Nice Holiday

The French city of Nice is elegant, lively and full of things to do. With a breathtaking bay and a long history, its charm is unmistakable, even during the height of the busy summer season.

The weather in Nice is generally warm and the city blooms year round. Located in southern France, along the Mediterranean coast, the city has a population of almost one million people and is a key tourist spot on the Cote d’Azur.

Nice has been inhabited for around 400,000 years. The city was founded in the 5th century BC by the Greeks and was named after Nike, the goddess of victory. It became an important trading post in both the Greek and Roman empires and the Genoese league. Briefly held by the Saracens until the Middle Ages, it became a pawn in disputes between Italy, France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.

The city has been sacked a number of times, finally becoming part of France in 1860 under Napoleon. Its unique and turbulent history, combined with the immigration of recent years, has created a flamboyant and proud city, with its own language, culture and a range of architectural styles.

The fifth largest city in France, Nice is home to the largest collection of museums outside Paris. The Matisse Museum, Modern Art Museum and the Musée des Beaux Arts are particularly fine. The striking Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas with its six onion domes is well worth visiting, as are the fascinating prehistoric sites of Lazaret and Terra Amata and Nice’s many other churches.

The famous Promenade des Anglais runs along the beautiful bay and is lined with charming hotels and palm trees. It is the perfect place to take an evening stroll and soak up some of the laid back and stylish atmosphere.

Nice is a lovely city to visit year round and is especially lively during the annual summer Jazz Festival. The beaches are pebbly, but the sea is blue and the bay delightful. The floral gardens and parks are colourful and peaceful, with wonderful views from the Parc du Chateau, while for those looking for more active pursuits there are watersports, horseriding, ice skating and a host of other sports available.

Food in Nice is generally excellent, with several rich local specialities. The city has popular fruit, vegetable and flower markets and some very stylish restaurants. Its numerous cafes, most with tables outside, form part of the experience of Nice.

Evening entertainment varies from upscale nightclubs and bars, to folk music and dance. Nice has a particularly fine opera and some well respected theatres and is a particularly fine city for shopping, with some wonderful boutiques and independent shops.

Served by an international airport and a large railway station, Nice is easily accessible from most of Europe, with a growing number of companies offering budget flights to the south of France. The city has a variety of accommodation, from simple bed and breakfast to luxury hotels and it wise to book in advance, particularly at busy times of year.