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Interesting Facts
- Perhaps the quintessential Nice pastime, a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais is an absolute must do, even if you're only in town for a day. Constructed in 1829 by Englishman Lewis Way, the promenade has been popular for afternoon constitutionals ever since, although today's crowds include just as many rollerbladers and joggers. The trademark little blue chairs are still present all along the way, and are ideal for relaxing by the sea.
- Rewind that! The 1986 movie Under the Cherry Moon, starring Prince and Kristin Scott Thomas, was filmed in and around Nice. Several scenes in the 1998 Robert De Niro film Ronin were also shot in Nice.
- Take a picture, it'll last longer! Sometimes it's difficult to get a good skyline view of a city, from the ground anyway. Not so in Nice. The absolute best place to take that perfect photograph is from the top of Mount Boron. In fact, most of the postcards you see in the souvenir shops show this view. And incidentally, Elton John owns a yellow villa up here.
- If you're interested in architecture, history, art, or nightclubs, don't miss Vieux-Nice (Old Nice). Seventeenth century Baroque style architecture and details are especially prominent in this section of town – colors tend toward earthy yellows and reds, with contrasting door and window trims. There are numerous churches to explore, the streets are narrow and twisty, the houses are close together, and the neighborhood is a popular meeting place for locals, so the atmosphere is friendly and lively. A nightlife hotspot, Vieux-Nice stays up late, with nightclubs, bars, and restaurants open til the wee hours.
- Let's face it: most people go to Nice for the weather. It is the French Riviera, after all. The climate is mild, the beaches are plentiful (and free), and the sun shines more than 300 days a year. This makes it an incredibly popular destination, and the city hums with activity virtually all day and night, year round. So, yes, pack your bikini, but don't forget to throw in your dancing shoes and shopping bags.
- Nice's well-to-do residential suburb, Cimiez, has more to recommend it than just a rarefied atmosphere. It's the site of the Roman capital, Semenelum, and there's an entire archaeological museum devoted to the area's ancient past. It's also the site of the impressive 16th century Monastère de Cimiez, a working monastery with a colorful history. Henri Matisse spent the last several winters of his life in Cimiez, and is buried in the monastery's graveyard, as is fellow artist Raoul Dufy. If you're a Matisse fan, don't miss the Matisse Museum just up the hill.
- Nice was alternately under French and Italian rule for hundreds of years, but it wasn't until 1860 that the area was finally placed under permanent French rule. During the 19th century Nice took off as a beach resort, and was one of the first cities in Europe to develop a tourist-driven economy. In fact, between 1860 and 1911 Nice was the fastest-growing city in Europe, prompting the first published guidebook to the region in 1887. The author of that book, by the way, also coined the phrase Côte d'Azur (Azure Coast).
- Row, row, row your boat... The Regatta en Baie des Anges (otherwise known as the Nice International Rowing Regatta) is Nice's premier boating event, which draws some of the best rowers from around the world. Rowing the chilly Mediterranean waters, pairs and teams compete for top honors; an Oxford-Cambridge race is usually re-run, as well.
- Nice is fond of public celebrations, so virtually any time of year, you can participate in something unique. Perhaps the two most well-known events are the Nice Carnival in February, which is similar to New Orleans' Mardi Gras and the top festival on the French Riviera, and the Nice Jazz Festival in July, which is held amid the gardens of the Cimiez Monastery. Others include Poets' Springtime in Nice (March), Nice en Roller (May, a rollerblading extravaganza), a fun Bastille Day celebration (July), the Nice International Open Chess Tournament (July and December), and the Christmas Day Swim, which is similar to the Polar Bear swim on New Year's day that many cities worldwide enjoy.
- Every city has a heart, sometimes right in the physical center of town, other times near some particular historic or architectural landmark. In Nice, it's La Place Masséna, where Old Nice meets New. Originally built in 1835, the square is surrounded by charming buildings and gardens, and the large open space in the center has plenty of benches which are ideal for relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere. Several shops and cafes are scattered around the square, as well as the Nice Etoile shopping centre.
