Nice is often overlooked in the French Riviera, competing with Cannes and Monaco. This fun city has lots to offer and is strategically located - perfect for visiting other charming seaside towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer. One key spot to see is the picturesque Baie des Anges which the Promenade des Anglais cuddle. With its pebbly bottom and infamous blue and white striped parasol, it's easy to understand why many visitors flock here. It is the pure picture of summer.

BEACH AND PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS

Luxury hotels dot the Promenade des Anglais, along with palaces with remarkable architecture, including Le Méridien and the Negresco, which enjoyed their heyday during the Belle Époque. Today, its attractions call for walkers, joggers, cyclists, rollerbladers, and the like. Be sure to take the stairs or lift to Castle Hill; the heart-thumping views of the Cote d'Azure are easily memorable from this point of view. On one side, you have the Baie des Anges; the opposite is the port. The area also has an artificial waterfall and mosaics of Homer's Odyssey.

The Hotel Negresco is named after Henri Negresco Image © Nick Page | Unsplash

DOWNTOWN NICE

After taking in the awes and oohs on the Promenade des Anglais, take one of the Ponchettes doors and enter Old Nice. The first stop is the Cours Saleya, where the "Flower Market" takes place from Tuesday to Sunday. You can have a drink in one of the many cafes that line the square to soak up the hustle and bustle of the city. Then continue your visit through the alleys. Take the opportunity to enjoy an ice cream in one of the most popular ice cream parlours: Fenocchio. Do not miss Rue Saint-François-de-Paule. In Old Nice, you will discover many emblematic buildings: the Palais Lascaris, the Place du Palais de Justice, the Place Rosetti, the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral built in 1649, the Opera dating from 1855, the Chapel of Mercy, and finally, Place Garibaldi with its trompe l'oeil facades.

Henri Matisse fans can also explore the artist's popular places and see the sights that once inspired the painter. Visit the Musée Matisse, where you will find the artist's early paintings to other works of art later in his years. The colourful stalls are fun and charming, complemented by the array of blooms in the Cours Saleya Marché neighbourhood. Head to Cimiez Hill to visit Franciscan Church and Monastery nearby. The area used to be the Roman settlement of Cemenelum before becoming the place for the rich and famous in the late 19th century. Henri Matisse, Raoul Dufy, and Roger Martin du Gard are buried in the church cemetery. Popping into Nice's Roman Catholic church in the old town is worthwhile in the city. The Baroque cathedral was built in the mid-to-late 1600s, housing paintings, three organs & altar with the remains of the martyred St Reparata.

Furthermore, Nice is a foodie's delight. Among the pricey places to eat are pockets of amazing local bars and restaurants offering great food at reasonable prices. If you want to bring some delicatessen back, forget peanut butter, we topped up on pistachio cream and all sorts at Maison Bremond 1830. On most menus, you'll find typical French dishes such as duck liver pâte, snails, tuna niçoise, steak tartare, lamb cutlets and Coq Au Vin. We enjoyed the cuisine at Tote et Mamie Charlotte, a laid-back little place with local fare and excellent service. Visitors can enjoy an aperitif at Comptoir Central Electrique on Rue Bonaparte. There is a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, and some nights they have live music—an excellent spot to people-watch in the late afternoon / early evening. A Casetta is a charming, eclectic restaurant in the centre. They specialise in dishes made with Corsican produce and tend to have singers and guitarists play. It's a top option for a meal outdoors on the leafy terrace.

The majestic Gare du Sud station turned gourmet hall

CAP DE NICE

For a more local experience on the beach, make your way to the Bains Militaires and on the beach of the Reserve, which is very popular with the people of Nice. Along with the Cap de Nice, you can find several small coves with beaches laid out in the rocks. This is also where Le Plongeoir restaurant is located, on a rocky islet, the ideal place to sip a cocktail at the end of the day.

The terracotta rooftops, promenade, antique markets, and delicious food is what you should expect when on the French Riviera. Nice is an ideal way to kickstart your escape in the Côte d'Azur, as there are many beautiful towns to visit along the coast and inland.

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