Nice Apartment Types

Nice - the cosmopolitan capital of the Côte d’Azur – is one of the largest and most popular cities in France. With its beautiful backdrop, fascinating sights and mouth-watering cuisine Nice is a popular destination with travellers of all kinds.

History

Nice was founded in 350 BC by the Greek seafarers who had settled in Marseille and legend has it that they gave the colony the name Nikaia, after the Greek Goddess of Victory – Nike, to commemorate a nearby victory. The settlement soon became a busy trading port and in 154 BC the Romans settled in the nearby area of Cemenelum, the ruins of which can be found in Cimiez – now a district of Nice. By the 10th century Nice was ruled by the Counts of Provence before coming under the control of the House of Savoy in 1388. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1718 gave the city back to the Duke of Savoy following centuries of being controlled by different rulers. In 1860 a treaty was agreed by the House of Savoy and Napoleon III which conceded Nice to France once again. During the Victorian era Nice was an extremely popular winter destination with European monarchs and the English nobility. The early 20th century brought modern transportation to Nice and towards the end of the century the Nice saw an economic boom caused primarily by tourism and construction. Nice today is a popular destination for tourism and business making it the second most visited city in France after Paris.

Getting In & Getting Around

Nice Airport is one of the busiest in France serving a range of domestic, European and international destinations including Paris, London, Moscow and New York. Express bus services connect the airport with the city centre. The Gare Nice Ville is the main train station in the city with frequent TGV services to Paris and frequent services to Canes and Monaco. Long distance bus services connect Nice with a whole host of French and European cities including Marseille, London, Brussels and Amsterdam. Nice itself is fairly compact and easy to get around. There is a comprehensive bus network connecting the city centre with the suburbs and over 20 Riviera towns.  A tram network connects Las Planas with Pont Michel.

Culture, Sights & Attractions

There is so much to see and do in Nice you’ll be spoilt for choice. The best place to start is the Promenade de Anglais - the palm tree lined boulevard that stretches the length of the Baie des Anges is one of the most famous sights not just in Nice but in France – and is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, to enjoy some salade Niçoise in an outdoor restaurant or to sip cocktails in a seafront bar. The Colline du Chateau is a ruined castle that sits 90 metres above the city, offering unrivalled views over Nice. The Old Town (Vieux Nice) is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways awash with quaint houses, boutiques and the famous Cours Saleya flower and fruit market. There are a number of museums in Nice including the Musée Massena, Musée Matisse and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art). Other popular sights include the Place Masséna, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman city of Cemenelum.

Eating Out

Nice offers a range of cuisine from French and Provencal to Asian, Greek and European. There is a vast range of restaurants available some quaint, bistro style and other more lavish, fine dining. There are a number of popular Niçois specialities on offer all over the city including Salade Niçoise, ratatouille and bouillabaisse.

Outside The City

Nice is often referred to as the gateway to the Côte d’Azur due to its close proximity to many of the gems of the French Riviera – Cannes, Saint Tropez and Monaco. Cannes, the site for the famous annual film festival is home to a range of sights and attractions including a number of picturesque beaches, La Croisette and the Île Sainte-Marguerite – the small island where the Man in the Iron mask was imprisoned. Saint Tropez is a little further away but offers beautiful beaches, exclusive shopping and a stunning marina. Monaco, with its Grand Prix circuit, impressive Palais Princier (Prince’s Palace) and Exotic Gardens is just half an hour away by bus. Villefrance is just a short train ride away and is a quaint village with a small sandy beach and a welcome retreat from busy Nice.

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