Nice
Weekend in Nice
A weekend in Nice will usually be the first experience of the famous Côte d'Azur for many visitors to France and with it's fast train from Paris and easily accessible international airport, the city is an ideal gateway across Europe. First established by the Greeks, the city was originally called Nike, which means the goddess of victory and later under Roman rule the ancient city developed it's tourist industry from the popular mineral baths in Cimiez. In the nineteenth century Russian and British aristocrats preferred Nice as a holiday resort, for its mineral spas and enchanting shingle beaches.
Take a short break or a weekend in Nice today and you can still explore the enchanting medieval old town (the Vielle Ville) despite the city's commercialisation and modernisation over the centuries. The old town is home to quaint red tiled buildings and narrow lanes brimming with picturesque shops and enchanting little restaurants. Visitors can take a morning stroll to the wonderful markets in Nice and visit the Cours Saleya, which is home to a beautiful flower market and delicious pastries and treats on the food stalls. A strip of low buildings stand between the Cours Saleya and the sea, these were once the fishing industries repository, but have now been renovated into an array of excellent seafood restaurants. Along the adjacent side of the Cours Saleya are some beautiful medieval buildings, housing quaint terraced cafes and boutiques. The beaches in Nice are shingle, with crystal clear waters lapping at the sun kissed shores and the five mile Promenade des Anglais is a historic gem as it has seen the feet of kings walk along it's gentle shores.
