Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
France : Nice - October 2008 Country Code: Dial ++33 for France
October is an idyllic month on the
Cote d’Azur. The days are balmy,
the air is still, and the sea is
warm and pleasantly calm. Most
importantly, the crowds have
dropped off, so you’ll have the
city’s most select spots (almost)
to yourself. Kathryn Tomasetti
enjoys the silence
Getting around
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is 7km west of the city centre.
Bus: The No.99
departs for Gare
Routière, the central
bus station just
outside the old town,
every 20 minutes.
Tickets cost €4 and
the journey takes
about 30 minutes. Taxi: The journey
from the airport to
the city centre takes
20 minutes and
costs around €30. Tourist information: The main office is
at 5 Promenade
des Anglais (tel.
(0)8 9270 7407,
nicetourisme.biz).
VIEUX-NICE
October is an idyllic month on the
Cote d’Azur. The days are balmy,
the air is still, and the sea is
warm and pleasantly calm. Most
importantly, the crowds have
dropped off, so you’ll have the
city’s most select spots (almost)
to yourself. Kathryn Tomasetti
enjoys the silence
Sleep soundly – The back streets of Nice’s original
neighbourhood are among the most
colourful and authentic on the French
Riviera. In summer it’s heaving, but
autumn finds the old town’s buzz
slightly muted but still welcoming.
Must eat – Stop at Fenocchio (2 Place
Rossetti, tel. (0)4 93 807252) for one
last ice cream before their four-month
winter closure (from November). The
cooler evenings see locals flock to
La Merenda (4 Rue Raoul Bosio, no
reservations) for the restaurant’s take
on the classic Niçois beef stew, daube.
Dance the night away – Sip cocktails
under the stars at one of La Trappa’s (2
Rue Jules Gilly) outdoor tables, or stake
out a spot on the tiny indoor dancefloor.
Shop til you drop – Immerse yourself
in feminine fashion at Une Cabane sur
la Plage (37 Rue Droite), all decadent
dresses and pastel pea coats. Art fiends
can head down the street to pick up one
of Atelier Phobé’s (13 Rue Droite)
unique, Modigliani-esque paintings.
PLACE GARIBALDI & THE PORT
Admire the lights, trees and fountains
covering the recently renovated Place
Garibaldi. Or wander down to the port where traditional wooden fishing
boats outnumber the glitzy yachts
Culture vultures – The Acropolis
Cinémathèque (3 Esplanade Kennedy)
puts on a great programme of original
language films, with cult selections that
span most of the 20th century.
Must eat – Locals head to friendly
Pappagallo (18 Rue François Guisol, tel.
(0)4 93 564239), which dishes up giant
40cm pizzas and choice steaks.
Seafood lovers should try out the newly
expanded Café de Turin (5 Place
Garibaldi, tel. (0)4 93 622952) for king
crab and sea urchins.
BOULEVARDS VICTOR HUGO & DUBOUCHAGE
Sweeping from east to west, these
long tree-lined boulevards are Nice’s
most prestigious avenues.
Sleep soundly – Breakfast
in the botanical garden
at the ultra-French
Villa Victoria.
Culture vultures – Visit the free
Théâtre de la Photographie et de
l’Image (27 Boulevard Dubouchage) to
see contemporary photography shows
and a permanent collection of ‘20s
black and white pictures from Nice.
Must drink – As the name suggests,
the pleasant terrace at Aux Deux
Palmiers’ (15 Boulevard Victor Hugo)
is shaded by two palm trees.
THE ZONE PIETONNE
The pedestrianised expanse around
Place Masséna is an excellent spot to
shop, dine or just watch the world go by.
Sleep soundly – Whether you’re after
organic breakfasts, weekend DJ sets or
a rooftop pool, Hi-Hôtel is the city’s edgiest
option. Centrally located off Place
Masséna, the art deco Albert 1er is
furnished in classic Provençal style.
Must eat – Consistently good, Kei’s
Passion (22 Rue de France, tel. (0)4 93
822606) does contemporary Franco-
Japanese cuisine, like red tomato
gazpacho served with a verdant green
basil and almond sorbet, or prawns with
Palma ham and braised baby artichokes.
Too busy to linger over lunch? Join the
queue at Multari (8 Boulevard Jean
Jaurès) – their quiches, tiny pizzas and
club sandwiches are all outstanding.
Must drink – People-watch with an
aperitif or a café crème on the terrace
of Liber’Tea (9 Rue de la Liberté).
Shop til you drop – Wander down Rue
de France and its boutique-packed
side streets. Be sure not to
miss Nice’s homegrown
Façonnable
(7 Rue Paradis),
which is particularly
popular for menswear
Compiled by Kathryn Tomasetti
Previous issues for Nice
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
