Culture and Life-style (4 days)

Take a glance beneath at our recommended 4-day itinerary to find the tradition and life-style of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan space

Nice Côte d’Azur is brimming with spectacular artworks that enrich its exceptional historic and architectural heritage, spanning the Belle Époque, Art Deco and Baroque intervals. Today, artwork might be discovered not solely in museums but in addition in public areas, streets and gardens. Discover them as you stroll round and take the chance to search out out what makes Nice Côte d’Azur the capital of the artwork of residing!

You’ll notably get pleasure from the next highlights of this ‘Culture and Art de Vivre Nice Côte d’Azur’ itinerary:

• The vibrant markets
• The eclectic nature of museums
• Gastronomy
• Parks and gardens
• The attraction of cities and outdated villages

You’ll discover the cities ofNice, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Vence

Day 1

Old Nice

Start your first day with a must-see go to to Old Nice. Lose your self in its maze of winding alleyways, wander into its full of life little squares, admire its vibrant façades and pop into the retailers promoting native produce and crafts. On theCours Saleya, you’ll be enchanted by the candy scents of spices and flowers wafting by way of the aisles of this market, ranked amongst France’s most distinctive markets.Open daily besides Mondays.

Next,take the time to go to thePalais Lascaris,with its monumental Baroque staircase adorned with frescoes and its lavishly embellished state rooms. Listed as a Historic Monument, the museum focuses on artwork and music. It homes prints, work, tapestries, furnishings, artworks and musical devices from the seventeenth and 18th centuries. Its primary attraction is that it’s the solely civil Baroque palace open to the general public in Nice.

Sea, solar and socca!

Finally, will you find a way to withstand the decision of the deep blue sea? The color of the water is irresistible and invitations you to get pleasure from lunch together with your ft within the water on the terrace of a beachside restaurant.

You may also purchase a slice of pissaladière, some farçis, some socca or a pan-bagnat in Old Nice and have a picnic in your towel, identical to the locals do! Sea, solar and socca – the Nice lifestyle that you just should expertise!

Thebook marketis held each Saturday within the Place du Palais de Justice. You’ll get pleasure from shopping by way of outdated books, unique works, uncommon editions and classic postcards.

On Mondays, theflea marketis held on the Cours from 7am to 6pm, besides on the eve of public holidays.

Next, head as much as thehill the place Nice Castle stands, overlooking the ocean. The view is excellent, and the greenery and waterfall are refreshing! You can climb the steps reverse the Quai des Etats-Unis (reverse the #ILoveNice hashtag) or take the raise proper subsequent to it. You may also attain it from the rear, through Rue Ségurane, between the Port and Place Garibaldi. Don’t anticipate finding a fortress, although… It was utterly destroyed by Louis XIV’s troops in 1706…

On the best way down from the Castle Hill…

Continue your itinerary and take in some tradition as you head to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice (MAMAC). With almost 1,300 works by over 300 artists (César, Niki de Saint Phalle, Yves Klein, Arman), the MAMAC covers an unlimited interval stretching from the late Fifties to the current day: the School of Nice with Nouveau Réalisme, Pop Art, Fluxus, Supports-Surfaces… Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle, main figures in Twentieth-century artwork, type the center of the everlasting collections. From the roof, get pleasure from a panoramic view of the entire metropolis.The museum is at present closed for renovation work.

Finally, take a stroll by way of the gardens of thePromenade du Paillon.This12-hectare inexperienced hall proper within the metropolis centre is a paradise for walkers and households. You’ll love its 2,800 m² reflecting pool that includes 128 fountains, its misting space (900 misters protecting 1,400 m²), its youngsters’s play areas, its central grassy space and its themed botanical gardens.

To spherical off the night, head to Old Nice or Place Garibaldi for dinner in a conventional restaurant. Establishments awarded the‘Cuisine Nissarde’ labelguarantee high quality and a trustworthy interpretation of conventional Nice recipes. You’ll additionally get pleasure from strolling amongst the stalls ofthe night time market, which takes place on the Cours Saleya in the summertime. There you’ll discover handcrafted gadgets, regional souvenirs and inventive creations. The ambiance may be very nice; it’s the right place for a post-dinner stroll.

Day 2

Asian wonders and breathtaking pure magnificence west of Nice

Take a visit to Asia! Start this new day with a go to to the attractiveMuseum of Asian Arts, on the western entrance to Nice. Its putting marble and glass structure, set beside a lake residence to waterfowl, is the work of Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.  What makes this museum’s assortment so distinctive is its choice of iconic works that seize the spirit of Asian and Hindu cultures (spanning 4 main traditions: China, Japan, India and South-East Asia). A calming and engaging go to awaits!

What’s extra, you’ll already be there to embark on an entire new journey – a journey into Wonderland! Spanning 7 hectares,Phoenix Floral Parkfeatures round twenty themed gardens, every a rigorously curated ‘naturoscope’. Its big glass pyramid (one of many largest on this planet) will impress you with its various flora. Discover the exuberance of the equatorial forest, the fascinating world of orchids, the Southern African backyard set within the Natal Desert, or, in a really humid surroundings, the tree ferns whose ancestors lived alongside the dinosaurs. Finally, escape to the aquarium gallery earlier than getting a little bit of a thrill from the insect vivariums… Your youngsters can be captivated – and so will you!

You’ll have the ability to see all kinds of animals, each contained in the greenhouse and out of doors. Part botanical backyard, half zoo… This go to is bound to thrill the entire household! There’s a snack bar the place you may seize a drink or have lunch on website.

In the footsteps of Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer

As you make your method again down in the direction of the seafront, ensure to not miss a go to tothe Renoir Museum. You’ll achieve an intimate perception into the painter’s life as you discover his residence, full with its interval furnishings and his studio. You’ll stroll by way of the park, residence to centuries-old olive timber and protecting over 2 hectares – a veritable oasis of greenery, flowers and fruit that impressed the grasp over the past eleven years of his life. Finally, you’ll be captivated by the 14 work by Renoir on show on the partitions and the 25 sculptures created in collaboration with Richard Guino. Around fifty works by artists near him full the exhibition. From the park, you’ll get pleasure from a powerful view with the outdated village as a backdrop.

An ideal summer time’s night

It’s time to sit down all the way down to dinner now.
The seafront, with its many eating places, is the right place to get pleasure from a stunning begin to the night.

Continue your stroll to the little fishing port of Le Cros de Cagnes. Then head to the craft market on Avenue des Oliviers, the place, on Friday evenings in July and August, round fifty native artists and craftspeople showcase their creations from 6 pm till midnight.
Jewellery, hats, hand-decorated scarves, residence décor gadgets… 
Which merchandise will you fall for?

The Côte d’Azur Racecourse inCagnes-sur-Mer additionally hosts horse races in July and August. These occasions entice horse lovers and punters, however are additionally an important alternative to get pleasure from a beautiful night as a pair or with the household. A bunch of occasions punctuate the summer time season at this distinctive venue. Restaurants and snack bars can be found on website.

Day 3

Villefranche-sur-Mer, a must-see

Today we’re taking you to the charming little seaside city ofVillefranche-sur-Merto proceed your ‘Culture and Art de Vivre Nice Côte d’Azur’ itinerary. With its majestic curved shoreline – thought-about by many to be one of the lovely harbours on this planet – in addition to its Sixteenth-century Citadel, a listed historic monument, its vibrant façades and its seashores, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a city a lot liked by painters and artists, movie administrators, cruise passengers and guests from everywhere in the world. You too can be enchanted by its slim streets, its Rue Obscure, its Chemin de Ronde, its Darse and its picturesque little fishing harbour, its open-air theatre with its rose backyard, and its free museums within the coronary heart of the citadel.

As we go away the Citadel, let’s head all the way down to the fantasticSaint-Pierre Chapel, which was completely embellished in 1957 by Jean Cocteau as a gesture of friendship in the direction of the native fishermen. The inside murals depict the Mediterranean and scenes from the lifetime of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. It has been listed as a historic monument since 27 December 1996. You’ll quickly see why!

Please word that the museums in Villefranche-sur-Mer are at present closed for renovation work

For lunch, you’ll discover loads of eating places alongside the seafront or within the streets of the outdated city of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Some provide tables with beautiful sea views…

An distinctive villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Not removed from there, on the street to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat,theelegantVilla Ephrussi de Rothschild and its 9 themed gardens(French, Spanish, Florentine, rock backyard, Japanese, unique, Provençal, rose backyard and Sèvres) await you. Spanning 4 hectares, these gardens are ranked amongst probably the most lovely in France. Take the time to walk alongside the paths and breathe within the scent of the flowers. 

Feeling a bit peckish or actually thirsty? Take a seat for a scrumptious break within the lounge on the ‘Béatrice’ Restaurant & Tea Room. At lunchtime, the tea room serves gentle meals. You may also sit down beneath the orange timber on the terrace and savour the attraction of this lovely day on the Riviera!

The inside of this Renaissance-style home (one of many best residences on the Côte d’Azur) can be open to guests. Inside, you will see that reception rooms and the non-public residences of Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild (1864–1934).

In July and August, the location additionally opens its doorways for night visits on Monday and Tuesday evenings (from 7.30 pm to midnight)! Music, fountains, a bar and candles all come collectively to create a romantic and glamorous tour of the villa and a few of its gardens. 

Day 4

The fairly little medieval city of Vence

Today, head as much as the gorgeous city ofVenceand uncover a unique aspect to the ‘Côte d’Azur’. Nestled in its pure setting on the foot of the Baous, this medieval city will captivate you with its genuine attraction. Stroll by way of its slim streets and wander amongst the bustling stalls of its fruit and vegetable market (each morning besides Mondays) on the Place du Grand Jardin. Breathe, pay attention, look…

There are 24fountains, testifying to the presence of two water sources. Each of those fountains has its personal historical past or distinctive characteristic. The greatest recognized is the Peyra Fountain, which was renovated in 1822 and is listed as a historic monument. Don’t overlook to go to France’s smallest cathedral and its collections. A Chagall is hidden inside its partitions.

The painter Henri Matisse spent a number of years in Vence. Housed throughout the Château de Villeneuve, on the ramparts of the historic city, theMusée de Vence–Fondation Émile Hugues– pays tribute to him by way of its everlasting assortment. You may even admire this museum for its trendy and modern works. Its non permanent exhibitions showcase the best names in Twentieth-century portray (Matisse, Dufy, Chagall, Dubuffet, and many others.).

And many extra points of interest apart from…

Another reminder of Matisse’s time in Vence is theChapelle du Rosaire, located a brief distance from the city and unassuming from the surface. The inside ornament was completely designed by Henri Matisse, from the structure to the furnishings and stained-glass home windows. The Dominican Sisters welcome you to take a guided tour of what Matisse thought-about to be his masterpiece.

You may also achieve an intimate perception into the lifetime ofWitold Gombrowicz on the museum devoted to him in his former Polish flat within the magnificent Villa Alexandrine (free admission).

You may then prefer to discover a few of the 200 kilometres of signposted strolling trails that the Vence area has to supply hikers? Fromthe Tourist Office,the place you will get all the knowledge you want, set off on theBaou des Blancs strolling route. So named as a result of the Vence brotherhood of the Pénitents Blancs used to make an annual pilgrimage there in procession, this promontory overlooks the city of Vence at an altitude of 673 metres.  From its summit, you’ll be handled to a sweeping panorama stretching from Cap Ferrat to the Estérel. Theviews are breathtaking. Your gaze wanders from the ocean to the mountains, and hopefully, you may spot falcons and swallows in flight.

Our recommended itinerary, ‘Culture and Art de Vivre: Nice Côte d’Azur’, ends right here. Do be happy to take a look at our different recommended itineraries!