Guide to visiting Nice

The French city of Nice is the capital of the French Riviera, the most famous tourist destination in the world. Steeped in history and alive with culture, Nice is a vibrant city that has been a magnet for the well-heeled and well-travelled for generations. Year-round sunshine continues to attract holiday-makers and property buyers alike, all following in the footsteps of the the likes of Queen Victoria and the Rothschilds family.

Nice is an easily accessible city, with numerous daily flights from UK, Ireland and the US, amongst others. Our guide to Flights and Transport will show you how to get to and around Nice. Once once arrives in this cosmopolitan city, a world class public transport system is there to transport you across the city and along the Riviera. France's culinary reputation is well deserved as one admires the multitude of restaurants that line rue Massena and the Cours Saleya. For evening entertainment, consult our Bars and Restaurant Guide, which outlines the multitude of choices available. Top of the range hotels such as the Hotel Negresco and the Palais de Mediterranee Hotel offer rooms with sea views and luxurious interiors. For more information on staying in Nice, our Hotels and Accommodation guide has everything you need to find the ideal hotel or rental apartment.

The British aristocracy originally came to Nice in the early 19th century, constructing lavish winter residences to escape the poor weather at home. The Russians, Americans and other Europeans followed shortly after as word spread of the delights of the Riviera. Many of these tycoons and monarchs have left a lasting legacy.

"Le gout Rothschild" is a French expression originating from the opulence demonstrated by members of the famous banking family. This can be demonstrated by the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a lavish villa that is now home a summer classical music festival. Queen Victoria stayed in the Hotel Regina, a perfect example of the 'Belle Epoque' architecture of the time, and now a residential apartment building.

At the turn of the 20th century, Frank Jay Gould, son of the railroad tycoon Jay Gould, arrived on the Riviera and proceeded to build luxury casinos and hotels. The most famous of these are the Palais de la Méditerranée Hotel on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and The Provençal in Juan-les-Pins, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world at the time.

The French Riviera is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous, with luxury sea-front apartments available for the same price as an average property in Dublin or London. Nice has the largest property market on the Riviera, from the medieval village that is Nice's Old Town to the grande Bourgeois's that line the Musician's Quarter. All tastes are catered for in this architecturally varied city.

The advent of modern air travel means that getting to Nice couldn't be easier, with numerous direct flights from Ireland, the UK and the US. From Nice, France's extensive rail lines can take you anywhere on the Riveira while the modern road network means Italy is a half an hour drive. In winter, the Alps can be reached by bus or car in an hour and a half, with top class skiing and snowboarding activities.

Nice has one of the longest beaches on the Riviera, stretching seven kilometres from the Old Town to the airport, with many private beaches and stunning apartments on the way. But Nice is also a cosmopolitan city with year-round events and three hundreds days of sunshine per year. There are numerous festivals, exhibitions and events running throughout the year to ensure that whenever you come to visit, you'll never be bored. To find out whats happening in Nice for your next visit, consult our guide to Events and Festivals.