NICE, France

A SWIRL OF BRIGHT COLORS

Nice was perfect. All of my trips up until this one have been extremely touristy where you don't stop walking until you've seen everything you could possibly see. Nice was perfectly relaxing (before heading back to a week of finals at school) and unbelievably sunny. We stayed at a hostel in Nice, the capital of the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur). It was called Villa Exupery, an adorable place that was painted pastel colors surrounded by palm trees and beautiful views.

FRESH FRUIT MARKET STANDS

I WISH I COULD HAVE BOUGHT
ALL OF THESE GORGEOUS PAINTINGS

We also walked along the street parallel to the Promenade des Anglais, leading from Nice's downtown, beginning at Place Masséna, and running parallel to the promenade. This section of the city is referred to as the "Zone Pietonne", or "Pedestrian Zone". It was filled with small restaraunts, souvenir shops, fresh food stands, flower carts, and artists exhibits. It was easily the most brightly colored place I have ever been.

WALKING OUT OF THE ZONE PIETTONE

The spectacular natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th Century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winter there. The city’s main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) owes its name to the earliest visitors to the resort, which of couse, is where we started our tour.
For decades now, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation, but also those seeking inspiration. The clear air and soft light has been of particular appeal to some of Western culture’s most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman.
These famous artist's works are commemorated in many of the city’s museums, including Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse and Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret.

MORE OF THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER CARTS

THE ZONE PIETTONE MARKET

EVERYTHING WAS IN BLOOM

IN FRONT OF THE BEACH

The climate and landscape are still what attracts most visitors today. It has the second largest hotel capacity in the country and it’s the second-most visited place in France after Paris, receiving 4 million tourists every year. It also has the second busiest airport in France after Paris. We came at the perfect time because there were not many tourists here because it was just at the turn of the seasons, before many tourists make their plans to visit.

NICE'S OPERA HOUSE

A GORGEOUS SEASIDE VIEW
FROM MY UPHILL HIKE WITH CAROLINE

MONUMENT AUX MORTS
To commemorate the dead of all of France's past wars.

HISTORY OF THE REGION

One random fact that we discovered reading signs in downtown, was that the area of today’s Nice is believed to be among the oldest human settlements in the world. One of the archaeological sites, Terra Amata, displays evidence of a very early usage of fire. Around 350 BC, Greeks of Marseilles founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory.

TAKING IT ALL IN

A BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE CHAPEL

PALACE MASSENA

The recent rebuilding of the tramline gave the square back to the pedestrians, restoring its status as a real Mediterranean square. It is lined with palm trees and stone pines, instead of being the rectangular roundabout of sorts it had become over the years. Since its construction, the Place Masséna has always been the spot for great public events. It is used for concerts, and particularly during the summer festivals, the Corso carnavalesque in February, the military procession of July 14 (Bastille Day) or other traditional celebrations and banquets.