Nice (Nice), with approximately 350 000 inhabitants, capital of the department of Alpes-Maritimes, is a city in which over 2400 years old history has deep historical scars.

Old Town The streets and squares surrounded by houses in bright colors of yellow ocher are now largely restored have an irresistible charm. Markets, restaurants and shops give life to the old town. Three squares give the town its architectural rhythm: in the north the Place Garibaldi arcades lined with the monument of freedom heroes, the Place St-François with the former townhouse and fish market and the Cours Saleya, with its colorful flower market in the south.

Butte du Château From the in 1706 destroyed castle and the cathedral of the Middle Ages, only the foundations are left. Today the castle hill is a park with waterfalls and stunning views over the old city in the west, the port in the east and the sea in the south. Cimiez The nucleus of the roman Nice on a plateau above the Mont Gros is now a residential area. You can explore the ruins of the baths and especially the amphitheater.

Parc Phoenix Botanical Garden close to the airport and office center Les Arenas with a small zoo, playground, educational trail and one of the largest greenhouses in Europe, the "green diamond" with seven different tropical climate zooms. Middle April-Middle Oct. daily 9am-7pm. 405, promenade des Anglais, 6 Euro

shopping For fashion, the streets around the Rue de la Liberté are the first address. The specialties shop for candied fruits, Maison Auer (7, rue St-François de Paule), also offers chocolate and pralines too. For its markets in the old town is Nice envied throughout the country. Fish Market (Mon-Sun 6am-1pm) on the Place St-François. Marche aux Fleurs (Tue-Sat 6am-5.30pm, Sun 6am-12pm). Food market (Tue-Sun 7am-1pm).

food                                                                                                                                                                           La Barque Bleue For locals popular Italian restaurant with specialties from Calabria and Sicily. quai des Deux Emmanuel Le Comptoir Mediterranean kitchen in a refined Art Deco ambience in the middle of old town. daily. 20, rue St-Françoisde-Paule                          Le Grand Café de Turin For two centuries, the institution of fresh seafood in Nice - slurp oysters at any time of day. daily. 5, pl. Garibaldi                                                                                                                                                                      La Table Alziari The family Alziari cooks in an old alley delicious dishes of the region. Sun/Mon closed. 4, rue François Zanin

where to stay                                                                                                                                                         Auberge de Jeunesse One of the cheapest accommodation in Nice for young people. Massena Four Stars, beautiful facade and ideal location on the outskirts of the town and 5 minutes from the sea. 106 rooms. 58, rue Giofreddo                                           Negresco Exquisite luxury in the style of the Belle Epoque, and since 2003 with facades and glass dome officially classified as a historical monument. With the top restaurant Le Chanteclerc. 142 rooms. 37, promenade des Anglais                                           Petit Louvre Simple but charming and inexpensive house with small rooms for young people. 35 rooms. 10, rue Emma Trency Windsor In the middle of the city, but with a garden and near the sea. 62 rooms. 11, rue Dalpazzo

Train Between Fréjus and Menton is the trainline Marseille-Toulon-Genua. From Paris you are with the TGV in less than 3 hrs in Marseille, from there you take another train to Nice.

Plane The central international airport is Nice-Côte d'Azur