Local Information

'Bienvenue' to the tour of our Nice apartment on the French Riviera. Situated between Monaco and San Tropez, Nice is perfectly located on the South Coast of France.  A vibrant city with an abundance of culture and activities: take your pick from, among others, the Nice Jazz Festival, Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.  You may decide to visit the Cote d'Azur for the sun, the Mediterranean Sea, the mountains or the snow and ski resorts. Perhaps it's for the abundance of excellent restaurants, antique shops, designer boutiques, galleries and museums ..whatever your preference ... Nice is the place to go.  There's something for everyone!

If you don't believe us, check out what the Lonely Planet has to say.  If, prior to your trip, you have any questions, you must try our local information site AngloINFO.  This is particularly useful if you intend to move here permanently.

 

On Your Doorstep....

(Please Note:  This is only a snap-shot - we have provided an extensive 'Things to Do and See' Guide in the apartment)

ó For coffee… there is a café 'Tabac' right across the road, on the corner.
ó For fruit and vegetables …. a wonderful greengrocers just across from the main door.
ó For medicine … a pharmacy just on the corner
ó For pastry delights … there are two patisseries very close by; one is located to the left of the café and the other just a couple of doors further down.
ó For laundry … a launderette situated on Avenue Gounod, just past the greengrocers (1 minute walk)

 

Swimming... If you want a change from the sea, or would like to pamper yourself, then we highly recommend the Hotel Aston's rooftop pool. Stunning views and a light lunch are included in the entrance fee!

For Kids...  Enjoy a chocolate drink on the beach while the toddlers play on Little Tikes slides and house area ...enjoy a trip to Marineland in Antibes and see sharks or go to a wet 'n' wild slide park.. little farms .. boat trips with dolphins .. swimming pools .. trips to the mountains... the list is endless.

The apartment is also geared to helping you enjoy holidaying with the little ones: travel cot, high chair/booster seat and potty available.

Shopping...  OK, where to start?? ... Apart from the zone pieton (with a fabulous shoe shop), Jean Medecin (which is a bit dusty at the moment with the Tram work underway) you must also visit Antibes for quaint little shops great for gifts, St Paul de Vence for stunning views and art work, CAP 3000 is good on a rainy day - head East towards Antibes SNCF is St Laurent du Var. We also love Cannes for the mix of glamour, sandy beaches, a park for the tots and a good run of shops.

Eating Out...  There is something to suit every palate. We are trying to build up a directory in the apartment of places you've loved .. funnily enough the restaurant just opposite and the bar on the corner have been solid favourites. The Cours Salays hosts L'F which we love for friendly service and good outdoor food, St Laurent de Var has a strip of great restaurants, Noori's in Nice for an Indian .. the list is endless - help us add to it!

Mini Supermarket... It's about two blocks away. Turn left out of Palais Clémenceau and right into Avenue Gounod (opposite direction to the station).  It can be found on the corner with Rue Verdi.

Note: the Supermarket operates continental hours! It closes for lunch for about 2 hours and is only open until lunchtime on Saturdays.

Big and very big supermarkets.. On Avenue Jean Medecin (5 mins away) the recently refurbished Monoprix has an excellent food hall. With so many internationals residing and visiting Nice there is even vegetarian options available - it saves the trek to Carrefour in Antibes or Lingoustiere and is well worth a visit.

Fresh produce... Please just visit the fruit vegetable and flower market in the Cours Salaya (old part of Nice towards beach west) it is fabulous.

ATM.. One outside La Poste (Rue Gounod) and another on Avenue Aubert which runs parallel to Avenue Gounod. Turn left when leaving Palais Clémenceau, cross over Avenue Gounod and turn right at the next junction.

Parking... Nice, like any city is not the easiest place to park!  That said, the apartment is the right side of the city centre and you can park for free just outside. Alternatively there are meters nearby offering more spaces and, should you wish to leave your car in a car park, there are several nearby - all under 5 minutes by foot from the apartment.

Around Town and Further Afield....

Nice photo nice088B.jpg (28 k)
Cours Saleya: The most famous market of Nice is the flower market and main market on the Cours Saleya - in the old town In the sea: 1st November 2006:  Summer starts early and ends late here !

To find out more on the area, Provencebeyond.com  provides great information on our wonderful area - places to visit etc!

Villefranche sur mer Copyright info-riviera.co.uk

Antibes is well worth a visit.  This bustling seafront, walled town oozes charm. Sandy beaches and only 12 minutes on the train make it a must!
Cannes

Cannes has something for everyone, starting with the elegant shops - a shoppers dream.

With haute couture, jewellery, leatherwork, beauty salons, interior decoration stores, Cannes is a city not to miss.

...and don't forget the Film Festival - the buzz is great!

Cagnes-Sur-Mer

A short distance from Nice, enjoy something different - a day at the Cagnes-Sur-Mer Hippodrome

Vence and St Paul de Vence

A favourite with the rich and famous, well worth a visit for its spectacular architecture and views.

 

Skiing

Nice is well known for the sun but did you know that it's also perfectly placed for skiing? "Gréolières-les-neiges" is one hours drive from Nice so you can surf, slalom, slide or fall according to your level. Its departure altitude is at 1400 metres and reaches 1800 metres.

Other nearby resorts include:

  • 80 km from Nice VALBERG (1616 à 2100 m) +00 33 (0)4 93 23 24 25

  • 90 km from Nice AURON (1600 à 2450 m) +00 33 (0)4 93 23 02 66

  • 75 km from Nice ISOLA 2000 (2000 à 2900 m) +00 33 (0)4 93 23 15 15

 

Christmas Village & Ice-skating in Nice

In December the Place Massena is converted into an outdoor ice-skating rink and surrounded by a Christmas Village (wooden huts!).  A chance to buy gifts, foods and drinks.

Across the road, there is a walkway of white Christmas trees and a Big Wheel. Although the rink is removed at the end of December, the Big Wheel remains until Nice Carnival is over at the end of February.

Try ice-skating at the Olympic indoor  rink (or 'Patinoire') at the Jean Bouin Palais de Sports Centre, by the Acropolis Exhibition Centre, just north of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Enjoy one of four daily 60-90 minute sessions.  Skates can be hired just opposite the rink.

 Vieux Nice/Old Town

Monaco Grand Prix

The Automobile Club of Monaco organizes the race each year. There are more than 3,000 seats available for sale on the circuit. Contact the Automobile Club de Monaco directly '(+377) 93 15 26 00.

Tickets are also available from ticket booths set up during the race. For latecomers and those on a budget, lawn spaces are available on the hillside grounds just below the Palace.

The best sections are A1, A4, V, Z1, Z2 and O. Restaurants and hotels along the course offer special lunch menus that include watching the race from their terraces. This is a way to get a seat for the race and eat a meal.

 

Niceaccommodation.co.uk