In November 2016, Peter and I spent a week in Nice. After traveling through Italy for several weeks, we took the train to the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. The weather was sunny and warm and the views of the bay were amazing from every vantage point in the city.

Departing Venice and Bound for Nice

We boarded a train at the Venice Santa Lucia station and headed across Italy to the Milan Centrale station where we connected to another train that took us down to the coast. At Genoa, our train journey took us along the Ligurian coast to Ventimiglia on the French border and then through Menton and Monte-Carlo to Nice.

Arriving in Nice

After arriving in Nice, we checked into the Hotel Suisse which overlooks the famous Promenade des Anglais. From our balcony, we had a breathtaking panoramic view over the splendid Baie des Anges or Bay of Nice. Our hotel was built into the mountainside of Colline du Château and the Bellanda Tower.

Castle Hill

Castle Hill, or Colline du Chateau, dominates the city and divides the seaside part of Nice into two parts — the eastern part with the Old Port and the western part with the Old Town. Built as a fortress, Colline du Chateau has stood overlooking the Bay of Nice from the 11th century to the 18th century and is now the Parc du Chateau which surrounds the former fortress. The 300-foot high hill offers views from all sides and includes ruins of the defensive walls and a man-made waterfall. We reached the park via steep stairs next to our hotel — there is also an elevator built into the mountainside.

The building that looks like a huge barrel just above our hotel is the Bellanda Tower, which now houses the Maritime Museum. It was built in 1826 and is a reconstruction of one of the bastions of the former castle. The French composer Hector Berlioz once lived in it.

Old Port of Nice

On the other side of Castle Hill is the Old Port of Nice whose construction began in 1748 by the King of Sardinia. The Port of Nice is one of the main harbors for the boats which sail across the Mediterranean Sea. It accommodates both the ships operated by ferry companies and the private yachts of tourists who come to Nice by sea on their own water craft. The apartment house where Napoleon Bonaparte once lived is also located near the port.

Promenade des Anglais

Promenade des Anglais in Nice is one of the most spectacular promenades on the French Riviera. Its name comes from the English aristocrats who came to Nice in the 18th century to enjoy the health benefits of the local climate. At that time, the shoreline was undeveloped, and the lords and their wives wanted to walk comfortably so a seaside promenade was built with the labor and finances of the English people. Today it stretches for over four miles from the airport to the west to Quai des Etats Unis near the Port de Nice to the east — providing an uninterrupted view of the azure sea and palm trees. There is a pedestrian walk and a separate two-way cycling path which is lined with attractions and includes bicycle rentals along the way.

Old Town

The old town of Nice, also called Old Nice or Vieux Nice, lies just below Castle Hill and is made up of apartment houses lined up along narrow and shadowed streets. The ground floors are occupied by restaurants, shops, and the galleries of local artists.

Place Massena

Place Massena is Nice’s main square. Its main feature is the Water Mirror fountain which was constructed in 2014.