Old Town
Vieille Ville (Old Town) is one of the most attractive parts of an already arresting city. Situated by the seafront, it rewards its visitors with its many delights. Wander the meandering cobbled streets and you'll more than likely bump into something of note or beauty – or both. From Opera de Nice to Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate, you'll find culture and history rubbing shoulders. At the centre of Vieille Ville are Place Rossetti and the Baroque Sainte-Réparate cathedral. And also a part of this rich tapestry of old Nice is Chapelle de la Miséricorde, a gorgeous Baroque church and Palais Lascaris, another Baroque delight built by 17th-century aristocrat, Lascaris.
Promenade
In contrast to the antiquity of Vieille Ville, Promenade des Anglais, built in 1820, stretches along the coast from the Old Town to the airport. Enjoyed by walkers, runners, cyclists and people just sitting and watching, the Promenade was created in honour of the English who had a big hand in the creation of the Côte d’Azur.
Garibaldi
Built as an entry point to old Nice, Place Garibaldi is notable for its Italianate architecture and is named after the man who desired a union of Nice and Italy.
St Nicolas
The influence of the East can clearly be seen in Cathédrale Orthodoxe Saint-Nicolas de Nice. This ornate edifice is topped with turrets, spires and turquoise onions out of which sprout gold crosses. The Cathedral was named in honour of Russian prince Nicolas Alexandrovich, who died in Nice in 1912.
Avant-garde
Created to highlight the significance of the avant-garde American and French movement from the 1960s onwards, Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain is a must-visit for art aficionados. Here you'll see work by the likes of Lichtenstein, Warhol and LeWitt.
Shopping
Nice's main shopping street is Avenue Jean Médecin which features Galeries Lafayette, a sumptuous department store selling high-end goods. Rue Paradis is home to the majority of Nice's designer stores and there are plentiful boutiques at Rue Longchamp. Avenue de Verdun and Place Massena are the areas to go for Chanel, Max Mara, Louis Vuitton and the like. For second-hand designer clothes, try Rue de la Buffa, where you can pick up a great bargain. And Cours Saleya has a daily flower and fruit market which is popular with locals.
Eating out
The light, modern, violet-and-white décor of Le Vingt4 makes for stylish surroundings in which to enjoy classic French cuisine – and an excellent selection of wines. For great pizza, try L'Atelier de Julien to order, perhaps, a La Poulet or Sicilienne pizza – whatever your choice, you're sure to be satisfied. For friendly service and a delicious regional menu, the modestly sized Le Sejour Café is a good bet.
