Nice is the azure pearl of Provence, a Mediterranean resort town on the south coast of France. The Alps, Cote d'Azur, Gulf of Angels and Promenade des Anglais - all this is France, the country where Nice is located. The mild climate with warm winters, as well as an extremely good location made Nice the main resort of the French Riviera. Outside of France, it is known as the city of Hollywood stars and millionaires. Nice is a city of luxury and chic with a vibrant cultural life.
History and more
The city got its name in the 4th century thanks to the Greeks. Nice or Nicaea is the name of the ancient Greek goddess of victory. Nice is located in the southeast of mainland France, 30 kilometers from the border with Italy. The Cote d'Azur, or Cote de Azur, - the area where Nice is located - is the southern coast of the country. The length of the French Riviera is approximately 300 kilometers (from Marseille to the border of France with Italy). Nice is the main resort of the Cote d'Azur, along with Cannes, Monte Carlo, Saint-Raphael, Menton, Saint-Tropez and the Principality of Monaco. More than 352 thousand inhabitants live in the city (according to 2007 data). In terms of population, Nice is second only to cities such as Marseille, Toulouse, Paris and Leon.
Bay of Angels
Promenade des Anglais is the tourist center of the city. She exactly repeats the bend of the Bay of Angels. Where did such an unusual name come from? There are several interesting legends. One of them says that the angels pointed the expelled Adam and Eve to the shore of Nice, which was very similar to the lost Eden for them.
The embankment got its name in 1860. At the beginning of the XVIII century in France, where Nice is located, the British became frequent guests. It was their initiative to lay a walking road along the azure sea. The indigenous people of Nice call this bay the Promenade. The English promenade is constantly lengthened and expanded. Today its width has reached 8 kilometers.
The promenade is famous for its blue benches. By the way, the tradition of placing them here began in the last century. A pebble beach stretches across the promenade. Thanks to these small pebbles, the water here has a pleasant azure hue.
Hotel Negresco
Where is Nice (country France), on the Cote d'Azur is located the Hotel Negresco. It opened at the beginning of the 20th century. The hotel owes its name to the Romanian businessman Negresco.
Over three million francs were spent on construction. The hotel is designed in neoclassical style. The design of rooms and apartments is individual in style and is not repeated. Many world-famous people stayed here: E. Hemingway, M. Jackson, P. Picasso, M. Dietrich, C. Chanel and others.
"Negresco" can not be called just a hotel - it is, in fact, a living museum. Gustave Eiffel forged the frame of the pinkish dome of the famous Royal Salon. Under it, inside the hotel, you can see a crystal chandelier 4 meters high.
Around the world, such unique lighting items are few. One was made for Nicholas II, and the second, as an exact copy of the first, was made for Henri Negresco. Hotel Negresco boasts its own exhibition of paintings in a modern and classic style.
Festivals and events
Carnivals and festivals are very fond of here. And not only where the city of Nice is located. In what country, if not in France, with its surprisingly temperamental people, to organize them! Since 1294, every February in Nice there has been a carnival. The main attributes of the holiday are “flower fights”, sweets and a procession along the Promenade des Anglais.
And the jazz festival is the main musical event of the French Riviera, where Nice is located. In which country, by the way, a similar jazz festival would not take place, in Nice it will still be special. It takes place in the Massena Palace in July and has an eclectic specificity, uniting adherents of different styles.
Other attractions
The southern coast of France, where Nice is located, is also popular thanks to the pearls of the architectural structure. It should be noted that the architecture of the old and new Nice differ dramatically. The ancient Greek part of the city is great for walking. Narrow alleys, colorful houses with green shutters, churches and temples in the Baroque style - all this is the old city. The left bank is famous for the Cathedral of Saint Reparat, the palace of the Commune and the Senate.
Not far from the old Nice, near the hill Chateau, the port is located. Here you can see luxury yachts, huge cruise ships and self-propelled ferries. The port has retained its ancient name - Limpia.
The main square of the city, named after Marshal Massen, divides the old and new parts of the city. The square is famous for the magnificent fountain "Sun". Its design was carried out by the sculptor Alfred Zhanu. The fountain is decorated with sculptures of ancient Greek Olympic gods and goddesses.
The palaces and castles of Nice deserve special attention. A tourist must visit Massen's Palace, Valros Castle, Lascari Palace, English Castle and Fort Mont Alban. And of course, it's worth a glimpse into the palace of the Kings of Sardinia. It was erected in 1559 - this is the oldest palace in Nice.
Security
Safety is very important on the Cote d'Azur, where Nice is located. Whatever country you are in, the central part of the city is always the safest. It must be remembered that in the evening city parks and Promenade des Anglais are not the best place for hiking. And the areas of l'Ariane and Les Moulins are ghettos, and it is better for tourists not to appear there.
Nice is a city of fashion, shopping and magnificent architecture. Due to the specific climate, the gardens bloom here in February. Everyone should visit Nice - the pride of the French Riviera.