Strolling Around Nice

The Old Town in Nice is separated from the Mediterranean by an elevated road with tunnels that offer glimpses of the sea.  We pass through one of the tunnels and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, connecting to the Quai des Étas-Unis, which leads us around Castle Hill to the Old Port in Nice.  Castle Hill rises 92 meters (302 feet) above the city, with one side facing eastern edge of the old Town and the other, the western edge of the Old Port.

Tunnel to the sea

Emerging on the promenade

Map of the beaches

Rounding the point to the Old Port, viewing Castle Hill

Nice's Old Port was established in 1748 and is a great collection of 18th century buildings, luxury superyachts, traditional wooden fishing boats, and Corsica-bound ferries.

Nice Old Port

We wander, enjoying the sights, and pass the statue A dimanche a Nice (See you Sunday in Nice) by Stépane Cipre.

Sunday in Nice

We return to Castle Hill and walk up the steps for the top for the views (and a soda after all the walking in the warm spring weather).

Nice Old Town and Castle Hill

Views from Castle Hill

Returning through Old Town

Afternoon in Place Masséna

That evening, we stroll to the promenade on the sea for an aperitif, then return to La Favola for poulpe (again), linguine aux gambas, and pizza calabrese.

Sunset over the Mediterranean

Poulpe, gambas

Pizza

After dinner, we wander back through the lit-up Place Masséna, returning to our hotel to continue our travels just a bit into Italy tomorrow.

Place Masséna

Arriving in Nice, France

We leave Paris for Nice, on the Mediterranean coast, taking the express train from Gare de Lyon straight to Nice.

Gare de Lyon

Views from the train along the coast

We arrive in Nice and stroll through town to Place Masséna, the historic and vibrant heart of the city (known for its red facades and checker pavement) on our way to the Old Town, looking for dinner.

Place Masséna

Old Town restaurants

We read a few menus and stop at La Favola, where we dine on le poulpe a le Ligurienne (with pommes de terre grenaille), filet de loup aux artichauts (with purée de pomme de terre), and rigatoni al forno.

Poulpe

Filet de loup

Rigatoni

After dinner, we wander back though Old Town past the Palais de Justice and through the now colorfully illuminated Place Masséna.

Old town at night

Palais de Justice

Place Masséna

The next morning, we stroll back through Place Masséna to the Old Town and find that the outdoor restaurant seating transforms into a market for the daytime hours.

Place Masséna

Promenade du Paillon (between Place Masséna and the Old Town)

Palais de Justice plaza during the day

Old Town during the day

Now to wander and explore more of this great city.