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Dining in Europe > Nice Thanks to a roaring tourist trade and great weather (which makes outdoor dining and drinking an unavoidable temptation), Nice boasts a dizzying number of restaurants, snack bars, ice-cream parlours, cafes, bars and pubs etc. There are so many, that to sum them up in a few lines would be difficult instead here is a panoramic view of Nices gastronomy, with something to please everyone! Lets begin with the specialities of Nice. Everyones heard of salade niçoise, a salad made up of fresh tomatoes, mixed leaves, anchovies, tuna, peppers, beans and olive oilbut Nice cuisine does not stop there. Its also and above all la socca, les farcis (stuffed vegetables and meats), la morue (cod) à la niçoise, la pissaladière, les fleurs de courgette cuisinées (cooked courgettes), les raviolis (ravioli), le panbagnat etc. You can discover the flavours behind these mysterious names at Hélène Barale in the harbour area Mrs Barale is pretty old these days, and slightly mad, but her restaurant is the home of Nice cuisine. Chez Simon and Au Rendez-vous des Amis which overlook the city are also worth a visit. For a simpler yet no less delicious bite, check out Chez Acchiardo, Pipo Socca and Lou Chicou (the first fast-food place for Nice cuisine on the Cours Saleya!). And finally, famous for its spectacle en niçois (a show acted in the local dialect), the Bar des Oiseaux is sure to please. But there are little restaurants specialising in local cuisine scattered all over the city Fans of traditional French cuisine are spoilt for choice in Nice. Places to try include le Tire-Bouchon (very reasonable prices; thank you Lyon), Flo, Diva, l'Horloge, les Epicuriens and la Petite Maison. These five centrally located restaurants offer excellent dining à la carte and set menus (the prices are higher in the last three) perfect for quality food in a pleasant, contemporary setting. Slightly off the beaten track, the beautiful vaulted cellar of Baud et Millet offers cheese-based dishes and fine wines. The city also caters for those with more exotic tastes. For Italian cuisine, try Bistro Romain, la Zucca Magica (an amazing vegetarian spot!), l'Allégro (excellent food) or Québec which, despite its name, serves wonderful pizzas and pasta that is beautifully al dente. Nice is a town of many flavours: a taste of the Lebanon at Byblos; food from Alsace at Taverne Alsacienne; island cuisine at Barachois; Moroccan menus at Casbah; Danish delights at la Petite Sirène; Indian spices at the Raja; and even Russian cuisine at Transsibérien! If you fancy fish, get a table at Boccacio in the pedestrian zone or at Coco Beach, by the Cape of Nice. For a high-class meal there are three restaurants, which should certainly be tried. A stones throw from the Old town and the Promenade des Anglais, Don Camillo, rue des Ponchettes, has a very refined menu. The prestigious reputation of Chantecler is well deserved - as the restaurant of the palatial hotel, the Négresco, it comes as no surprise that the dishes and service are fit for a king. The other large hotel, the Maeterlinck, also boasts an exceptional restaurant, the Mélisande, overlooking the sea. If you'd rather snack than sit down to a large meal, the Old town (Vieux Nice) is positively overflowing with pubs, each one more tempting than the next. O'Neills, De Klomp, and The Hole in the Wall are just a few. And finallya place for the real gourmands address book: Fenocchio, probably the best ice-cream parlour in town. As well as a multitude of flavours, this spot overlooks the Old towns charming place Rossetti, where the Sainte Réparate cathedral stands tall. Entertainment in NiceThere are two things, which make Nice really stand out the carnival and the sea, with all the activities that come with it. But there are thousands of other ways to enjoy yourself in Nice, whatever the season. As in any major city, Nice is the sixth largest in France, you can go shopping, go out to the disco in the evening, go the the cinema or visit her museums and art galleries. Cultural and artistic activity of all kinds are of major importance in this town. The atmosphere which the citys markets possess is unique: the warm climate means that they take place outdoors all year round and the joviality of the men and women of Nice brings a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. These are a few of the places which you should make a point of seeing during your stay. If you are in Nice during February don't miss the Carnaval, which is one of the most famous after Rio and Venice. Join the lively procession with its fantastic floats and huge heads, with its brass band and clowns on stilts. There are also magnificent displays of flowers on the Promenade des Anglais: A wonderful array of mimosas and carnations. During the summer- even earlier, you can enjoy the sun, the beach and the sea. There is a slight problem however: the beaches are not sandy but pebbly. People who like their comfort might want to rent a mattress on a private beach, such as Castel Plage and Opéra Plage. As far as shopping is concerned, there are two main streets we would reccommend, the rue Masséna and l'avenue Jean Médecin. La rue Masséna is the main pedestrian zone of Nice. There is a wide range of shops, all of which are pretty and different: there is the fashion designer Kenzo, the leather shop Longchamp, for clothing try Comptoir des cotonniers, or Camaïeu, etc. L'Avenue Jean Médecin is near the pedestrian zone. Fashion is the main thing here as well, for example Zara. You will also find department stores and shopping arcades here such as the Galeries Lafayette and Nice Etoile. Finally in the suburbs of Nice, near the airport there is a large shopping centre which is worth a detour, Cap 3000. By night, you can relax at the Palousa or at the Ambassade, which are just some of Nices best clubs. For people who love movies the Multiplexe has just opened. Lovers of culture will also be seduced by Nice. This town has numerous museums: Musée Matisse, Musée Terra Amata And a vast number of art galleries, many of which are to be found in the charming and picturesqe streets of Vieux Nice ; there is something for everyone: Fombelle, Sylvie T, Espace Loas, Slobodan, etc. People who love antiques will enjoy the port district, for example, Ginac anf Rometti. People who love architecture shouldn't miss the Palais Lascaris and the Cathédrale Sainte Réparate, for masterpieces in the Italian Baroque style. Music lovers will have their hands full. Each year fantastic music festivals are organised: festival du jazz, festival de musique sacrée, a festival of contemporary music MANCA Moreover Nice has a splendid and active Opéra. Finally Nices charm can quite simply be found in the markets. All week long, at almost any hour of the day, the Cours Saleya it brought to life by a market: Marché Saleya aux fruits et aux légumes, Marché aux fleurs Saleya, Marché à la brocante, Marché d'art et d'artisanat. Choose what you fancy most and come and stroll around in the shade of the pretty, colourful canapies; take the time to drink a glass on one of the terraces, enjoying to the full this mediterranean atmosphere. Trans. by J Gutch Recommended ToursA walk through Old Nice Approach old Nice from the Place Garibaldi, walk the Promenade des Anglais and go up the steps of the Colline du Château (hill of the castle) to take in the Baie des Anges. The Place Garibaldi was given its name in 1870 in honour of a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was opposed to the transfer of Nice and Savoy to France. This square, surrounded by arcades, was built in the style of the squares in Turin. After walking past the Café de Turin, which is renowned for its seafood, take the Rue Pairolière. This street is always very lively in the mornings, as it leads to the Place Saint François, where there is a fish market (Marché Saint François aux poissons) and the famous butcher shop Chez Francis. Take this opportunity to buy traditional products from Nice and Provence (olives, herbes de Provence) or sample some stuffed olives and socca (a type of pancake made from chickpea flour). After this culinary delight, leave the Place Saint Francois behind and take the Rue Droite, (which translated literally means the street of the law), its name comes from the fact that it leads directly to the Saleya courthouse. Pause and admire the Palais Lascaris, the large Genoese house which was home to the dynasty of the same name. When you come out of the palace, continue along a little further and you will come to the Place Rossetti, where the Sainte Réparate cathedral stands (built in the seventeenth century). You can also savour an ice cream at the renowned Chez Fenocchio, or relax at one of the many café terraces. By taking a right at the cathedral you can see the false door which looks out onto the Boulevard Jean Jaurès. Continue down the Rue du Marché towards the Place du Palais, cross the square and on your right you will find Nices opera house. On the left you will find the flower market. Then take a walk by the Cours Saleya, beloved of the people of Nice for its sunny terraces and its lively and colourful market (on Monday afternoons a flea market). Opposite you will find the Maison de Savoie (16 counts of Savoy ruled from 1388 to 1860). By taking the Rue de la Poissonnerie, you will come across a small, charming chapel dedicated to Ste Rita (patron saint of lost causes). Or take the Rue Jules Gilly and you will find a small square (Place du Gésu), where there is the Church of Jesus. Leaving from the Cours Saleya, you will also reach the Quai des Etats Unis and the pebble beaches. By going towards the quay, you will come to the foot of the Chateau hill. If you are brave enough, climb up the steps and take in little by little the Promenade des Anglais and the magnificent Baie des Anges, which extends to the airport. The less brave can take the lift. On this hill there is a small shipbuilding museum, a waterfall (brilliantly lit at night), a park for children, large lawns and ancient Roman baths. A walk through the Cimiez part of town Visit the arenas of Cimiez, the Matisse and the Chagall museums. Bus numbers 15 and 22 will leave you off at the Cimiez arenas. Fans of ancient culture can also go to the archaeological museum to see collections dating from the bronze age up to the beginning of the Middle Ages, as well as a section devoted to, mostly ancient, funeral rites. From there you will come to the Franciscan monastery, bordered by a magnificent Italian garden. This spiritual place dating from the seventeenth century allows you to see wall paintings and works of art, tracing the Franciscan life from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. From here you easily reach the garden of the Arenas. Although this big park tends to be overrun by bicycles, roller bladers and football players on a Wednesday afternoon and at the weekend, it is a haven of peace and quiet during the week. It has a wonderful 3600sqm olive grove and beautiful pathways and its Gallo-roman arenas are also a point of interest. You can also admire the Villa, which now houses the Matisse museum. This Genoese house with trompe-l'oeil, displays the painters work from the beginning of his career to the end of his days, and also houses some of his personal belongings. A must on the way to the town centre is the Musée National Message Biblique Marc Chagall. This museum, designed by the architect André Hemant, has a sober and modern aspect and is situated in a grove of green oaks and olive and cypress trees. Here you will find over 600 works centred on a biblical theme, which include large canvases, mosaics, sculptures, tapestries and splendid stained glass windows. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions. Art enthusiasts will be eager to visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, while the less enthusiastic can relax at one of the many cafes in the Old Nice quarter. Dining in Europe > Nice
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