Thursday 5 June 2014

Its nice in Nice!


Err, no - that's not me (I wish!), just a neighbour on the beach.  I had a trip to Nice in France last week visiting my sister and nephew, who was graduating from The International School of Nice.  I'm not a city person but Nice really is a lovely city.  Here's a few images that might just tempt you to a visit some time.


Since my last visit 18 months ago a beautiful modern park has been created on the site that was previously home to an ugly bus station and car park.  Now the Promenade du Pallion stretches for almost three quarters of a mile from the center of the city down to the promenade and the sea.



There's beautiful prairie-type planting on both sides of the long narrow park, shady and sunny sitting places, really imaginative play areas for the children, lawns to picnic on and simply wonderful mirror fountains that temp both children and adults to playfulness.




This little girl, about 3 years old, certainly made the most of cooling off on a hot day.  Although you might think there could be falling dangers here, the shiny marble like floors were not at all slippy.


A wander around the Old Town is a must if visiting Nice - narrow streets between high buildings full of small shops, restaurants, and opening up into squares where you can linger and enjoy an ice cream or cold drink.




And finally opening out into the Flower and Produce Market - a camera here is a must.  I wish I'd had a bit more time here but there's always my next trip. 





At night the stalls are cleared away and restaurants, which line all sides, bring out their tables.



And of course Nice old and new is full of the most interesting shops.  I managed to resist the patisseries (well almost) but did bring home my usual packet of herbes de provence and a little something from this olive oil shop.



We did have time for one excursion and chose Haut de Cages, one of the many "perched" medieval villages in the area.  This one kindly laid on a free bus to the top of the old village, though we held our breath as the driver squeezed through the narrow streets with just inches to spare!


When at home I find it hard to get myself into travel mode but I always enjoy my trips to Nice and its lovely to see my sister between her visits home at Christmas in the summer holidays.  We had our usual meal out on our last night and as we wandered through the Promenade du Pallion home, again stopping to watch the fountains, I was already planning what to do on my next visit!



4 comments:

  1. Fabulous - glad you had such a good time.

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  2. Amazing pics Ann, so typically French isn't it? We went to Nice not last August but August before, we stayed just outside at Beaulieu sur mer. Would love to go back, and the Pallion garden must be an amazing park to walk through to the sea. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Pauline! Yes you must go back, if only to see the park :) I'm really lucky to have a sister living there. However I'm not one for the heat and only visit during the cooler months - I'm sure July and August would be unbearable for me!

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  3. Lovely pictures Ann, i think i must go there once but ,like you, i don't like the heat in summer. Isn't it a very crowdy city with all the tourists?

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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment - its hugely appreciated. Ann :o)

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