Nice, FranceNice, France
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nice_Promenade_des_Anglais_FRANCE.jpg
Author: Lspigon
photo licensing

Nice, pronounced "niece", is the fifth biggest city in France behind Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse. It has a population of 350,000 people (2011 estimate) within an area of 71 sq km (28 sq mi). The urban area of Nice is much larger, covering 721 sq km (278 sq mi) and has a population of close to a million people. It is the second largest city of France on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille. It is also the second largest after Marseille in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The area around Nice is believed to be one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, going back as far as 400,000 years ago. The present city of Nice was founded in 350 BC by the Greeks of Marseille (then known as Massilia). Nice was originally called Nicaea.

Orthodox Church on Avenue Nicolas II, NiceOrthodox Church on Avenue Nicolas II, Nice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orthodox_Church_on_Avenue_Nicolas_II_Nice_France.jpg
Author: Unacerilla
photo licensing

Nice has been a city within France since 1861. Its public transportation received a boost in 1900 with the introduction of the Tramway de Nice, which is an electrified version of its streetcars.

Nice enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. Rain is moderate but tend to be heaviest during the colder months of September to March. July and August are the warmest months with temperatures rising to 23°C (74°F) or more.

Musée Matisse, NiceMusée Matisse, Nice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mus%C3%A9e_Matisse_Nice.JPG
Author: Tubantia
photo licensing

Going to Nice

By Plane
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the third busiest airport in France after Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Orly Airport, both in Paris. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport receives flights not only from major cities in France but also from the major cities in Europe as well. It is the main airport for the French Riviera and Monaco. There are two terminals. Air France and EasyJet uses the newer Terminal 2 while other airlines use Terminal 1.

From the airport, you can catch an airport express bus to take you to central Nice. Bus 98 goes to the Nice Bus Station while Bus 99 goes to the Nice Railway Station. They cost €4.00 and are available at both terminals of the airport.

By Train
There's a high-speed TGV train connecting Paris with Nice. The journey takes just about 6 hours and costs €100. The train takes you to the Nice central station, Gare Nice Ville.

Exploring Nice

Lignes d'Azur is the local bus plying some 100 different routes in Nice. This is used mainly by the locals. For tourists, there's an inter-urban bus network known as Transport Alpes-Maritimes, or TAM. Bus fares are usually €1.00.

Places of Interest in Nice

  1. Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas
    Russian Orthodox cathedral built in memory of a young Tsarevitch.

  2. Cathédrale Ste-Réparate
    17th century Baroque church building.

  3. Cimiez
    Fashionable neighbourhood of Nice overlooking the town.

  4. Les Arènes
    Remains of early Roman settlement in Nice.

  5. Musée Chagall
    Museum dedicated to showcasing the work Belasrusian French artist Marc Chagall.

  6. Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain
    Museum occupying four marble-faced towers.

  7. Musée des Arts Asiatique
    Museum exhibiting Asian art from across Asia.

  8. Musée des Beaux-Arts
    Museum formerly the home of a Ukrainian princess displaying works sent to Nice by Napoleon III.

  9. Musèe Matisse
    Museum displaying drawings, paintings and other works of Henri Matisse.

  10. Palais Lascaris
    17th century palace that is ornately decorated.

  11. Palais Masséna
    19th century Italianate villa.

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Discover with Timothy YouTube Channel

 Discover with Timothy Food Channel

 Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube Channel

SojiMart Videos

Latest from Discover with Timothy: Gurney Bay - what to see and do there

About this website



Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

Copyright © 2003-2024 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.