The cosmopolitan city of Nice, enjoys a wonderful location right on the glorious French Riviera.
Blessed with a sunny, temperate climate and a spectacular coastline, it is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday at any time of year and continues to attract visitors from all around the world. The famous Promenade des Anglais, a 4 km palm fringed boulevard which lines the coast, dates back almost 200 years, its grand, Belle Epoque buildings testimony to its past when royalty and aristocracy visited the area. It is the perfect place for leisurely strolls, jogging, cycling, dining at a seaside restaurant, or just relaxing on the one of the many bright blue chairs and enjoying the magnificent sea views.

The city itself has much to offer the tourist with its lovely Art Déco facades, diverse shopping and a huge array of dining options. There are two important historic centres, the Cimiez Hill, where the vestiges of Roman occupation can still be seen, and Vieux Nice, the old part of the city. Demarcated by the hill of the castle, the Boulevard Jean Jaurés and the famous Cours Saleya Flower Market, the old town is almost completely pedestrianized and full of atmosphere. With its Italian facades, it is a labyrinth of narrow and stepped streets lined with shops and restaurants. Having passed the Saint Reparate church, the Lascaris Palace and the flower market, you can continue walking up to the hill of the castle to enjoy spectacular views over the city and port. It is in Cimiez that the Belle Epoque period can best be appreciated, with impressive palaces, including the Winter Palace, the Hermitage, the Regina Palace and the Valrose Château. The Franciscan Monastery, near the Matisse Museum, is also well worth a visit.

Further inland, this area of France is filled with charming medieval hilltop perched villages to explore, each with a distinct personality and offering excellent shopping, art galleries and restaurants. Monaco and Italy are also within an easy drive in one direction, and the glamour and beaches of St Tropez about 1 ½ hours’ drive in the other direction.

The apartments we feature in Nice are right at the centre of the city, close to the famous Negresco Hotel, the Promenade des Anglais and the pedestrian shopping zone.

Finally, for those interested in food and wine, The Villa Book recommends Rosa Jackson's Nice based cookery classes, to be found on www.petitsfarcis.com. These are all about the pleasures of a day spent shopping at the Cours Saleya market and preparing an authentic Niçois meal in France’s most Italian city. A food writer, Cordon Bleu-trained cook and longtime French resident, Rosa invites you to join her for a market tour and hands-on cooking class in her beautifully renovated 17th-century apartment, steps from the vibrant food market and the Quai des Etats-Unis.