The South of France doesn’t nearly get enough recognition as it should! I was fortunate enough to visit Nice back in August of 2018, and I haven’t stopped talking about its beauty since! Residing along the waters of Cote d’Azur, Nice is the cultural capital of the French Riviera and its fresh Mediterranean air will have you falling ever more in love!
When I first arrived in Nice, I was blown away by the palm trees and thought to myself, “am I really in France right now?” The food, the culture and sea will truly have you mesmerized! I believe that everyone should visit the French Riviera once in their lifetime, and if you ever catch yourself travelling to Nice, here is everything you need to know!
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The Beaches
The Mediterranean sea waters are incomparable. The water is so light and clear and it feels as if you’re floating in clean, filtered water (nothing like what we’re use to in the city). The beaches here are not sandy, but filled with tiny pebbles. There are a couple of beach clubs along the coast that offer chair rentals for the day, and trust me, its worth it! The South of France is beautiful beyond belief!
The atmosphere here is so friendly and everyone just looks so happy. I saw a few locals looking like they had just finish a days work as they took off their dress shoes and changed into their swimwear! A lifestyle I hope to once live!
Opéra Plage
I spent most of my beach days at Opéra Plage. There is a public beach space, but also a section that is dedicated to a private beach club. I purchased “a day at the Opéra Plage” package for €22 which included an umbrella and lounge/tanning chair. It was money well spent because I was able to spend that beautiful August day in serenity.
Check out the Opéra Plage website to learn more about this luxurious beach experience!
Other Beaches Include:
- Blue Beach
- Beau Rivage
- Ruhl Plage
- Castel Plage
Culture & Food
Beside the views and scenery, one of the highlights of this trip was waking up in the morning and venturing through the streets of Nice to find some breakfast! I’m a lover of breakfast food and Nice had so many options to choose from! You could find traditional fluffy croissant sandwiches, freshly baked pastries, French toast, yogurt parfaits, foamy cappuccinos, the list goes on! The best part of breakfast was that you’d have it in the middle of the street courtyard with other tourist and locals!
That European culture that I love was everywhere and I was soaking up every minute of it! I generally stayed along Vieux Nice and it was here where I spent most of my mornings! They also have a daily farmers market were you can pick out fresh fruits and vegetables and handmade jewelry and clothing!
Cours Saleya Market In Vieux Nice
Nightlife
The nighttime was very much alive in Nice. The cobblestone streets were packed with foldable tables and chairs as restaurants tried to fit as many people as possible! What I can remember from dinner was a lot of wine, bread, and absolutely marvelous entrees! I think the fact that everyone around me was always happy and how there was live music going, made the experience 100x better!
Since Nice hugs close to Italy so a lot of their cuisine resembles Italian food but it still keeps a French and Mediterranean flare. I recommend checking out:
Restaurant Le Chantecler
Le Canon
Primo Amore by Pappagallo
When it comes to food in Nice, its hard to pin-point which place to go to. There are so many restaurants along the streets, so if you see one that catches your eye don’t be afraid to check it out!
Train Ride To Monte Carlo
Nice neighbours Monaco and I decided to take a quick train ride from the Gare de Nice-Ville station to visit Monte Carlo. It was the best decision I made and it only cost me €6….€6 to go to a completely different country, ugh I love Europe!
I was culture shocked when I arrived in Monte Carlo. I saw Bentley’s, Rolls Royce’s and McLaren’s along the streets, and best of all, million dollar yacht’s at the port! Besides the glamour, Monte Carlo is a steep city with hundreds of steps that led you along the streets to the sea. Similar to Nice, its beauty was unforgettable and when you’re so close to another country, why not take the opportunity to continue your ventures! South of France here you come!
