Nice

Nice (IPA: [nis]; Niçard Occitan, Niça or Nissa. In Italian: Nizza and in Greek: Νίκαια) is the administrative capital of the department of Alpes-Maritimes located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. Nice has a permanent population of 347,100 but this figure increases dramatically during the summer months. Considered to be one of the principal cities of the Mediterranean, Nice is city of cultural and commercial prestige.

Located in Southern Europe at the south eastern extremity of France, Nice is a privileged crossroads between the Alps, Provence, Monaco and Italy. The city occupies an exceptional natural site in the heart of the French Riviera. It stretches over a coastal plain open southward nto the Mediterranean and bounded from East to West by a succession of wooded hills. In the background, rise the first peaks of the Alpine foothills, some reaching over 9000 ft above sea level, only 31 miles (from the coast) as the crow flies.

[edit] History of Nice

There were settlements in the Nice area approximately 400,000 years ago: the site of Terra Amata shows one of the earliest uses of fire and construction of houses.

Nice (Nicaea) was founded probably around 350 BC by the Greeks of Massilia (Marseille) and received the name of Νικαßα ("Nikaia") in honor of a victory over the neighbouring Ligurians (Nike being the Greek goddess of victory). It soon became one of the busiest trading stations on the Ligurian coast; but as a city it had an important rival in the Roman town of Cemenelum, which continued to exist as a separate city till the time of the Lombard invasions, and has left its ruins at Cimiez, which is now a quarter of Nice.

In the 7th century Nice joined the Genoese League formed by the towns of Liguria. In 729 it repulsed the Saracens; but in 859 and 880 they pillaged and burned it, and for the most of the 10th century remained masters of the surrounding country.

During the Middle Ages Nice had its share in the wars and disasters of Italy. As an ally of Pisa it was the enemy of Genoa, and both the King of France and the Emperor endeavoured to subjugate it; but in spite of all it maintained its municipal liberties. In the course of the 13th and 14th centuries it fell more than once into the hands of the Counts of Provence; and at length in 1388 the commune placed itself under the protection of the Counts of Savoy.

The maritime strength of Nice now rapidly increased until it was able to cope with the Barbary pirates; the fortifications were largely extended and the roads to the city improved. During the struggle between Francis I and Charles V great damage was caused by the passage of the armies invading Provence; pestilence and famine raged in the city for several years. It was in Nice that the two monarchs in 1538 concluded, through the mediation of Pope Paul III, a truce of ten years.

In 1543 Nice was attacked by the united forces of Francis I and Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha; and, though the inhabitants repulsed the assault which succeeded the terrible bombardment, they were ultimately compelled to surrender, and Barbarossa was allowed to pillage the city and to carry off 2,500 captives. Pestilence appeared again in 1550 and 1580.

In 1600 Nice was taken by the duke of Guise. By opening the ports of the countship to all nations, and proclaiming full freedom of trade, Charles Emmanuel in 1626 gave a great stimulus to the commerce of the city, whose noble families took part in its mercantile enterprises. Captured by Catinat in 1691, Nice was restored to Savoy in 1696; but it was again besieged by the French in 1705, and in the following year its citadel and ramparts were demolished.

The treaty of Utrecht in 1713 once more gave the city back to Savoy; and in the peaceful years which followed the "new town" was built. From 1744 till the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) the French and Spaniards were again in possession. In 1775 the king of Sardinia destroyed all that remained of the ancient liberties of the commune. Conquered in 1792 by the armies of the French republic, the county of Nice continued to be part of France until 1814; but after that date it reverted to Sardinia.

By a treaty concluded in 1860 between the Sardinian king and Napoleon III, it was again transferred to France as a territorial reward for French assistance in the Second Italian War of Independence against Austria, which saw Lombardy unified with Piedmont-Sardinia. The cession was ratified by over 25,000 electors out of a total of 30,700 although the plebiscite was most likely manipulated by the French. Savoy was also transferred to the French crown by similar means.

The dawn of the 20th century was the arrival of a modern mode of transport. In 1900, the Tramway de Nice electrified its horse drawn tramway and spread its network to Menton and Cagnes-sur-Mer, equipping the city of a modern mode of transport.

In the second half of the 20th century, Nice bore the influence of mayor Jean Médecin (mayor from 1947 to 1965) and his son Jacques (mayor from 1966 to 1990). On October 16, 1979 23 people died when the coast of Nice was hit by a tsunami. As accusations of political corruption against Jacques Médecin grew, he fled France in 1990 and was arrested in Uruguay in 1993, leading to his extradition in 1994. He was then convicted of several counts of corruption and associated crimes and sentenced to prison.

Jacques Peyrat, the mayor of Nice since 1995, is a member of the UMP party and former member of the Front National.

In 2003, local head prosecutor Éric de Montgolfier alleged that some judicial cases involving local personalities had been suspiciously derailed by the local judiciary, which he suspected of having unhealthy contacts, through Masonic lodges, with the very people that they are supposed to prosecute or judge. A controversial official report stated that de Montgolfier had made unwarranted accusations.

[edit] Nice Weather

Nice has the advantage of an exceptionnal micro-climate which has contributed to its worldwide renown for almost 200 years. Although the city opens onto the sea, Nice is protected from the wind by the surrounding hills and the Estérel mountains to the west, and the north-western barrier of the Mercantour Alps. The sea breezes give a mild climate in winter and reduce the heat in the summer. It is not unusual to lunch outdoors in the Cours Saleya in a T-shirt in February, while the rest of France is shivering in the cold ! The climate in Nice is typically Mediterranean and the city enjoys a good 12 hours of sunshine per day during the summer season (May to September), while in winter (December to February), the weather is very mild. Both seasons see a relatively low level of rainfall and the most significant period of rain is during October and November, when an average of 110 millimetres is the norm.

[edit] Summer

Nice summers are long and hot, with summer daytime temperatures regularly hitting 40°C, while average temperatures are about 25°C. Temperatures remain high from June to September, which is also the busiest time, particularly so in July and August. This is also the time of year when there is the least amount of rainfall and despite the hot daytime temperatures, welcome Mediterranean breezes keep summer evenings cool.

[edit] Winters

As the temperatures drop below 10ºC for only three months of the year (December to February), anytime is a good time to visit Nice although the summer season is recommended, when temperatures are at their highest but are far from being uncomfortable and are ideal for either a beach or sightseeing holiday. The spring and autumn seasons are also warm enough, although more suited to those who prefer slightly cooler weather. Winters are great if you are fed up of the rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures in the UK or other cool European countries

[edit] Cityscape

Many architectural splendours can be found in Nice. The notable one is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its six impressive onion domes. Baroque architecture is shown in the form of many exquisite churches and cathedrals in Nice including the Cathédrale Sainte Réparate, Saint-François-de-Paule, Saint-Martin-Saint-Augustin and Chapelle de la Miséricorde. The charming Palais Lascaris, built in Genoese baroque style, adds to the architectural scene . Famous artists such as Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse and Chagall all came to Nice for their inspiration and left a legacy of their masterpieces to be admired by visitors. These outstanding artworks can be found in many museums in Nice including Musée des Beaux-Arts, Saint-Paul-de-Vence Musée International d’Art, Naïf Anatole-Jakovsky Musée, Matisse Musée, and Marc-Chagall Musée d’Art et d’Art Contemporain. If you want to take a break from the busy city, walk along the lovely promenade which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. For a picturesque view of the city, head up to the easy-to-climb small hill at the east end of the bay.

[edit] English Promenade (Promenade des Anglais)

Before Nice was urbanized, the coast at Nice was just bordered by a deserted band of beach covered by large pebbles. The first houses were located on higher ground well away from the sea. Starting in the second half of the 18th century, the English took to spending the winter in Nice, enjoying the panorama along the coast. When a particularly harsh winter up north brought an influx of beggars to Nice, some of the rich Englishmen proposed a useful project for them: the construction of walkway (chemin de promenade) along the sea. The city of Nice, intrigued by the prospect of a pleasant promenade, greatly increased the scope of the work. The Promenade was first called the Camin dei Anglès (the English Way) by the Niçois in their native dialect Nissart. After the annexation of Nice by France in 1860 it was rechristened La Promenade des Anglais, replacing the former Nissart name with its French translation. The Promenade is a part of the history of Nice and is known all over the world.

[edit] St Nicholas Cathedral

St Nicholas’ Cathedral is one of Nice’s main cultural highlights and was designed to replicate St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. Its six grey marble onion domes are most distinctive and mix beautifully with the red brick and snazzy ceramic walls. The cathedral is located to the northwest of the city centre, not far from the railway station, and was completed in 1912, when it was commissioned by Nicolas II and his mother. Visitors should dress respectfully when entering the cathedral.

[edit] Museums

Nice is simply loaded with museums covering every era of the city. The Musée National Message Biblique Marc Chagall boasts the largest public collection of Marc Chagall’s works - a famous painter from Belarus (1887 to 1985) – while the architecturally-sound Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain Vieux is perhaps Nice’s most famous art museum, with its French and American avant-garde works. The Naval Museum is also worth a look and has the perfect position in Nice, situated as it is inside the tower of the Parc du Château. The museum displays paintings, models, ancient arms and navigational instruments

[edit] Cimiez Convent (Monastre de Cimiez)

Another of Nice’s most outstanding buildings featuring some great works of art by the famed local artists, the Bréa brothers, who hailed from the 15th century. The other main features of the convent are the carved and gilded wooden main altarpiece; the Musée Franciscain, with its 17th century frescoes, numerous documents and works of art; and the 17th century chapel. The convent gardens are also worthy of a tour, from where views of the city and bay are stunning. Cimiez sits on a hill a couple of km from the centre of town. The Hill of Cimiez is now the chic and residential part of Nice and its popularity was further enhanced when Queen Victoria chose it as her favoured residence – her statue and palace still are major landmarks in the heart of the district. It's just a short drive to this well-to-do area above the hustle and bustle of the city. There are ancient Roman ruins here as well as beautifully preserved thermal baths and every July, Cimiez is the site of the Nice Jazz Festival where thousands of international guests listen to top acts from amid the olive groves and the Roman Amphitheater. You will find here a great many elegant apartment blocks and Belle Epoque houses with prices to reflect the popularity of this fashionable area.

[edit] Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice)

Full of hustle and bustle, atmosphere and Niçois charm, the Old Town is a tangle of unpredictable streets with restaurants, cafés and artists’ studios spilling out onto the pavements. Largely pedestrian, you can wander for hours through the shaded squares and admire the colourful façades, the artisans at work and the myriad street performers in the summertime. The Cours Saleya, the large, open square just next to the sea front is at the heart of the Old Town where restaurant tables jostle with market stalls. It is here that the famous flower and food market is held of a morning and where the liveliest bars and restaurant terraces team with life at night time. The majority of the houses in the Old Town were built well over 100 years ago and have preserved their picturesque Italianate cachet. Most of the properties you are likely to visit in the old town probably won’t have lifts – although in apartment blocks with wider staircases lifts are now being installed. Communal areas often reflect the age of the building and aren’t usually very luxurious but they make up for this in charm. Residential prices have gone up a great deal in Vieux Nice in recent years as it very popular place to buy as it is authentic and bursting with character. If you want the history and authenticity offered by Vieux Nice but less of the tourists, then the Old Town does stretch up to the hill towards the Chateau, and in many of these tiny streets winding uphill away from the heart of the Old Town are quieter parts with apartments set back from the livelier areas which means you can sit back and enjoy your Nicois apartment at a more "zen" pace! A great place to buy a rental investment as it is many holiday-makers number one choice - well served by transport and the airport bus drops you right off !

[edit] Beaches

Nice has 5 miles of picturesque beaches although, they are not very suitable for bathing due to their rocky and gravelly nature. There are however one or two private sandy beaches where a layer of fine sand has been added and facilities include lounge chair rentals as well as restaurants and bars. Showers are provided at all public beaches.The sea water is checked regularly and has a good rating according to European standards. There charming beaches a few kilometers from the city of Nice, such as those of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, known as the golden triangle of the French Riviera.

[edit] Nice Observatory

The Observatoire de Nice (Nice Observatory) - French version only - is located on the summit of Mont Gros. The observatory was initiated in 1879 by the banker Raphaël Bischoffsheim. The architect was Charles Garnier, and Gustave Eiffel designed the main dome. The 76-cm (30-inch) refractor telescope that became operational in 1888 was at that time the world's largest telescope. It was outperformed one year later by the 36-inch (91-cm) refractor at the Lick Observatory. As a scientific institution, the Nice Observatory no longer exists. It was merged with CERGA in 1988 to form the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur.

[edit] Nice Port to Place Garibaldi

Located in the heart of the city, the Port of Nice is made up of a 10-ha basin, 7 ha of platforms and some ten wharves, six of them for commercial use. Situated at just 4 miles from the Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport and a few minutes on foot from the city's main tourist attractions (Old Nice, Place Massena, shopping areas, Acropolis Convention Centre...) With 1 682 rotations and over 500 000 passengers, the Port of Nice became the second port in terms of passenger turnover for Corsica in 1997. Two companies provide services to and from the island offering up to 8 departures a day in high season either on traditional ferries (the crossing takes between 6 and 8 hours, night crossings also available) or on high-speed ferries which reduce the crossing time to between 2 1/2 - 3 hours.These new ferries or NGV make day trips to Corsica now possible.

Nice's port remains calm and with a definite authenticity unlike many of the other ports along the coast which are indeed stunning but which cater less to the Mediterranean fisherman and more to the international superyacht playboys. The properties on the front of the port are stunning but like the promenade, can bhave some road noise. The roads behind the port are very authentic and are buzzing with fantastic restaurants, local cafés and hundreds of Antique shops (the areas between the port and the old town are Nice's famous Antiques quarter and you can spend hours browsing here). The most exclusive road at the port is on the Eastern side and is called Frank Pilatte – lots of more modern residences with fabulous views and luxury bonuses - and it's quiet too. Behind this is the start of Mont Boron.

Place Garibaldi is a jewel in the crown of Nicois history and is just beside the old town, a short walk to the port..The wonderful Baroque architecture of the Square date from around 1782 when Nice still belonged to the House of Savoy and at this time Place Garibaldi was the grand entrance to the town on the Royal Road from Turin which was the capital of the Royal House of Savoy. It has been a popular meeting point throughout the centuries and although recent years have seen its beauty fade, it is now undergoing huge regeneration and will once again become the stunning centrepiece it deserves to be. Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi who was born in Nice, the square is being largely pedestrianised with the opening of the tramway and the roads running off it such as Avenue de la Republique are also being given fabulous facelifts. Property in Place Garibaldi itself are expensive but you can still find bargains in the areas behind and leading down to the port itself.

[edit] Hotel Negresco

The Hotel Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais has a large part in the history of Nice. It was named for Henri Negresco (1868-1920) who had the palatial hotel constructed in 1912. Henri Negresco, born the son of an innkeeper in Bucharest, Romania, left home at the age of 15 going first to Paris then to the French Riviera where he became very successful. As director of the Municipal Casino in Nice, he had the idea to build a hotel of quality that would attract the wealthiest of clients. After arranging the financing, he hired architect Édouard Niemans to design the hotel with Gustave Eiffel reportedly commissioned to do its now famous pink dome. Bad luck came to Henri Negresco when World War I broke out two years after he opened for business and his hotel was converted to a hospital. By the end of the War, wealthy visitors to the Riviera had dropped off to the point that the hotel was in severe financial difficulty. Seized by creditors, the Negresco was sold to a Belgian company and Henri Negresco died a few years later in Paris at the age of 52. Over the years, the hotel had its ups and downs and in 1957 was sold to the Augier family. Madame Jeanne Augier reinvigorated the hotel with luxurious decorations and furnishings, including an outstanding art collection and rooms with mink bedspreads. Noted for its doormen dressed in the manner of the staff in 18th-century elite bourgeois households, complete with red-plumed postilion hats, the hotel also offers renowned gourmet dining at Le Chantecler. In 2003 the Hotel Negresco was listed by the government of France as a National Historic Building.

[edit] Culture

Nice has perhaps the best entertainment options along the Riviera, from its busy cafés in the Old Town and bustling promenade to the many clubs and pubs that are spread throughout the city. Music can be sampled in many forms at the various jazz and rock venues, while theatre also features heavily. Visitors can take it easy and save some money by taking in the atmosphere and free entertainment along Promenade des Anglais or by catching a flick at one of the many cinemas.

[edit] Nightlife

Promenade des Anglais is perhaps the best area of the city for all-round, night time entertainment in Nice. The area is awash with smart clubs and pubs and this is also where the casino resides if you fancy a flutter. Promenade des Anglais is backed by some of the city’s classiest hotels, where some of the best food can be sampled in their excellent restaurants. Street performers also inhabit the promenade nightly. Other popular areas for entertainment are Vieux Nice and Masséna. There is a pub or bar here to suit everyone’s taste, with a variety of music and alcoholic beverages on offer. Another more sedate nightlife option includes going to the movies; Rialto and Mercury cinema have the best atmosphere by far, while the Multiplexe cinema in the Nice-Ouest district offers more mainstream movies.

[edit] Theatre and music

The opera is a big deal in Nice and the season runs from November to April. The Theatre de l'Opera on rue St Francois-de-Paule and Theatre de Nice on Promenade des Arts offer a variety of classical music and dance performances. For rock, jazz and dance music, the ever popular Vieux Nice and Masséna areas in the town have many live music venues and pubs. Those into the Latin music scene should try Barrio Latino on quai des Etats-Unis or perhaps Bodeguita del Havana on rue Chauvain.

[edit] Local cuisine

Nice has some of the best seafood restaurants on the Riviera, where fresh fish is hauled in at the port every day. Nice also has an excellent selection of cafés and bistros in the Old Town as well as a growing number of international restaurants including popular African establishments. Although the range of food and dining establishments in Nice is particularly good, beware of the prices. With its coastal location, cuisine in Nice is naturally based quite significantly around seafood and delectable dishes worth trying include escalope de mérou au citron, which is escalope of sea bass in lime; salmon tournedos with truffles; cod and vegetables in garlic sauce; and skate with capers. Meat dishes on some of the best menus in town include estouffade de sanglier (wild boar) and fillet de beef rossini cooked with foie gras. However, this is but a small selection of a huge number of quality French dishes that are available across the city in both upmarket and small traditional venues. Anchovies and olives feature heavily in some of the Italian-influenced dishes in Nice, along with gnocchi and ravioli, while salad Nicoise is also a light delicacy. Pan bagnat is another local favourite (a tuna fish sandwich), while socca and soupe de poisson (fish soup) are also worth a try. For afters, visitors might like to try tourtes aux blettes, which is a sweet tart made with Savoy cabbage, raisins, nuts and powdered sugar. If you are cooking for yourself, try the daily market in Vieux Nice (Old Town).

[edit] Festivals

Nice is a fun town and a year-round destination, with its carnivals, festivals and events reflecting this. The Carnival of Nice and the Jazz Festival are its two biggest events and excuse enough to visit Nice during this time, while traditional Riviera gatherings complement the rest of the year.

• Carnival de Nice: is a very old celebration at the end of winter which brings a touch of colour to the city with numerous concerts and parties as well as a procession of richly-adorned floats. Many of the floats are covered in thousands of fresh flowers and make for a beautiful sight, while light shows and firework displays are also part of the festival (February to March).
• Nice Jazz Festival: this jazz festival is very well known the world over and has often included some big name jazz musicians. The event hails from the 1940s and attracts around 50,000 visitors each year, who throng to the Cimiez Arenas and Gardens, where the many stages are set up at this 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre. Although labelled as a jazz event, the festival covers many musical genres.
• Castellada Festival: held at the Colline du Château, which overlooks Nice from its hilltop vantage point, the Castellada Festival celebrates the summer season with ancient music concerts and an array of clever children’s shows (July to September)
• Christmas Village: with the spirit of Christmas in Nice, Christmas Village takes place at Place Masséna in the main shopping area of the city (December to January).

[edit] Transportation

The most popular transport option to Nice from elsewhere in Europe is to travel by plane. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is only a few kilometres from the city and is well supplied by public transport, with buses, trains and taxis all available. The next best option for getting to Nice is by train. High-speed trains run direct to Nice from Paris in 6 hours and they also run from Marseille. Excellent roads make driving here another option, while long distance bus travel can be cheap but uncomfortable.

[edit] By car

Nice is on the main A8 motorway that links Genoa in northern Italy with Marseille. The A8 bypasses the city to the north and is well connected to the N98 coastal road, which itself runs from Monaco, through Nice and past Cannes while hugging the coast. Those heading to Nice from northern Spain should take the A7 north to the French border and join with the A9 to Nimes. From here, head east along the A54, A7 and A8 for Nice. Common road distances: from Paris, 933kms; Barcelona, 644kms; and Genoa, 193kms.

[edit] By rail

Visitors can reach Nice by train and the journey from Paris by high-speed TGV is comfortable and fast. The service is run by SNCF and tickets can be booked online. The journey time from Paris to Nice aboard a TGV train is just 6 hours. Services also arrive from Lyon and Marseille among other destinations and the main train station, Gare SNCF, is situated to the northwest of the town centre.

[edit] By bus

The Sunbus is the main form of shared public transportation in Nice and services run to destinations throughout the city. The main station for Sunbus is Station Centrale on Général Leclerc square and buses run from here to the likes of the railway station (Gare Nice Ville) and Vieux Nice. Tickets are valid for one hour once stamped. Daily and 14-trip tickets can also be purchased as well as a Nice by Bus pass, which can be valid for one, five or seven days and includes a return trip to the airport. Sunbus tickets are available at tabacs (tobacconists) and Sunbus kiosks.

[edit] By air

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is only three or four miles to the west of the city and is well connected to the rest of Europe by many major airlines. Trains run to Nice every 45 minutes and there are also reliable bus services, with the airport bus running to and from the intercity bus station and Sunbus route 23 also serving the airport. Taxis are also available, but are fairly expensive, while highway N98 runs directly to the city centre.

[edit] Twin Cities

The city of Nice has always attached great importance to the development of a policy of openness and exchanges with other cities with similar as to the geographical location, weather conditions, demographic characteristics, cultural affinities, in economic activities, etc.. The contemporary city of Nice has twinning with several important cities in the world, such as

[edit] See also

• County of Nice
• Albert Spaggiari
• Bishopric of Nice
• Nice Carnival
• Catherine Ségurane
• Cimetière du Château
• Cimiez
• European Institute of High International Studies
• Nice Observatory
• OGC Nice
• Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
• Paris-Nice
• Sophia Antipolis
• Treaty of Nice
• Hotel Negresco
• Le Méridien
• Nissa La Bella

[edit] Sources and references

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
• This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.

[edit] External links

• (English) & (French) NiceRendezVous official site
• (English) & (French) Nice Carnaval
• (English) & (French) Dances and traditional musics from Nice
• Nice travel guide from Wikitravel
• (French) Nice official site

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