Old Town Nice (Vieux Nice)

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Rue Colonna d'Istria, French Riviera, France

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Old Town Nice (Vieux Nice) Photo, French Riviera, France

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You'll Want to Wander the Streets of the Old Town

by NiceGinna

Evanston, Illinois

April 17, 2009

Best of IgoUgo Behind the Cours Saleya and backed up against Le Chateau, the hill that separates the main part of Nice from the Port area, is La Vieille Ville de Nice with its meandering narrow streets and restaurants and shops galore. This is not just a tourist ...Read more Behind the Cours Saleya and backed up against Le Chateau, the hill that separates the main part of Nice from the Port area, is La Vieille Ville de Nice with its meandering narrow streets and restaurants and shops galore. This is not just a tourist mecca but a place where the Nicois go to shop at their favorite butcher, fish monger, pasta maker, or wine merchant. For souvenirs, it's probably better than the other little towns on the Cote d'Azur, with a wider selection and better prices on provencal tableware, pottery, clothes, leather goods, and more. It's easy to get lost on these pedestrianized streets, but you're never far from civilization. So explore!

There are a few things you'll want to see. My personal favorite is Fennochio's Gelato on Place Rossetti. This is the best gelato in town and if you can't find a flavor you like here, you're hopeless. They have avocado and they have tomato basilique along with the more traditional flavors. There are more than 50 - my favorite is orange chocolate.

On the same Place is the Cathedrale Ste. Reparate, built in 1650. Ste. Reparate is the patron saint of Nice; she was martyred at the age of 15 in Asia Minor in the year 250. It's worth a few minutes to peak inside this Baroque church with its ornate plasterwork and marble. The dome may be seen from various vantage points - it is covered with 14 thousand colorful glazed tiles. Next to the church is an 18th century bell-tower.

There are many restaurants where you can eat on this very pleasant square. At Christmas time, there is a "creche vivant", a living manger scene, in the square.

Nearby is Palais Lascaris, a free museum open daily except Tuesdays. The 17th century Italianate palace has a balustraded staircase leading to the second floor where you can tour the rooms with their typical furnishings - tapestries, painted ceilings, and so on. On the ground floor there is a re-creation of an 18th century pharmacy, with its collection of flasks and ceramic containers.

There are a couple of other churches in the Old Town which are of interest: Eglise St. Jacques, Chapelle de l'Annonciation (or Chapelle Ste Rita).

But just walking the streets and soaking up the atmosphere is the best thing about the area. The shopping is great, the ambience is invigorating; it's a must for your visit to Nice to be complete. Close

From journal Retiring to Nice Was a Dream; the Reality's Even Better

Nice, La Vieille Ville

by Anne-Marie

Vienna, Virginia

July 3, 2001

Best of IgoUgo The "vieille ville" (Old Town) is the most "Beyond" part of Nice. With narrow streets curving between old buildings with red-tile roofs, this could be any medieval village of the region. The streets are packed with shops and shoppers. Small ...Read more

From journal The Beautiful Towns on the French Riviera

Old Town Nice (Vieux Nice)

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You'll Want to Wander the Streets of the Old Town

Nice, La Vieille Ville