Nice is in the southeast of France, perched on the Mediterranean coast halfway between Monaco and Cannes. Paris is 931 Km (580mi) away, and it's 30 Km (18mi) to the Italian border. The city stretches along the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), where the Alps and the Paillon River meet the sea. The town is protected by wooded hills and the Mercantour mountains to the north, and the Estérel range to the southwest.
The port and the old town (perched on a hill known as Le Château) are in the city's southeast - a great quarter for sightseeing, restaurants and nightlife. In the northeast is the wealthy residential neighbourhood of Cimiez, which is home to some outstanding museums. The modern city stretches north and west of the central square, place Masséna, behind the famous promenade des Anglais. The promenade follows the crescent-shaped shoreline westwards from the port.
Nice is one of the most ancient, having been founded by the Greeks, who called it "Nike," or Victory. Because of its brilliant sunshine and relaxed living, it has attracted artists and writers. Among them were Dumas, Nietzsche, Apollinaire, Flaubert, Victor Hugo, George Sand, Stendhal, Chateaubriand, and Mistral. Henri Matisse, who made his home in Nice, said, "Though the light is intense, it's also soft and tender." The city has, on the average, 300 days of sunshine a year.
Finally, the beaches are pebbly. On the other hand there are a lot of them, and most are free, warm and clean as a whistle. The city itself is brash and bold (there's no such thing as being too old to wear a bikini) and enormously popular, so if you're looking for a place of serenity and Zen-like peace... your choice should be Nice. |
