A long time ago, I fell in love with the idea of Nice and the French Riviera before I even took my first trip here. There were so many stories, and legends. Painters, writers, celebrities have come here, only to become enamored with the light, the vibrancy, the lifestyle. Some stayed. Matisse. Chagall. Others opted to live in elegant French Riviera palaces, or purchased summer properties around Nice. Francis Scott Fitzgerald. French writer and artist Jean Cocteau. Musicians like Elton John, Keith Richards, or U2’s Bono (who lives outside of Eze near Villefranche-sur-Mer.) Actor Sean Connery.

Years later, I stopped by for quick visits, usually in the summer. My impression was that Nice was hot, beautiful, and… crowded. I did not come back for a long time. This summer, finally, Nice and I were properly introduced. Nice was busy entertaining this week, you see. Yet, she made time for me, the French-Americanized tourist. True to her reputation, she opened her arms, welcomed me and always put on her best face during my visit.

The Greeks, then the Romans came here first. Nice existed well before English aristocrats turned the city into a spa town (and their favorite playground) in the early 19th century. Nice was still Italian then. When they actually agreed to pay for la Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English) to be developed and paved so they would not get their feet dirty while walking in the sun, Nice was on its way. It soon became the Riviera’s shining star. It still is today.

Promenade des Anglais during la Belle-Epoque (mid 1830s)

In the late 19th century, England’s Queen Victoria loved Nice so much that she had a whole wing of the then-famous Regina hotel built just for her and her entourage. It has since then been converted into private residences but I was lucky to walk past it the day I visited Cimiez hill. European aristocrats, wealthy Russians soon followed in England’s footsteps. Once Nice became French in 1860, Napoleon III and his wife, l’Impératrice Eugénie, loved staying here. The Empress is credited for bringing exotic plants to Nice. Merci, Eugénie. Nice would not be the same without those majestic palm trees. 

After WWII, more people had time and money to travel in the summer. In 1936, France introduced new, progressive legislation, thus enabling workers to enjoy two weeks of paid vacation a year: les Congés payés. Mass tourism was born.

Jean Klissac, Les Congés Payés (1982) 

A true melting pot, Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful) has continued offering hospitality to all. Tourists. Immigrants. Pieds Noirs(*) This is one of my favorite things about this city.

Another reason to love Nice: The city strikes me as democratic, in the true sense of the word. Along the French Riviera, glitzy towns like Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and even more so Monaco display good looks galore, yet they could be referred to as “bling-bling.” It is not a compliment. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy found out the hard way when the French started referring to him as Le président bling-bling after his election. They were mocking his ostentatious display of flashy, expensive items and his affluent lifestyle. In France, it is not in good taste to show off wealth if you have it.

Don’t get me wrong, Nice offers plenty of bling-bling if opulence is what you are looking for. An evening stroll on la Prom (la Promenade des Anglais) always guarantees an entertaining show. Fancy hotels, fancy cars, fancy people. You get the picture.

Le Negresco: Nice’s fanciest hotel – Promenade des Anglais
A friendly waiter took me on a private tour of the Negresco hotel:
The stained glass ceiling in the Salon Royal was designed by Gustave Eiffel
One of the world’s two chandeliers of its kind:
Made of Baccarat crystal (the other one is inside the Kremlin)
Nice’s “other palace”: Le Palais de la Méditerranée
The art deco building was originally a casino. It reopened in 2004.

In Nice, the bling-bling crowd and regular people (locals and tourists, families, backpackers, aspiring artists,) live side by side, or so it seems. For each private beach access such as the one pictured at the top of this story, there is also a public beach, right next to it. And they are separated by a very small fence.

Nice public beach at 8:00pm – Promenade des Anglais
Volley ball court – Public beach

When I decided to go and lay down on the beach on Saturday (in 95F degree heat, this seemed like a reasonable thing to do,) I went and rented my comfortable lounge chair at one of the private beaches. This got me off the famous Nice pebbles, and entitled me to excellent service from a few friendly cabana boys. I did not even have to break the bank.

14 Euros (20 USD) got me a chair, an umbrella, 
and a place to change for the day

Just so this story does not appear too blatantly pro-Nice  – Quoi? Biased, moi? – let me make one complaint here. I do not like pebbled beaches. I tried walking on the beach along la Baie des Anges (the Bay of Angels) and failed. I even twisted my ankle a few times. I did not see one single child playing on the beach: There is no sand. I watched as swimmers tried to come out of the warm Mediterranean in a dignified manner. To no avail. They slipped on the pebbles, rocked by the surf, and kept falling back in. Good thing Nice’s neighbor Villefranche-sur-Mer has beautiful sandy beaches. That’s where I would swim if I lived here! I guess Nice isn’t perfect after all. That’s ok. I forgive you, Nice.

Not to worry. Nice has more assets up her sleeve: For those of us who do not spend all their vacation time laying in the sun, but who enjoy exploring, shopping, people and building-watching, the city offers an appealing selection of options. I have already taken you on a few of my little sightseeing adventures. There were a few more (a trip to the mythical Provençal village of Saint Paul de Vence; a visit to Nice’s next door neighbor, lovely Villefranche-sur-Mer.) 

French Girl in her best “tourist impersonation” –
Villefranche-sur-Mer rade (harbor)

If I were to list more reasons to love downtown Nice, I would say that this is a city to be enjoyed in all seasons. When the weather inevitably cools off in late fall, there are free museums all over town.

I have been fascinated with the variety of local styles and colors. If the city is picturesque in the daytime, it literally shines at night. To top it all, staying in Nice feels like having one foot in France, and one foot in Italy. Pretty incroyable!

La Place Masséna (Massena Square): colorful and 100% pedestrian friendly
7 statues representing 7 continents: 
They tower above Place Massena while changing colors
Old Town: Cathedral of St. Réparate (named after Nice’s patron saint)
The Ducal palace, former home of the Kings of Sardinia
(the city’s Italian rulers until 1860)
In love with colorful Nice façades


I am so happy my modest fifth-floor, no elevator, 272 square feet studio was located in the heart of le Vieux Nice. No hotel can match the benefits of renting your own place. If you stay in a city for a few days, living in the heart of a local neighborhood will make you feel like you belong. Fancy resorts have their fancy perks, but one of their main drawbacks is to cut you off from the diversity of local life.

The Old Town is a very special place. From my little window (it remained wide open the whole time I was there,) I could hear the neighborhood waking up in the morning, the chatter of the restaurant’s patrons in front of my building, the church bells ringing late afternoon. Ah, city life. My personal bliss. Another perk: Vehicle traffic is prohibited in all of the Old Town. Imagine the luxury.

The Old Town at its most photogenic
Glorious colors in the sunset: Matisse lived here in the 1920s 
France or Italy? 

Nice offers excellent food options. My landlord recommended a few reliable addresses in town. I chose to have some of my meals in the studio. I avoided dinnertime crowds and was able to splurge at some well-known restaurants along the way, Château Eza in Eze, la Mère Germaine in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

La Mère Germaine, Villefranche-sur-Mer 
Calamari “a la plancha,” on a bed of greens and chanterelles… Délicieux!
Café Marché:
My favorite breakfast joint in the Old Town, one block from the studio

Shopping is another good reason to love Nice. The district between la place Masséna and la rue Jean Médecin is shopper Heaven. From boutiques to favorite chain stores, Nice has it all. An indoor shopping center (Nice-Etoile,) a worthy local branch of the famed Parisian department store les Galeries Lafayette, la Fnac (books, electronics, movies, music,) high-end boutiques, several Monoprix. Everyone who has lived in France even for a short while knows how much easier life becomes if one lives next to a Monoprix!

Monoprix: The French city-dweller’s saving grace!
I confess to making a few purchases when I saw the new fall collection!

In case I needed one more reason to love Nice, I was introduced to Cours Saleya the day I arrived, and I made sure I walked through the busy street every day, whatever my destination. After all, all great French cities have a great outdoor market. Nice is no exception. Showcasing a produce and flower market most mornings (Mondays are reserved for antiques), le Cours Saleya becomes even livelier at night when merchant stalls are replaced by restaurant tables. Touristy? Yes, but it is not to be missed.

Lively Saleya market during the day
Produce and flower market on weekdays

All good things have an end and after spending a week in la Belle Nice, it is time to go home. This has been a special experience for me, one I will treasure in the months to come. I am so happy I came here. I was lucky to get this unique opportunity to relax, write and read (mostly about Nice), and to follow every one of my whims. That, my friends, is true luxury.

If you ever find yourself thousands of miles away from home – alone – you could not dream of a better traveling companion than this city. Fun, energetic, generous, often classy, sometimes saucy: Nice and I got along famously. You may remember I love movies. It is difficult to part with such a special friend. So, I will borrow Humphrey Bogart (Rick Blaine)’s famous line at the end of Casablanca, the 1942 classic: “[Nice], I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”


A bientôt.

Note:
(*) Pieds-Noirs [Black Feet]: French citizens born in the old French colony or protectorates of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. They had to move back to the homeland, France, when those countries gained their independence between 1954 and 1962. Leaving their lives and possessions behind, many Pieds-Noirs settled in Southern France because of the warm weather. This proved a stressful and painful experience for many. My father and his family came from Boufarik, Algeria, and settled in the Toulouse area in 1962.



 

 

Véronique - France with Véro
Véronique of France with Véro

Véronique of France with Véro

Vero shares her homeland weekly on social media with virtual tours, photo essays, live events and other publications at France with Vero. Learn more.

Or click a link below to read the next (or previous) post...allons-y !

27 Comments

  1. Craig on August 21, 2011 at 12:08 am

    Another amazing post Veronique! I feel like I know and love Nice almost as much as you do now! The Nice tourist authority should be hiring you for their publicity work!I’m glad that you had such a special time and I’m very sure you will be back very soon indeed.Many thanks for the Nice posts – they were wonderful.Travel safely.

  2. Genie -- Paris and Beyond on August 21, 2011 at 11:25 am

    A am almost speechless, Véronique, as I take in your photos and stories of Nice et ses environs. I truly understand a “love of place” and just how wonderful this time was spent alone here. I have read and listened to your travel experience and will reference all of these before my trip. Merci mille fois!Bises,Genie

  3. Sandy on August 21, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    What an amazing trip it must have been. Safe travels! =)

  4. Cherie Moore on August 21, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Superb and interesting post. Beautiful pictures as always. Nice sounds far more wonderful than I would have imagined. I loved the picture taken in Villefrance Sur Mer. I agree with Craig that you should be hired by the Nice trourist authority. Safe flying and welcome home!

  5. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 21, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    — Dear posse — So great to hear from you all, as always. Your comments and encouragement during the trip have meant a lot. While I have fun writing my little stories, it’s even more special to hear back from my readers. Some of you are bloggers too, so you know what I mean. Back in Seattle. Le Husband and Junior are finishing up dinner while I unpack my bag. It’s been a long day. See you around next week for a new Most Excellent Adventure! – Veronique aka French Girl in Seattle

  6. g on August 21, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    such a lovely wrap up to a most amazing stay. i have learned and i have ENJOYED…such a powerful combination!!oh and i look forward to all the future posts this trip will provide -rich in detail- filled with information– but most enjoyable– your unique way of BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER!! enjoy the comforts of your family, your four legged loves and your own bed tonight–until next time-g

  7. Owen on August 22, 2011 at 6:16 am

    Hi V.,Was just catching up on your travels, and all I can say is… it looks like your are having ENTIRELY too much fun !I’ve loved the trips I’ve taken to Nice, and clearly there is a lot to love about the town, and the environs. Am going to have to go back and scratch some of the dark underside of the city, I’m sure any photographer could have a field day there.Alors, de retour de nouveau aux US ? Mais tu ne cesses pas de bouger ! J’espère que parfois tu te retrouves au calme avec un bon bouquin et aucun avion à prendre ? 🙂 Ah, c’est dur la vie de voyageur…Merci bcp pour tout tes petits mots sur mes derniers billets, cela fait très plaisir…A bientôt…

  8. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 22, 2011 at 7:59 am

    — Owen — Thank you for stopping back. Isn’t Nice an awesome city? I would really, really want to see your pics if you stop by here again. Unlike me, you know what you are doing with a camera. I can just imagine… Oui, j’ai beaucoup voyage cet ete et grace a l’Europe, j’ai bien profite du soleil (a Seattle, c’etait plutot inegal!) Il faut que je me calme un peu maintenant. C’est la rentree scolaire pour mon fils la semaine prochaine et pour moi aussi. Mes etudiants m’attendent! A bientot Owen. V.

  9. Nadege on August 22, 2011 at 8:53 am

    The first time I went to Nice, I remembered the smell of the pine trees then the wonderful aroma of herbs. It is such an amazing city and the back country is so wonderful. Then there is Eze-sur-mer, a quick hop to Italy… Truly wonderful and you are very lucky!

  10. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 22, 2011 at 10:15 am

    — Nadege — Glad you enjoyed the post (and the Nice area.) I love looking at the trees there. I am not sure if I prefer the gorgeous shore pines or the majestic palm trees. Nice would not be the same without them! V.

  11. Olga on August 23, 2011 at 9:53 am

    I’ll never stop thanking you for your posts from Nice, which are full of history, your beautiful smile, and things that are missing from my life at this moment.

  12. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 23, 2011 at 10:08 am

    — Olga — So sorry to hear you are going through a rough time. Well, there is plenty of sun and fun times in my Nice stories, and I have a couple more up my sleeve so come back and visit soon. We will cheer you up, girl! Veronique

  13. Thérèse on August 24, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Quelle intéressante façon de présenter la capitale de la Riviera! Votre billet donne certainement envie d’y aller pour la découvrir personellement.

  14. Jennifer Fabulous on August 24, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    I love how I learn so much from your blog! It’s amazing. I had heard of Nice (obviously, who hasn’t?!) but I had no idea about the history or its culture. Thank you for filling us in! It would be a dream for me to visit there one day…

  15. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 24, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    — Thérèse — Merci de vous être arrêtée chez French Girl! Revenez quand vous voulez!– Jennifer Fabulous — Merci for your comment. Something tells me you and Nice would get along famously 😉

  16. Virginia on August 26, 2011 at 5:57 am

    What a marvelous job you have done on this post. Not only are your photographs beautiful but you give us so much information. I agree, the best way to feel the spirit of a place is to find an apt. , no matter how tiny, right in the middle of it! And for the record , we are all addicted to the Monoprix! I can’t pass one without going in.V

  17. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 26, 2011 at 8:04 am

    –Virginia– Thank you for stopping by. So glad you enjoyed this series. One more coming up after the weekend! I miss Monoprix already 😉 V.

  18. Suzi on August 27, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    I am sighing a little here Veronica. Having only being here last year and it seems so fresh. Friends of mine rented a little house in Old Carros. It was wonderful an Nice and the surrounding areas were their Playground. Who wouldnt go for a visit. It is a beautiful part of the world. x

  19. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 27, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Suzi– Thank you for visiting! Where is Old Carros? I don’t believe I have heard of it… Sounds fun though, if Nice was their playground 😉

  20. Castles Crowns and Cottages on August 28, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Ma chère Véronique,Moi, je suis si ravie que vous soyez venue chez MOI!!! ET QUE VOUS AYEZ AFFICHÉ ce billet de NICE! J’y suis allée il y a 9 ans. Ca c’était la première que j’aie vu la France. J’ai passé un mois, TOUTE SEULE à Nice, ensuite, mon mari y est allé avec moi. Italie, puis La Dordogne, Tours, Paris et Avignon nous ont enchantés. Merci beaucoup pour être venue me laisser un commentaire. Moi aussi, je suis institutrice dans une école d’immersion ici à Minneapolis: Normandale French Immersion, dans la quatrième. Je suis américaine; en fait, mexicaine-américaine. Alors, bonne journée et bienvenue! Anita

  21. Genie -- Paris and Beyond on August 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    I have only just discovered your blog and now am hungry for more stories, more photos and more tours from the “French Girl in Seattle”You are coming into a beautiful month in Seattle and the first time I saw Whidby Island (in Sept) I wanted to move there immediately. Enjoy la rentrée et la vie quotidienne.Bises,Genie

  22. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 28, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Merci Genie. The weather has been gorgeous since I returned from Nice. You’re right. September is usually a beautiful month in Seattle. La rentree is tomorrow for Junior and his mom! V.

  23. Filo on August 29, 2011 at 7:19 am

    UN petit coucou d’une Véronique à une autre, ravie que tu aies aimé Nice!j’essaie d’améliorer mon ridicule petit niveau d’anglais en lisant les blogs américains, et voilà sur quoi je tombe! C’est très amusant!Si j’ai bien compris, bonne rentrée!

  24. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on August 29, 2011 at 10:40 am

    Veronique — Merci de m’avoir rendu visite. Reviens quand tu veux. La plupart de mes billets sont en anglais. V.

  25. Dash on September 17, 2011 at 9:25 am

    That’s it Veronique! I am already planning my trip to Nice and I think I am going to stay three nights, somewhere in the old town.Next time you come to The South of France you must e mail me in advance, we should meet up somewhere. I often visit Belle Mere in Sanary-sur-Mer, a town I think you would like, the cat is out of the bag now, the town had a big write up this July in Le Figaro Magazine, the mayor was interviewed and stated he did not want to deepen the port and let the big blingy boats in, people say the town is like Saint Tropez was fifty years ago, long may it stay that way!

  26. Bienvenue chez French Girl in Seattle... on September 17, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Dash– Thank you so much for taking the time to read all the Travelogue. It makes me feel very happy that I took all these pictures and wrote my stories during the trip 😉 I will definitely let you know when I come back. I have heard of Sanary but have never been. I was lucky to see St Tropez in the off-season once. I can only imagine how quaint Sanary must be 😉 A bientôt, on your blog, or mine, mon amie. Veronique

  27. sandy on May 6, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Wonderful photos! They take me back to our recent day in Nice…

    Sandy

Leave a Comment




Join la Mailing List

Be the first to read stories and travel tips I don’t share anywhere else!

No spam, ever. That’s a promise. Visit the Privacy Policy.

Les Catégories