A Weekend Getaway to Nice: 5 Spots Not to Miss
Nice makes an impression from the moment you arrive into the Côte d’Azur airport, like any place that is bound to leave its mark, all you can see from the window as you descend is sapphire blue water, for miles and miles. The warm Mediterranean air wraps around like an old friend’s hug as you step out and breathe in a deep inhale of that fresh sea air and walk into that Côte d’Azur light that brings everything to life.
From that moment on, the city will enchant you with its traditional Mediterranean architecture, its quaint markets and of course the Promenade d’Anglais. Just minutes from the Italian border, this French town feels like everything that is right with the relaxed dolce vita spirit that is synonymous with this side of the French coastline. Relaxing on the beach and taking your time as you take another bite of whatever delectable meal or sweet treat you are imbibing on feels like the only right choice for your visit but this list includes some easy “pit stops” along your Niçoise weekend.
Le Carre Bleu: An Sea View From Every Angle
Photo Credit Le Carre Bleu
When you walk into Le Carre Bleu in Cagnes sur Mer you are greeted with a hefty bonjour, a friendly smile and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A classic Riviera beach club and a delectable restaurant all in one, Le Carre Bleu is a place to spend the day seaside relaxing on their plush beach chairs and delving into their delicious bites. Some favorites include pulpo and durade entier, the cote de boeuf and the frito misto. Simple, impossibly fresh and consistently delicious Le Carre Bleu has quickly become a favorite along the boardwalk.
Pinocchio ice cream: A Sensory Delight for All Ages
Just across the street from Le Carre Bleu sits an innocuous ice cream shop except for the large photo on the ice cream cart sitting outside the shop with two men with very large Pinocchio noses. Once you walk into Pinocchio you will be surprised to find a litany of flavors, smells and delights. You will find childhood favorites like bubble gum and unicorn, as well as, traditional flavors like rum raisin and chocolate and the special flavors like violet, rose and licorice. The ice cream itself is more akin to gelato, soft, creamy and utterly delicious. On top of their delicious gelatos they have waffles with everything from nutella to strawberries and chantilly cream, as well as, a good old fashioned slurpee (frozen ice drink) and towering sundaes.
Edmond Café: Pancakes, Pastries and Delicious Cakes, Oh My!
Brunch has never tasted better. In the heart of Nice just off the famed Promenade d’Anglais sits a quaint cafe open daily from 9h-19h exclusively serving breakfast, brunch and cakes, pretty much the three best things a menu could offer. From lush pillowy blueberry pancakes so perfectly sweet you don’t need any of the generous portion of syrup provided to an unctuously delicious, if not slightly (for the better) modified, eggs Benedict with crispy, perfectly golden hash browns, Edmond Cafe satisfies every need for a traditional, all frills American brunch, where others fall too short, too often.
Musée Matisse: The Evolution of an Artist
Photo Credit Ville de Nice
High in the hills of Cimiez sits the lush Jardin des Arènes Cimiez and sitting on its edge you find a bright rusty red colored manor with butter yellow trim that houses the Musèe Matisse and his impressionist and fauvist masterpieces. Inaugurated in 1963 thanks to large donations from Matisse’s own collection as well as, his patrons, the museum houses over 600 pieces of artwork and a collection of books from Henri Matisse’s own library. Walking through the history of the artist allows you to see how his talent, voice and techniques were experimented with and developed over his lifetime, giving you a new lens with which to view his work.
Before leaving or entering the museum, it is worth taking the opportunity to meander through the Jardin de Arènes Cimiez. The gardens delight all your senses with colorful flowers that smell heavenly, birds chirping softly in the trees and the gentle breeze that hits your skin at just the right moment. Grab a book and have a seat in the shade for the perfect slow afternoon.
Cascade du Chateau: A View From Heaven
Photo Credit Ville de Nice
The drive up to the Cascade du Chateau is an adventure itself. Hairpin turns on tiny old town roads. Then you arrive at the entrance of the park atop the hill where the “two way” street feels more like a prayer and an exercise in the good will of your fellow drivers than actual two way street. Once you arrive at the top and park you are in for a beautiful and easy hike up to the waterfall as the large (larger than to road up) paved pathway winds slowly upwards allowing for the vistas of the French Riviera to take your breath away. If you aren’t up for the hike all the way to the top, there is an area just below the falls to sit, relax, have a snack and a playground for the kids, all encompassed by the bright blue skies and dark blue waters of the Mediterranean below.