At sunset, watch the sun dip...
by SilverVelvet
At sunset, watch the sun dip below the horizon from the top of the romantic ruins of a chateaux that once graced a hill overlooking Nice. To the west, there are the beaches and, to the east, there is the marina (see photo).
Public Holidays in France
by NiceLife
Holidays are important - they signal a much restricted service on public transport and closure of tourist attractions, or maybe a good time to be around for festival fireworks.
National Public holidays in France 2006 will be
1 January New Year's Day (Sunday)
16 April Easter (Sunday)
17 April Easter (Monday)
1 May Labour Day (Monday)
8 May Fete de la Victoire 1945 - WWII Victory Day (Monday)
25 May Ascension Day (Thursday)
4 June Pentecost (Sunday)
5 June The Pentecost Monday holiday was suspended in 2005. It has been suggested - but is unconfirmed - that it will be re-instated in 2006.
14 July Bastille Day - France's National holiday (Friday) Fireworks everywhere!
15 August Day of Assumption (Tuesday)
1 November All Saints' Day (Tuesday)
11 November Armistice Day 1918 (Saturday)
25 December Christmas Day (Monday)
"Futebol" fans only!
by Elainehead
OGC Nice, it's the local soccer team and now on 'L1' (first division). If you are a fan of "futebol", try to go to a match in Stade du Ray.
Tickets can be bought at the "billeterie" (ticket office) of the stadium:
Billetterie Stade du Ray
35, Avenue du Ray
06100 Nice
You can also buy their official memorabilia at their official shop.
OCG Nice (La Boutique Officielle)
5, rue de Lépante
06000 Nice
Phone: 04 93 92 36 40
Day trip to Cannes
by Nice2004
A day trip to Cannes is something easily undertaken from Nice. The fast train westbound takes only around 20 minutes. Once in Cannes you can visit the Old Town, Port, stroll along the Croisette, do some shopping. The beaches here, unlike Nice, are sandy. You can also take a great boat trip out to Ile Ste Marguerite, one of the Isles de Lerins, where you can visit Fort Vauban where the mysterious man in the iron mask was held.
To get there - take the train westbound, takes between 20-30 minutes.
Roquebrunne
by NiceLife
The French flag stands proud atop the fortification of the medieval village of Roquebrunne. For hundreds of years flags of a various hues waved here, as the political history of the Cote d'Azur evolved. Variously under the kingdoms of Sadinia, Savoy, and the Count of Provence, the borders of Italy periodically extended to the river Var beyond Nice, whilst the Count of Ventimiglia and powerful Grimaldi dynasty wrestled for mastery.
Now a densely packed mass of narrow winding streets and proudly restored ancient dwellings. To be reached by a fierce climb up a kilometre of steps from the main Monaco - Menton road, enough to leave you breathless but enjoying a fantastic view down the coast to Monaco and Monte Carlo.
Below the village at sea level is the large forested area of Cap Martin, dotted with exclusive luxury villas and estates. Famous for the little wooded cabanon of the architect Le Corbusier, who one day went off for a swim, never to return.
Also below in Cap Martin in the former Fairmont Hotel, now "Europe Village", is the headquarters of the Supreme Mistress Ching Hai, who heads a meditation cult under the corporate name SCI Skylove. The self-named "Celeste d'Amour", Ching Hai is a Vietnamese-born British petite blonde who figured there are enough rich and gullible people to support a luxury lifestyle here. To the disgust of other wealthy residents, the cult is passing home to hundreds of devotees from all around the globe.