When in Nice
If New York is the city so good they named it twice, Nice is the city so great someone decided to give it an ironically underwhelming adjective as a name. Perhaps.
Nestled on the Cote d'Azur, Nice is a blissfully sunny and exciting city on the south-east French coast. Regarded as a "sparky, sexy city," Nice has more spunk than many other cities on the French Riviera, with its reputation for being the sole preserve of aristocratic playboys and layabouts safely put to rest.
France's fifth largest city blends a laid back, sunshine glamour with a gritty underbelly that cuts through any pretension. Lonely Planet remarks: "If Nice were a person, it would wear designer cocktail dresses with old army boots, cause lots of trouble and be livid about that insipid adjective." Nice is not the place to go for those seeking a zen-like retreat, but if you fancy something brash and bold it could be the perfect French choice.
A small city, less than half a million people are permanently resident in Nice, although thousands of tourists jet set there every year, seduced by the palm lined promenades and café terraces. Nice's beaches are plentiful, if lacking in sand, and have a well deserved reputation as warm and clean spaces, with the added bonus of being free. The colourful and vibrant heart of the old city lies just behind the seafront, while to the west, 18th and 19th century stucco villas mingle with beautifully laid out gardens. The hilltop district of Cimiez also attracts visitors as Nice's most luxurious area.
Nice's history has seen it bounced between Italy and France. It was founded by the Greeks of Marseilles in the fifth century and went on to become established as an important trading spot on the Ligurian coast. Following some turbulent centuries, in 1860 it was transferred back to France under a treaty between Sardinian king and Napoleon III, having been under the control of Italy for the past four hundred years, save for two brief spells. During the World War II it was part of the free Vichy zone, but in 1942 was invaded by the Italians. Nice bounced back well after the war though, establishing itself as the playground of the bourgeois bohemians.
Artistic temperaments have always been drawn to Nice, with Cezanne, van Gogh and Matisse among those attracted by the dazzling scenery. During the 1920s a flock of artists and writers, including Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, Aldous Huxley and Thomas Mann, congregated in the city, lending it a bohemian vibe which still persists. The south coasts first casino also opened in Nice in 1927, establishing a tradition of decadent partying.
Nice's unique history has lent it a refreshingly idiosyncratic character. Although French is the official language, numerous other dialects are also spoken, with the Italian influence easy to discern. Flemish, Alsacian, Breton, Basque, Catalan, Provençal and Corsican can also be heard, reflecting Nice's ability to think well beyond its compact borders.
Located in one of France's sunniest regions, the city enjoys 2,500 hours of sunshine a year. Temperatures tend to average around 15 degrees Celsius all year and rarely drop below five degrees in winter. Meanwhile, summer often sees the mercury climb to 40 degrees, with many tourists preferring to avoid the peak times of July and August for this reason.
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Introduction
