00:00When people imagine the French Riviera they usually picture luxury yachts in
00:08Monaco and film stars in Cannes but it's Nice that's the real heart of this
00:12coastline. It's glamorous sure but it's also authentically French and
00:15surprisingly relaxed. You've got pebbled beaches and palm trees but also markets
00:19full of flowers and local food and a rhythm that's slower and sunnier than
00:23cities further north. In this episode of Travel Smart I'm taking you through
00:26Nice. The landmarks, the hidden gems, the food and the things you'll want to know
00:30before you go.
00:37First things first Nice is easy to get to. The airport is only around 25 minutes from
00:42the city by tram or taxi so you could be sipping a coffee on the Promenade d'Anglais
00:47almost as soon as you land. The promenade itself is seven kilometers long and it's
00:52your anchor point for any visit. Lose yourself in the old town? Just walk
00:56downhill until you hear the waves. But flying isn't your only option. You can
01:01also take the ferry across from the UK into ports like St Marlowe and Caine. Then
01:05turn the journey into part of the holiday. A perfect few days road tripping or
01:09train hopping from north to south France before you arrive on the Riviera. Most of
01:13Nice can be done on foot but the city also has a reliable tram system and plenty of
01:18rental bikes. Cycling is a big deal here. The Tour de France even recently finished in
01:23Nice and a roll along the seafront cycle lane makes you feel like part of the scene.
01:32Let's start with the views because they set the tone for everything. Castle Hill or
01:36Colleen du Château is the classic climb. You can take the lift or walk through the
01:41stunning gardens however I'd recommend taking Le Petit Train, an electric train
01:45tour to the top. Each corner gives you a different angle of the city with the Alps
01:48behind you, the curve of the Bay of Angels in front and terracotta rooftops in between.
01:53There's also a waterfall at the top which you'll hear before you see and it's a great
01:57spot for taking photos. Nice is also an art city. Matisse lived here for decades and
02:02his museum in Simier is inside a 17th century villa surrounded by olive groves. The light
02:07in his paintings make sense once you're here. Marc Chagall also has a museum here dedicated
02:12entirely to his work. It's bold, it's colourful and it's really moving. Simier itself is well
02:19worth a wonder with Roman ruins, a monastery garden and a sense of calm that feels worlds
02:23away from the busy seafront. And if you time your trip right, Nice Carnival in February is
02:28one of the biggest street parties in Europe. Think flower battles, parades along the promenade,
02:32it's like Rio but Riviera style.
02:35If you want to feel like a local, head into Vieux Nice, the old town. It's a tangle of
02:42pastel streets, Italian style shutters, little boutiques and there's plenty of cafes. The
02:47main market square is always lively. On most days you can pick up flowers, fruits and spices
02:53but on Mondays it turns into an antiques market with everything from old jewellery to vintage
02:57postcards. Café de Cycleiste is part cafe, part bike shop. Stop for a coffee and you'll see
03:03everyone from pros to locals stopping in. And don't skip the port. Port Olympia may be lined
03:09with super yachts but it's also full of colourful fishing boats and harbourside bars. Now if you're
03:14looking for sand instead of pebbles, Ville France-sur-Mer is just 10 minutes away. Here there's turquoise
03:19waters, the beach is a little softer underfoot and the village itself is straight from a postcard
03:23with painted houses and quaint bistros.
03:25Food is where Nice really sets itself apart. Nice cuisine is a little different to the rest
03:33of France with strong Italian and provincial influences. The namesake Niceois salad is
03:38everywhere but locals are picky. It should use anchovies, not tinned tuna and make use of the
03:44region's fresh vegetables. Pissoladier is another local favourite, a caramelised onion tart topped with
03:49olives and anchovies. And don't forget Ratatouille which actually originated here long before Disney
03:55made it famous. Pair your meal with a crisp glass of rose from Provence if you want to drink like a
04:00local. A pair of tea flour is a ritual here so order a drink and nibble on some olives. Rooftop terraces in
04:06the Old Town are perfect for pasta and spritzes with a view. The squares fill up at night so it's a
04:12great spot for people watching with your wine until the early hours. So if you're looking for a Riviera
04:21trip that's glamorous but also accessible, Nice might be your next destination. For more inspiration,
04:27travel tips and insights from the team head to independent.co.uk forward slash travel. See you next time!
Comments