Nice with its beautiful beaches and large assortment of activities is viewed as the jewel of the French Riviera. Next to Paris it’s the second most favored tourist attraction in all of France. Nice has history, art, and beautiful scenery to fascinate tourist any time of the year. Taking a Nice City Tour will provide a look into the past of this great city with its many attractions.
Castle Hill – The palace (Castle Hill) is in disrepair but travelers suggest climbing the 300 feet of stairs in order to view the city of Nice and the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). At the top you will find plenty of room for a picnic and a playground for children. There is a lift available that will take you about 75 percent of the way up the hill.
Promenade des Anglais – This is a prominent part of Nice with its boardwalk area referred to as the Promenade or La Prom. This walkway runs for several miles along the Bay of Angels. The Promenade has been in existence since the 1800’s when the English noblemen visited the city. Today it is a successful Riviera city with miles of beaches, home to spectacle hotels and dozens of cafes. It extends from the airport on the west to old Nice on the eastern side. Flower shows, carnival festivities and other events take place along this seafront area. A substitute to walking the Promenade is skateboarding, rollerblading or bicycling.
The Russian Church – The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicolas is one of many attractions in Nice. It is the largest Orthodox Church built outside of Russia which is a national monument. The cathedral was built in the early 20th century and consecrated in 1912 by order of Tsar Nicholas II to maintain the growing Russian neighborhood in Nice. The elegant exterior of the onion domed dwelling is a clear mark of the Russian architectural style. The inside has a wide collection of icons, attractive woodwork and various items of huge historical worth. These items were moved from Russia to Nice during the unsettled times of the Civil War.
Cimiez Musee Chagall or Matissse – These are Queen Victoria winter Palace, the Franciscan Monastery and Roman ruins located in Mediterranean gardens. The Musee Matisee is a museum that contains the works of famous artist Henri Matisse. You will find a variety of art, paintings and drawings which is the majority of his work. The Musee Chagall holds a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and drawings of artist Marc Chagall. These museums are popular with tourists who visits Nice.
There are many more things to do in Nice and you will find that many are free. Visit anytime of the year and enjoy the beautiful weather with about 300 days of sunshine. Contact us for more information about our tours and we will be happy to assist in planning a trip to the France.
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