It’s easy to see why, in 1887 the writer Stéphen Liégeard christened the region around Nice as the Cote D’Azur. The sheer brilliant blue of the warm tranquil waters that make up the French Riviera has been a luxury travel destination for over two centuries now, with the towns of Nice, St Tropez, Cannes and the nearby principality of Monaco becoming synonymous with high living premium lifestyle events such as Grand Prixs, film festivals and fashion events.
Capital of the Cote, Nice, wears its seaside town credentials with pride, you can certainly buy a bucket and spade and grab an ice cream, but if your fancy is more for Dior than donkey rides, you’ll not be disappointed. There’s plenty of retail therapy to keep even the most hardcore of shoppers happy. All this shopping and lolling on the beach won’t leave you culturally bereft; Nice is second only to Paris in terms of museums and galleries. Throw in amazing food, a diverse, decadent and, in some places debauched, nightlife and you may just have the perfect European mini break location, says Jon Fraser.
Where to stay…
We were guests of the Mercure Hotel. Its great location- opposite the beach and in the middle of bustling bars and boutiques was just perfect. The stylish hotel rooms definitely reflect their four-star rating, along with the refurbished reception and breakfast room. Our room was spacious and minimalist in design but embellished with details; stripy carpet, hi gloss white fittings for wardrobes, mini bar and entertainment unit, a comfortable lounge area and granite lined bathroom. Breakfast was extensive, above and beyond the usual continental affair. Rooms start at £200 per night during summer.
Where to visit…
Parc du Château Enjoy spectacular views of Vieux Nice spires and the Baie des Anges from the coolly shaded hilltop park to the eastern end of Quai des États-Unis. Named after the long-gone 12th-century château destroyed by Louis XIV, the one remaining tower acts as a nautical museum. The grounds make a great location for a picnic-stock up at the nearby markets.
Musée d’art Moderne et d’art Contemporain Architecturally stunning and housing some amazing avant-garde art such as iconic pop art from Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol’s 1965 Campbell’s Soup Can. Glass walkways lead to a rooftop garden with more works set against amazing views of the city. It is currently undergoing renovation and will reopen in 2028.
Vieux Nice Leave the main streets behind and immerse yourself in the labyrinth streets of the old town with its baroque style architecture. Lanes and alleyways play host to small artists galleries, shops and cafés. Hidden squares materialise with fountains, restaurants and beautiful people- like a sixties French film set.
Flower Market Between the old part of Nice and the waterfront lies the stunning Cours Saleya, lined with restaurants, cafés and bars and home to both a famous flower and a magnificent food market. Mondays mean a huge antiques fair whilst in the evening expect the bars to be full of (reasonably well behaved) stag and hen parties.
Where to eat…
Keisuke Matsushima Hidden away off the main promenade, Keisuke Matsushima is a bamboo veneered box of simplicity where classic French cuisine is fused with Japanese precision. From the amuse-bouche of toffee’d tomatoes, wafer thin slithers of sirloin layered with wasabi and coconut cream filled pineapple quills with basil sorbet, their Michelin star is well earned.
22 Rue de France.
Le Plongeoir If you are looking for a picturesque view with your dinner, Le Plongeoir is perched on the famous pillar of rock from ‘La Belle Epoque’ over the sea for a dramatic setting. Whilst in the historical and iconic setting, you will be served delicious Mediterranean cuisine to enjoy with the perfect view of the French Riviera.
12 Rue Lascaris.
Where to drink…
Le Bar des Oiseaux Dripping with atmospheric frenchiness, this bohemian bar with adjoining theatre plays host to the cool kids in town. Live jazz, chanson française, cabaret nights and lots and lots of red wine is the order of the day. If the building could smoke, it’d be on Gaulois.
5 Rue St- Vincent.
La Cave Wilson A 1930s inspired cabaret bar with a warm and original French atmosphere. The bar presents captivating cabaret shows, hosted by renowned artists, along with other live music acts and drag shows. The excellent selection of wines will keep you more than satisfied during the must-see shows.
16 Rue Gubernatis.
What to pack…
Nice is quite swanky so packing a little something glamorous wouldn’t go a miss but leave room to bring back for your haul from the fabulous shopping. The beach is made of very big pebbles and getting in and out of the sea can be treacherous, we’d recommend taking some footwear for the water. Make sure you download a translation app or take a phrase book, for a tourist location, you’ll be surprised how many people don’t or won’t speak English so brush up on your s’il vous plait and merci.
How to get there…
We flew from East Midlands and Birmingham airports. Flights start from just £48 in July. The town is 20 minutes bus ride away for the tiny sum of 4 euros.
