Once you consider the French Riviera, you would possibly assume that summer is the most effective time to go to. But Nice has actually been a preferred winter travel destination because the 18th century, when aristocrats, largely from England, began spending summers there.
With mild temperatures year-round (a neighborhood told me you’ll be able to eat outside until the top of November, and start doing so again come February), and much fewer tourists than the hordes that swarm the town in August, Nice is really at its prime within the cooler months. And also you donât must take my word for it: Last yr, the town earned UNESCO World Heritage recognition because the âwinter resort town of the Riviera,â citing Niceâs ideal location between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea.
But regardless of what time of yr you select to go to, youâre sure to be charmed by the townâs architecture, promenades, art, food, and history. Read on for a rundown of what to see, eat, and, after all, what wine to drink when youâre on the town.
Leah Romero
Castle Hill
Courtesy
As stunning as Nice is at ground-level, you havenât properly seen the town until youâve seen it from above. The relatively easy and short climb up the steep hill is value it for the views of Old Town, the Promenade des Anglais, and the powder-blue sea. At the highest, you can too explore the ruins of the Castle of Nice, cemeteries, and a spectacular man-made waterfall that doubles as A/C in the summertime months (stand close and let the mist cool you down).
Musée Matisse
François Fernandez
Henry Matisse fell in love with Nice in 1917 and relocated to the town, where he would live and produce the vast majority of his work until his death in 1954. So it’s fitting that today Nice is home to one in every of the biggest collections of his work. The MusĂ©e Matisse in Nice (say that five times fast) includes 31 paintings, 454 drawings and prints, 38 cut-outs, and 57 sculptures that span the artistâs profession, and is basically drawn from his personal stash, brought in directly from his studio. The gorgeous Seventeenth-century villa that houses the museum is a bonus.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Courtesy
Leave the town behind for a day trip to Cap Ferrat, a peninsula positioned about 25 minutes outside of Nice that boasts a few of the most stunning beaches in the realm. Start your day at the long-lasting Paloma Beach, which is flanked by villas and residential to a vigorous family-run beach club thatâs been around since 1948. From there, you’ll be able to weave your way along a coastal path until you reach Le Club Dauphin, a swim club and restaurant positioned on the tip of the peninsula and surrounded by sea views on three sides.
When youâre lazing by the Thirties-era Olympic-sized salt water swimming pool, where Brigitte Bardot once took swim lessons, youâll never want to depart. And if that’s the case, you’ll be able to wander as much as the Belle Ăpoque-era Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferrat, a 4 Seasons Hotel, to book a room for the night. Donât miss the hotelâs spa or the Michelin-starred Le Cap restaurant, which features local ingredientsâsome from the hotelâs own gardens, 600 wines from Franceâs best vineyards, and, my personal favorite, probably the most expansive cheese cart Iâve ever seen. (Fun fact: In season two of Emily in Paris, when Emily heads to âSaint Tropez,â a lot of the scenes were actually filmed in and around Cap Ferrat; like Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie before her, Emily stays on the Grand-HĂŽtel du Cap-Ferrat.)
Posse Exclusive Maeve Linen Mini Dress
Tory Burch Seaside Oxford Espadrille
Etro Etro Multicolor Woven Beach Tote
Le Plongeoir
Courtesy
At the top of the nineteenth century, a fishing boat was secured to a rock pillar just off the coast of Nice, where guests ate and drank 20 feet above the ocean below. The vessel was ultimately damaged and removed, however the restaurant, Le Plongeoir, was reimagined and stays perched at the highest of those self same rocks today. Start with a delicious âThe Signature Diving Boardâ drink (a nod to the restaurantâs diving boards), which is like an Aperol Spritz but with peach juice (our server told us George Clooney ordered two rounds when he was there recently), and nosh on zucchini flower fritters and seafood.
Les Agitateurs
Courtesy
Les Agitateurs, positioned behind the townâs scenic port, is one in every of Niceâs most up-to-date recipients of a Michelin star, with reviewers remarking on the âpainstakingly and assuredly crafted dishes which are wealthy in texture, flawlessly cooked, and subtly seasoned.â The food is nearly too pretty to eat, but chowing down is suggested anyway. Diners can select from preset three- or five-course meals, with wine pairings, after all. If you will have trouble snagging a table, you can too visit their grocery store-slash-delicatessen to take some takeaway bites home with you.
Nuances
Sebastien Veraguas Photographe
Eating at Nuances requires you to get deeply in contact along with your senses with a view to determine what precisely the deliciousness youâre tasting actually is. Thatâs since the restaurant serves a set âblind menuâ that changes every two weeks, meaning you wonât know what any of the six courses youâre about to be served consist of until you bite down. And even then, you would possibly not be right. After each course, the server asks you to take your best guess on the ingredients. The answers are sometimes surprising, but at all times delicious.
The Last Line 14k Perfect Black Diamond Collar Tennis Necklace
Ganni Pleated Georgette Flounce Smock Midi Dress
LEAH ROMERO
Plage Beau Rivage
Courtesy
Top-of-the-line things a couple of European beach vacation is the abundance of beaches with top-notch service. Yes, they could be pricey, however the experience is at all times value it. Leave the chairs and umbrellas at home and show up just as you might be, Plage Beau Rivage will provide the remainder. I like the experience of attending to enjoy proper knife-and-fork food on the sand (an actual upgrade from the usual beach snacks). Make sure you make a reservation during high season, and if Plage Beau Rivage is full, fear not, the Promenade des Anglais is lined with other options.
Berco
Courtesy
Positioned in the center of Old Town, Berco is an incredible spot to sip on a glass of red when you rest your feet after a protracted day of sightseeing. The vigorous and vivid wine cellar also serves tapas with ingredients from small local farms.
La Boulisterie Club
Courtesy
Who doesnât love a bar with lawn bowling? At La Boulisterie Club, completely happy hour comes with a side of pĂ©tanque (translation: bocce ball). The retro space with vintage dĂ©cor feels a bit bit such as youâre hanging in someoneâs garage, but an elegant garage because, in any case, this continues to be France.
Miaou Venus Corset
Now 50% Off
Reformation Magda Ankle Tie Platform
Leah Romero
Le MĂ©ridien
Courtesy
Walking into the seaview suite at Le MĂ©ridien literally took my breath away. Set on the Promenade des Anglais, on the border of Old Town, the hotelâs location across the road from the beach makes it a perfect vantage point to envision out Niceâs sparkling sea from below or above, courtesy of one in every of the biggest hotel balconies possibly ever. Back inside, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout maximize the vistasâeven the toilet had a 180-degree viewâand I seriously couldn’t stop staring (or taking pictures) of the waves below. The mid-century modern furnishingsâdriftwood tables, teak flooring, and wingback chairsâadd to the relaxing vibes, and the rooftop pool and restaurant make the hotel value stopping by, even for those whoâre not staying the night.
Le Negresco
Courtesy
Le Negresco is unlike every other hotel. It seems like sleeping in an art museum, minus the stuffiness. And thatâs since itâs not only a hotel, but an art hotel, complete with an incredible 6,000 artistic endeavors and period furniture pieces throughout. The hallways and rooms are eclectically designed and span eras, with the whole lot from Napoleon to street art. Originally opened in 1914, the pink-domed hotel has hosted Salvador DalĂ, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Beatles, Louis Armstrong, and Elton John. And make sure to reserve a table at its Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Chantecler; the space alone is a feast for the eyes, with woodworking that dates back to 175 mixed with modern hot pink and lime green furnishings, and the menu comes courtesy of a female head chef, Virginie Basselot.
Le Windsor Jungle Art Hotel
Courtesy
This boutique hotel has a lush tropical garden and pool, but what really sets Le Windsor Jungle Art Hotel apart is the artistic spin on its rooms. Guests can select from three options: artistâs rooms, which modern artists have decorated with original creations straight from their imaginations; fresco rooms, which have a large-scale frescoes painted by local artist Antoine Baudoin to move guests from Asia to Mexico; finally, there are tribute rooms dedicated to the likes of Coco Chanel and Jean Cocteau. Whichever option you select, you’ll be able to rest assured that it’ll be a winner.
Roxy Rib Love The Muse One-Piece Swimsuit
Now 60% Off
Khaite The Brighton Slide
Leah Romero
HermĂšs 62 Rouge Feu
Credit: Nordstrom
Get French with it. You may never go incorrect with a red lip, and this limited-edition matte formula by Hermés will withstand hot summers while supplying you with a red-hot look. Literally.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer
Credit: Sephora
A nip slip in Nice? No problem. Makeup slippage? A fake pax, needless to say. For a glance that lasts all day (and night), base your face with this hydrating fan-favorite primer thatâs perfect for dry summers and funky winters alike.
Yon-Ka Lotion Yon-Ka PS
Credit: Yon-Ka Paris
This alcohol-free fragrant toner shouldn’t be only perfect for dry skin, however the scent will transport you to a rose garden. Apply after cleansing and before serum for optimum effects, or spray midday as a refreshing pick-me-up.
Kayla Webley Adler is the Deputy Editor of ELLE magazine. She edits cover stories, profiles, and narrative features on politics, culture, crime, and social trends. Previously, she worked because the Features Director at Marie Claire magazine and as a Staff Author at TIME magazine.
