Nice
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I would never make the conscious decision to travel to France. Now, I realise that sounds more negative than I intend to. It’s not that I don’t think France qualifies as an agreeable all-round vacation spot, it's the fact that in my childhood I simply completed too many family holidays to this European no-brainer-go-to-destination, which comes with an irreversible saturation point. Yet, coming originally from northern Europe it’s just always on the way somehow, making it an unavoidable go-through. I can imagine more severe problems to have on your hands. As such, every one of the many visits to random dots on France’s map in the past 15 years have been unplanned ones, without it ever being the goal… which creates room for a certain surprise factor. ‘Hmm, while here, might as well check out that castle, visit that artwork, climb that fucking mountain… Croissant? P’tit Four? Boulabaisse? Don’t mind if I do, my dear monsieur, I’ll flush it down with that bottle of Pinot, si ça ne te dérange pas.’
Nice (pronounced as ‘piece’ with an N) was on the way to Monaco, forming a necessary public transport stopover. Worn out from the journey all the way from San Marino, marked by many setbacks along the ride, I decided to spend the night. The glorious ‘might-as-well’, as earlier specified. I mean, how could I know this destination would fit me like a glove, rapidly transforming me into a zealous cosmopolitan, sauntering the brisk boulevards like the whispering sea breeze? Slowly but surely I blended in with the classy hustle ‘n bustle of this beachfront town, that simply seems to do everything right while offering it all: Culture, architecture, nightlife, shopping, natural reserves, viticulture and a strip of immaculate beach smeared out along the celebrated Côte d'Azur.
Nice is almost irritatingly perfect.
Nice (pronounced as ‘piece’ with an N) was on the way to Monaco, forming a necessary public transport stopover. Worn out from the journey all the way from San Marino, marked by many setbacks along the ride, I decided to spend the night. The glorious ‘might-as-well’, as earlier specified. I mean, how could I know this destination would fit me like a glove, rapidly transforming me into a zealous cosmopolitan, sauntering the brisk boulevards like the whispering sea breeze? Slowly but surely I blended in with the classy hustle ‘n bustle of this beachfront town, that simply seems to do everything right while offering it all: Culture, architecture, nightlife, shopping, natural reserves, viticulture and a strip of immaculate beach smeared out along the celebrated Côte d'Azur.
Nice is almost irritatingly perfect.
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The Nice Big 3: Sunbathing, Sightseeing & Strolling
1) Sunbathing
Nice goes all out when it comes to its beach. Sprouting from the area around the airport stretching out all the way beyond Mount Boron just passed the Castle Hill, you can count on about 10km of robust coastline. Yeah, I see you there…. already dreaming away by that image of your sun-kissed self, seductively sipping on Kir Royale while slapping the fine sand off your bikini-packed bottom. Let me adjust that a tad though: Nice has pebble beaches! These so-called ‘galets’ were naturally brought in from the mountains by the rivers of Var, Peillon and Magnan. However uncomfortable they might be to lay on (a padded beach mat and watershoes are recommended), refrain from complaining about the matter to the locals, who consider the ‘galets’ an integral part of their natural heritage.
Whereas the beach is practically just one long strip, it is carefully divided into tiny plots consisting of both private and public beach concessions. The private ones are fenced off and charge a considerable entrance fee, but generally include a beach chair, while billing extra for umbrellas and towels. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to bring your own food inside of these places. Therefore, it seems basically a no-brainer to just enjoy the plenty of public beaches giving access to the very same Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). This might save you some budget to engage in Nice’s plenty of watersports, such as scuba-diving, jetskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing. At the shore, joggers, cyclists and inline skaters enjoy the accessibility and non-stop panoramas of the lengthy Promenade des Anglais, a 7km waterfront boulevard capturing everything you could hope to expect from a Côte d'Azur beach resort. A boulevard that turns into Nice’s main nightlife area after sunset, setting the scene for those nights you never want to end.
2) Sightseeing
If you’re like me, however, you cannot last on a beach for longer than an optimistic 2 hours, while still frantically looking for something, anything to do to kill the time. Luckily, Nice is not a beach destination per se, it has a few more tricks upon its sleeve. Its sightseeing, for example, is pretty solid. You don’t need to plan a careful laid out itinerary, just invite yourself for a laidback wander through its richly colored Old Town to stumble upon gem after gem. Not that anyone ever asked in the history of humankind, but if I had to compare Nice to a type of food it would 100% be represented by an adorable box of macarons. Feast the eyes on unanticipated pleasures... like a cornershop specialized in antique umbrellas, trying not to wonder how on earth they are financially surviving, or a young boy throwing up a diabolo among the pleasant chaos of a teeming flea market. As part of the Old Town area, you’ll find a natural counterpart in either the Colline du Chateau, containing not only a castle but also somehow a man-made waterfall. Also outside the Old Town, an exploration is worthwhile. More modern, but still capturing that typical Nice sweetness and kaleidoscopic charm, the ‘new town’ offers a grand cityscape along streets such as the Promenade du Paillon, Avenue Jean Medecin, the Place Massena (proudly hosting the Fontaine du Soleil), and Place Garibaldi.
On a completely different note: A non-fitting sight that instantly grabbed my positive attention was La Tête Carrée, when created the first inhabited artwork in the world.
If you’re like me, however, you cannot last on a beach for longer than an optimistic 2 hours, while still frantically looking for something, anything to do to kill the time. Luckily, Nice is not a beach destination per se, it has a few more tricks upon its sleeve. Its sightseeing, for example, is pretty solid. You don’t need to plan a careful laid out itinerary, just invite yourself for a laidback wander through its richly colored Old Town to stumble upon gem after gem. Not that anyone ever asked in the history of humankind, but if I had to compare Nice to a type of food it would 100% be represented by an adorable box of macarons. Feast the eyes on unanticipated pleasures... like a cornershop specialized in antique umbrellas, trying not to wonder how on earth they are financially surviving, or a young boy throwing up a diabolo among the pleasant chaos of a teeming flea market. As part of the Old Town area, you’ll find a natural counterpart in either the Colline du Chateau, containing not only a castle but also somehow a man-made waterfall. Also outside the Old Town, an exploration is worthwhile. More modern, but still capturing that typical Nice sweetness and kaleidoscopic charm, the ‘new town’ offers a grand cityscape along streets such as the Promenade du Paillon, Avenue Jean Medecin, the Place Massena (proudly hosting the Fontaine du Soleil), and Place Garibaldi.
On a completely different note: A non-fitting sight that instantly grabbed my positive attention was La Tête Carrée, when created the first inhabited artwork in the world.
Museums are always a good idea in Nice, and for the price of about 2 separate museum tickets you might as well grab the Nice Museum Pass granting access to almost all museums in town for 4 consecutive days. Which ones, you ask? Breathes in, breaths out… okay 1, 2, 3 go: Musée Massena, Palais Lascaris, Musée d'Art Moderne Et d'Art Contemporain (AMAC), Charles Nègre Museum of Photography, Jules Chéret Museum of Fine Arts, Anatole Jakovsky Naive Art Museum, Nice/Cimiez Archeology Museum, Museum of Prehistory of Terra Amata, Museum of Natural History, Prieuré du Vieux-Logis and the Matisse Museum. Extra options include the Marc Chagall National Museum, Musée des Arts Asiatiques, Musée des Beaux Arts and Musée du Sport. Other paid sights available to visit are the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur and Crypte Archéologique, an unexpected subterranean spot unveiling the city’s hidden medieval history.
If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, day trips to the grossly picturesque surrounding villages of Eze, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat belong to the recommended options.
If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, day trips to the grossly picturesque surrounding villages of Eze, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat belong to the recommended options.
3) Strolling
I’ve said it before and I will repeat myself again: The attraction of a city lies in its potential natural escape route. Nothing’s worse than being locked inside a city without the chance of a nature-themed getaway within a reasonable distance and timeframe. It keeps the brain sane. One must tune out at times. Luckily, Nice is here to serve.
Nice’s day hikes include:
Long-distance trails: crossing the Nice region: GR Grande Traversée du Mercantour (4 days), sections of the 5000+km mega trail the Via Alpina, or the Grande Randonnée trails GR 5 (6 days), GR 52 (7 days) or GR 52a (15 days).
Besides that, national parks and nature reserves within decent travel time include the Mercantour National Park, Baisse de Guigo National Park, Plateau de Saint Barnabé National Park, Grand Corniche State Park, Rives du Var Natural Park, Brague Natural Park, Valmasque Natural Park, Estienne d'Orves Natural Park, Sinodon Natural Park, Vaugrenier Natural Park and L’Esteron State Park.
Getting bored is no option.
I’ve said it before and I will repeat myself again: The attraction of a city lies in its potential natural escape route. Nothing’s worse than being locked inside a city without the chance of a nature-themed getaway within a reasonable distance and timeframe. It keeps the brain sane. One must tune out at times. Luckily, Nice is here to serve.
Nice’s day hikes include:
- Sentier du Littoral: Laidback coastal stretch. 16km / 1-way / easy. From Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer: 6.4km.
- Sentier du Canal de Gairaut: Easy breezy walk along the Vésuble canal onto Gairaut. 3.5km / up and down / easy.
- Sentier du Vinaigrier: Panoramic hike over a limestone plateau 370m above Nice. 3.1km / loop / easy. Alternative route here.
- Mont Boron: Popular hiking and running area in the Alpes-Maritimes. 9.7km / loop / moderate. Includes the possibility to visit Fort Mont-Alban.
- Mont Chauve d'Aspremont and Mont Chauve de Tourrette: Hike to two well-known peaks in the region. 14.3km / loop / challenging.
- Trail Fort de la Revère: Between Eze and Turbia. 7.6km / 1-way / easy.
- Peille & Baudon Peak Hike: 1264m peak with Mediterranean views. 7.7km / up and down / challenging / start: Peille.
- Baou Saint Jeannet Hike: 300m cliff hike. 4.2km / loop / challenging / start: Saint Jeannet.
Long-distance trails: crossing the Nice region: GR Grande Traversée du Mercantour (4 days), sections of the 5000+km mega trail the Via Alpina, or the Grande Randonnée trails GR 5 (6 days), GR 52 (7 days) or GR 52a (15 days).
Besides that, national parks and nature reserves within decent travel time include the Mercantour National Park, Baisse de Guigo National Park, Plateau de Saint Barnabé National Park, Grand Corniche State Park, Rives du Var Natural Park, Brague Natural Park, Valmasque Natural Park, Estienne d'Orves Natural Park, Sinodon Natural Park, Vaugrenier Natural Park and L’Esteron State Park.
Getting bored is no option.
Quick Budget Fact Overview
France Facts
Short History Recap
1789: French Revolution → ends rule of monarchy going back to 9th Century. Establishment of the First Republic. ’99: Napoleon Bonaparte leads coup to overthrow government → new constitution. 1804-1814: Napoleon emperor of First French Empire. Most of continental Europe under control. ’15: Napoleon defeated in Battle of Waterloo, Bourbon monarchy re-established. ’30: July Revolution, Bourbons gone → monarchy Louis Philippe I. ’48: Overthrown, Second Republic established. ’52: Napoleon III emperor (cousin of). ‘70-71: Franco-Prussian War. Prussians/Germans defeat French & overthrow Napoleon III, claim Alsace-Lorraine. ’70: Third Republic. ’71: Revolutionary government ‘Paris Commune’ control of Paris, suppressed by French troops. ’77: Republicans win elections. 1914-’18: WWI, 1.3 mln French killed. ’18: Anglo-French offensive, backed by US. ’19: Peace Treaty of Versailles → France regains Alsace-Lorraine, German reparations. ‘36-38: Rise of the Popular Front = alliance of left-wing forces. ‘39-45: WWII, Germany occupies most of France. Vichy regime in south collaborates with Nazis. Rise of French Resistance. ’44: Allied forces at Normandy → liberation of France. De Gaulle: Provisional government, in ’46: replaced by Socialist Felix Gouin. ‘46-58: Fourth Republic → economic reconstruction & independence of many colonies. ‘46-54: Independence War French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia) between Viet Minh and France. Defeat at battle of Dien Bien Phu. ’51: Joins European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). 54-62: Anti-colonialist conflict in Algeria. ’56: End of colonial rule in Morocco & Tunisia. ’57: European Economic Community (EEC), now EU. ’58: De Gaulle back to power → Fifth Republic. ’62: Independence Algeria, results in failed murder attempt on De Gaulle. ’92: Maastricht Treaty on EU. 2001: Compulsory military service abolished. ’02: Euro replaces franc (since 1360). Separatist violence Corsica. ’08: France consents to Lisbon Treaty on reform of EU → France will inject 10.5bn euros into 6 largest banks, BUT in ‘10 announces public spending cuts of 45bn euros to reduce high level of public debt. So the people got shortened, the banks fattened. France begins to dismantle Roma (gypsy) camps & deport back to Romania and Bulgaria. ’11: Face veil ban. ’12: New law making it a crime to deny Armenian genocide by Turks. France bans militant Islamist preachers from entering. ’14: Planned 21bn euros of cuts in public spending . ’15: Charlie Hebdo shooting. France launches air strikes against Islamic State in Syria. ’16: Bastille Day attack in Nice by Islamic State.
France Facts
- Capital: Paris
- Language: French
- Population: ± 67,75 mln (Nice: ± 342,500 mln)
- Sq km: ± 550,700 km² (Nice: ± 72 km²)
- Currency: Euro (€ - EUR)
- Electricity Outlet: E (C&F) / 220 V / 50 Hz. Check here.
- Country Code Phone: +33 (4)
- Emergency Phone: 112 (general), 15 (ambulance), 18 (fire), 17 (police)
- Visa: France is a part of the EU and Schengen Area. Find more info about Schengen visas here. Easy applications can be arranged via here.
- Vaccinations: None
- Climate: Hot Mediterranean Dry Summer Climate (Csa)
- High season: Summer
Short History Recap
1789: French Revolution → ends rule of monarchy going back to 9th Century. Establishment of the First Republic. ’99: Napoleon Bonaparte leads coup to overthrow government → new constitution. 1804-1814: Napoleon emperor of First French Empire. Most of continental Europe under control. ’15: Napoleon defeated in Battle of Waterloo, Bourbon monarchy re-established. ’30: July Revolution, Bourbons gone → monarchy Louis Philippe I. ’48: Overthrown, Second Republic established. ’52: Napoleon III emperor (cousin of). ‘70-71: Franco-Prussian War. Prussians/Germans defeat French & overthrow Napoleon III, claim Alsace-Lorraine. ’70: Third Republic. ’71: Revolutionary government ‘Paris Commune’ control of Paris, suppressed by French troops. ’77: Republicans win elections. 1914-’18: WWI, 1.3 mln French killed. ’18: Anglo-French offensive, backed by US. ’19: Peace Treaty of Versailles → France regains Alsace-Lorraine, German reparations. ‘36-38: Rise of the Popular Front = alliance of left-wing forces. ‘39-45: WWII, Germany occupies most of France. Vichy regime in south collaborates with Nazis. Rise of French Resistance. ’44: Allied forces at Normandy → liberation of France. De Gaulle: Provisional government, in ’46: replaced by Socialist Felix Gouin. ‘46-58: Fourth Republic → economic reconstruction & independence of many colonies. ‘46-54: Independence War French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia) between Viet Minh and France. Defeat at battle of Dien Bien Phu. ’51: Joins European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). 54-62: Anti-colonialist conflict in Algeria. ’56: End of colonial rule in Morocco & Tunisia. ’57: European Economic Community (EEC), now EU. ’58: De Gaulle back to power → Fifth Republic. ’62: Independence Algeria, results in failed murder attempt on De Gaulle. ’92: Maastricht Treaty on EU. 2001: Compulsory military service abolished. ’02: Euro replaces franc (since 1360). Separatist violence Corsica. ’08: France consents to Lisbon Treaty on reform of EU → France will inject 10.5bn euros into 6 largest banks, BUT in ‘10 announces public spending cuts of 45bn euros to reduce high level of public debt. So the people got shortened, the banks fattened. France begins to dismantle Roma (gypsy) camps & deport back to Romania and Bulgaria. ’11: Face veil ban. ’12: New law making it a crime to deny Armenian genocide by Turks. France bans militant Islamist preachers from entering. ’14: Planned 21bn euros of cuts in public spending . ’15: Charlie Hebdo shooting. France launches air strikes against Islamic State in Syria. ’16: Bastille Day attack in Nice by Islamic State.
FREE Sights / Activities Nice
PAID Sights / Activities Nice
See full list here.
Evening Entertainment
Local Festivals
- Sights: Old Town, Castle Hill & Cascade de Gairaut, Monastere de Cimiez, Promenade des Anglais, Promenade du Paillon, Quai de Etats Unis, Avenue Jean Medecin, Place Massena, Place Garibaldi, Place Île de Beauté, Fontaine du Soleil, Cathedrale St. Nicolas, Cathedrale St. Reparate, Basilique Notre Dame de Nice, Le Jardin Albert 1er, Fort Mont-Alban, Palais de Prefecture, La Tête Carrée, Porte Lympia, Les Puces de Nice (antique shops), Hotel Negresco,
- Hikes / Nature: Nice’s endless beach strip, Sentier du Littoral (16km trail), Sentier du Canal de Gairaut (1.75km trail), Sentier du Vinaigrier (2km trail), Mont Boron, Parc Forestier du Mont-Boron, Parc Naturel Départemental d'Estienne d'Orves, Parc Naturel Départemental de la Grande Corniche.
- Day trips: Eze, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Menton, Cannes, Monaco.
PAID Sights / Activities Nice
- Sights: Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Crypte Archéologique
- Museums: Marc Chagall National Museum, Musée Massena, Palais Lascaris,Musée d'Art Moderne Et d'Art Contemporain (AMAC), Musée des Arts Asiatiques, Musée des Beaux Arts, Charles Nègre Museum of Photography, Jules Chéret Museum of Fine Arts, Anatole Jakovsky Naive Art Museum, Nice/Cimiez Archeology Museum, Museum of Prehistory of Terra Amata, Museum of Natural History, Prieuré du Vieux-Logis, Musée du Sport. The very affordable Nice Museum Pass (at time of writing EUR 15) gives you access to almost all the city’s museums for the duration of 4 days.
- Hikes / Nature: Phoenix Parc Floral, Grotte du Lazaret, Park Vigier.
- Wine: Chateau de Bellet, Chateau de Cremet, Domaine de Toasc, Domaine St. Jean.
- Other: Boat trips, Parasailing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rafting, Diving, Jetskiing, Wakeboarding, Kayaking
See full list here.
Evening Entertainment
- Nightlife Areas: Promenade des Anglais (waterfront), Old Town, Old Port, Le Petit Marais Nicois.
- Theatres: Opera de Nice, National Theatre, Theatre du Bocal, Theatre de l’Impasse, Conservatoire National à Rayonnement Régional, Theatre des Oiseaux, Comédie de Nice, Theatre Lino Ventura, Palais Nikaia, Theatre de la Cité, Theatre de Verdure, Francis Gag Theatre, Nice Acropolis, L’Inattendu Theatre.
Local Festivals
- Nice Carnaval - February / March
- Festin des Cougourdons (music / dance / food) – March
- Sacred Music Festival – June
- Fête de la Musique – June
- Bastille Day (French Culture) - July
- Nice Jazz Festival – July
- I’m Not Classic Festival – October
Budget Bites
Sleep Cheap
- Supermarkets: Carrefour, Franprix, U, Spar, Super Caddy, Utile, Casino, Monoprix.
- Markets: Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya (flower & food market; Tue-Sat 6AM-5:30PM); Marché aux Poissons (Place Saint-François; Tue-Sun 6AM-1PM), Marché de la Liberation (Place Charles de Gaulle; Tue-Sun 6AM-12:30PM).
- Local Dishes: Salade Niçoise (tuna-anchovies salad), Faris Niçois (stuffed vegetables), Daube Niçoise (beef stew), Pan Bagnat (tuna-anchovies sandwich), Socca (chickpea crepes), Panisse (chickpea fries), Pissaladière (anchovies flatbread), Boulabaisse (seafood stew), Raviolis Niçois (cheese pasta), Soupe au Pistou (basil pesto soup), Ratatouille (vegetable stew), Ganses (deep-fried pastries), Boeuf Bourguignon (beef wine stew), Escargot (snails), Cassoulet (bean sausage stew), Quiche Lorraine (egg cream custard pie), Confit de Canard (duck), Sole Meunière (breaded fish), Terrine (layered meat), Blanquette de Veau (veal stew), Pot-au-Feu (meat vegetable broth), Salmon en Papillote (salmon), Coq au Vin (red wine chicken), Potatoes Dauphinoise (cheese and cream potatoes), Croque Monsieur (grilled ham-cheese sandwhich with bechamel sauce), Croque Madame (egg sandwich), Croissants, Cougeres (cheese puffs), Tarte Tatin (apple pie), Mousse au Chocolat, Crème Brûlée (dessert) & much more!
- The Veg Situation: Going veg is not so complicated in France, as the local kitchen has quite some ‘accidentally’ plant-based dishes. A veg restaurant guide can be found here. Local veg dishes: Faris Niçois, Socca (milk), Panisse, Soupe au Pistou, Ratatouille, Croque Madame (egg), Croissants (milk), Cougeres (milk), Carottes Paysannes (carrot dish), Caviar d’Aubergines (eggplant appetizer), Poivrons a la Tomate (tomato bellpepper dish), Chichoumeille (eggplant dish), Salade de Figues (fig salad), Fenouil Braisé (fennel dish), Gratin d’Artichauts (artichoke oven dish, might contain cheese), Confit Byaldi (ratatouille variation).
- National Drink: Wine, Rosé, Pastis (anis spirit), Cognac, Kir (cocktail), Picon Bière, Absinthe.
Sleep Cheap
- Hostels / Hotels: France is definitely not a cheap country, accommodation-wise. To keep inside a limited budget, you’ll have to focus on hostels. Without being paid to say so, I love Booking.com: They have the biggest selection, are transparent about the final price and have an efficient search engine tailored to your specific needs (cheapest first!). If you use it often enough, Genius-discounts are applied. Agoda is often not transparent about prices, adding a lot of additional costs in the last booking-step. Air BnB is not what it used to be, price-wise, and seem to focus on the more upscale boutique stays nowadays. Writer’s choice: I Couchsurfed.
- Couchsurfing: allows you to stay with locals. Nowadays it has a moderate sign-up cost (unless you put a third-world country as homebase), but paying extra for verification is unnecessary: Positive reviews are way more important. Once active, there are no costs for staying at someone’s house. In order to get accepted, make sure to write an elaborate review explaining why you applied to this specific profile and think you and your host are a good match (copy-pastes tend to be ignored). The Couchsurfing community in France is rather big and finding a host shouldn’t be too complicated.
- Housesitting: is an amazing exchange allowing you to stay short- or long-term in somebody’s house, while looking after their house and pets. There are many different websites, most of them paid… but once you landed a sit, the subscription fee pays itself back quickly. The main housesitting site is Trusted Housesitters.
- Wild Camping: is not legal in France. In order to do so and avoid fines, vigilance must be practiced.
Mama Said
Transport
Next?
The Monaco video contains footage of Nice (it's just around the corner):
- Safety: France has a relatively low crime rate, besides pick-pocketing. Be cautious in crowded areas.
- Tap Water: is drinkable.
- Ethics: Boycott zoos like Parc Phoenix where animals are held in captivity out of their natural habitat.
- English is not widely spoken. That does not mean that the French can’t speak English, as most people definitely can… many of them just don’t want to. On overall tendency is that they expect foreigners to speak the rather uncommon language French in France, whereas when they travel themselves they will continue to speak French in foreign countries and expect the locals of the countries they visit to just also speak French. (Yes, I am very annoyed with this even though I speak French myself)
- The best credit/debit card for traveling is Wise, as they use the live conversion rates with minimal exchange fees. Wise also has the lowest fees for sending money to foreign accounts. Revolut is comparable, but they have higher exchange fees in the weekend and less wallet-options. Also, you can only wire money to Revolut in the currency you opened the account with, whereas Wise has IBAN’s from a wide variety of currencies, so you don’t have to pay a double exchange fee.
- Simcard: France is part of the EU, so if you already have a European sim it will work here as well. However, depending on where you’re from, it is likely much cheaper to buy a temporary prepaid sim in France, which is available at the phone stores, convenience stores or (more expensive) at the airport. Holiday or tourist packages are generally more expensive. Phone companies include Orange, Bouygues, SFR or Free Mobile. More detailed info can be found in this article.
Transport
- Walking: It is convenient to explore Nice’s downtown, boulevard and castle area on foot, as the sights are not too spread out.
- Cycling: Nice is very cyclist friendly. There is a public bicycle sharing network called Vélo Bleu, which offers the first half hour free. More info here.
- City Buses / Tram / Metro: Nice has buses and 3 tramlines, which are rather affordable. You can buy a ticket from the driver or in the various machines, which then has to be validated inside of the vehicle (also when you change vehicles). It is also possible to buy the ticket online via the NFC Ticket app. The ticket is valid in various vehicles for 74 minutes into one direction (no return journeys allowed). If you intend to use public transport for multiple days, a multi-ticket or day ticket pays off, which can only be bought in the vending machines. A Ticket Azure allows you to leave the city borders and for example get to Monaco (bus 100) or Cannes (bus 200).
- Taxi / Uber: Uber is available and is cheaper than a taxi.
- Intercity Buses: The main bus station of Nice for inter-city and international travel is Gare Routiere (also known as Gare Vauban or Gare St. Jean d’Angely, address: Avenue des Diables Bleus). It is reached by tramline 1. International lines, such as Eurolines and Flixbus, generally operate from the airport or train station.
- Train: Nice is serviced by train, operated by the SNCF. The main train station Nice-Ville is located at Avenue Thiers, but this isn’t the only station in town. The TER (trains express (régionaux) connects the various cities in the French Rivièra.
- Car Rental: This is not a cheap endeavour in France. However, the best deals can generally be found when the car is picked up from the airport.
- Airport: Aéroport de Nice (IATA; NCE; ICAO; LFMN). Tram 2 connects the airport with the downtown area, without charging an additional surcharge on the regular ticket.
- Hitchhiking: is relatively safe in France yet rather uncommon. That said, it is a good option. Keep in mind that French don’t like to speak English, even if they perfectly can, so chitchat might be a complication.
Next?
- National Destinations Close By: Cannes, Antibes, Toulon, Marseille, Montpellier.
- International Destinations Close By: Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Andorra, Spain.
The Monaco video contains footage of Nice (it's just around the corner):
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- Relive history in Austria's majestic capital Vienna
- Unravel the mysteries of Serbia
- More European city-tripping: Copenhagen [Denmark], Vilnius [Lithuania], Frankfurt am Main [Germany] or Glasgow [Scotland]
- Where city and nature meet: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Budget Bucket List hitchhike trip to... Kosovo!
- The prettiest historical town in Romania: Sighisoara!
- The 3 golden rules to travel Sofia on a budget! & Why you shouldn’t miss out on Plovdiv! [Bulgaria]
- Discover the splendours of Turkey: Istanbul on a Budget & Reasons to visit Edirne