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Nice is the birthplace of modern tourism. It was to Nice that 18 th century Aristocrats travelled from England, Russia and the USA to enjoy the mild winter climate and create the bright fashionable way of life associated with the ‘capital of the Riviera’. It wasn’t until after WWII that things really started to boom for Nice. With the influx of new tourists wanting to enjoy some real sunshine the holiday high season switched from winter to summer.

Despite its up-market reputation, Nice has as many class problems as any other big city with the poor as much in evidence as the wealthy. Nice’s socio-economic imbalance has major part (or has been used as an excuse) in the flaring of racial tensions and like Marseille, Nice has a far from savoury political reputation – another victim of the creeping right wing fanaticism that seems to be gradually infecting France. However Nice’s concessions to tourism take pride of place both culturally and economically. Nice is far more than just a sunshine holiday resort, it dates as far back as 350BC and it therefore has a rich historic and artistic lineage, which is afforded equal respect to the fast-cash leisure and entertainments industries.

Nice’s beaches: Choose between 15 pleasant and comfortable private beaches, and well kept public beaches, wide open and free for all to use. The sea water is checked regularly and has a good rating according to European standards. Nice and its region offer a geographical diversity and a mild climate which provide favourable conditions for a wide range of outdoor activities : from water sports to alpine skiing and including hiking, canyoning, para-gliding, rafting, etc.

Nice is an outstanding city, with an extraordinarily rich cultural and artistic heritage. Cultural life in Nice revolves around exhibitions in museums and galleries, and the programme of performances in the theatres and the Nice Opera House.

The medieval rabbit warren of the old town, the Italianate facades of modern Nice and the rich, exuberant, fin-de-siècle residences that made Nice city one of Europe’s most fashionable winter retreats have all survived intact. It has also retained mementos from its ancient past, when the Romans ruled the region from here, and earlier still, when the Greeks founded the city. In addition, Nice’s bus and train connections make Nice by far the best base for visiting the rest of the Riviera. Nice is the capital of the Riviera and fifth largest city in France.

The city has two important historic centres: the Cimiez hill, where the vestiges of Roman occupation can still be seen and the old Nice that is almost completely pedestrian. The rest of the town consists mostly of beautiful old bourgeois buildings of the last century. Very few recent constructions can be seen except at Cimiez and the Lanterne quarter that is know as the ” Beverly Hills ” of Nice . With its climate, the average temperature in Nice is above 10°C all year round, its carnival, cuisine and architectural heritage, Nice is without a doubt a place where people know how to live and enjoy life.

Nice is also proud of its parklands and gardens, which are amongst the most beautiful in the Country. The Monastery Garden is a favourite with ramblers who enjoy strolling through the peaceful open spaces, resting under ancient pagodas and wandering along grassy paths amongst tangerine and orange trees. The Albert I Garden is one of the oldest in Nice; overlooking the sea it literally forms a green path between the Old and Modern sections of the City.

OPÉRA de NICE
The Nice Opera presents, each year from October to June, concerts, ballets, recitals and lyrical performances. 4 et 6, rue St-François-de-Paule

The small boutiques displaying craftwork and Provençal fabrics in the Old Town of Nice, the jewellery shops on the Avenue de Verdun, the chic couturiers on Rue Paradis, the shopping arcades and department stores.Nice really caters for all shopping tastes!