Frommers.com Frommers.com
Most Recent Nice Forum Posts
Most Recommended Articles
Most Commented Articles
  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS

Introduction to Nice

929km (577 miles) S of Paris; 32km (20 miles) NE of Cannes

The Victorian upper classes and tsarist aristocrats loved Nice in the 19th century, but it's solidly middle class today, and far less glamorous and expensive than Cannes. It's also the best excursion center on the Riviera, especially if you're dependent on public transportation. For example, you can go to San Remo, "the queen of the Italian Riviera," and return to Nice by nightfall. From the Nice airport, the second largest in France, you can travel by bus along the entire coast.

Nice is the capital of the Riviera, the largest city between Genoa and Marseille. It's also one of the most ancient, having been founded by the Greeks, who called it "Nike," or Victory. Because of its brilliant sunshine and relaxed living, it has attracted artists and writers. Among them were Dumas, Nietzsche, Apollinaire, Flaubert, Victor Hugo, George Sand, Stendhal, Chateaubriand, and Mistral. Henri Matisse, who made his home in Nice, said, "Though the light is intense, it's also soft and tender." The city has, on the average, 300 days of sunshine a year.


Back to Top


Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Frommer's Provence & the Riviera, 6th Edition Destination Guide Frommer's Provence & the Riviera, 6th Edition

Author: Darwin Porter
Pub Date: November 19, 2007
Price: $19.99

Add to Cart
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide Related Titles:
France For Dummies, 4th Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's 24 Great Walks in London, 1st Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Paris, 1st Edition
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destinations
Destinations