24 Hours in Nice, France
Nice is the heart and the hub of the Côte d’Azur, France. With the sea, the sunshine, the culture, the food and the access to the South of France (and beyond), one cannot help but be happy in such a beautiful corner of the world. We only had 24 hours to spend in Nice but I cannot wait to return. When you rent a car in Europe, it is much easier to return the car in the same country in which you rented it. We picked up the car in Paris, drove through Switzerland and Italy, but it was much less expensive and easier to plan to drop the car in Nice, France than to try to drop it in Italy or a different country.
Getting around in Nice, France
We drove from Pietrasanta, Italy to Nice in about 3.5 hours. Even though it was a Saturday in July, the traffic wasn’t too bad. Arriving into Nice is quite easy, and from the freeway exit, we were a short way to the main area, the Promenade des Anglais and the Mediterranean Sea. The International airport is quite close to downtown Nice, as well and the main train station is just 10 minutes from the beach. In addition, there are a number of local trams, trains and buses that can take you to some of the beautiful towns nearby. We returned to Paris by the TGV train: an easy 5 hour ride that takes you along the coast for a bit before heading north.
What to do: Head to the Beach
Obviously, the best thing to do in Nice is go to the beach. Here, there are rocks, no sand! For this reason, you may want to pack your water shoes to make your way from your chair to the ocean. There are many nice beach clubs as well as public access to the beach.
One recommendation is the very chic Negresco Beach Club which also has a very nice restaurant for lunch when you need a break from swimming and sunbathing.
What to do in Nice: Stroll the Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade is bustling with activity! Runners, bikers, sight-seers. The promenade is very wide, so even though there were many people taking advantage of the sun, there was room for all. Visitors will also appreciate how clean and well cared for this area is: no graffiti, no trash. There are seats here and there facing the ocean if you just want to sit and enjoy the view. There were also sculptures along the promenade to enjoy.
What to do in Nice: Explore the Vielle-Ville (Old Town)
Visitors can stroll around the charming Old Town where there are shops, restaurants and plenty of ice cream or gelato to enjoy. There are also plenty of places to sit down for a drink while people watching.
We ate a lovely restaurant called “La Maison de Marie“. We sat on the charming, string lighted courtyard patio and enjoyed traditional niçoise fare.
What to do in Nice: Cathedral of St. Reparata (Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate)
As far as European Cathedrals go, this one is definitely ‘newer’: construction began in 1650 and was completed in 1685. Although, as it goes with much of the architecture in Europe, details and structures were continually added all the way to 1949. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Reparata.
Architecturally, it is a bit of a mix. A campanile (a tower) was added between 1731 and 1757. The façade was added between 1825 to 1830 which is Baroque revival in style. Various other details were added and it became a national monument in 1906.
What to do in Nice: Enjoy the Views from La Colline du Château
Castle Hill (la Colline du Château) is a highly recommended activity in Nice, more for the views than for the actual castle. Once you climb the hundreds of steps, you will enjoy a sweeping panorama of Nice and the Baie des Anges. There is a nice (free) park at the top with a great playground and room for picnics. There is also an instagrammable artificial waterfall. For those with mobility issues, there is a free elevator which takes you ‘almost’ all the way up. Otherwise, it is possible to drive and park. The park itself is open from sunrise to sunset.
Where to View Art in Nice, France: Marc Chagall National Museum
The Marc Chagall National Museum began during the artist’s lifetime. Originally, it began in 1966 when he and his wife donated 17 large canvases of the Biblical Message. In 1972, Chagall donated more works, like the gouaches of the Bible (1931), engravings of the Bible, important lithographs, sculputres and a ceramic. The musuem officially opened in 1973. Since then, the collection has evolved and the architecture of the musuem has won awards. They offer many programs for visitors, students, families and more. Information about visiting the museum can be found here.
Where to View Art in Nice, France: Matisse Museum
Artist Henri Matisse was deeply attached to the city of Nice, where he painted a large part of his work.
In 1950, the City of Nice acquired the villa Garin de Cocconato, also called the “Villa des Arènes”, which was located in close proximity to Matisse’s residence at the Regina Hotel. Soon, an idea was hatched to convert the Villa into an exhibition space for the donations made by the painter. The Matisse Museum was inaugurated on January 5, 1963. The collection not only includes important works by Matisse but items he kept as inspiration from his studio. Information about how to visit the museum can be found here.
Where to Stay: Hotel Le Negresco
Part Luxury Hotel, part Art Hotel, part Historical Icon. Of all the lovely hotels I have stayed in, the Negresco is one of the nicest. The location is fantastic as it is right on the Promenade des Anglais.
Upon checking in, we were offered a fantastic upgrade to the “Parisian” suite, which might very well be one of the nicest rooms in the hotel. Our view was breathtaking – we looked directly out to the ocean and the promenade, where we could watch the para-gliders zipping around the sea. At the Negresco, it’s all about the details. They left adorable bears dressed like the bellmen and some other fun items in the room for us.
It was tough to decide whether to stay in the room and relax while enjoying such a great view or get out and see Nice.
Art at the Hotel Negresco
The art collection began over a 100 years ago and the tradition continues today. In the main lobby, the bar, the hallways, the stair well, you will see contemporary works of art, traditional masterpieces, sculptures, and more. From salons dedicated to Louis XVI or Napoleon III to Venetian or “Street Art” rooms, you will see a truly unique selection of French artwork from the 17th century to today.
Here you can view a video review of my stay at the Hotel Negresco:
What to do in Nice Recap: Les Bonnes Addresses
Where to Eat: Restaurant La Maison de Marie. Address: 5 Rue Massena, 06000 Nice, France
Where to Stay: Hotel le Negresco
Best Spot on the Beach: Le Negresco Beach Club
Architecture: Cathedral of St. Reparata (Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate). Address: 3 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice, France
Best View: La Colline du Château
Art in Nice: Marc Chagall National Museum, Matisse Museum and Art at the Negresco
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