The French Mediterranean coast has been the playground of the rich and famous for decades, drawn to the glorious weather, stunning coastlines and the pace of life suited to those who can afford to take their time.
Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, is the second most popular city in France after Paris. It’s famous for its beaches and beach culture, only made possible by the fact that it remains fabulously temperate all year round.
Nice’s Famous Residents
As you walk along the Promenade des Anglais (the Walkway of the English) you’ll be following in the footsteps of some of the most important men in art, politics, philosophy and literature from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Some of the city’s famous past inhabitants included Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian patriot who was a staunch advocate of nationalism and was responsible for the unification of Italy in the 19th century; German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who’s hugely influential work in the late 19th century was the backbone of some of the most important theories of the last 100 years; and F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of one of the greatest American novels ever written, “The Great Gatsby.”
The famous impressionist Henri Matisse also lived here, and there is a museum dedicated to his work which shows just how important the vibrant colors and the coastline of the Riviera were to his work.
The city has some famous landmarks which should not be missed. They include:
Observatoire de Nice
The Nice observatory was built in 1885 by Gustave Eiffel; its dome is 79 feet (24 metres) in diameter, making it the biggest in Europe. It sits at the summit of Mont Gros north-west of the city. In 1987 the area around the observatory was turned into a beautiful park with planetarium shows, ideal for visitors of all ages to learn about the cosmos.
Musee des Beaux Arts
The Fine Art Museum contains some of the greatest paintings created in Italy in the 17th century, and French paintings and sculptures from the 18th and 19th centuries. The building which houses magnificent works by many artists including Monet, Rodin, Renoir and Picasso, was originally the 1870 residence of a Russian princess.
Food
Something you’ll always find with France is that in the regions which are close to the borders with other European countries, the influence comes across no more strongly than in the food. The region is the best in the country for authentic Italian food such as pizza and pasta with a French twist, which are often highly recommended.
Places to Stay
When you’re looking for a hotel in Nice the Promenade des Anglais is a stunning location; this is one of the most famous tourist attractions of the city.
Lined with palm trees it runs for miles along the Mediterranean coast, perfect for romantic walks; and when you feel like a spot of shopping you can sneak into one of the luxury boutiques.
The promenade is an icon of the style and opulence that draws tourists to the region with restaurants, cafes and casinos. It is typified by the blue sun chairs and white pergolas that became the iconic image of the shoreline in the early 20th century which endures even today.
About the author: Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects.