Nice is a French Riviera city situated on the Cote d’Azur, in the south of France.Nice is known as the city of light, since it is a resort city with a very lovely climate.
The canals and waterways of Nice are the best place to experience the city. The old town is the hub of the activities, but modern Nice is also very charming. The old town is about 2 square kilometers and there are about one hundred buildings. The main space is occupied by the Royal Palace built in the 12th century. Then there is the Eikens Dive, an old insurance company, which has survived since 1444.
Nice has a variety of museums: the Archaeology Museum, Eco- Museum and Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. The best place to appreciate the collection of ancient and classical sculptures is the Musee Chagall – a tiny museum off the dramatic seafront promenade.
The flower market is held on the Place de la Concorde every Wednesday and the Place Rousseau every Monday. The antique market is held on the Place de la Renon, near the harbor; you can also visit the Saint Antoine cellar, with a chest of old wine.The ski resort of Saint Gaultier is just 8 kilometres away.
A friend who does luxury house design and recently got back from Nice, told me, “Traveling around Nice is easy. Taxis are cheap and you can also take a club-van or a train (with a minimum of 3 passengers) to the suburbs. The clubs are also cheap and you can take a once round the island with a dinner for four people.”
The most convenient way to get around Nice is with the N luggage system. Put your regular luggage in this backpack, strap a door hanger on the bag handle and you can take it on board the train or you can hoist it on to a boat.
To make sure that you don’t miss a train you have to turn in your train ticket at the information counter after you arrive in Nice.
Most trains leave from the Gare du Nord, the main station of Nice, two times daily.
When you arrive in Nice after the long journey from Figueres, you will find that the centre of the city is very tourist-friendly. Mostly, Nice has low walls, and Nice Cathedral dominates as the largest building near the sea front.
The Place Auguste Renoir, the most famous square of Nice, is in the harbor area. Two streets around the square are pedestrianized: the Rue de Ramellers and the Rue del Capitano. The square is also near the opera house and the Palais des Sport.
The main streets of Nice have a mix of narrow lanes and broad avenues. Nice Cathedral square is in the centre of the attractive Nice Old town.Important Place des Sciences, conscience of the city, is situated at the northern bank of the AMP Canal.
The Place de l’Hotel de Ville franche is a picturesque realization of the messy district Le Lac.
The southern bank of the customs house with its yachts and ferry boats is situated a little to the north.
And the long line of shops leading down to the port end of the port is a real example of Nice’s retail beauty.