Nice Et Ses Environs

Nice is a city of two faces that blend together in a captivating harmony. On one side, the Promenade des Anglais unfolds its legendary curve along the Bay of Angels, lined with iconic hotels like the Negresco and its famous blue chairs. On the other, Vieux-Nice (the Old Town) offers a striking contrast with its maze of narrow streets lined with ochre and Sardinian red facades, where laundry dries in windows and the shade of Baroque churches provides welcome respite from the Mediterranean sun. The soul of Nice beats particularly strongly on the Cours Saleya, famous for its flower market and colorful stalls. The city is an ode to light, the very same light that captivated Matisse and Chagall, whose national museums on the Cimiez hills bear witness to this exceptional artistic heritage. Between Roman ruins, hanging botanical gardens, and the vibrant Place Masséna with its Jaume Plensa sculptures, Nice stands out as a cultural metropolis where the Italian art of living meets French elegance. Nice's gastronomy is a distinct identity, protected by the "Cuisine Nissarde" label. It's a flavorful and sun-drenched street food: Socca (a large chickpea flour pancake cooked over a wood fire), Pan Bagnat drenched in olive oil, or Pissaladière with caramelized onions. For a more structured meal, indulge in petits farcis niçois (stuffed vegetables from Nice) or a Provençal-style daube, all perfectly complemented by the wines of Bellet, a rare urban vineyard nestled in the hills above the city.