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Nice

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The southern county of Nice joins other destinations such as Cannes, St. Tropez and Marseille on the French Riviera; the southern part of France with its land being lapped by the Mediterranean Sea. While its capital city shares its namesake, Nice as a county holds a population of around 350,000 and is the fifth largest county in France.

Evidence of dwellings and fires date Nice back an incredible 400,000 years when it was used to trade goods with Italy and this sense of history is carried on into the architecture, museums and folklore that can be seen and heard there today. There are still a few professional fishermen operating at the Port of Nice in the heart of the capital city. This county's culture draws in just as much of the attention as the gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches do. A holiday to Nice could provide the whole family with the perfect balance between relaxation, extraordinary gastronomy, exciting activities and discovering new places.

Of course the language spoken in Nice is French, although the further you travel towards the capital city, the more people you will find who speak good English. The city of Nice (much like the other destinations of the French and Italian Rivieras) is a prosperous and thrifty one, so expect to see extravagance in all its French glory if you are traveling right to the centre. This is certainly not a city that takes things by halves!

Areas

The Coast

While the beaches are not much to comment on (most are laden with pebbles as opposed to sand), access to the Mediterranean Sea is second to none. Simply hire a boat to explore the rest of the Riviera or take a dip in the warm waters if you are a strong swimmer. There are often public sports games facilities at the beaches, for example volleyball or ping pong so a day by the sea could end up being perfect for the whole family.

The Hilltops

This is where you will find the best views over the county of Nice, the City's port and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point is Mont Boron and from here you can easily travel to nearby mountainous villages and towns such as Cap Ferat and Villefranche.

Avenue Jean Medecin

With its location right in the heart of the French Riviera it's no wonder that Nice is a giant in the field of shopping. The main district for shops is Avenue Jean Medecin and features chains such as Virgin and their French counterpart 'FNAC'. This area of Nice is dedicated to the customer and tourist, so there is no shortage of hotels, restaurants, cafés and public transport. The Nice Etoiles is the French Riviera's answer to a massive shopping mall and it certainly doesn't disappoint!

Weather

In summer the temperatures in Nice regularly reach 30ºC. The average temperature for August is 28ºC and considering the average low temperature for this month is as high as 20ºC, some may find the climate too hot. While you don't want to be caught in the sweltering sun of, you also don't want to be caught in the spring rains so the best time to travel is around May to July.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	48	49	52	55	62	68	74	74	70	62	54	50
C	9	9	11	13	17	20	23	23	21	17	12	10

Average Precipitation/Rain

In./CM	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
In.	3	2.9	2.9	2.5	1.9	1.5	0.7	1.2	2.6	4.4	4.6	50
CM	7.6	7.4	7.4	6.4	4.8	3.8	1.8	3	6.6	11.2	11.7	127

Getting There

By Plane

NCE is Nice's two-terminal airport, which is one of the most active in the country. Flights run to and from Nice from most main airports and transport links once you arrive in the city are top quality and efficient. Simply catch a 4 euro bus to the center of Nice and your holiday can begin!

By Car

Driving to Nice, wherever you are coming from can be an incredibly pleasurable experience as you drive along the coast of the French Riviera. The county is well connected to the rest of France via the A8 motorway and exit 50. Following directions to 'Promenade des Anglais' leads you straight into the beautiful jaws of Nice itself; voila!

By Train

Nice is well connected to surrounding countries such as Italy via the Trenitalia services, and the rest of France via SNCF. The most direct way to get from northern or central France to Nice is on a TGV train and these run extremely regularly throughout the day.

Getting Around

By Tram/Bus

There are buses and trams which will take you all around the county of Nice for little over 5 Euros maximum. The tram service is very new, having only been finished in Winter of 2007 and it's definitely worth trying out.

By Car

There are plenty of car hire companies with branches located in Nice, many of which are within the ground of the NCE airport terminals. Just be careful as you drive around the French Riviera; much like the driving on the Italian Riviera, the roads can get a little erratic here!

On Foot

If you are centered in the capital city of Nice then you should have little need for hiring a car or driving your own. Once you have arrived then taking the city by foot is probably the most rewarding way to enjoy your holiday as most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other; meaning you won't miss a trick!

Beaches

The Blue Beach (Sand beach) Location: Nice Although this is one of the few beaches in Nice that actually has sand on it, that sand is only a layer that has been placed down over the large stones found on the other public Nice beaches. This private beach however, will charge approximately 10 euros a day for one person and a lounge chair. Other services such as parasols and towels will cost extra but this beach does have an area specifically for toddlers and babies.

Plage Publique de Beau Rivage (Pebble beach) Location: Nice This beach has many several amenities that make spending the day on a public beach a bit more enjoyable. These services do cost a few dollars but they are all relatively inexpensive and include showers, toilets, and lockers. This beach also has picnic areas and a wonderful market nearby or you could simply ask one of the many vendors that wander the beach what they are selling for refreshments!

Sights & Activities

The Museums

All museums in Nice are now free to visit, including those of Musee Chagall (stained glass), Musee et Site Archaeologiques de Cimiez (a Roman settlement ruin) and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Such museums can be found in the northern part of the city of Nice.

The Festivals

Because Nice is so focused on the tourism industry, it brings in visitors by the thousands who come for the Jazz festival and 'Carnaval de Nice' which happen once a year. These events are great opportunities to meet new people, sample some of the local delicacies and see the city at its most busy and exciting time.

Colline du Chateau

While this attraction demands a little walking effort on your part, what it has to offer more than makes up for it! Colline du Chateau makes an ideal day out for any family or couple with the park, waterfall, old cemeteries and breathtaking views. Another bonus is the relaxing walk back to 'Old Nice'.