The Promenade des Anglais for many people, including the city's inhabitants, is Nice. Strolling along the four-mile long boardwalk amongst the palm trees on a warm summer's evening is one of life's great pleasures. On one side is the sea, the other mixes luxury hotels with fine restaurants. And there is always one of the little blue chairs available to sit and watch it all go by.
The Musee Matisse (Matisse Museum) is the most famous of the city's galleries. The stunning red building is on Cimiez hill where the impressionist painter Matisse lived for the latter part of his life. Nice also has the largest collection of paintings by Marc Chagall.
The annual Jazz Festival takes place at the end of July not far from the Matisse Museum in the ancient Roman amphitheater. Established over 50 years ago, the event reflects the long-lasting popularity of the resort with Afro-American musicians who came to escape the racism they experienced at home. The 45,000 spectators come to the festival for its unique setting, relaxed family atmosphere and the opportunity to mix with 500 of the world's best musicians.
The beaches are, of course, the big attraction for the summer months. The good news is that you will not leave with sand sticking to your lotion-covered body. The bad news is that this is because the beaches are made up of smooth rocks and pebbles. The alternatives are: bring something soft to lie on, rent a sun bed or head down the coast if you want to make sandcastles.
Shopping is, for many of us, what makes the world go round and there is no shortage of designer and department stores. However, it is the markets that make Nice so memorable. The Cours Saleya art and craft market is a joy to wander round on a balmy summer evening. For antiques and quirky bric-a-brac, the huge Marche aux puces is bound to turn up something you had no idea that you wanted. But it is undoubtedly the Marche aux fleurs (flower market) that will capture your heart with its profusion of colours and smells in the picturesque setting of the Old Town.
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