Cote d'Azur (Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Grasse). Sights of Nice. Azure Coast. France

French Riviera: Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Juan Les Pens. I guess everyone who hears these names now represents chic resorts, glamorous hotels, parties, snow-white yachts. But how are things really? I propose to get acquainted with my experience of rest on the Mediterranean coast of France.

And so my French journey from Normandy to the Côte d'Azur came to an end. I spent the last four days in the resort town of Juan-les-Pins between Nice and Cannes. And if I began all previous reports about France with an expression of delight and tenderness, then with the Cote d'Azur I did not have mutual love, alas.

So the plan was this. After a gallop through a dozen visited cities, relax the last days of vacation on the Cote d'Azur. We began to study the map of the Cote d'Azur. It was clear that living in places with big names, like Nice or Cannes, would be completely off-budget. Therefore, they began to look for places away from the hyped places, but at the same time with wide sandy beaches. As a result, the choice fell on the village of Juan-les-Pins near Antibes. Found inexpensive (around 100 euros) Hotel Hotel Saint-Charles and, without thinking twice, ordered.

After a couple of days, I decided to read more about the place of my future vacation:

"Extensive sandy beaches, stretching along a luxurious pine grove, and vibrant nightlife have made this place especially popular among the youth of the Côte d'Azur. Countless music cafes, bars, cabarets, discos, the Promenade du Soleil with its string of waterfront coffee houses and star boutiques open day and night, one of the most beautiful casinos on the Riviera and, of course, the most famous annual jazz festival in the world - all this fills this charming Mediterranean bay with the spirit of courtesy and resort bliss."

Well, OK, we arrived, then, in our village with "the spirit of courtesy and star boutiques." From my short experience of a beach holiday: Egypt, Crimea and Sochi, the Cote d'Azur most of all reminded Sochi. Well, except that rock or jazz plays in taverns instead of chanson. Then you can read a good post on the topic of rest in speaking name Horrors of the Côte d'Azur. I agree with almost everything there. For myself, I realized that more than a foot here in the format of a beach holiday. Well, maybe I'll taxi when I save up for my own yacht. But I will not use this report as a cistern for the negative. I'll just post a few pictures.

1. Embankment of Juan-les-Pins, in principle, nothing like that.

2. The main disappointment of Juan-les-Pins is the beach. A narrow strip of sand is broken up into tiny fenced paid beaches. I don’t feel sorry for 20 euros for a sunbed, but when someone else’s body lies at arm’s length for this money, well, no, thanks. We found the largest paid beach by local standards in Juan les Pins Juanita. It's just in the picture below, but anyway, after Asia I was in culture shock from the density of bodies, so this place is not for social phobes.

3. If such a flea market is on paid beaches, then there is nothing to say about a public beach. Hell and Anapa! Here is a picture from free beach in Juan les Pins. How do you like this vacation?

And here, between the paid beach and the beach of some hotel, several meters of no-man's shore formed.

5. Typical street of Juan-les-Pins. Low-rise buildings, palm trees, some shops. In principle, it is nice and cozy, but there is absolutely nothing to do during the day.

6. Casino Juan-les-Pins.

8. View from railway station Juan-les-Pins.

9. On the topic of stupidity SNCF in its southern French version, I have already arranged a five-minute hate. Tanya is clearly unhappy with the train to Cannes, which is already half an hour late, despite the fact that it takes ten minutes to go there.

10. Okay, let's go to Cannes. Out of habit, we speak in the plural of Cannes, but still it is Cannes that is correct.

11. I liked the beach better in Cannes. There are fewer paid sections and the line itself is wider than in Juan-les-Pins. Therefore, the density of vacationers is less. True, we were already after 6 pm and during the rain, perhaps in the afternoon and in good weather here is the same rubbish. Of the minuses - this is the proximity of the parking lot for yachts, that from them flows into the water directly on the heads of swimmers, it is not clear, but I am sure that this is by no means ambrosia.

13. In Cannes, for the first time in my entire trip, I met numerous Russians. By the arrival of the next batch of compatriots, half the population of Cannes poured onto the embankment. I expected to see familiar faces on TV, but I did not recognize anyone. Compatriots went ashore, sat in Cayenne with Moscow numbers and drove off into the sunset distance.

14. In Cannes, I liked to wander along the promenade and stare at the yachts.

16. Guards!

17. But the main feature of Cannes - the Palace of Festivals and Congresses, turned out to be outwardly complete bullshit. Some kind of concrete awkward structure, approximately, as we built in the late 70s. And the red carpet is also some kind of garbage. I expected more pathos and glamour.

18. Gorillas from car tires. They clearly symbolize something.

19. Probably, the rubber cat also symbolizes something.

26. In Cannes there is a cute, but very tiny Old city. Wandered around its streets for a bit.

31. Famous graffiti.

34. Cannes Casino.

35. Here, I am reviewing the pictures from Cannes, and it seems like nothing. But I remember that on the spot I did not like Cannes at all. Let's say we walked along the boulevard (promenade, embankment) Croisette, and somehow it didn't hook me with anything.

36. It is interesting that after six in the evening the beaches become empty. Although formally there is no ban on swimming, as I understand it.

37. So, we return to our village. Juan-les-Pins even has its own Notre Dame.

38. If Cannes positions itself as the center of cinema, then Juan-les-Pins is trying to occupy the niche of music. There is a jazz festival here. Alas, I feel about jazz in much the same way as John Lennon. Let me remind you that in life, in his own words, he hated two things most of all: dullards and jazz. So this ubiquitous jazz theme did not cling to me at all.

39. And here is the explanation of the name of the town Juan-les-Pins (Juan-under-Pines).

40. Sun beds on the piers are the most expensive.

41. Tanya thought.

43. I did not recognize a single star from Juan-les-Pins.

45. Exactly at six in the evening, paid beaches close and turn into restaurants right on the seashore. This the main thing which I liked in Juan-les-Pins. Meet the sunset at a restaurant table on the sand to the sound of the surf while waiting for your "loup de mer". It was possible to dine twice cheaper in less bourgeois cafes in the city itself, but I could not resist the temptation.

46. And this is Juan-les-Pins at 11pm. The party is in full swing. True, it lies in the fact that everyone walks back and forth along the embankment or eats pizza in a cafe.

47. So, now a little about Nice. Of all the trinity, Nice seemed the most meaningful, as a city, and not an appendage to the beach. Of the negative points - the number of migrants here is no less than in Marseille.

48. There are some pleasant streets in Nice.

50. But the beach is already pebbly. I really couldn’t walk on it barefoot, it’s just some kind of torture. But there are fewer people than in Juan-les-Pins.

51. The entire coast is also divided between paid beaches.

52. Omelet for five hundred rubles.

53. Pebbles, of course, cause incredible suffering, but due to them, the water in Nice is much cleaner in appearance than in Cannes.

54. Beauty.

55. Tanya on the Promenade des Anglais.

57. Promenade des Anglais without Tanya.

58. Paphos and glamour.

59. Sculpture at the Negresco Hotel.

60. In some places, Nice reminded Italy. Still, the past affects under the crown of the Dukes of Savoy.

62. Yes, Nice is a good city. I would walk here for a couple of days. But, spend the whole vacation here, thank you.

63. This concludes my series of reports on a trip through France from Normandy to the Côte d'Azur. Each city and region turned out to be interesting in its own way, we did not agree on the characters only with the Cote d'Azur. But in any case, this time France left a positive impression. I hope that next year I will continue to explore this wonderful country.

From Normandy to the Côte d'Azur July 2013

Nice is one of the most popular resorts on the Mediterranean coast of France, and in combination is also the "capital". The cultural center of the south of France, the fifth largest city in this country, the second largest in the number of museums, the port city, also has its own international Airport- Nice has it all.

Nice France, city of Nice

Nice is the largest resort on the Cote d'Azur, the administrative center of the Alpes-Maritimes department. Just 30 kilometers from Nice is Italy. From Nice 960 kilometers, to Marseille - 230 kilometers. The city itself is located on the coast beautiful bay called the Bay of Angels.

Get to Nice

Getting to Nice is easy. Nice has its own international airport Nice Côte d'Azur, which is the third in terms of passenger traffic in France. It receives direct flights from Russia, the flight time is about 4.5 hours. You can also get to Nice by changing trains in Paris. Express buses, local buses, trains and, of course, taxis run from the airport to the city. Nice is one of the largest transport hubs in France, so it is connected to all major cities and suburbs, and Monaco.

A bit of history

The history of Nice begins in the 4th century BC, it was founded by the Greeks and at that time it bore the name Nicaea. This settlement was one of the most important transportation hubs on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. In the Middle Ages, Nice was repeatedly devastated and wars, the kings of France tried to capture it more than once. But she always came out of the attacks with dignity. Between 1792 and 1814, Nice was captured by Napoleon. In the 16th century, two plague epidemics occurred here. After the Napoleonic Wars, Nice received a calling as one of the best resorts this region.

Weather in Nice

As you might guess, the climate in Nice is Mediterranean. But, despite this, there is quite a bit of rainfall, they mostly occur from September to May. Summers in Nice are quite hot, sunny and dry, although there is occasional rainfall, but this happens quite rarely. Summer comes to Nice late, even in April it is quite rainy and overcast here, complete dominance warm weather can be observed only in May, but autumn is quite warm, and even in November the temperature here is about +20 degrees.

Shops in Nice

Shopping in Nice is associated with its flower market. Here, on Mondays, instead of flowers, seafood, vegetables and fruits, antiques are exhibited. Right on the pavement, you can find quite interesting things, while paying ridiculous money for them. It is worth visiting the Alziari olive oil shop, which is known throughout France.

Nice Hotels

The choice of hotels in Nice is simply huge; here you can find apartments for every taste and budget. Here you have options for budget holiday and the most luxurious hotels with aristocratic interiors and service. great views from the windows and a good location will make your stay in Nice unforgettable. And, of course, the famous Negresco hotel in Nice, built in the neoclassical style, located on the Promenade des Anglais. It is not only a symbol of Nice, but also of the Laser Coast as a whole, included in the list of architectural objects of historical significance in France.

Attractions in Nice

Rosetti Square is considered the center of Nice, it is here that the Cathedral of Saint-Reparat, built in the 17th century, is located. To the south are Saleya Boulevard and Places Pierre-Gaultier and Charles-Felix. You should definitely take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais, where the best hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops are located. Visit the area Old Nice, there is a wonderful architecture, as well as a variety of cafes and shops. Be sure to try the ice cream in the old town.

For Russian tourists interesting sights are located here. In the middle of the 19th century, Nice became one of the most popular place recreation among the Russian aristocracy. Construction was completed in 1912 Orthodox church St. Nicholas, one of the most beautiful outside of Russia. By 1932, there were more than 5,300 Russians in Nice, thanks to which the Villefranche bay area began to be called Russian Nice. Here are also located: the Russian cemetery of Kokad, formerly called Nikolaevsky, where about 3,000 Russian citizens are buried, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Martyr Empress Alexandra, as well as a monument to Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, located in the garden of Nikolsky Cathedral.

1. Nice was founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BC and was called Nicaea in honor of Nike, the goddess of victory. Many monuments of ancient architecture have survived to this day on the Cote d'Azur.

2. In 1543, the washerwoman Catherine Seguran entered the history of Nice. During the siege of the city by pirates and the troops of Francis I, she, armed with a washing roller, killed an enemy soldier and took away his banner, after which, lifting her skirts, she showed her ass to the enemies. A street and one of the largest lyceums in Nice are named after Catherine Seguyuran.

3. In Nice on the Promenade des Anglais tragic accident the famous dancer Isadora Duncan, the wife of Sergei Yesenin, died. She was strangled by a gas scarf wrapped around the axle of a car. A few minutes before her death, she told the assembled fans: "Goodbye friends, I'm going to glory."

4. Nice is home to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, brushed off by the most beautiful cathedral Orthodox Church outside of Russia. Unfortunately, it is surrounded by a high fence and you can enter there only at certain hours. Entrance to any Catholic church in Nice is free at any time. Doors are always open. Almost everywhere you can look at the frescoes, admire the interior decoration, take pictures.

5. Nice - Côte d'Azur Airport is one of the ten airports with the most breathtaking view during takeoff and landing. The airport is located within the city, so fans walking tours, not burdened with heavy suitcases, can safely walk to their hotel along one of the most beautiful and famous embankments in the world - the Promenade des Anglais.

6. Nice is a very calm and democratic city. Contrary to popular belief, millionaires don't walk the streets in Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior or drive around in Ferraris. Demonstrating wealth and status is considered indecent here.

7. You can admire all the attributes of a luxurious life during the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Formula 1 races, as well as at the height of the tourist season in the hottest summer months. But this has nothing to do with the inhabitants of Nice. In August, residents of the city usually go on vacation. Many cafes and shops popular among local residents are closed.

8. Russian millionaires spend their lives here behind high fences in villas and tinted car windows, and mostly only in the summer. You can easily crush a French millionaire's foot on the bus at any time of the year without knowing that it was a millionaire.

9. Russian tourists are always visible from afar: the girls do their best to hobble in high heels in expensive and uncomfortable shoes along the streets paved with paving stones or tiles. Men wear deliberately expensive shoes and watches. Or, on the contrary, they are too casually dressed, look extremely unsportsmanlike and appear in public places in swimming trunks and beach shoes. Most Russian tourists can be recognized by the expression of doom and tired disgust on their faces. They do not seem to rest, but do a grueling job called "rest on the Cote d'Azur."

10. Traffic jams in Nice are only in July and August. They are made by tourists. The rest of the year traffic is completely free. A ten-minute delay on the road causes panic and indignation among the French.

11. In France, you can drink alcohol while driving. Permissible rate is 0.5 ppm. This is a couple of beers, or two large glasses of wine, or one strong cocktail. If you rent a car, then you will carefully hang a list of alcoholic beverages on your rearview mirror that you can drink without fear of penalties. Usually road checks happen only during the summer tourist season. The rest of the time you will not notice the traffic police on the Cote d'Azur. The French have absolutely no sacred horror before the traffic police, however, as well as accidents.

12. Provence is historically the first region of France where they began to produce wine. Even 600 years before our era, the Greeks, who founded their cities on the coast, were engaged in viticulture and winemaking.

13. A bottle of decent wine in France costs about €3–5. Not uncommon wine for €1.50-2.50. This does not mean that the wine is bad. A rare Frenchman will buy a bottle of wine for more than €10–15. Only on special occasions. All French people prefer to drink young wines. There is no particular difference in the quality of wine for €3 and for €15. Exclusively a matter of taste.

14. In Nice, many people drink alcoholic drinks in the morning. Elderly ladies discussing the news over a glass of wine at 9 am, men reading the morning paper while drinking a cool draft beer or a glass of pastis - this is a common sight in Nice. No one sees in this something defiant or reprehensible. This is the norm. Strong drinks are not popular here. The stores have a large selection of vodka. The French sometimes buy it for parties to drink in a cocktail with ice and tonic. IN summer time mojito cocktails are very popular in coastal cafes. Often watermelon, melon, strawberries and other fresh fruits are added to it. You can order a non-alcoholic mojito.

15. A bottle of real French champagne can cost €15–20 in a supermarket. It's just that it won't be a world-famous brand like "Veuve Clicquot" or "Louis Roderer", but small family houses from Champagne, of those who do not want to spend money on advertising. For beverage production only.

Sparkling wines produced in France, but not in the province of Champagne, usually cost €3–7. They are also very tasty.

16. Nowhere in France are rose wines produced in such volumes as in Provence. They are common throughout the Cote d'Azur and are drunk in the heat, like water, often with ice. Rosé wine goes well with local cuisine, especially with fish and seafood.

17. Among the wines of Provence, several appellations with a fairly high rating should be noted: AOC Bandol, AOC Bellet, AOC Cassis. These wines are not inferior in quality to the most famous wines of France and will please any connoisseur of fine wines.

18. Nobody in Nice drinks tea. Everyone usually drinks coffee. If you see someone drinking tea, especially in the summer, they are most likely tourists from England.

19. French women never do anything special to hide their age or appear younger than their age. Every French woman believes that she is beautiful at any age. And it is true.

20. A French man may divorce his young wife in order to marry an older woman. He is looking for a companion and like-minded person, and not decorative design.

21. Bright Russian girls, repainted in blondes, in tight blouses, short skirts, daytime makeup and high heels, the French call "pupe rus" - which means "matryoshka".

22. No inhabitant of the Côte d'Azur will wear high-heeled shoes unless she is invited to a wedding or other celebration. And in this case, the heel will be average and as comfortable as possible. No one will expose themselves to discomfort in order to impress anyone or please a man.

23. Despite the huge number of world-famous couturiers and the status of one of the most luxury resorts world, the inhabitants of Nice prefer sports shoes in everyday life, (sneakers or sneakers) from clothes - the simplest T-shirts and jeans that can be bought in stores for €15–20. The collections of such clothes are very diverse and change almost every month, so you can safely buy the most fashionable things, wear them several times and immediately send them to the dustbin when a new collection appears. That's how everyone usually does it.

Fashionable and inexpensive clothing stores occupy entire streets in Nice, and the French are happy to walk around, looking at the windows and trying on the things they like. Often there are sales in stores where you can buy two items for the price of one, or with a 50-70% discount. Every French woman from childhood knows perfectly well what suits her and what does not. If she wants to emphasize the dignity of her figure or the color of her eyes - do not hesitate, you will notice it. You will notice the woman, not her clothes.

24. In the shops of Nice, where they sell the most expensive and prestigious clothes, there are always several Russian saleswomen. As a rule, they are very arrogant in front of their fellow citizens and try not to show that they are also Russian, although that is precisely what they work there for.

25. In Nice in winter, there are quite cold days when the wind blows and drizzles with unpleasant rain. The French will never put on a warm jacket, let alone a fur coat. They will cringe and wrap themselves in a long scarf up to their ears. In pharmacies, you can buy special sprays made from a mixture of eucalyptus and lavender essential oils, designed specifically to spray on a scarf. This is considered protection from the common cold.

26. Russian tourists can often be confused with tourists from Milan. They also dress too flashy. But the Italians are cheerful, and ours are always dissatisfied with something.

27. The waiter who cleaned your table or cleaned your dirty plates after you may well be the owner of the restaurant where you dine. In France, no one is ashamed of any work, often children on vacation or close relatives help their parents in a restaurant.

28. You should not sort out your relationship, swear or discuss people at neighboring tables, believing that no one here understands your Russian. Nice is a very Russian city. There is a good chance that you are heard and understood perfectly, even if everyone around you speaks French.

29. Thin as a reed, the Frenchwoman calmly copes alone with a whole pizza or a huge portion of spaghetti. After that, she will usually order a cake for dessert.

30. If you didn’t order dessert in a restaurant, after eating a voluminous hot dish, you will most likely be looked at with regret and sympathy. All French people have a sweet tooth, and the choice of desserts here can thrill any gourmet. Nobody denies themselves pleasure. After dessert, the French enjoy a small cup of coffee for a long time.

31. In Nice, it is customary to have lunch from 12:00 to 15:00. At this time, almost all institutions are closed for lunch, except for large shops and souvenir shops for tourists. If you had a meeting with a Frenchman at half past twelve, then instead of “goodbye”, they will most likely say “bon appetit”. At 13:00 there may not be a free table. There is a high probability that after 14:00 you will no longer be seated at a table, as the kitchen closes.

This applies, of course, only to the most fashionable places among the French. Naturally, with a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, no one will go hungry. The kitchen is great everywhere. But if you didn’t get somewhere, I advise you to remember this place. Surely you will like it so much that you will return there later more than once.

32. The French have dinner in the evening from 19:00 to 22:00. For those who get hungry at "off-hours" or for tourists there is always a cafe with continuous service. There, as elsewhere, you can eat very, very tasty, but self-respecting institutions, with a reputation and regular customers from all over the world, work only at lunch and dinner. This rule is. The French strictly follow it, which is probably why they always have a good appetite and a slender figure.

33. In France, it is not customary to tip too much. The receipt always states that the service is included in the price of the meal, so this is optional. Usually, for a dinner for two people, the French leave coins in the amount of €2–3 (approximately at the rate of €1 per €25 check). In the most luxurious restaurant, you can leave a €10–20 note, provided that you were very, very satisfied with everything. If you "throw" larger bills, this means, according to the Frenchman, that you do not know the value of money and, most likely, some kind of scammer. However, they will take a tip with gratitude, and your reputation is your personal concern.

34. You should never take a table covered with a tablecloth or napkin if you are not going to eat. If your plans include just a glass of wine or a glass of mineral water, always look for an unset table. If you didn’t find such a table, then you ended up in a restaurant, not a bar.

35. The French paradox is not fiction, it exists! You will hardly meet overweight people here. More likely to meet too thin.

36. All shops and many restaurants are closed on Sunday. On Monday, everything that worked on Sunday is closed.

37. The famous Provencal market of the Marche de Fleur in Nice, where farmers daily sell their fruits, flowers and vegetables, as well as mountain honey, fresh fish, olives, homemade cheeses, pâtés and sausages, closes at 12 noon. The brightest and most diverse market on Saturday and Sunday.

On Mondays, antique dealers and junk dealers display their merchandise on the Marche des Fleurs. Many connoisseurs of antiques come specially from other cities and countries to find rare old handicrafts, unique dishes, furniture and silverware on the market.

38. All French people are very friendly and polite. They always hold each other's door, men for women, women for men - it doesn't matter who is who. They address each other with a friendly smile. If, for example, someone dropped something or stumbled, half a street always rushes to the rescue. They genuinely ask if everything is in order, do you need any help? They will always help to collect scattered things or offer to go to the nearest cafe, seated on a chair to attach food if you hit. The entire staff of the cafe will also carefully fuss around the victim.

39. Nice clean and spacious public toilets. At the entrance you need to leave a coin of 50 centimes on a silver platter and say hello. Men's and women's booths may be located side by side or may not have gender distinctions at all. When you leave the toilet, the toilet attendant will tell you " Thanks a lot and wish you a good day. None of the French is embarrassed. They scatter in response in mutual gratitude. On Sunday, a public toilet located in a busy part of the city may well be closed for the weekend. This is not a problem, as the French use the toilets in cafes and bars. First, of course, you need to order a cup of coffee or a glass of mineral water.

40. If two passers-by who stare at the shop windows accidentally collide on the sidewalk, then the reaction will, as a rule, be merry laughter and many mutual jokes about the curiosity that has occurred.

41. Often strangers will say some kind words to you, for example, praise your hair or wink cheerfully, noticing that the weather is fine today. Not necessarily in this way a man flirts with a woman. A woman can say a compliment to a woman, a man can say nice words to a man. They are simply not afraid to “splash” a sea of positive emotions.

42. In France, it is customary to say hello wherever you go. In the elevator, with the neighbors on the floor, with the taxi driver, with the hotel maids, and of course with the waiters.

When you get on the bus, you need to say hello to the driver. Leaving the bus, it is customary to say “thank you” and “goodbye” to the driver. It is also advisable to say goodbye to the remaining passengers and wish everyone a pleasant journey. The exception is routes between Nice and Monaco or Nice and Cannes. There, as a rule, there are many tourists who do not know the rules of etiquette. But the French are always visible, because they do not make any exceptions for the courtesy. And tourists - they are wild, what can you take from them! They came and left.

43. Monaco is pronounced with the accent on the last syllable, just like any word in French.

44. If you say the word “Monaco” to the waiter in a bar or cafe, they will bring you draft beer, generously diluted with sweet grenadine syrup. This is a very popular drink in Nice.

45. Monaco is a 15-minute drive from Nice. Most of what all tourists think of Monaco is French city Beausoleil (translated as "beautiful sun"). The city is constantly suing the authorities of Monaco for the fact that they are building more and more skyscrapers that obscure the inhabitants of Beausoleil sunlight, but so far to no avail.

46. If you are a fan of driving luxury cars, buying expensive jewelry from the most famous designers, picking up bright outfits lavishly decorated with rhinestones, which can cost several thousand euros, then you are in Monaco. This is not the case in Nice.

47. An ordinary person with an average income can afford lunch at any of the most luxurious restaurants on the Cote d'Azur. There is always a special seasonal menu or chef's dish of the day, which is quite a reasonable price.

48. The famous Monte Carlo Casino is a very pleasant and democratic place where you can drink champagne, place bets or just watch the game. Casino croupiers can pronounce the numbers and the phrase "bets are made" in Russian. When entering the casino, you may be asked to present your passport.

49. Most French people have a tender weakness for small dogs. In the market, in the supermarket, in cafes and restaurants, the dog always accompanies its owner. Most dogs in Nice walk without a leash, not trying to run away somewhere, they also know perfectly well that you can’t run across the street at a red light, they behave calmly in a restaurant, dozing under the table, they never bark or pay attention to other dogs.

Many people in Nice take their dogs to work every day. You can always find a dog looking curiously at the clients of a barbershop, or sitting comfortably in the window of a small private fashion store. Many dogs are accustomed to ride with the owner in a basket attached somehow to the trunk of a motorcycle. The French Bulldog and Jack Russell breeds are very popular. Many have two or three dogs.

50. In Nice, you can taste hundreds of ice cream varieties, including such unusual ones as: violet, rose, cactus, chewing gum, avocado, poppy flower, hot chili chocolate, as well as quite exotic ones - beer, tomato and black olive flavors .

51. Nice has a huge number of bakeries. In addition to the baguette, beloved in France, you will be offered a large selection of various types of bread from various kinds flour. Also a lot of sweet pastries and confectionery. Often the bread is baked in a wood-fired oven. In every bakery you can find absolutely different types of bread. There is no yesterday's bread in France.

52. Most bakeries are equipped with special machines for receiving money. He accepts bills and gives change. Thus the seller of bread has no contact with coins and always remains with clean hands.

53. Nice is located on the border with Italy, so French and Provencal cuisine merges with Italian here. Many cafes, restaurants and shops are opened by Italian families who moved to live in France. You don't have to travel to Italy to taste real food. Italian cuisine. Nice has everything that Italians are proud of.

54. Hearing Italian in Nice is a common thing. Many French here speak Italian. IN Italian cities located on the border with France, all Italians speak French.

55. In Nice, you can't hail a taxi by voting with your hand from the pavement. There are special stands for taxis. If there is no car in the parking lot, then you need to call the number indicated on the sign. At the height of the tourist season, a taxi can arrive in an hour.

56. Many taxi drivers like to spend time in cafes, basking in the sun, drinking coffee, leafing through the newspaper and chatting with colleagues, while you languish in the parking lot waiting for your car. They sincerely believe that you can’t earn all the money, and there is only one life, and you should enjoy it.

57. In recent years, Nice has received a huge number of immigrants from Muslim countries and former French colonies. They populate areas on the outskirts of the city. Many do not want to work and live on welfare. Every year there are more and more of them. Some work by begging. Five years ago, there was nothing like this in Nice. The French are very tolerant of them.

58. In Nice, people have a very poor idea of what rudeness is. Unceremonious immigrants take full advantage of this. They actively shove everyone with their elbows, climb into the bus or the supermarket cashier, not wanting to let anyone go ahead. The Frenchman in this case apologizes embarrassedly and steps aside. Illegals and homeless people who spend the night on the streets are not at all afraid of the police, because the police are very polite and attentive. They ask them to leave the place of spending the night, they snarl and bicker, then reluctantly leave, but after another hour they return to their favorite place again. Sometimes you can see a picture of how the French are trying to carefully raise a drunken homeless person who has collapsed in the middle of the sidewalk.

59. IN tourist trips, in transport and at fun gatherings in cafes, you will often meet the French with newborn babies. They do not believe that the appearance of a child should somehow change or limit their life.

60. The people in Nice are very cheerful. The usual picture is workers singing songs, repairing the sidewalk, waiters in a cafe, sellers in the market. Even people in such traditionally serious professions as police officers, border guards, customs officers and bank employees are constantly playing pranks and jokes with each other. They can frolic and laugh like children in the middle of the "work process". Any resident of Nice always answers them with a smile, laughter and a return joke.

61. In expressing mournful feelings, on the contrary, the French are very restrained. At the funeral, no one sobs loudly, everyone quietly talks with the usual friendly and calm faces.

62. The tourist word “souvenir”, which is familiar to us, is often written on the gravestone of the deceased. It means "memory".

63. The French tend to speak English well. They were taught at school much better than us. Hearing an accent or feeling embarrassed on your part, they immediately switch to fluent English. An exception can only be a Frenchman from the hinterland.

64. The British are very reserved. No one will show it openly, but since the British are often stiff and dismissive, the French can respond in the same way.

65. A normal chicken in France costs about €3. Often in supermarkets there are offers of three chickens for the price of two or the second one is free. For €3-4 you can buy hot grilled chicken. But since France is a country of gourmets, here you can also buy chicken for your pleasure for €12 and even €25.

This chicken was grown in special conditions on fresh air, walked all my life somewhere in beautiful mountains or valleys. She ate only organic, healthy products for chicken health and was surrounded by the gentle care and attention of the farmer. Naturally, the taste of such a bird is incomparably higher. No one saves on delicious products here. The same can be said about meat.

66. Such primordially, in our opinion, Russian products as jelly, herring, bacon, pancakes, Olivier salad - all these are common dishes of French or Italian cuisine, they just have different names. They are sold everywhere in supermarkets and small shops similar to our "culinary" The real Doctor's sausage, kvass and Baltika beer can be bought in Russian stores.

67. The French grow sturgeons and make their own caviar. It costs less than Russian and is in no way inferior to it.

68. The French have their own Easter, Forgiveness Sunday, Maslenitsa and Victory Day. Often they are sincerely surprised that we also have such holidays in Russia.

69. Holidays dedicated to the memorable dates of the Patriotic and First World Wars happen in Nice almost every month. An orchestra is playing, veterans are marching in awards, laying flowers at the monuments of the dead, the mayor of the city delivers a solemn speech. Veterans and their memory are greatly honored here. Near monuments and in city parks, festive tables are often set for veterans.

70. The French on the Cote d'Azur love and know how to arrange all kinds of holidays and large-scale events. In addition to the well-known Cannes Film Festival and Formula 1 races in Monaco, the Côte d'Azur hosts the Violets Festival, the Rose Festival and the Jasmine Festival. Tons of fresh flowers are used in the design of the streets and festive processions.

Also annually held is the Bread Festival, the Truffle Festival, the holidays of the patron saints of the city, the international festival of fireworks and fireworks, the International Jazz Festival, the Gastronomy Salon, the Chocolate Salon, the Italian Food Fair and much more. Throughout the year, concerts of the most famous world performers and prestigious sports competitions are held.

71. In July and August, you can watch fireworks and fireworks almost every day. In addition to the international fireworks festival, many tourists organize private parties in their villas and hotels. They celebrate their weddings and birthdays here. Celebrations usually end with colorful fireworks.

72. From mid-February to early March, the annual Carnival takes place in Nice, which is not inferior in its beauty to the famous carnival in Rio.

73. A ticket to the famous Nice Opera costs €10–20 and is freely sold at the Opera box office. No one specially dresses up for performances, does not wear high-heeled shoes and family jewels. People come to enjoy art, not to demonstrate themselves.

74. The mayor of Nice walks freely around the city and shakes hands with people he knows.

75. In Nice arrange special days open doors when you can visit the prefectural palace, old castle, which is a military closed air defense facility, and other places that are usually closed to tourists. In the event that these places are monuments of architecture and history, it is free for everyone.

76. In terms of the number of museums, Nice is second only to Paris.

77. Residents of Nice are very caring and attentive to the elderly. Old people, in turn, are always invigorated, never "put pressure on pity." They may be offended by an attempt to give them a seat in transport. It's not very common here.

Any elderly Frenchman until his last days tries to lead full life: dine in restaurants, drink wine, go to the market and take walks along the promenade. A French grandmother well over 70 can meticulously choose a lace bikini in a store.

78. In January and February, it can rain for several days in a row without stopping. At the same time, in good weather during these months you can see a lot of people sunbathing on the beaches. Some swim in the sea.

79. The beaches in Nice are pebbly. If you prefer sand, then it is better to stop your choice of place to stay in the cities of the Côte d'Azur neighboring Nice.

80. Near Nice there is a technopolis "Sofia - Antinopolis". It is called the French Silicon Valley. This is a full-fledged city with modern residential areas, hotels, lyceums, educational centers and several higher educational institutions. It employs more than 30 thousand people, revenue from innovations in the field of electronics, pharmacology and biotechnology - more than €5 billion, which exceeds the revenue from tourism on the Cote d'Azur.

81. In 1901, our famous cruiser Aurora visited Nice, or rather, the bay of Villefranche, located near Nice. At that time, Nice was a favorite place winter holiday For royal family and the most senior officials of the Russian Empire.

82. Villefranche Bay is one of the ten most beautiful bays in the world. Now there are stops cruise ships from all over the world.

83. At 80 km from Nice are the famous Alpine ski resorts Isola 2000, Wahlberg and many others offering fans skiing high quality tracks and service.

84. All the French are great sports fans and passionate fans. All residents of Nice enthusiastically jog along the embankments and actively attend various sports sections. Many citizens are happy to take part in marathon races, even without being special athletes. You don't have to run the whole distance. It is important to plunge into the atmosphere of general revival and feel like a participant in a sports festival.

85. Nice people love to celebrate Christmas. Already two months before the holiday, the city is decorated with beautiful illuminations. Cafes and bars offer mulled wine and a special festive menu. An ice rink opens in the city center open sky and a Christmas market with delicacies, sweets and handicrafts.

Nice is one of the most popular resorts on the Mediterranean coast of France, and in combination is also the "capital". The cultural center of the south of France, the fifth largest city in this country, the second largest in terms of the number of museums, the port city, also has its own international airport - Nice combines all this.

Nice France, city of Nice

Get to Nice

A bit of history

Weather in Nice

As you might guess, the climate in Nice is Mediterranean. But, despite this, there is quite a bit of rainfall, they mostly occur from September to May. Summers in Nice are quite hot, sunny and dry, although there is occasional rainfall, but this happens quite rarely. Summer comes to Nice late, even in April it is quite rainy and cloudy here, the full dominance of warm weather can be observed only in May, but autumn is quite warm, and even in November the temperature here is about +20 degrees.

Shops in Nice

Nice Hotels

The choice of hotels in Nice is simply huge; here you can find apartments for every taste and budget. Here you will find options for a budget holiday and the most luxurious hotels with an aristocratic interior and service. Beautiful views from the windows and a good location will make your stay in Nice unforgettable. And, of course, the famous Negresco hotel in Nice, built in the neoclassical style, located on the Promenade des Anglais. It is not only a symbol of Nice, but also of the Laser Coast as a whole, included in the list of architectural objects of historical significance in France.

Attractions in Nice

Rosetti Square is considered the center of Nice, it is here that the Cathedral of Saint-Reparat, built in the 17th century, is located. To the south are Saleya Boulevard and Places Pierre-Gaultier and Charles-Felix. You should definitely take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais, where the best hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops are located. Visit the Old Nice district, where you will find wonderful architecture, as well as a variety of cafes and shops. Be sure to try the ice cream in the old town.

For Russian tourists, there are interesting sights here. In the middle of the 19th century, Nice became one of the most popular holiday destinations among the Russian aristocracy. In 1912, the construction of the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, one of the most beautiful outside of Russia, was completed here. By 1932, there were more than 5,300 Russians in Nice, thanks to which the Villefranche bay area began to be called Russian Nice. Here are also located: the Russian cemetery of Kokad, formerly called Nikolaevsky, where about 3,000 Russian citizens are buried, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Martyr Empress Alexandra, as well as a monument to Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, located in the garden of Nikolsky Cathedral.

which is nestled between Italian Riviera and the Principality of Monaco. Menton is a unique old center, it's endless green gardens, it's incredible beaches, it's a colorful, fascinating, cosmopolitan city.

1 /1

The beaches of Menton are deservedly considered one of the best on the coast, they delight their guests with cleanliness, safety coastline, developed infrastructure and soft sand (although pebbly beaches can also be found).

However, coming to Menton and sitting all day on the beach would be an unforgivable mistake. You should definitely look into the Old Town, stroll along its narrow cobbled streets and squares, see the Saint-Michel Cathedral, look into the Carnole Palace, which is also a Museum fine arts and visit the Jean Cocteau Museum. You can have a great time and take a break from the bustle of the city in the parks and gardens of Menton, and they also deserve the title of a work of art and are compulsory program for travelers. the Parc du Pien, the Jardin de Colombière, the garden of the Villa Maria Serena and Botanical Garden Val Rama - Amazing places where you can spend an evening enjoying the scenery. By the way, beautiful panoramas also open up in the Old Port of the city - take a look there!

On the road from Menton to Nice, you can't miss amazing village Ez. It is not big at all, but so picturesque that it captivates from the first meeting - with its green mountains, red roofs, old stone houses and cobbled streets, as well as a luxurious Exotic Garden located at the top.

Cost of living: 3* - from €82, 4* - from €145.

Nice

Nice is one of the most famous resorts Cote d'Azur, which is preferred by a very wealthy public, because rest here is not available to everyone. Nice is a mix of good beaches and luxury hotels, it's expensive villas and trendy boutiques, it's an amazing Old Center and a rich nightlife. No wonder she got the unspoken status of the capital of the French Riviera.

Most of the beaches are paid, the entrance to them costs from €12-15 or more, but we still recommend visiting them, since the municipal ones are rather dirty and unkempt. Paid beach areas equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, the coastline is safe, the water and sand are clean. If you are focused only on relaxing by the sea, then it makes sense to go out of town, to the beaches of the nearest provinces, which are not inferior to the beaches of Nice, and some are even better.

1 /1

Yes, as we have already said, Nice is not a cheap place. That's why budget travelers and young people prefer to stay in the central part of the city. And they do it right, because here it is not only more accessible, but also many times more interesting. The Old Town with its small streets, ancient cathedrals, churches, Town Hall and squares, as well as museums is an ideal place for walking and pleasant, romantic pastime. Separately, it is worth talking about museums, because for art lovers Nice is just a paradise. Visit the Chagall Museum and the Matisse Museum, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts, where you can see works by Degas, Renoir and Monet. You can also find many interesting paintings and sculptures in the Massena Palace or Lascari Palace, Valrose Castle, and it’s just worth stopping by to admire their beauty.

Not far from Nice is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - one of the most peaceful corners of the coast among pine groves. It was not only unique nature and picturesque bays, but also two famous villas: Villa Leopold, which is recognized as the most expensive in the world and is considered a real work of art, as well as the villa of Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, which is today a large unique museum with a rich collection of works of French art from different eras.

Cost of living: 3* - from €90, 5* - from €347.

Antibes

Between the two main resorts of the coast - Nice and Cannes, on Cape d'Antibes is located the same name picturesque town. First of all, it is interesting for lovers of yachting, because here is the largest yacht port of the entire Cote d'Azur. And you can not only admire the large and original yachts, but also ride them.

It also attracts young people, because, firstly, it is more affordable resort than the "star" Nice and Cannes, and secondly, it is famous for its rich and stormy nightlife, and its dance clubs, bars, discos are ready to entertain young hearts until the morning.

Sightseeing hunters go straight to the Old Town with its museums, chapels, squares, cathedrals, fountains and monuments. Lovers of outdoor activities - to the beaches, where diving is at their service, water skiing, seaplanes, paragliding and other water activities.

Antibes is one of the few cities on the Côte d'Azur that is suitable for families with children. Marine Water Park "Maryland" with a huge pool and daily marine shows, located near the city of Luna Park, as well as the Valley of the Butterflies will make your kids' vacation unforgettable.

If you don’t want to sit still, then the second point to stop can be the resort of Juan-les-Pins, which can be found in Golfe Juan Bay. Wide clean beaches, many good restaurants with gourmet french cuisine, small islands and bays, and, of course, pine groves - all this is Juan-les-Pins. Music lovers should definitely come here in mid-July, when one of the most popular jazz festivals in Europe is in full swing in the city.

Cost of living: 3* - from €75, 4* - from €172.

Cannes is a city that does not require a special introduction, but all thanks to the legendary film festival, which made this place Azure coast cult. But in addition to the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals and the famous Croisette, he has something else to offer his guests.

The main cultural center of the city is the Suquet quarter, leading to the slope of the same name, where the Fortress Museum is located, located in ancient castle. On the territory of the museum there are ancient tower, the chapel of St. Anne, and all this is surrounded by an amazing garden.

1 /1

In the sea "opposite" is the real pearl of the region - the Lérins Islands. Two of them - Saint-Fereol and Tradelier - are not populated, but Saint-Marguerite and Saint-Honoré are worth a look. Sainte-Marguerite is famous for its Royal Fort and the prison of the times Louis XIV where the legendary prisoner Iron Mask once served his sentence. Saint Honoré is amazing green Island, over which rises Lerins Abbey, on the territory of which there was previously one of oldest monasteries Europe, and today - unique church complex surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Budget tourists who are counting on a beach holiday in Cannes are better off choosing another place on the coast. Municipal beaches Cannes will not please you with either cleanliness or tranquility, in the warm season there is nowhere for an apple to fall, and entrance to paid beaches will cost from €20-25 and more. But at the same time, there is a chance that your favorite actor or actress will be sunbathing on a nearby sun lounger.

Cost of living: 3* - from €80, 5* - from €480.

Not so long ago, Saint-Tropez was a calm, quiet resort, where famous actors, directors, writers, artists preferred to relax from the hustle and bustle, and then glorified it in their creations. Today it is one of the most party corners of the coast, where young, rich and famous people like to make some noise in luxurious villas or in famous nightclubs.

1 /1

The landscapes of Saint-Tropez will seem "native" to all moviegoers, because it was against their background that the stories of the famous characters of Brigitte Bardot, Louis de Funes, Pierre Richard and many other actors unfolded. pine groves, sandy beaches, picturesque embankments and the Old Town cannot leave you indifferent, and it is inexcusable not to capture them.

Secular people in Saint-Tropez will like it: dining in expensive restaurants and shopping in trendy boutiques, walking along the promenade and relaxing on the famous Pampelonne beach, parties on yachts and in nightclubs - everything here is really like in a movie.

Saint-Tropez is hardly suitable for families with children, there is practically no entertainment here. Curious tourists will only be interested in the Musée de l’Annonciade with an impressive collection of works by Matisse, Signac, Bonnard Picabius and other famous artists, as well as the Butterfly House with a large collection of exotic moths from around the world. But gastro-tourists have a lot of freedom here: there are a lot of high-level restaurants in the city, including those marked with Michelin stars.

Cost of living: 3* - from €115, 5* - from €273.

Toulon

On the road from Nice to Marseille, you can't miss amazing city Toulon, notable for the second largest port on the coast, as well as interesting sightseeing places. And if you get tired of lying on the beach, you should look here.

The fame of Toulon was brought by the old center (several streets that have been preserved since the time of King Louis XIV), as well as picturesque squares and incredible fountains. Great place the areas of Algiers and Lafayette will become for walks, and a rich evening program can be found in the noisy Harbor or Porto, where life “boils” day and night and where it is pleasant to look into some coastal bar and relax with a couple of glasses.

Architecture lovers must see clock tower and the Opera House, and to admire the panorama of the whole city and the coast, you need to climb Mount Faron, you can do it both on your own two feet and on the funicular.

For a beach holiday, Toulon is not the best the best option, its coastal zones are somewhat inferior neighboring resorts cleanliness and infrastructure. For good beach holiday it is better to go to the outskirts of the city - to the beaches of Cap Brun and Anse Mango, famous for their calm and secluded atmosphere, or to neighboring small towns and villages.

Not far from Toulon, the small town of Hyères is located - a small resort known for its old fortress, ancient churches and cathedrals, and also considered one of the centers water sports on the coast. There are diving schools, sailing schools, yacht centers and many other interesting places for outdoor enthusiasts.

Cost of living: 3* - from €70, 5* - from €458.

Marseilles

Marseille completes our route - perhaps the largest and noisiest city on the Cote d'Azur. This is a large port and industrial center of France, a multinational, colorful city, with an abundance of attractions, many museums, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, but with good beaches and excellent coastline. Just an ideal place for everyone who wants to combine a beach holiday and an active holiday.

Perhaps the three main symbols are the unique Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, the Cathedral of Marseille and the Old Port. They are the first thing you need to see upon arrival in the city. And then you should go to Longchamp Palace, which is not only a masterpiece of architecture, but also a museum of natural history and fine arts. Under him, there is also an observatory, a zoological garden, and a park with fountains.

The beaches of Marseille are very diverse, and everyone can find a comfortable place for themselves. One of the most popular beaches- Prado, Boreli and Bonvin. They are clean, well-groomed, with a safe coastline, with a gentle entrance to the water, and therefore suitable for families with children. And Uwon Beach will delight surfers high waves and strong winds.

If after noisy Marseille you want peace and quiet, perfect place will become the picturesque town of Martigues, charming with its Old Center, port and promenade. The city cannot boast of an abundance of tourists, but this is only its plus, since no one disturbs the peace of vacationers by the sea, in gardens or on the shores of Lake Etang de Berr.

Cost of living: 3* - from €53, 5* - from €350.