Travel Guide Nice The best Provence and the Côte d'Azur have to offer
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Travel Guide
Nice
The best Provence and the Côte d’Azur have to offer
02 Quick view 05 Getting around Nice 09 Calendar of events
02 France 05 Top 10 sights 10 Hotels
03 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in Nice 11 Crew tip
04 Health 07 Restaurants 11 Snapshot
04 Phone calls & Internet 08 Nightlife
© iStockphoto
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Quick view
Nice: The best Provence and the Côte d'Azur have to
offer
Impressionist hero Henri Matisse was a Nice man: he slept at the Hôtel Beau
Rivage, painted masterpieces now strung in the Musée Matisse and designed a
unique chapel in nearby Vence. While other artists and aristocrats came for the
sun, Matisse swore by January’s luminous days when Nice’s grand Belle Époque
waterfront bathed
in a warm wintery glow and old men sitting on benches on the Promenade des
Anglais enjoyed epic sunsets undisturbed. The radiant colours remain and Nice’s
old-world opulence, architectural heritage, thriving art and dining scene offer a
universal appeal to everyone from romance-seeking couples to backpackers and
jet-setters.
France
General knowledge
Country overview
France is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. This is partly due to
the rich diversity that France offers visitors: Beaches, palaces, the boulevards of
Paris, the natural beauty of the Loire Valley and the Alps, the lavender fields of
Provence, and of course, the gourmet restaurants and world-class wines.
Since time immemorial, the city of Paris has been a draw for travelers from around
the world, and yet, the city is just one of the many wonderful destinations that
France has to offer.
Geography
France is the largest country in the EU by surface area. It borders the English
Channel (La Manche) to the north, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, and
Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the east. France’s southern border is formed by
the Mediterranean (and Monaco), its western border by the Atlantic Ocean, and it
borders Spain and Andorra to the southwest. The island of Corsica is located in
the Mediterranean, north of the Italian island of Sardinia.
The overseas départements Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyana, Réunion,
and Mayotte also belong to France.
The diversity of landscapes ranges from the massifs of the Alps and Pyrenees to
the river valleys of the Loire, the Saône-Rhône and the Garonne, and to the Côte
d’Azur and the flatter regions of Normandy and the Atlantic coast.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 66,6 millions (2016)
Capital: Paris.
Language
French is the official language. There are many regional dialects, but these are
rapidly declining, with the exception of Basque, which is spoken as a first
language by some people in the southwest, and Breton, which is spoken by some
in Brittany.
Currency
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Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Public Holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Note
Not all Public Holidays are observed throughout France.
2020
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2020
Ascension (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 31 May 2020
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 1 June 2020
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2020
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2020
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918): 11 November 2020
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
2021
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 5 April 2021
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2021
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2021
Ascension (Ascension Day): 13 May 2021
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 23 May 2021
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 24 June 2021
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2021
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2021
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2021
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918): 11 November 2021
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
Shaking hands and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are the usual forms of
greeting. The form of personal address is simply Monsieur or Madame without a
surname and it may take time to get on first-name terms. At more formal dinners, it
is the most important guest or host who gives the signal to start eating. Mealtimes
are often a long, leisurely experience. Casual wear is common.
Social functions, some clubs, casinos and exclusive restaurants warrant more
formal attire. Evening wear is normally specified where required. Topless
sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain
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beaches - local tourist offices will advise where these are. A smoking ban for
workplaces and public spaces has been in place since February 2007.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
This being France, the only real problems posed by the local food and drink are
mild stomach complaints resulting from overindulgence. Tap water is safe to drink
(although you'll find a huge amount of bottled water for sale too) and cooked food,
assuming it's come from a hygienic kitchen, is certainly no more risky to consume
than that of any developed country. Some travellers steer clear of unpasteurised
dairy products due to a perceived risk of disease, while others laud the same
products for their perceived health benefits. If you're at all unsure, it's probably best
to stick to what you're used to.
Other Risks
Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis.
There was an outbreak of canine rabies in 2008. For those at high risk, vaccination
before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without
delay.
In more universal terms, sunburn is perhaps the most common complaint among
visitors to France, particularly over the summer months – temperatures are
generally higher in the south but it’s wise to be cautious across the country. The
usual precautions apply: use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible
about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can
sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry
– plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can
be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are
being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in before the
trip.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Baré, Eva
Résidence „Cap Roux“
34 Avenue de la Liberté
06360 Eze-sur-Mer
France
Tel. +33-4-93015379
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +33
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
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country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app
or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Nice
Getting around
Public Transport
Walking or taking the tram is the best way to get around the city centre. Tram line 1
gets you most places. Ligne d’Azur (tel: 08 1006 1006; www.lignedazur.com) runs
the tram and buses. Buy tickets from the bus driver or at ticket machines at tram
stops. Unlimited day passes are available and are good value.
Taxis
Locals don’t use taxis and many overcharge. Ensure the meter is on and the
charges match the official tariffs printed on the card displayed on the back of the
driver’s seat. Taxis can be found outside the Gare Nice Ville and on Avenue Félix
Faure (tel: 04 9313 7878).
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Nice
Vieux Nice
The backstreets of Nice’s Old Town are filled with cafés, studios and flâneurs
(strollers). Running parallel to the seafront is the Cours Saleya, the venue for one
of the most vibrant local markets in southern France.
Vieille Ville
Nice
France
Musée Matisse
This 17th-century Genoese mansion pays homage to Impressionist master Henri
Matisse, mapping out his evolution as an artist with paper cut-outs, sculptures and
experimental paintings.
164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez Opening times: Wed-Mon 1000-1800
06000 Nice
France www.musee-matisse-nice.org
Tel: 04 9381 0808
Promenade des Anglais
Walk the length of this palm-line, 19th-century boulevard for a quick architectural
tour including the iconic, pink-domed Hôtel Le Negresco and the art deco Palais
de la Méditerranée.
Promenade des Anglais
Nice
France
Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain
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(MAMAC)
MAMAC is worth a trip for its avant-garde collection of 1960s art, including pop art
from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Niki de Saint Phalle. Don’t miss the
panoramic views from its rooftop garden.
Place Yves Klein Opening times: Tue-Sun 1000-1800
06364 Nice
France www.mamac-nice.org
Tel: 04 9713 4201
Parc de la Colline du Château
Rising 92m (302ft) above the eastern end of the Quai des États-Unis, this pine-
shaded hillside park offers mesmerising views over the Baie des Anges. It’s a
perfect picnic spot.
Musée National Marc Chagall
Nice’s year-round sunshine has long attracted Russian émigrés, one of whom was
Marc Chagall. His seminal Old Testament paintings of the Genesis and Exodus
are now housed in this small museum.
Avenue du Docteur Ménard Opening times: Wed-Mon 1000-1800
06000 Nice (May-Oct); Wed-Mon 1000-1700 (Nov-
France Apr)
Tel: 04 9353 8720
www.musee-chagall.fr
Plage Publique des Ponchettes
Nice’s pebbly beach throngs with bronzed bodies and operators hiring out
catamarans and jet skis. The best free section of beach is opposite the Vieux Nice.
Private sections of beach charge €15-25 for a sunlounger.
Rue des Ponchettes
06300 Nice
France
Villa Masséna
Explore the Riviera’s risqué history through an eclectic collection of furniture,
objects, posters and photographs in this marvellous Italianate villa.
65 rue de France Opening times: Wed-Mon 1000-1800
06364 Nice
France
Tel: 04 9391 1910
Train des Pignes
For an easy day trip, hop on the 151km (94-mile), narrow-gauge ‘Pine Cone Train’
for one of Provence’s most picturesque rides to Digne-les-Bains. The medieval
village of Entrevaux makes a good lunch stop.
Gare de Nice, 12 avenue Thiers Opening times: Four services daily
06000 Nice
France www.trainprovence.com
Tel: 04 9703 8080
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Château de Crémat
High in the hills, 9km (5 miles) northwest of Nice, is the tiny wine-producing area of
Bellet. You can tour the picturesque vineyards and sprawling estates of Château
de Crémat before indulging in a tasting.
442 chemin de Crémat Opening times: Mon-Sat 0900-1230
06200 Nice and 1330-1730
France
Tel: 04 9215 1215
Shopping in Nice
Shopping in Nice
Key Areas
Vieux Nice is crammed with artisan shops and outdoor markets. West of the Old
Town, the part-pedestrian zone defined by Rue Paradis, Avenue de Suède, Rue
Alphonse Karr and Rue du Maréchal Joffre is where you’ll find high-end fashion
and independent boutiques. Rue de la Boucherie and Rue Pairolière are excellent
for food shopping.
Markets
Nice’s famous street markets are concentrated on Cours Saleya and are split
between flowers, fruit and vegetables. They set up at 7am and run until lunchtime.
On Monday, the food makes way for an all-day antiques market. The daily fish
market is located on Place Saint François.
Shopping Centres
Over 600 brands are represented at Nice’s version of the Parisian department
store, Galeries Lafayette, on Avenue Jean Médecin. Similarly enormous and
located on the same avenue is Nice Étoile.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Nice
Provençal cuisine is based on the rhythm of the seasons and farmers still gather at
morning markets to sell their fruit and veg, olives and garlic plaits.In Nice it’s
possible to eat extremely well, but watch out for a good smattering of tasteless
tourist traps.
La Petite Maison
Celeb-spotting by candlelight at Nice’s hottest contemporary table.
11 rue Saint François de Paule Price: Expensive
06300 Nice
France
Café de Turin
Teetering tiers of fruits de mer and Nice’s best oysters.
5 place Garibaldi Price: Moderate
06300 Nice
France
La Table Alziari
A lemon-yellow bistro with local specials like cod with garlic, olives and potatoes.
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4 rue François Zanin Price: Moderate
06300 Nice
France
La Merenda
Unusual Niçois delicacies served up with hard-to-find local vintages.
4 rue Raoul Bosio Price: Moderate
06300 Nice
France
Chez René Socca
Fast-food Provençal-style, including chickpea pancakes and stuffed vegetables.
2 rue Miralhéti Price: Cheap
06300 Nice
France
Nightlife
Nightlife in Nice
The cobbled lanes of Nice’s Old Town overflow with bars and cafés. Those on
Cours Saleya are particularly lovely for an apéritif.Hotel bars offer a more
glamorous cocktail scene. In summer, check out the weekly Semaine des
Spectacles for a list of cultural events.
Les Distilleries Idéales
The perfect place for an apéritif are the sidewalk seats at this Old Town bar.
24 rue de la Préfecture
06300 Nice
France
Le Bar des Oiseaux
A boho bar hosting jazz, chansons françaises (French songs) and cabaret.
5 rue Saint Vincent
06300 Nice
France
Opéra de Nice
France’s principal opera (and ballet) venue is this 1885 beauty.
4-6 rue Saint François de Paule
06300 Nice
France
Smarties Bar
Styling an orange-accented 70s vibe, Smarties Bar DJs spin house, techno and
disco.
10 rue Defly
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06000 Nice
France
Le Relais
Handcrafted cocktails in the lap of luxury at the Hôtel Le Negresco.
37 promenade des Anglais
06300 Nice
France
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Nice Carnival
Undoubtedly the biggest event in the calendar, Nice’s carnival galvanises the city
for two weeks every year. The more enthusiastic members of the community will
spend weeks making giant floats, which will be paraded around the city.
February 15 - 29, 2020
Venue: All over the city
Race to the Sun
Nice is the finishing point for the annual cycling competition called Race to the
Sun. Competitors start in Paris and battle it out in a gruelling race to be the first to
cross the line on the Promenade des Anglais.
March 8 - 15, 2020
Venue: Promenade des Anglais
Fete des Mai
Held every Sunday throughout May this festival celebrates the coming of the
summer and the revival of nature after the winter. The event dates back hundreds
of years but the consumption of regional specialities and locally produced wines is
still central to the modern-day celebrations.
May 2020
Venue: Cimiez
Nice Jazz Festival
Nice has long had a love affair with jazz and this annual celebration of the music
dates back to 1948, when it was first introduced to France. Taking place at the
Place Messena and Jardin Albert, the festival attracts a strong line up of musicians
and has remained popular throughout the years.
July 17 - 21, 2020
Venue: Théâtre de Verdure – Place Masséna
French Riviera Marathon
The 42 km (26 miles) course hugs the coast from Nice to Cannes, taking
participants on a scenic albeit exhausting journey along this beautiful slice of the
French Riviera. The course starts at the Promenade des Anglais and ends along
Cannes’ most famous street, La Croisette. Little wonder it has been dubbed the
‘five star marathon.’
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November 6 - 11, 2020
Venue: Nice
Christmas Village
The sunshine and shimmering waters of the Mediterranean are hardly
synonymous with Christmas. However, that doesn’t stop the local authorities
making an effort to bring a bit of festive spirit to the city with Nice’s Christmas
village. There are a host of attractions including an arts and crafts market, ice rink
and food stalls.
December 2020 –
January 2021
Venue: Place Massena
Hotels
Hotels in Nice
A Riviera hotspot for hundreds of years, Nice has ample accommodation to suit all
budgets.Prices rise in the summer months and leap stratospherically in May when
the city absorbs the overflow from Monaco’s Grand Prix.
Hôtel La Pérouse
Sitting pretty on the promenade with unbeatable views from roomside balconies.
11 quai Rauba Capeu Category: Expensive
06300 Nice
France
Villa Rivoli
A 19th-century villa with charmingly styled rooms and a romantic garden.
10 rue de Rivoli Category: Moderate
06000 Nice
France
Villa La Tour
A quaint boutique hotel at the heart of Vieux Nice with diminutive roof terrace.
4 rue de la Tour Category: Moderate
06300 Nice
France
Villa Saint Exupéry Beach
A superb hostel with a party-happy bar within walking distance of the beach.
6 rue Sacha Guitry Category: Budget
06000 Nice
France
Nice Art Hotel
A hotel-hostel with private rooms in minimal-chic white-and-red.
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35 rue d’Angleterre Category: Budget
06000 Nice
France
Crew tip
My Nice
My personal highlight in Nice is Promenade des Anglais. Deep-blue skies, palms
as far as the eye can see and sumptuous buildings lend this roughly five-kilometer
stretch of beachside walkway its glamorous charm.
© Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Snapshot
Nice - One city, two faces
© A. Issock
Top hotel
The Negresco Hotel, which opened in 1912, is still the best address in town, or
rather on the promenade. It’s a perfect specimen of the Belle Époque period.
37 Prom. des Anglais hotel-negresco-nice.com
06000 Nizza
Frankreich
Tel: +33 4 93 16 64 00
Flower market
Nice is famous for holding a magnificent flower market Tuesdays through Sundays
on Cours Saleya. Go on a Monday if you prefer junk stalls and antiques.
Cours Saleya
06300 Nizza
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Frankreich
Sacred monument
Make do? Now that concept was anathema to Czar Nicholas II! Not content with a
mere church, by 1912 he had built his own St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Nice.
2 Avenue Nicolas II http://sobor.fr/index.php?content=home
06000 Nizza &ca...
Frankreich
Seaside runway
The Beau Rivage has always been the bathtub of the rich and beautiful. The beach
has a spa, bar, restaurant and sunbeds costing 20 euros a day.
107 Quai des États-Unis plagenicebeaurivage.com
06300 Nizza
Frankreich
Luminous art
Artists rave about the quality of light in Nice. Henri Matisse lived there from 1916 to
1954. Today, the Matisse Museum shows hundreds of his works.
164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez musee-matisse-nice.org
06000 Nizza
Frankreich
Tel: +33 4 93 81 08 08
Kickoff
OGC Nice, the city’s top-league soccer team, has played at the new Allianz Riviera
stadium since 2013, which in 2016 also hosted European championship games.
Boulevard des Jardiniers www.allianz-riviera.fr
06200 Nizza
Frankreich
Tel: +33 4 97 07 29 66
Hipster hostelry
Hipsters prefer the Hi Hotel to the Negresco: Forget the unremarkable facade,
inside it’s a blaze of color and also has a private beach for guests.
3 Av. des Fleurs hi-hotel.net/de
06000 Nizza
Frankreich
Tel: +33 4 97 07 26 26
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New town
The plan for the new Eco-Vallée district is to attract IT companies and prepare Nice
for the future. Enthusiasts are even dreaming of a French Silicon Valley.
Eco-Vallée ecovallee-plaineduvar.fr
Nizza
Frankreich
Art palace
Contemporary art has found a home in Nice. And what a home! With its four marble
towers connected by glass bridges, the MAMAC is a sculpture in its own right.
Place Yves Klein mamac-nice.org
06000 Nizza
Frankreich
Tel: +33 4 97 13 42 01
Place to promenade
Step by step, the famous Promenade des Anglais is being given a makeover. Work
on Promenade de Paillon park has already been completed.
1 Prom. des Anglais nice.fr/fr/parcs-et-jardins/la-promenade-
06000 Nizza du-p...
Frankreich
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