The city of Nice (France) is another living museum of the country. It is located literally thirty kilometers from the Italian border, and its banks overlook the Bay of Angels. Nice is the capital of the Côte d'Azur, where very, very rich tourists come to rest every year. The area is also famous for its penthouses, fabulously expensive hotels and boutiques.
Location of the city and its layout
This resort town is by no means typical of France. Nice is divided into two parts, and not conditionally, but, one might say, with one stripe. Place Massena is considered the central point of the city, to the east of which there are old houses, churches, temples, in general, everything that the ancestors of the French left here. The western part of the city directly rises above the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and is famous for its high-rise hotels, restaurants, towers and new elite quarters. Even in the very center of Nice there is a chic promenade - the Promenade des Anglais, where every tourist goes to take a walk, breathe fresh air and enjoy the local scenery.
Let's travel to Nice
Each of us knows very well where France is on the map. Nice is a city located in the southern part, 960 km from Paris. If you fly there on a direct flight from Moscow (the flight is operated by several airlines), the journey will take more than 4 hours. You can also get to Nice from Marseille or Paris. So, in the air you will spend no more than an hour and a half. The airport in this resort town is located right on the coast of the French Riviera. When the plane is landing, don't forget to look out the window to enjoy the beautiful view. From the airport itself, you can get to the city by bus, which will cost no more than 4 euros, by train (within 1 euro), or by taxi - the cost will depend on the distance.
Local climatic features
In order for a vacation on the coast of the French Riviera to be a success, it is important to know in advance what the weather is like here. France, Nice in particular, is located in the tropical Mediterranean climate zone. Even in the winter months, the air here warms up to 13-17 degrees Celsius, and in summer the column reaches 30 or more. It is worth noting that during the summer months it is very hot and dry here, as the region is protected from the west by the Alpine mountains. The sun almost always shines, and the rainy season begins only in the middle of autumn, and ends very quickly. The water in the sea is always warm - 25-28 degrees. But it is also nice to come here in the winter months, even though the swimming season is closed. Snow is herealmost never happens, and the sun warms the earth very well.
We drive around the city. Which is better?
Despite the fact that Nice is a haven for millionaires, even a budget tourist can easily move around it. There is a world-famous bus route "Azure Line", which delivers everyone to any part of the city. A day pass costs only 4 euros. You can also travel around the city by taxi - each trip will cost you no more than 20 euros. You can also use this mode of transport to travel to neighboring settlements. It is only important that you have a map of France with cities, as well as several hundred euros. You will get to Cannes for 70 euros, and St. Tropez - for more than 250. One cannot but say that a helicopter taxi is one of the most popular modes of transport in the resort, of course, for we althy tourists. From a bird's eye view, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views: the whole of Southern France will open before you. Nice, St. Tropez, Cannes, Antibes - all the best cities will be in full view.
French Riviera beaches
When we hear the words "France", "Nice", "Côte d'Azur", sunny pictures immediately rise before our eyes, where the turquoise sea merges with the blue sky, and palm trees, snow-white hotels, summer restaurants rise against the background of an endless landscape … It is this chic, brilliance and we alth that are inherent even in a beach holiday in this city. Here, on the city's main beach, which is just below the promenadePromenade des Anglais, pathos triumphs. You can see chic bathing outfits on the girls, in the cafes that are nearby, they serve gourmet delicacies and expensive wines. Nearby is the pier, where many huge yachts are parked. You can find secluded beaches in Nice by going out of town a little. In the western part of the region there are rocky beaches, and in the east there are many sandy bays, where it is always clean and calm.
Russian architectural monuments that Nice is famous for
France, whose sights have an extremely interesting history, has always attracted tourists. So, at one time Anton Pavlovich Chekhov visited this wonderful city. Then he stayed at one of the local boarding houses, which today has turned into the Oasis Hotel. Vladimir Lenin also rested in the same building. Commemorative plaques are hung on the building in honor of both famous personalities of our country.
But the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, located in Nice, deserves special attention. This is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, his family, as well as a lot of Russian emigrants are buried here.
Cemetery Kokad, or Nicholas: in memory of our ancestors
Once part of the French lands in Nice was bought by the Russian government to install heavy artillery. A few years later, it was decided to turn it into a cemetery for people who came from the Russian Empire, for whom a new homebecame France. Nice is now the burial place of more than three thousand of our ancestors. Representatives of famous noble families, such as the Obolenskys, Lazarevskys, Gagarins, Volkonskys and many others, rest here. The cemetery is also famous for St. Nicholas Chapel, which is another small corner of Orthodoxy in Europe.
Features of local architecture and history
Now let's look at what its features are characterized by Nice. France, the sights that are on its territory and cultural heritage - all this is a living history. It begins with the campaigns of the Roman emperors. They founded this city, calling it Cimiez, building here many architectural monuments. Today, all of them are dilapidated, and looking at the ruins, one can imagine what baths, arenas, ancient temples and aqueducts once were. Later, all those houses and temples that are still in the Old City were erected. It is best to walk along it without a specific route. Just walk along the winding streets, inspect each colored house. Sooner or later you will come to Place de Gaulle, where the central market will open in front of you.
Nice city center
Near the central squares, the largest and most beautiful of which is Rosetti, many chic palaces have been erected. Among them is the residence of Laskari, which was built in the seventeenth century by decree of the Duke of Savoy. True, at first the facade of the building may seem very modest, but it is worth stepping over the threshold,how everything is changing. Vaulted portals, arches, stucco and forging, painted walls and candelabra, chandeliers, candlesticks, engravings, chic furniture - there is simply no limit to the luxury of this palace! Now this building houses a functioning museum of musical instruments, where everyone can get. No less luxurious operating museum is the Nice Opera. There are performances every day, however, getting only into the foyer of this old building, you understand that this is a real work of architectural art.
French food in Nice
Gourmet meat dishes, small portions, passion for sauces and wines - these are the gastronomic features France is famous for. However, things are different in Nice. Along with many Spanish towns, this place was also previously a fishing village. Since then, many warehouses have remained here, in which they decided to open restaurants with traditional fish food. Here you can taste fish soup, tuna sandwich and salad, sweet dishes from marine flora, as well as snacks from algae and small inhabitants of the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, luxurious restaurants with gourmet cuisine are located at hotels. Non-residents can also enter, but they will have to pay extra to get in.
Shopaholics paradise
It is known that Nice is famous for its high prices, but many goods, and even clothes, can be bought here for a few pennies. A shopping trip here begins with the Cours Saleya flower market, which often sells various souvenirs, symbols of the region. However, on Mondayshold mass sales of antiques. Among such goods you can find things for the house, household items, clothes and jewelry. Compared to prices in other European cities, the cost of such products is simply ridiculous, so you can buy everything you want. Well, if you can’t imagine a holiday in France without typical shopping, then go to the CAP-3000 shopping center. Here you can also buy branded clothing and accessories at low prices.
Instead of a conclusion
Undoubtedly one of those countries to visit is France. Nice (photo can be seen in the article) is its original southern capital, which is constantly filled with tourists eager to swim in the local turquoise water, buy a lot of souvenirs and things at low prices, see enough of all the beauty and luxury of the city. It is impossible to get bored here, because just a walk, even on foot, through the streets of this city will give you as many new impressions as sometimes we do not get even in six months of living at home.
