Must-do's in Nice, France

[bunduo]

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do in Nice, France? It doesn't appear to be a port that a driver/guide will be necessary. Is this a correct assumption? My wife and I are active outdoorsy people who love art and history. We are pretty easy to please but don't want to miss anything that is a must-see. Thanks, Matt.

[cberge]

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do in Nice, France? It doesn't appear to be a port that a driver/guide will be necessary. Is this a correct assumption? My wife and I are active outdoorsy people who love art and history. We are pretty easy to please but don't want to miss anything that is a must-see. Thanks, Matt.

 

If you want to stay in Nice you can walk around the old city,visit the market,walk along the Promanade.There are some museums as well and I am sure you can pick up some touist info when you arrive in the post or Google Nice and get some info as well.You could go to St.Paul de Vence by cab..hill town outside of Nice..old and more or less an art colony with shops.Take the train to Monaco..lots to do.

[momamea]

We were in Nice a few weeks ago and were very disappointed. We went to Monaco first, and rushed through it to get to Nice. It was pretty much a big city with lots of traffic, lots of stores, including Foot Locker. Old town was pretty, but the promenade lost its novelty after about 5 minutes. (It was very hot!) Then it was just a walk along the beach. The beach was interesting, with large smooth rocks and no sand. We thought we could do a Segway tour from our ship, but it was no longer offered. I would suggest spending some time in Eze, which is between Monaco and Nice on the train. It's a charming village. We didn't have time to get there after Nice, but wish we had!

[Brian&Dwayne]

. I would suggest spending some time in Eze, which is between Monaco and Nice on the train. It's a charming village. We didn't have time to get there after Nice, but wish we had!

 

I would love to see Eze. What is the best way to get from the ship to Eze?

[uk1]

Bunduo,

 

to answer your question:

 

Nice is a wonderful city. It is however a proper working city and not designed around tourism. Hence it takes a bit more research and time to discover and as a result is one of our favourite cities. I can understand why some might not enjoy it, but we go there many times a year.

 

You can walk from the ship to the old town which is a good starting point.

 

Some must do's from your list:

 

http://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/

 

http://www.musee-beaux-arts-nice.org/

 

http://www.concierge.com/destination/cotedazur/attraction/Property/Attraction/data/cotedazur/fodors/PalaisLascaris.xml/

 

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=palais+lascaris&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

and a short bus ride away

 

http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/ephrussi/home_en.htm

 

http://www.villa-kerylos.com/kerylos/uk_index.htm

 

Jeff

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Thanks Jeff, I have stored this info away for next June, when we embark at Monte Carlo. Haven't settled on the pre-cruise yet, but was thinking Nice would be good for 2 or 3 days, with a side-trip somewhere. I have been to Monte Carlo, and can't imagine staying there for any period. But the surrounding area is lovely, of course, so if we did end up staying in Monte Carlo, would probably drive over to San Remo for the day, and see a bit of Liguria. What do you think?

[DD]

The Italian Riviera close to France is not nearly as scenic as the French Riviera. Day trips into the Italian Riviera from Monaco typically include Vente Miglia. It's ok. It's a fun day. It's not a better day than Nice, Eze, or Monte Carlo. I looked at it as a way to say, "...and we went to Italy for the day...."

 

Personally, I love Nice. I've been there 6 times and am looking forward to the 7th. There are tons of great little shops (olive oil, herbs de Provence, chocolate, candied fruit, pastries, ice cream--ok, there's a definite food theme), it's beautiful to stroll on the pebble-strewn beach, and the italian restaurants are terrific (yes, I meant italian, not french). The flower market is a terrific photo op. It's just a nice little seaside resort town. I realize it's got its industrial areas, but it also has retained some of its small-town charm.

 

Eze is a terrific day trip. It's only about 15-20 minutes from Nice by bus. There's currently a Travel Channel Samantha Brown show on that featured Eze. It's a 30 min show that ran this week. The Travel Channel always repeats, so if you have tivo, you'll easily be able to find it (or keep checking your local listings). It'll make you fall in love with Eze. Even though I've been there before, when I watched the show, I kept going, "I've GOT to go back. I never saw that part!"

[bunduo]

Bunduo,

 

to answer your question:

 

Nice is a wonderful city. It is however a proper working city and not designed around tourism. Hence it takes a bit more research and time to discover and as a result is one of our favourite cities. I can understand why some might not enjoy it, but we go there many times a year.

 

You can walk from the ship to the old town which is a good starting point.

 

Some must do's from your list:

 

http://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/

 

http://www.musee-beaux-arts-nice.org/

 

http://www.concierge.com/destination/cotedazur/attraction/Property/Attraction/data/cotedazur/fodors/PalaisLascaris.xml/

 

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=palais+lascaris&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

and a short bus ride away

 

http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/ephrussi/home_en.htm

 

http://www.villa-kerylos.com/kerylos/uk_index.htm

 

Jeff

 

 

Thanks everyone. A special thanks to Jeff!!! I really appreciate all the information. I know it took you some time to assemble all the links, etc. Eze sounds interesting and fun. Does anyone have any more info on Eze?

[Brian&Dwayne]

Eze is a terrific day trip. It's only about 15-20 minutes from Nice by bus. There's currently a Travel Channel Samantha Brown show on that featured Eze. It's a 30 min show that ran this week. The Travel Channel always repeats, so if you have tivo, you'll easily be able to find it QUOTE]

 

That's funny you should mention that. That's how I found out about Eze to begin with. I tivo'ed Samantha's series and looked at all the Med episodes. She introduced me to Eze and now I want to go there during our port visit.

[DD]

What can I say, tivo is my new best friend....

 

When the salesperson said tivo would change my life, I thought he was nuts and needed to get a life. Now I know he was right....

[uk1]

Wendy the Wanderer, DD et al,

 

I start of from a point of being biaised. I think that Nice and the surrounding areas are the best part of the Riviera. If you want to read about some real alternatives to Monaco, Eze, and even Nice then I suggest you glance through some of the other threads I've contributed to about Beaulieu-sur-mer, Villefranche and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - including memorable places to eat. I understand why many find Nice impenatrable, particularly if they do not have an idea of what they want to do and merely wander around feeling that wandering aimlessly is a waste. In reality it is the type of place that almost gives itself up grudgingly to visitors as the Nicoise are quite happy to keep it to themsleves. Some places hit you in the face and bore you on the second visisit, Nice is the opposite and grows and grows on you gradually. Go there in February for example when the Carnival is on and it's nearly always raining but is a truly memorable experience.

 

http://www.nicecarnaval.com/

 

A few specifics.

 

I wouldn't bother going West into Italy. San Remo is elegant in a jaded way and is well known for a rather shabby market that some Nicoise journey into for a cheaper "shop". Menton is still finishing a major revamp and has quite a lot of road works - some of which can take some detours when on foot. The coast between Monaco and Nice is wonderful and there's lots of places to see (see above)

 

What tends to happen with Americans advising other Americans on this area is that a solution is started with, that normally being Eze, and everyone follows the same track. Nothing wrong with that, but in my view the best starting point is "what is it you enjoy", "how long do you have" "do you want to be in a place with all the other people on your cruise" etc.

 

Wendy, Nice is perfect for 2 to 3 days. I urge you to look at some of the other threads mentioned above. Nice has a wonderful transport system and you can hop on a bus and find your way to some great days out. It's also a great place to "waste some time" - so please don't feel that you have to have a list - but simply enjoy your 11:00 coupe de champagne, enjoy extended lunches and makes sure it's not all hiking from one photo opportunity to another. If you're there on a Monday you must go to the market (cours saleya) which becomes bric a brac and antiques. I'd also get an early morning bus up to Cannes for a wander and lunch returning after lunch.

 

DD, The reason why the Italian restaurants in Nice are considered by some to be better than many over the border is that for two centuries Nice was under Italian control, and the Italian cuisine remains - but cooked by the French who sometimes seem better at this! That's where the "Riviera" name came from.

 

Jeff

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Jeff, thanks for the good advice. I have plenty of time to figure this one out, but being in a "real" city sounds good. We like to "waste" time in a place, hunting out neighbourhoods, cafes and bars, have long lunches. Also love to stumble onto live music, since the local music scene is one of our passions. What are the chances of finding live musicians in bars and restaurants in the evening, places that tourists don't usually frequent?

 

I have been to Nice briefly, years ago, and Menton, and Monte Carlo. Also drove along the coast (actually we were hitchhiking, so that shows you how long ago!) I liked Menton. Don't remember much about Nice, so looking forward to it.

 

Tourist traps are not our style, quiet enjoyment is, maybe a day-trip to Eze would be the ticket, maybe somewhere else. We are embarking on a cruise from Monte Carlo, so will end up there at some point, but really don't care about it at all, frankly.

 

Oh, and by the way, I'm Canadian. ;)

[uk1]

Wendy, how long do you have there?

 

Funny you should mention bands as Nice has one of the best "walk around" bands I have ever seen. They "do" the old town during lunch and evening and vary between around 4 and seven people including a double bass! Sad as it may seem I have even wandered after them helping the collection. Everything from Blues Brothers to Beach Boys - they're a bit more spasmodic in winter. I've seen them around pretty much every year for the last 5 or 6 years or so.

 

http://riviera.angloinfo.com/cca/0110music.asp

 

Nice has one of the best music festivals anywhere in mid-summer featuring soul, stax atlantic and tamla artists and some jazz and lot's of open air music at other times. Nice is genuinely it's own master and makes few compromises to incoming foreign tourism, so you have to go with the flow and take trouble to find out what's going on. Any daily paper with a smattering of French or a helpful hotel receptionist will help you. Particularly La Semaine des Spectacles

 

 

 

Some possibles:

 

http://www.waynes.fr/start.htm

 

http://www.guideriviera.com/actu.asp

 

eg Salsa

 

http://cityguides.salsaweb.com/france/midi/en/dance_nice.htm

 

http://cityguides.salsaweb.com/france/midi/en/loc_nice.htm#barrio

 

I've outlined several other meandering suggestions, and eating and trips just outside Nice at:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com./showthread.php?t=151878

 

and

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=168477

 

Frommers summary

 

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/nice/0059010030.html

 

Do ask any further questions delighted to help - particularly if I'm able to convince you there's more to the area than Monte Carlo and Eze!

 

Jeff

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Jeff, we're not sure yet, haven't decided the pre-cruise details. Perhaps 2-3 days. Jetlag recovery will take part of that--we may be happy just to hang around Nice, but want to consider day-tripping a bit.

 

Can you drive in and out of Nice? I mean, is the traffic horrible? I remember the Haute Corniche was a blast, but kind of scary. I imagine the traffic now must be horrendous. But there must be nice day-trips to do by train. If not east, then, ... north or west??

[uk1]

You can - but the airport is a 25 euro taxi ride to most parts of Nice. Nice is a dog to drive around and to park in. Nice Airport also has one of the worst reputations for car hire wait queues and drop offs.

 

I'm trying to say don't bother - it's not worth it and not needed.

 

 

There's loads of trips. Bus service is wonderful to all areas ..... and I think you'll enjoy this.

 

http://www.trainprovence.com/index_provence.asp

 

Jeff

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Jeff, we finally decided and booked our air--unfortunately we will have only one night in Nice, jetlagged at that. We arrive around 1 p.m, and will be off to Monte Carlo the next afternoon or evening to embark on our ship.

 

So, we will definitely be in "time wasting" mode, no excursions for us. But we like to get out and about the first evening to try to correct our clocks. Do you have any favourite restaurants or bars? We are staying at le Grimaldi downtown.

[Member]

Woop..

[Member]

... If you're there on a Monday you must go to the market (cours saleya) which becomes bric a brac and antiques....

Jeff

 

May I know the market hours on Monday as our cruise will be docked at Villefranche Oct.2, 2006, Monday from 8am to 11pm?

[cruisinsince75]

Jeff, we finally decided and booked our air--unfortunately we will have only one night in Nice, jetlagged at that. We arrive around 1 p.m, and will be off to Monte Carlo the next afternoon or evening to embark on our ship.

 

So, we will definitely be in "time wasting" mode, no excursions for us. But we like to get out and about the first evening to try to correct our clocks. Do you have any favourite restaurants or bars? We are staying at le Grimaldi downtown.

 

Wendy, we have been told that by some friends that should check out the bar at the Hotel Negresco. Come to think of it, I think Jeff recommended it as well. We would have done that on our visit last April, had Diana not taken ill. By that time, we were just anxious to get home. I think you were on your PG cruise at the same time. There is also a good restaurant that we ate at across from the Beau Rivage Hotel where we stayed. It was quite good, but I can't remember the name right now. If I run across it, I will let you know.

[Past it]

Member, I too will be in Villefranche the same day as you. Are you on Voyager?? Would love to know what other ships will be in port the same time. The market sounds good.

[vacationhappy]

We loved St. Paul de Vence which is a short ride from nice - it is an old walled medievil town - itis charming.

[cruisinsince75]

Member, I too will be in Villefranche the same day as you. Are you on Voyager?? Would love to know what other ships will be in port the same time. The market sounds good.

 

Go to http://www.cruisecal.com It has which ships are in port on the same day.

[skyboy]

Don, that was a great site, thanks. I did not know about that one. Might want to post it as a new thread on the Europe boards for all to see.

[Member]

We switched to an earlier Oceania sailing to arrive Monte Carlo on May 17, Wednesday instead.... same duration though.

[bunduo]

Go to http://www.cruisecal.com It has which ships are in port on the same day.

 

That is a great website. Bravo!!