Nice, Mediterranean coastal city in Alpes-Maritimes, France
Nice sits on the Mediterranean coast in Alpes-Maritimes, between the beaches of the Baie des Anges and the southern foothills where the Alps meet the sea. The Paillon riverbed runs through the center and separates the old town from the newer districts, while the waterfront promenade curves along the shoreline for several kilometers.
Greek settlers from Marseille founded the town around 350 BC and named it Nikaia after a victory over the local Ligurians. Over the centuries it changed hands multiple times between French and Italian rule, until it joined France permanently in 1860 and developed into a tourist destination.
Along the waterfront and through the narrow lanes of Vieux Nice, locals gather at open-air markets and neighborhood cafés where French and Mediterranean traditions meet daily. Visitors can sample regional dishes like socca or pan bagnat at these street markets, where residents shop for produce and chat with vendors in a rhythm that blends southern French habits with Italian-influenced customs.
The airport sits about 7 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of the center and serves as the third largest aviation hub in France, with flights to around 100 international destinations. The old town and harbor area are easily walkable, while buses and trams connect the outer neighborhoods and nearby coastal communities.
In the hills behind the waterfront lies the Cimiez district, where Roman ruins from the first century stand beside a Franciscan monastery and olive groves that once surrounded this ancient settlement. The museums dedicated to Matisse and Chagall sit nearby, linking ancient and modern art history in a single neighborhood.
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