Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / France / Provence-Alpes-Cote dAzur / Alpes-Maritimes / Nice
 |  | Destination Guide : Nice |
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| | | Celebrity playground |  | Why go on holiday to Nice?
To join the rich and famous in one of their favourite playgrounds. The elegance of Nice's setting matches the style of the people it attracts. A pavement cafe on the seafront promenade is an excellent place to watch the beautiful people go by.
How much does it cost?
Nice isn't the cheapest destination, but a two-night break with flights and hotel can be found for £250. Flights from £100. Hotels from £30.
When should I go?
Nice is a year-round destination with its typically Mediterranean hot, dry summers and mild winters. Daytime temperatures often top 80F (27C) in summer and rarely dip below 54F (12C) in winter. Annual festivals include the Jazz Festival which has been going since 1948.
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| | | Relax on the beach |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Vieux Nice is an area of narrow, winding streets packed with little shops and a colourful flower market. Culture vultures can overdose on some excellent museums, including one devoted to Henri Matisse and another to Marc Chagall.
The pretty harbour is always busy with fishing boats, ferries and sun-beaten yachts.
What's the beach like?
Nice has a pebble beach with some public and some private areas where a sunbed will cost you about £5 a day.
The more energetic can hire paddleboats, sailboards or jet skis or jump on a boat to the lovely Iles de Lerins - well worth a trip for a bit of tranquillity.
Is it all very expensive?
It can be. Posh restaurants and designer boutiques cater for the rich and famous who pour off the gleaming yachts packing the harbour. But the city also has lots of places offering good food at reasonable prices.
You don't need an eight-figure salary to enjoy Nice at its best.
What's further afield?
Nice is a good base for exploring the rest of the Riviera. Chic resorts such as Cannes and Juan Les Pins are less than 20 miles away. Those who fancy a flutter can try to break the bank in Monte Carlo.
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| | | Night market shopping | | Where's good for nightlife?
Clubbers should consult a copy of the free L'Exes magazine. There's plenty of live music in local pubs.
For classical music lovers, there are summertime open air concerts in the cloisters of Cimiez monastery, the olive grove in Cimiez and around the modern art museum. You'll find top-notch shows at the Theatre de Nice.
What's the food like?
You'll find the usual tourist fodder if you really want it, but local specialities include stuffed vegetables, ratatouille and ravioli - there's a strong Italian influence in Nice.
Also try courgette flower fritters and socca - Nicois chick-pea flour and olive oil pancakes.
What should I buy?
Candied fruits (fruits glaces) are a specialty in this area - check out the stalls at the flower market in Cours Saleya from Tues-Sat. The night market (marche nocturne) held between July and September is good for handmade art, crafts and jewellery.
In Vieux Nice, rue de Collett and rue Pairoliere have lots of bargains for souvenir hunters.
What is there for children to do?
Take the glass-bottomed boat tour around the Baie des Anges. Promenade de Anglais is a hotspot for in-line skating.
If they're into model trains, visit the Musee des Trains Miniatures, among Europe's largest, with models ranging from tiny steam trains of the 19th century to the high-speed TGV.
Tourist office
French Government Tourist Office, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL. Tel. 09068 244123 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Nice |
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| |  | | Les Trois Epis
2-bedroom apartment for up to 7 in central Nice - Promenade des Anglais. Terrace with Mediterranean view. Minimum 3 nights stay. Available all year.
|  | | Lux. Apartment - Palais de la Méditerranée, Nice
Lge new luxury two bed apt., sleeps 6, air-con., two balconies. Centre of Nice - Promenade des Anglais, beside rests., bars, designer shops.
|  | | Les Palais des Fleurs
Luxury Bourgeois two-bedroomed, 4th Floor apartment in the Palais des Fleurs for rental in the heart of the Musicians Quarter, Nice
|  | | NEGRESCO HOTEL NICE
Negresco studio in famous NEGRESCO HOTEL, on Promonade de Anglais in the center of the Cote de Zur,with private beach in front,and Ski resorts 85km away.
|  | | Apartment Hugo Park 102, Central Nice, France
Recently renovated 1 kingsize bedroom contempory apartment in a beautiful Beaugeon Building in central Nice, 400m to beach, 200m shops & restaurants
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