Introduction

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera. Despite its glamourous reputation it is actually one of the most fun and relaxed cities of Europe. Not only does it host the Opéra de Nice and the summer festival of music attracting musicians, singers and music lovers from around the world, it is also home to some of the finest museums in the whole of southern France. A mixture of Marseilles, Italy, and the Mediterranean, Nice lies on the Baie des Anges between Cannes and Monte Carlo. Founded by the Greeks in 350 BC as a market town and secondary port, the city passed through the hands of barbarian invaders from the north, pirates from Africa, the Counts of Provence, the House of Savoy, Napoleon, the Italian king, and Victor Emmanuel II - each leaving their imprint on the character of the city. Finally, through a vote by the citizens, the city elected to be under French control.

Information

The main tourist office is situated at 5 Prommenade des Anglais. The opening hours are from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

The main post office is in 23 Ave Thiers, right next to Nice station. It is possible to change foreign currency here. The opening hours are from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and Saturay until noon and closed Sunday.

Getting Around

The bus service in Nice is frequent and reliable and operates until midnight. You can buy a sigle ticket on the bus or books of 10, 1 week and 5 day passes from local newsagents. Bikes and mopeds can be hired from 9 Avenue Thiers (right next door to the train station). There are also frequent trains to take you to the nearby resorts of Cannes and Monaco. Boats run regularly from Nice harbour to St Tropez and other neighbouring areas. Taxis are also available, you can either order them by telephone or wait at authorised taxi stands. Hailing them down in the street is not acceptable in Nice. Expect to pay a high fare for even the shortest rides!

Eating and Drinking

Nice is an ideal place for food lovers. There are a large number of cafes and restaurants all over Nice with food and prices to suit all tastes and budgets. The Italian influence is very strong in Nice so expect to find pizza and pasta on nearly every menu. The nearest supermarket to the school is "Casino" situated in 27 Boulevard Gambetta, open until 8:45am and 8pm.

There are also many bars, pubs and nightclubs due to Nice being a university town. Visit Chez Wayne in the Old Town if you like drinking and dancing, they host many live bands and the atmosphere is incredible.

Don't Miss

Don't miss the Old Town, an area of winding narrow streets with interesting architecture and small shops including the Museum of contemporary art which houses French avant-garde work from the 1960s to the present day.

Take in the views from the Château, 300-feet up, of the the long, turquoise bay, the colourful red tile roofs, the foothills of Provence and the Maritime Alps rising sharply just outside the city. Alternatively, take a stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, a broad sea front avenue offering a chain of colorful open-air cafes. Visit the Place Masséna, semitropical gardens set against colourful buildings.

If you get time you should visit the Musée Matisse and Musée National Marc Chagall as these feature the works of two of the city's former resident artists. Also a good place to visit is the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, the largest modern art complex in southern France. Even if art isn't your thing you get to see one of the most stunning rooftop views of the city.

Be sure to visit Le Marché aux Fleurs this wholesale flower market is one of Nice's most colorful spectacles and don't miss the Vieux Port, an array of multicoloured boats providing a perfect photo opportunity.