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The famed Promenade des Anglais, hugging the pebbly shores of Nice, is often the image of the city that immediately springs to mind. But there is also an old town hiding many picturesque treasures and a modern, bustling city center. Unassumingly tucked into the eastern part of town, Nice's port exudes its own peaceful charm, and the various hills — Cimiez to the northeast of Vieux-Nice, and Mont-Boron to the east of the harbor — make up green and tranquil districts blessed with stunning panoramas. Arénas in the west and Promenade du Paillon northeast of the old town are the main business and conference centers, while the rest of the area is primarily residential.
Seaside
This is perhaps the best known part of Nice. For more than a century, people have been flocking here to walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais. In the 19th century the gentle winters brought visitors, while today tourist season is at its height during the summer months. The locals never get tired of the place, whatever the season or the weather. Some jog, others rollerblade, many just walk, but they all appreciate the expansive sea view and fresh breeze. Take time to soak it all up sitting on one of the little blue chairs — an endearing, signature characteristic of the "Prom." The seashore is also lined with an impressive selection of luxury hotels, the most prestigious of which is the Hôtel Négresco.
Vieux-Nice
A marvelous ambiance flows from this little cluster of picturesque narrow and winding streets, from early morning to late at night. The houses sometimes press so close together across these narrow passages that they almost seem to be reaching out to embrace one another. Those with an interest in religious art will marvel at the number of churches such a small corner of town can hold, particularly when you survey it from the heights of the Colline du Château, which rises up like a natural border between the port and the old town. The most majestic of the churches is undoubtedly Cathédrale Sainte Réparate, a fantastic example of Baroque architecture. Another well-known Baroque building is the Palais Lascaris. Visitors more concerned with tastes than sights will not be disappointed. In addition to the architectural gems it contains, Vieux-Nice is also home to the best ice cream parlors, particularly surrounding the Place Rossetti. Glacier Fenocchio is a must, although you’ll need plenty of time to taste every exciting flavor — choices include cinnamon, violet, fig, chewing gum, tomato, lavender and rose! There are also some excellent restaurants serving varied cuisines, including local specialties, Lebanese, and Italian, at very reasonable prices. Beer drinkers should try a pub crawl around the many establishments bordering the old town such as De Klomp. Street musicians playing live music often appear, guaranteeing a great night. For those who prefer more classical sounds to accompany their evening, the city Opéra is also found in Vieux-Nice, and contains a truly magnificent auditorium. Vieux-Nice is also an artistic cornucopia, featuring an extraordinarily varied range of exhibits in all sorts of mediums. There’s much enjoyment to be had just wandering through the little streets stumbling upon the galleries and discovering local art. Cours Saleya is one area where there's always something going on. The Marché Saleya is the fruit and vegetable market, and the flower market, flea market, and arts and crafts market are also held here. The café and restaurant terraces prove very popular both in summer and winter, especially at La Civette and Brasserie L'F. Perfect places to relax and relish the day!
Masséna – town center
Place Masséna is the heart of Nice, surrounded by impressive red buildings that contrast nicely with the surrounding greenery of the nearby parks. The Albert I Gardens boasts the immense black metal Arc de Venet, while in the Masséna Gardens, you can enjoy pleasant shade offered by the trees. Outside these parks, the turmoil of the city resumes and the traffic, both on feet and wheels, is always very heavy. Throughout the day, window-shopping crowds walk up Avenue Jean-Médecin and through the pedestrian precinct where most of the shops, including Galeries Lafayette and the Nicetoile shopping center, can be found.
The Port
The tranquil atmosphere of this district is unique in the city of Nice. Here, you no longer feel like you are in one of the biggest cities in France. There are a few great restaurants serving specialties of the region and patronized by discerning locals, including Chez Pipo and Fjord. The port district, especially around Rue Ségurane, is also home to fine antique dealers such as Ginac, where you will find historic treasures to admire (and perhaps to purchase). Outside, the port itself offers as many delights. From the quayside you can enjoy the sight of brightly colored fishing boats moored next to millionaires’ yachts, ferry boats, and cruisers.
Cimiez
The hill at Cimiez has traditionally been the most fashionable residential area of Nice. Two aspects of Nice’s historic past can be found here among the pleasant villas and well-manicured gardens. The remarkable Roman amphitheaters, which hosts the annual Jazz Festival, and the very well-preserved Roman baths are but remainders of France's Roman history, a past that can be further explored at the adjoining Archeological Museum. Le Régina, an enormous hotel now divided into apartments, conjures up the other important era of Cimiez’s past: la belle époque. Matisse spent the last years of his life here, and there is a museum dedicated to his paintings a little further up the hill. Art fans planning to visit the Matisse Museum might also enjoy the impressive canvasses at the Marc Chagall Biblical Message Museum.
Mont-Boron and Mont-Alban
To get to Mont-Boron, you’ll have to take a car or use public transport, unless you feel like a long walk (it is a pleasant one, meandering through lovely Mediterranean landscapes and charming belle époque estates). However you travel, you’ll pass the Terra Amata Museum of Paleontology, which displays and curates prehistoric relics found in this area. The view of Nice from Mont-Boron is fantastic: most of the postcards depicting a panorama of Nice are photographed from this point. Elton John made a wise choice when he purchased the immense yellow villa atop Mont-Alban, the hill neighboring Mont-Boron.
Arénas
This is the newest district of Nice and, as a result, the furthest from the center. Situated near the airport, Arénas contains many offices and hotels, where everything is very modern and practical. It is essentially the business center of Nice. Points of interest include the enormous greenhouse at Phoenix Park and the Museum of Asian Arts.
Promenade du Paillon
This district has grown in size and importance over recent years. Here you'll find the Acropolis Exhibition Center, a huge futuristic building which hosts a variety of events and conferences. The largest room, the Apollon, is reserved for shows given by singers and comedians. The respected Cinémathèque consistently delights both cinema buffs and casual movie fans. A little further afield, you can see the twin towers of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) and the Théâtre National de Nice (TNN), where the architecture is just as modern and innovative as the art shown inside.
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