After spending a lot of time on the road in our rental car over the past few days, we wanted to explore downtown Nice today. Since our vacation rental is located on a mountain above Nice, the journey was quite short.
Saint-Nicolaus Cathedral – Nice
First, we went to Saint-Nicolas Cathedral. This is arguably the most visited monument in the city of Nice. The Russian Orthodox cathedral is the largest outside of Russia. Characteristic of this impressive building are its six golden and green domes, which rise into the sky, visible from afar, amidst the buildings. The colorful and magnificent design is impressive. We arrived just as the service was in progress. The interior smelled of incense, and there was beautiful singing. Tours are open daily; the doors are closed only on special holidays. Men are strongly advised to wear long trousers.
Place Masséna – Nice
We then drove into an underground parking garage beneath Place Masséna. This world-famous square is the heart of the city. No matter which direction we looked in the manicured square, there was beauty to discover everywhere. Surrounding the square are red and ochre buildings, which house French cafés and upscale shops. Various sculptures are mounted on poles that automatically change color when illuminated at night. A tram also runs across the square, although it doesn't have overhead lines. Apparently, batteries were integrated into the tram specifically for the few meters it travels across the square.
Cours Saleya – Nice
After a short walk, we found one last must-visit spot in the old town: the Cours Saleya. This elongated square runs parallel to the seafront promenade and is famous for its daily flower and spice market.
Promenade des Anglais
Anyone visiting the city of Nice cannot miss at least a drive or stroll along what is arguably the most famous beach promenade in southern France. The Promenade des Anglais, stretching five kilometers along the Mediterranean Bay of the Bay of Anges, is both a boulevard and a landmark. A stiff breeze blew against us here. But the view is simply magnificent. Unfortunately, the wide stretch of beach consists of large pebbles.
Castle of Nice
At the eastern end of the promenade is the Château de Nice. This hill was once the site of the Château de Nice, which was destroyed in 1706 by the then French King Louise XIV. As a result, Nice now has a castle hill without a castle. Instead, the area was converted into a large park from which we had a magnificent view of the city and the harbor.
After a lunch break at our holiday apartment, we headed back toward the harbor. We marveled again at the large yachts lined up next to the sailing ships and small rowboats. How could they all fit into such a small space?
We rounded off the evening with a sandwich on our terrace. For our entertainment, we watched a few planes approaching for landing not far from us.
Are you still looking for a suitable hotel on the Côte d'Azur?
You can find a hotel to suit your budget via various online travel agencies such as Agoda, Booking.com, ebookers.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, lastminute.com, opodo, otel.com or Venere.com.
