Anybody been to Nice, France

[Matata]

and do you have any tidbits about what to see and do there and what to avoid? My sweetie just called and asked if I "would mind going there for 10 days in December." I was so surprised all I could do was make choking noises which he took as a "yes."

 

[innerkitten]

Ten days in Nice, lucky you

I was there once but I was 16, but it was one of those see Europe in three weeks kind of trips, so I don't remember too much of it.

 

[hoorray]

I was there a while ago. It was a fun town to stroll around, stop and have a drink at an outdoor cafe, people watch, etc. The water is beautiful, but it will probably be pretty chilly. For 10 days, you'll probably want to do a few side trips. We took an evening trip to MonteCarlo. Saw a show, gambled a little, people watched as all the tuxes and dressed up women went by, etc. Very much like the old movies.

Check out the Hotel Negresco, right on the water in the middle of town. Funky, fancy hotel. Each room is decorated completely differently. They have "male" rooms and "female" rooms, as well as some other themey type things. Very non-American.

 

[MelissaSue]

I was there when I was 16 as well! (maybe I was 17.. i don't remember). Its a beautiful city. Lots of nice beaches and shopping. Won't it still be fairly cold there in December though? We went in April and it was not extremely warm, as I remember.. Certainly not swimming weather. We also went to Monaco.. which I think is fairly nearby and it was just the prettiest scenery I've ever seen. I just looked at my itinerary from the scrapbook I had from my trip to france. We stayed in Nice for two nights. All I actually remember doing in Nice is Shopping and going to the beach at night, It says we took a tour of the "Old city" and "Promenade des anglais" but I have no recollection of this. We took a bus to Monaco and Eze and returned to Nice the same day, so I'm sure that they are not long drives at all. I DEFINITELY recommend Monaco. It was really cool.
I have some pics I can post from Eze and Monaco, but none from actual Nice. I can post a couple. I also just found a 7 page "Nice Fact Sheet" in my scrapbook. I will scan it, and i'll post a link if I can figure out how, or you could PM me with your email address, and I'll email it.

I really want to go to France for my Honeymoon.. Maybe a few days in paris, and then the rest in the south of France. I didn't love Paris as much as I thought I would when I was there. The south of france was much more attractive.

Melissa

 

[MelissaSue]

Here we go.
This is the link to the fact sheet
Nice Fact Sheet
I also have some pics. This first one IS actually the beace in Nice. And thats me when I was 16.

Melissa

 

[MelissaSue]

This is a view of the mediterranean sea from Eze.

 

[MelissaSue]

And this is the palace in Monaco. Isn't the sky SO incredibly blue? Its just so pretty!

 

[MelissaSue]

My scans are all a little crooked. France is not crooked.

 

[quaeritur]

I was there in April of last year... you lucky gal, it's beautiful!

I'm uploading a map to help out my descriptions...

I highly recommend a tiny restaurant called "La Merenda." The food is amazing, and the place unforgettable. It is minuscule, no smoking, cash only, and closed on Saturday and Sunday. They don't even have a phone, and seem proud of it. It's a true taste of Nice and a delicious authentic meal in a crowded and good-natured joint. Address is 4, rue de la Terrasse (near #20 on map).

Also, make sure you do some olive oil tasting at one of the many many stores in the old part of town between the Quai des Etats Unis (basically the waterfront) and Boulevard Jean Jaures. There's better tasting outside of Nice (see below), but the little streets around that area are fun to tool around in.

It's a nice climbing walk to the castle ruins (Colline du Chateau), with beautiful views of the city and ocean from the top. Definitely worth it!

Whatever you do, don't miss the flower market -"Marche aux Fleurs"- (though I'm not sure it happens in winter). It's parallel to the Quai des Etats Unis, on rue St Francois de Paule, between Rue de la Terrasse and rue St. Gaetan (around #17 on the map).

If you get out of the city, check out some of the olive oil mills for tastings too, especially around St. Remy. Oh, and if you love chocolate, go to Joel Durand's Boutique, 3, Boulevard Victor Hugo in St. Remy... it is, simply put, the most delectable chocolate I have ever tasted in my life -I especially recommend the lavender infused variety!

As mentioned in the thread, Monte Carlo is also a great place to check out. Aside from the casino scene, the aquarium is a worthwhile stop. If you go, don't miss the beautiful views from the rooftop there.[edited to add: OH, and Monte Carlo has some incredible jewelry stores with ginormous diamonds!!!

]

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Most of all, have fun, and enjoy the wonderful food and wine!

 

[quaeritur]

Some pics for inspiration /idealbb/images/smilies/2.gif






A view from the Colline du Chateau...


/idealbb/files/nicecollineview.jpg




The flower market -that's a honkin' bouquet of ORCHIDS I'm holding!!!


/idealbb/files/nicemarche.jpg




A friend at the aquarium in Monte Carlo...


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And here's a shot at the Gorge du Verdon, which is a longer, but beautiful (and winding) drive away.


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Other places worth seeing are Avignon and St-Paul de Vence... quaint old towns. The bridge at Avignon is famous in France thanks to a children's song. And of course, Cannes is always lovely too. You can't go wrong in this area!!!/idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif

 

[Matata]

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your insights and great pics. We talked about the trip last night after I got my wits back from his surprising phone call. In addition to the side trips mentioned thus far, we're also thinking about side trips to northern Italy. One of our favorite places there, Cinque Terre, is a day trip by train from Nice. We've never been to France before, but we know nearly every inch of Italy.

Ya know, he's really a great guy with just enough quirkiness to keep things interesting. Doesn't mind spending money on trips abroad eventhough his favorite thing is spending time in a tent a million miles from nowhere, would buy me houses and cars if I'd let him, thought a pair of $400 hiking boots was the romantic way to mark our engagement, yet is happily writing checks to the jeweler who is desigining my ring as long as he doesn't have to be involved in the process because he cares not for bling and could not differentiate between a gemstone and a mouse turd.

 

[jewelryjunkie]

Go to the Chagall

museum! That is if you like art.
It's great museum and Chagall is such a wonderful artist. I love all the colors and stories in his art. The museum even has some examples of the stained glass he did. I was only in Nice for a day and a night on my last trip to France, but I made sure I went to the Chagall museum and if I ever go back to Nice that will be the one thing I make sure I see again. Have a great trip!

 

[pricescope]

don't forget Grasse - the center of the fragrance industry. You can mix your own perfume their from hundreds of scents. I bought Irina mimosa parfume in Fragonard there: the fabrique des fleurs.

 

[MelissaSue]

Yeah. I went to Fragonard too. I thought it was in Eze though? Of course I don't know anything except what I was told by my tour guide 6 years ago. So my memory might not be the best.

Edit: I found my "souvenir" bag from Fragonard. They have shops in Grasse, Eze and Paris. I am not a perfume fan though, so It wasn't the most exciting part of the trip for me.

 

[sevens one]

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On 10/14/2004 11:11:09 AM Matata wrote:

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your insights and great pics. We talked about the trip last night after I got my wits back from his surprising phone call. In addition to the side trips mentioned thus far, we're also thinking about side trips to northern Italy. One of our favorite places there, Cinque Terre, is a day trip by train from Nice. We've never been to France before, but we know nearly every inch of Italy.

Ya know, he's really a great guy with just enough quirkiness to keep things interesting. Doesn't mind spending money on trips abroad eventhough his favorite thing is spending time in a tent a million miles from nowhere, would buy me houses and cars if I'd let him, thought a pair of $400 hiking boots was the romantic way to mark our engagement, yet is happily writing checks to the jeweler who is desigining my ring as long as he doesn't have to be involved in the process because he cares not for bling and could not differentiate between a gemstone and a mouse turd.

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Oh Matata- he's sounds like a real gem. Lucky gal

 

[christarose]

My hubby and I stopped in Nice on our 5th anniversary Mediterranean cruise...it's beautiful! I also enjoyed the view from Eze and driving around Monaco - you'll feel like you're in a James Bond movie! We only spent a bit of time around the huge fountain & waterfront of Nice, but my suggestion is to keep a low profile when you go in the little shops & cafes....we saw a group of Americans make a big fuss about the smoke, having to pay to use the bathrooms etc - they really didn't get the "when in Rome..." idea

- the locals looked at them like, "if you want everything to be like it is at home...why don't you stay there?!"

If you're also contemplating Italy, I highly recommend Venice and Capri...it was May when we were there though, so the weather was perfect - I'm not sure how December will be. Have a wonderful time with your sweetheart!