This year in Nice July 14th was different.
Many people, including children, were killed or injured by a man who drove his lorry deliberately into the crowds along the Promenade des Anglais where people were gathered following the firework display to celebrate the 14 July.
The man was eventually killed by the police.
The suffering and grief of those who were injured or lost their loved ones will continue.
Our hearts go out to all of them and to the people of Nice at this time.
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When we were searching for the apartment we eventually bought we stayed in Nice on many occasions and in a large number of holiday rentals. On looking through the various descriptions we kept coming across the words “close to the Alsace-Lorraine Gardens” and we wondered what could be so special about these gardens. Eventually we went to have a look and discovered a friendly oasis on Boulevard Gambetta, which people who live nearby obviously love. There are plenty of benches but many of the locals bring their own folding chairs and book or newspaper to enjoy while they relax in the beautiful surroundings of the gardens.
As most of the inhabitants of Nice live in flats and have little outside space the gardens provide a welcome place to meet up and chat with friends or have a rest in the middle of a shopping trip. Some bring their dog (there is a special doggy loo tucked away by one of the entrances) or take their children to the play area.
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14 July! lots of celebrations in Nice including fireworks this evening. Take a look at the link below to find out more.
http://www.recreanice.fr/prom-party-feu-dartifice-14-juillet-nice-vacances-concerts
Have a great time!
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On 3rd August the anual event of La Nuit des Etoiles – or Astronomy Festival – is taking place in various venues across France. In Nice the location is the beautiful gardens of the Marc Chagall Musée from 6-11pm.
This is a free event and astronomers will be on hand to help you locate the planets and constellations. From 6pm you will be able to use the special protective telescopes to view the sun and, once the sun has set, astronomers will help you identify the planets and constellations. What an opportunity and in such a lovely setting!
Right now I’m in Brighton in the UK so please share your photos if you go to this lovely event!
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Exploring along the coast from Nice is fun, you don’t need a car as public transport is easy and cheap.
Going west from Nice one of my favourite destinations is Cros de Cagnes as it combines a beach, lovely restaurants and pétanque all in one place! I usually go by bus (ligne d’azur 200) and get off at Les Oliviers as it’s a short walk from there down towards the sea and the promenade. Best of all this route takes you along Avenue Général Leclerc where you’ll be able to stop off to watch the locals playing pétanque on the terrain. You’ll find a game in progress most afternoons.
You can get a train from Nice to Cros de Cagnes and take a slightly longer walk down the Avenue de la Station (closest bus stop Les Tritons) leading you to the lovely beach and Promenade de la Plage nearer to the little port.
I’d love to hear what you think of Cros de Cagnes!
When I was in Nice recently I spent a lot of time wandering in the beautiful “coulée verte” which the Paillon has become.
It just makes you smile to be there and everyone, young and old, seems to be relaxed and enjoying the space. There are lots of fun things to experience, such as the clouds which suddenly arise from one of the paved areas in the grass…
children and adults alike run into it and disappear for a moment!
You come out slightly damper than when you went in – very refreshing on a hot day!
I’d love to know if you’ve been there and what you thought of it!
Nice is well known for its excellent transport system. It’s easy and cheap to get around the city by bus or tram. Going east along the coast many people choose the bus as you have the benefit of the wonderful views of the sea and coastline. Travelling west the train can be the best option for speed, yet also travels close to the sea for quite a stretch.
The bus station (Gare Routière) was the best place to pick up the ligne d’azur buses which took passengers out of Nice. However in the middle of 2012 plans for the improvement of Nice’s centre began and the ugly but useful building was pulled down amidst much rubble and dust. What would come in its place?
Well take a look at this film on youtube and watch the history of the Paillon and the new and beautiful green space, la coulèe verte, which has appeared … the chaos and dust were well worth it as you will see
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We love playing pétanque and one of our favourite terrains when in Nice is among the olive trees at Cimiez. When in England we play pétanque in Brighton on the terrain at the Peace Statue, the home of Brighton and Hove Pétanque Club.
Back in 2009 we were very excited to discover that the final of the major pétanque competition – the Euro Cup for Clubs – was taking place in Nice! Trying to find exactly where it was going to be held needed dedicated detective work as amazingly no-one at the tourist information had heard anything about this major competition. We eventually discovered the venue from the local newspaper, Nice Matin. It was to be held in the huge boulodrome near Palais Nikaia on Rue de Grenoble.
We found our way there from the city by bus. Fortunately the bus-stop was fairly close to the boulodrome – unfortunately in December 2009 it absolutely poured down so we arrived dripping wet – being English we were used to this, so no problem.
Naturally we supported le Duc from Nice and were very excited to see Philippe Quantais, Philippe Suchaud, Henri Lacroix, Pascal Milei and Simon Cortes playing – and winning the championship too!
Our luck continued the following year as the final was once again held in Nice – the venue being that of the previous year’s winning team. This time we were better prepared and arrived in time to have a very good meal at a restaurant over the road from the boulodrome.
On this occasion Pascal Milei wasn’t playing and his place was taken by Ludovic Montoro, son of le Duc’s coach Alain Montoro. The crowd being mostly from Nice were vociferous in their support and I loved hearing the woman next to me shouted “Allez Fi-Fi” whenever Philippe Suchaud was about to play.The whole team played well. It was great to see Quintais pointing and shooting superbly – including shooting the jack on several occasions – and to know that Le Duc were the winners again!
Le Duc
winners of the Euro Cup for Clubs 2010
I love to wander along the Cours Saleya in the old town among the stalls filled with flowers and local fruit and vegetables. On Mondays you’ll discover bric-a-brac and antique stalls instead – where you can find such useful items as glass droplets for your chandeliers! With the backdrop of the Colline du Chateau it’s a lovely place to enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants which line the open space.
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Go to Place Rosetti in the Old Town. It’s a lovely square with the beautiful church of Sainte Réparate on one side and several cafés and restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating. Here you’ll find Fenocchio with its display of amazing ice-creams.
Fenocchio definitely has the best ice-cream in Nice! It’s my daughter’s favourite and she took these photos before she joined the queue. It’s probably a good idea to spend some time checking out all the flavours so that you have your (difficult) choice ready to go.
My particular favourite is réglisse (liquorice) though I’m the only one in our family to like this…which means I don’t have to share it… My husband loves vervaine which is a delicate green colour and usually adds lavande and rose to blend well visually. My son is the most adventurous and is the one who went for the cactus option (fortunately not prickly), whereas my daughter found specculos, which we were all very pleased to discover, as it’s a spectacularly delicious ice-cream version of those little biscuits which often come with a coffee and which we love.
I wonder what you will choose? Are you going for a cone or a little pot and how many scoops? Will you have sorbet or ice-cream? What about colour preferences…will you choose pastels such as violette, melon and rose (a beautiful combination visually and gustatorily – (if that’s a word?), or go for the more outlandish flavours of cactus, bière and olive? Do let me know your choices!
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