48 hours in Nice

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - Corsica - Monaco/2022

Nice is not just a beautiful city, iconic for its Promenade des Anglais. Far from it! First and foremost, it's a vibrant city, rich in its mix of French and Italian, sea and mountain, which has helped create a culinary culture unique in France. In fact, many young chefs have settled here, drawing inspiration from its roots and favorable environment.

Until the 12th century, the fortified city was confined to this promontory overlooking the Mediterranean. While there's little left to see today in terms of architecture, apart from a few medieval remains of the fortifications and palace destroyed by order of Louis XIV in 1706, the gardens are superb and the view magnificent, provided you're not afraid of a tough climb. Take the château elevator back down to rue des Ponchettes, at the entrance to the promenade and Saleya market. The Saleya market Unmissable, indispensable, colorful, flowery, fragrant, the Saleya market is a truly beautiful Mediterranean market as you'd imagine it, with all the seasonal vegetables, flowers and seafood. You can even find the rare poutine - sardine or anchovy fry, delicious just in oil, and the basis of pissalat. Tourists and locals alike can be found here all year round. Just beyond, the narrow streets of Vieux-Nice. Start by wandering along its edge, Rue de la Préfecture, which borders Place du Palais-de-Justice and the Prefecture. Then take a cozy stroll down the side streets. The old town lies at the foot of the château hill, bordered to the north by boulevard Jean-Jaurès and place Garibaldi. Between the two, a secret, teeming world, a unique atmosphere, smells of socca, stuffed meats, charcuterie and flowers. Don't miss the Cathedral Sainte-Réparate, a beautiful listed monument dating from the late 17th century in the Baroque style, accentuated by a facade redesigned in 1825. Among the streets and squares to be explored, which can form an itinerary, take rue du Marché, rue de l'Abbaye, rue Sainte-Réparate, place Rossetti, rue Benoît-Bunico, rue Droite, which continues into rue Pairolière, which you'll follow all the way to place Garibaldi. Place Garibaldi and rue Bonaparte Gilded youth, bourgeois (bohemian or not), hipsters and Instagrammers, and simply anyone who loves this splendid city must spend some time in the Garibaldi district, and more specifically around the famous Place du Pin. With its harmonious dimensions, arcades, ochre facades with tiled roofs, wrought-iron balconies and green shutters, this square is a heart-catcher. Dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, one of the founding fathers of modern Italy, who was born here in Nice, Place Garibaldi is home to the Grand Café de Turin, a local institution for over a century. Heading down Rue Bonaparte towards Place du Pin, you'll pass the house occupied by Napoleon in 1794 at no. 6. In what is known as the Marais niçois, you can continue towards the port, notably via Rue Bavastro and Rue Lascaris, for other, equally charming atmospheres. Capturing, on the fly, a little of the soul of Nice.