Opening times: 10:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:00.
• Info: The visit includes l'Eglise Notre Dame, Monastery, Musée
Franciscain, a delightful garden with flowers, fruit trees, superb rose bushes,
and at the end of the garden, a tiny wooded area and views of Nice.
8. Le Park Forestier du Mont-Boron
• Distance from "Nice Nest" 1100m.
• Size: 66,000 m²
• Info: a soothing forest of Aleppo trees, 11 km of paths, hundreds
of wild orchids, miniature carnations, aromatic lentiscus (evergreen
aromatic shrub of the pistachio family). Ideal for rambling, jogging and
enjoying marvelous views over Cap Ferrat and the Baie des Anges.
