Nice, FRANCE - From Promenade des Anglais to Castle Hill

Nice is a city that sits comfortably between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, offering both elegance and everyday charm. The most iconic sight is the Promenade des Anglais, a long waterfront boulevard where people stroll, cycle, and sit beneath the palm trees while the sea shifts shades of blue. Just a few steps away is the Old Town, with narrow alleys, colorful buildings, baroque churches, and the smell of socca, the local chickpea pancake, drifting through the streets.

The city has long drawn artists. Matisse and Chagall both lived and worked in Nice, and their dedicated museums highlight how much the light and atmosphere shaped their work. Markets add another layer of daily life, especially the Cours Saleya, known for its flowers, fresh produce, and Mediterranean energy.

Nice carries traces of its Italian past as well. The architecture has an Italian baroque influence, and the cuisine blends Provençal and Ligurian flavors. Seafood, olive oil, fresh vegetables, and pasta appear side by side on menus, often accompanied by local wines.

For views, Castle Hill offers the best panorama, looking out across the Bay of Angels and the red rooftops of the city. The beaches are mostly pebbled, but they are part of the city’s identity, where both locals and visitors gather in the sun.

Nice is often seen as the gateway to the French Riviera, but it is also a destination in its own right. It manages to be glamorous without losing its authenticity, inviting visitors to slow down and take in the sea air, the food, and the mix of cultures that shaped it.