YOUR STAY IN NICE
YOUR STAY IN NICE
Spotlight on the
Côte d’Azur capital
Congratulations! You’ve made the right choice! Nice is a great city to live in all year round, thanks to its annual sunshine, which makes for an exceptionally mild climate. But this attraction is not only linked to the Côte d’Azur climate; the city has a unique architectural heritage, a rich cultural heritage with its many museums, a fresh and colourful gastronomy, and an economic dynamism that is among the most successful in France.
As the capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
The real good reasons to stay in Nice
The Promenade des Anglais and its 7 km of beach
This is the postcard that reflects the image of Nice all over the world. The “Prom” and its pebbles, the favourite meeting place for joggers, cyclists and walkers.
A true Nice soul
As you wander through the narrow streets of Vieux-Nice, its little secret places, you will feel its unique spirit. Look up, observe the colourful facades, savour a “socca” and listen to the singing accent. A gentle blend of colourful southern influences…
A destination with an exceptional micro-climate
It is above all its light that has always attracted residents and artists from all over the world. Nice enjoys an exceptional microclimate which has been one of the reasons for its international success.
A renowned culture and heritage
Awaken all your artistic senses! Nice boasts a varied architectural heritage, numerous museums and foundations, dream villas, and authentic and certified gastronomy.
To see: the sites of Cimiez, its arenas and its thermal baths. The Greek traces and the vestiges of the Middle Ages, on the hill of the Castle and under the Garibaldi square. Beautiful residences such as the Château de l’Anglais and the Château de Valrose. A religious heritage with notably the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint-Nicolas, the Négresco Hotel, the Régina …
A festive atmosphere all year round
There is always something going on in Nice! There are no less than 2000 shows and exhibitions per year. It is in February that the Nice Carnival attracts the most visitors.
Between sea and mountains
The coast and the ski resorts are only a few kilometres apart! Thus, you can go from the seaside to the ski slopes in only 1H30.
An international airport at the city’s doorstep
Nice Côte d’Azur airport is very close to the heart of Nice. It is now linked by tramway to the city centre and the port. More than 120 direct destinations are served.
What to do near the Saint-Paul Hotel?
IN THE HEART OF THE DISTRICTS
THE PORT OF NICE
A very trendy district!
Above the Quai Lunel, the Antiquaries district leads to the Place Garibaldi and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC). The restoration of the baroque facades in trompe l’oeil of the square has given a new life to the whole district. In a few years, it has become “the place to be” with trendy restaurants, typical stores, bars where a diverse population mixes… A mixture of all styles that coexist in the greatest harmony. This is probably why it has been nicknamed the “little Marais of Nice”! It brings together the people of Nice, expatriates and tourists who enjoy its lively atmosphere.
OLD NICE
The historic heart of Nissa la Bella
Above the Quai Lunel, the Antique dealers’ district leads to the Place Garibaldi and the Museum of Modern Art. The old town of Nice is renowned for its liveliness both day and night, its charm as well as its narrow streets lined with restaurants, pubs and bars. It is the district par excellence to visit if you are in Nice. You will be able to shop for souvenirs in one of the many small stores selling local specialties, and perhaps taste an artisanal ice cream on the Place Rossetti near the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate and its pretty little fountain.
THE COURS SALEYA
Place of life(s
It is the main pedestrian way of the Old Nice, one cannot pass by the Cours Saleya as soon as one gets into the old town. The Cours Saleya is above all its markets. From Tuesday to Sunday, the flower and fruit and vegetable market. Mondays are devoted to antique and second-hand goods dealers. In the evening, the Cours Saleya takes on a completely different appearance, the stalls give way to the terraces of bars and restaurants. Students, vacationers and working people meet there all year long to enjoy a friendly moment of sharing.
THE PLACE GARIBALDI
It is the second largest square in Nice, after Place Masséna. Place Garibaldi delimits the Port district from the Old Nice district. It can be recognized by its yellow ochre colored facades, its arcades and its majestic fountain in the center. It is at the heart of the city’s public transport network since Trams 1 and 2 cross there. It is pleasant to stop there to enjoy a coffee or a lunch in the sun on one of the many terraces that have been set up there.
LA PLACE MASSENA
It is without doubt the most famous and busiest square in the city. It was entirely renovated and redesigned between 2003 and 2007, making it mainly pedestrian, thus facilitating walks between the city center, Avenue Jean Médecin and the Coulée Verte, three essential places to live. If you stroll through Place Masséna at night, you can admire the play of light of the seven statues that dominate the square, ten meters above the ground, an artistic creation by the Catalan Jaume Plensa.
MOUNT BORON
Mont Boron is one of the city’s most beautiful residential areas. Located on a small hill at an altitude of more than 190m, it offers a unique panorama over the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer as far as the Estérel, passing by the Baie des Anges. Mont Boron is very popular with walkers, who follow the 11 kilometres of paths in the heart of a 57-hectare forest park.
LOCAL CURIOSITIES – places to visit
THE CASTLE HILL
From the top of its 93m, the castle hill offers the most beautiful panorama of the city, worthy of postcards. In addition to this breathtaking view, the hill is appreciated for the beauty of its 2 plateaus hosting both relaxation and walking areas, a park with trees, a waterfall and the ruins of the old castle destroyed in 1706. In the evening, when the park closes, the hill lights up and becomes one of the most beautiful light shows that passers-by like to contemplate from the Promenade des Anglais.
THE LAZARET CAVE
Not far from the Hôtel Saint-Paul, the Lazaret cave is a prehistoric site from the Middle Paleolithic period located at the foot of Mount Boron. It is classified by the Monuments Historiques by decree of 21 March 1963. An educational trail, guided tours, an exhibition room devoted to archaeological work and a visit to the heart of the cave retrace the lives of the human groups who sporadically occupied the cave.
THE “COASTAL PATH”.
It passes under the windows of the Saint-Paul and now makes it possible to walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer. It runs along the sea and the creeks set in the rocks. Above it rise the villas of the Belle-Époque: the picturesque Château de l’Anglais with its Anglo-Indian palace look, the Villa Beau Site with its Italianate architecture or the Château de la Tour in its troubadour style.
THE MONT-ALBAN FORT
Located on the Mont-Boron hill, the Mont-Alban Fort dominates the Baie des Anges and the Villefranche-sur-Mer harbour. This fortress is recognizable by its polygon shape which protected it from attacks during the Second World War. A visit to this building takes you back to the daily life of soldiers from the 16th to the 20th century.
THE PARK OF THE CASTEL DES DEUX-ROIS
Located on the slope of Mont-Boron, this 3.6 hectare park has become Nice’s must-see garden, but also a children’s paradise with its many activities (miniature golf, water games in summer, little train, wooden huts and a giant chess game). The vast lawns planted with palm trees and the viewpoint make the charm of this garden.
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CRYPT
It is located under the Place Garibaldi, with access from the Place Toja by about thirty steps. This archaeological crypt was discovered less than 20 years ago during the construction of line 1 of the tramway. Thus, only 6m below ground, nearly 2000m2 of vestiges of different eras were hidden, including the architecture of Nice since the Middle Ages.
VIGIER PARK
The garden takes its name from the former owner of the land, Viscount Vigier. It is located just a stone’s throw from the Saint Paul hotel and opens onto the sea on almost 10,000m2. It is the ideal place to rest in the shade of the palm trees and enjoy the comings and goings of the ferries in the port of Nice.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
THE MAMAC
Discover modern and contemporary art at the MAMAC, located on the edge of the Place Garibaldi, a stone’s throw from the port district and Old Nice. Pop art and American assemblage art are very present in this museum. You will also find the artists of the École de Nice, embodied by their ambassadors such as Niki de Saint Phalle, Ben or Yves Klein. Go up to the top floor or from the roof to enjoy a walk with a view of the whole city.