The French Riviera - Nice

The French Riviera – Nice

Nice is the capital of the Cote D’Azur and one of the largest cities in France. If you fly to the south of France, this is where you will arrive. The Nice airport

Close to the Italian border and the interstates, it’s a good starting point for any trip to the south of France. Nice itself is a mixture of old and new France. The old town is a walled in city within a city. Far more attractive and “tourist friendly” than the city that has grown up around it. But don’t expect to drive through. There are a few underground parking garages, but they are expensive and fill up very quickly. It’s far easier to find parking outside and walk in.

Nice is rightly famous for it’s shutters, and if you see a tourism brochure or book about Nice there will more than likely be a picture of some on the front cover. As you look up above the first floor level there are hundreds of brightly painted shutters making quite a lovely spectacle. Practical too. Nice is a long way south and gets extremely hot during the summer months. Nice is also famous for it’s nightlife and there is a hustling, bustling night crowd until the late hours of the morning. This is not a quiet, quaint relaxing little town. It’s a thriving big city with all the amenities you expect from a large city.

Nice, as with all the major towns along the south coast of France, is very busy during the summer season, June though August. But the weather in Nice is exceptional all year round and if you prefer a quieter time, it’s a good idea to visit during the spring or fall. The price of accommodation is also much lower during the off season.

Most major airports offer direct flights to Nice and the Nice airport is geared up for heavy volumes. Be careful in the parking lots outside the airport though, it’s regularly populated by con-men of all types. If you are approached and asked to lend somebody money for a bus fare because they have lost their wallet, do not give them any money. As you leave, they will try the same thing on with the next unsuspecting tourist.

The French authorities do not like to admit it, but there is a problem with smash-and-grab scooter riders. They will pull up next to your car, smash the window and grab a handbag or purse lying on the passenger seat and be gone before you know it. Be sure to leave purses and handbags out of sight even when driving along. There is very little crime against the person though.

The old town is beautiful and full of lively cafes, restaurants and bars. There are often live musicians playing outside the bars on the market square and the people watching is exceptional.

One of the other main attractions of Nice is the boardwalk. Late evening strolls along the seafront watching the boats in the harbor or enjoying a coffee in one of the many cafés, it’s not to be missed.