For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Nice, France Travel Guide has been your connection to Nice's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Things to do
In and around the city of Nice, you may want to catch a concert at Place Massena, or just pull up a chair and relax under trees while the kids play on the lawn or take a ride on the wrought-iron merry-go-round at the Jardin Albert Ler. If you really want to see the city, a guided walking tour is probably a good idea so you don't miss out on any of the important sites. Then take a stroll along the Mediterranean seaside on the historical 1800s Promenade des Anglais, because there's so much to do, with the Adventure Playground for the kids, biking, skating, fishing, swimming, sailing, boating, and miles of pebble beaches where you can sit back and admire the beautiful "Bay of Angels". There's also windsurfing five minutes away at St Laurent du Var. The Archaeological Museum, located at the west end of the Baths complex at the Cemenelum ruins in the Cimiez district, displays a wide variety of artifacts from both the Roman baths and the surrounding region. As the day starts to unwind the city comes to life; after all, you are on the French Riviera, where the nightlife is spectacular. Head over to the pedestrian zones first: you won't want to miss the Euro-pop music and the magical lighting at Place Rossetti or the street performers at the Massena Zone. For something a little more formal, take in a cabaret show at the Theatre de la Cite or an performance at the Opera de Nice.
Outside the city, there's something for everyone in Provence. One perfect way to spend a splendid day in the region is by taking a tour of the beautiful countryside, through the Alps to Saint Paul de Vence, where the impressionist artists of France once resided. Another great tour that the whole family will enjoy is a cruise to the Island Ste Marque Vauban fort and the 17th century Maritime Museum of the mysterious Iron Mask. There's also a picturesque three-hour train ride through the Provencal villages on the Train des Pignes that all you train enthusiasts won't want to miss out on. But for some real excitement go to the Formula One Grand Prix Circuit and then try your hand at the casino in Monte Carlo. If you've come to Provence during the winter holiday to do some fabulous skiing in the Alps, you may want to bring along your ice skates; the Christmas Village at Place Massena in Nice surrounds an outdoor ice-skating rink.
