Nice

Nice captivates as the French Riviera's elegant queen, where the iconic Promenade des Anglais curves 7 kilometers along the Baie des Anges' pebble beaches, Belle Époque palaces paint pastel facades against impossibly blue Mediterranean waters, and year-round sunshine (well over 2,700 hours annually, often marketed as nearly 300 sunny days) has lured British aristocrats, Russian Grand Dukes, artists like Matisse and Chagall, and sunseekers since the 19th century when wealthy English wintered here giving the promenade its name. This coastal capital of the Côte d'Azur (pop. 340,000) offers distinct pleasures mixing high culture with beach relaxation—meander Vieux Nice's ochre-walled lanes where washing hangs above family-run shops selling socca (chickpea pancakes grilled in wood ovens for $3–$5), pissaladière (onion tart with anchovies), and pan bagnat (tuna sandwich), climb Colline du Château (Castle Hill) via 213 steps or free elevator for 360° panoramic views stretching from Italian Alps to Monaco's skyscrapers, and explore the vast Cours Saleya market overflowing Tuesday-Sunday mornings with Provençal flowers, olives, herbes de Provence, and local produce while Monday transforms it into antiques market.

The city's artistic heritage shines brilliantly—Matisse Museum in Cimiez preserves the artist's works in a Genoese villa surrounded by olive groves and Roman ruins (municipal museums pass $16 covers multiple sites), Chagall Museum's biblical messages rendered in luminous stained glass and oils occupy purpose-built gallery ($9–$11), while MAMAC is currently closed for major renovation and not expected to reopen before 2028–29, with temporary exhibitions hosted elsewhere in the city. Elegant promenades lead past the famous free blue chairs (chaises bleues) lining the public pebble beach where locals sunbathe year-round, grand hotels like the pink-domed Negresco displaying Belle Époque opulence, and Vieux Port (Old Port) filled with fishing boats and yachts where morning fish market sells the catch. Yet Nice rewards budget travelers equally—swim from free public beaches (bring beach mat as pebbles require cushioning), picnic with Cours Saleya market finds on waterfront, and sip rosé at $4–$6 glasses at neighborhood bistros away from premium-priced Promenade establishments charging double.

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral's colorful onion domes (entry generally free, with donations or small fees for certain areas) recall when Russian aristocracy made Nice their winter capital. Day trips via frequent regional trains reach Monaco's Monte Carlo Casino glamour (20 minutes, $4–$6), medieval Èze village perched impossibly on clifftop (bus 83), perfume capital Grasse's fragrance factories, Antibes' Picasso Museum and sandy beaches (30 min, $5), or Italian border town Ventimiglia's raucous Friday market where Niçois cross borders for cheaper produce. The climate pampers with Mediterranean mildness—winters stay above freezing (8-14°C daily highs) attracting northern Europeans escaping harsh seasons, springs bring mimosa blooms, summers hover at perfect 25-30°C for swimming May-October without oppressive heat, and autumns extend beach season into November.

Visit May-June or September-October for ideal 20-26°C temperatures, warm swimming, and manageable crowds avoiding July-August peak season when prices surge and beaches overflow with parasols. With efficient modern trams (Lines 1, 2, 3) connecting airport to beaches with standard single fares around $2 when bought on a regular card or phone app, a compact walkable center where Vieux Nice to Promenade takes 10 minutes on foot, free or affordable museums, proximity to Monaco, Cannes, and Italian Riviera within 90 minutes by regional train, and that ineffable Côte d'Azur blend of sophistication and relaxation where Mediterranean lifestyle means long lunches, aperitif culture, and sunset strolls, Nice delivers accessible French Riviera living, Belle Époque elegance, artistic legacy, and 300 days of sunshine at prices well below Monaco or Cannes.