Experience
France

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : NICE

A getaway under the palm trees on the Promenade des Anglais

A favourite destination of the English in the 19^th century and popular with Queen Victoria, Nice continues to attract visitors worldwide. One of the most charming cities on the French Riviera, its Baie des Anges and old town are unmissable.

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX

The Tête Carrée (square head) statue in Nice was unveiled in 2002. This monumental aluminium sculpture, at the corner of Avenue Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Traverse Barla, is one of the most famous pieces of street art on the Côte d’Azur. It undoubtedly intrigues and fascinates with its colossal neck and lower face supporting a cube divided into squares.

The 30-metre surrealist creation was designed by Nice artist Sacha Sosno and created by architects Francis Chapus and Yves Bayard. It’s now home to the offices of the Louis Nucéra library, a unique workplace, to say the least!

It’s been closed to the public for a long time but will soon open its doors to interested visitors. The local council announced the good news on the 20^th anniversary of the sculpture. A little patience is needed. The building will dedicate floors to art exhibitions, concerts and an activity area for children, but it doesn’t open until 2024.

Now, admire from the ground and think outside the box with a trip to the Louis Nucéra library, a few metres away at Place Yves Klein. 200,000 resources can be freely accessed: books, sheet music, journals and more.

Must-sees in Nice

MAMAC

MAMAC is the city’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It’s home to 1,000 pieces from the 1950s to the present day. Two artists have dedicated rooms: Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle (the museum is home to the most extensive collection of the artist’s work in Europe).

THE PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS

The iconic promenade in the city of Nice, the Promenade des Anglais, runs alongside the sea and stretches seven kilometres. Its name came from the 19^th century when the Baie des Anges was a favourite holiday destination for the English. Today it’s a place for walking and contemplation and a popular spot for running.

MATISSE MUSEUM

Opened in 1963, this museum exhibits the donations made to the city by painter Henri Matisse and his family. See 600 artworks and objects from the master of Fauvism, including the unmissable Tempête à Nice and Danseuse créole. The Villa des Arènes that houses the museum is a 17^th-century Genoese house, another beautiful part of the visit.

PARC PHOENIX

Nature reasserts itself at Parc Phoenix, a seven-hectare oasis of greenery to the west of the city. A certified Remarkable Garden, it’s home to 1,000s of plant species and 2,000 animals from 70 species. Its greenhouse, known as the Green Diamond, transports visitors to the tropics.

VIEUX NICE

It’s Nice’s most picturesque neighbourhood, with its narrow streets and colourful buildings that reflect the city’s medieval past. It’s a beautiful place to have a drink on a terrace and wander around shops and the famous Cours Saleya, where a flower market is held each morning.