One of the most charming cities along the magical French Riviera, Nice is the capital of France’s Alpes-Maritimes department.
Boasting pebbly beaches, historic town squares, al fresco dining options, lively promenades, and a good life, Nice packs quite the punch.
If you’re planning to visit Nice this season, here are some facts about one of the most beautiful resort cities in the world!
Nice has been a popular tourist destination for around 400,000 years.
Archaeological evidence shows that the first tourists in Nice were the transient cave dwellers who visited the city once a year to hunt woolly mammoths.
In 500 B.C., Nice was part of the Greek Empire. The ancient Greeks named the city after the Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
Architects from Turin, Italy were the builders of Nice. The city was originally ruled by the Kingdom of Sardinia from Italy. Italian influences can be seen everywhere in Nice from language to food to city squares, and more!
Owing to its awe-inspiring views and magical vibe, Nice has been an inspiration to several artists, writers, and composers over the ages.
Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jean Cocteau, and Niccolò Paganini, among others, were drawn to the city for inspiration.
The famous Nice Carnival, one of the world’s major carnival events, has its origins in the Middle Ages. It is held every year in February and is a major tourist attraction.
Nice’s most thriving spot, Promenade des Anglais, has actually been named after wealthy English tourists ...
... including the likes of Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill, who would take a walk along the seafront with their parasols.
Nice is nicknamed as “Nice la Belle”, literally meaning “Nice the Beautiful”. This is also the unofficial anthem of Nice written in 1912 by Menica Rondelly.
Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice is Europe’s largest greenhouse, containing about 2,500 plant species.
The number of museums and art galleries in Nice is one of the highest in all of France.
Nice stands out for its fresh seafood and tasty regional cuisine, greatly influenced by Italian food. Try out regional delicacies like Farinata, Ratatouille, La Daube Niçoise, and Les Petits Farcis, among others.