Nice

Nice is a timeless city

Nice is in many ways a timeless city, while at the same time accommodating history and culture that goes back more than two thousand years ago.

The city has the nickname “Nice la Belle”, which means “Nice the Beautiful”. It was the Greeks who, around 350 years BC., founded the city and named it Nikaia after the goddess of victory Nike. A name that today is world famous in the world of sports.

It is a city that has changed hands many times over the years. The city’s strategic location and the presence of a port made Nice a strategic hub on the French Mediterranean coast. For a century, the city belonged to the Duchy of Savoy and it was not until 1860 that the city came under the French Kingdom, when the Savoy region and the county of Nice were handed over to France.

Scenic location

A beautiful location and the mild Mediterranean climate helped to make the area attractive to the English aristocracy in the early 1800s. Here an increasing number of wealthy Englishmen began to spend their winters here. At a time when modern central heating was not invented, it was somewhat more comfortable to live in Nice in the winter. Thus began Mediterranean tourism.

Promenade des Anglais – an English invention

It was also the English, led by the pastor Lewis Way, who in 1822 hired workers to build a promenade along the beach. The locals called it the “Promenade des Anglais” (English promenade). Today, the Promenade des Anglais has become a landmark of Nice along with the Hotel Nesgresco, built in 1922 and dominating the buildings along the promenade with its beautiful Belle Époque architecture.

In 1864 the railway arrived, making Nice much more accessible to curious visitors and Nice has not looked back since.

A fireworks-like display of food and art

In addition to the sun, the promenade and the long coastline, it is the city’s intense atmosphere that attracts visitors. It is obvious that Nice is influenced by Italian food art and why the clear air and the soft changing light have attracted famous painters, such as Chagall and Matisse, among others.

Nice offers an abundance of bars, cafés and restaurants, which with their relaxing atmosphere welcome all nationalities and ages. In addition, there is a large selection of experiences where the museums are of international class. Last but not least, the Musée Matisse, Musée Chagall and Musée des Beaux Arts.

Nice has it all

With its international airport just 5 km from the city center, almost 200 hotels, the elongated Riviera with 7 km of beach, a large selection of activities, major events and cultural festivals, the charming old town and the city’s countless shops – yes, Nice has it all!

You can see the complete list of Nice’s sights in the list “Experiences in Nice” and learn more about each of these exciting experiences.

Also read: What to do in Nice in one, two or three days?

By Tommy Sverre – 2023

Gallery form Nice: