Nice and Cannes are towns of glitz and guts, with enough character and local colour crammed into their old quarters to temper the cachet of their palace hotels and swanky boutiques. In both cases, the waterfront is where strollers of all stripes congregate in the evening to watch the sun go down and the cities' bars come to life.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
The Riviera is not as formal as Paris. Long trousers and shirt are perfectly acceptable attire for all but the starchiest restaurants. |
| 02 |
They take their insect repellents seriously on the Riviera, so if you come under attack, just ask the pharmacy for antimoustiques and you will be provided with a dazzling array of products. |
| 03 |
If you order pizza in this region of France, expect thin, crispy crusts and plenty of fresh, sometimes raw, toppings. |
| 04 |
The continual risk of forest fires means that it is illegal to light a barbecue in many of the Riviera's parks and forests. Check before lighting up as fines can be hefty. |
| 05 |
Take a pair of beach sandals to the Baie des Anges in Nice, where large, scalding pebbles can make for a punishing journey from towel to the water's edge. |
| 06 |
This is a devoutly Catholic region so dress decorously and switch off mobiles when visiting the cities' cathedrals and churches. |
| 07 |
Nice airport has a well-equipped business centre with spacious meeting facilities, should you want to get work out of the way before heading into town. |
| 08 |
Sample the local cuisine with a fishy salade Niçoise or the delicious chickpea pancake, socca. A glass of flinty local rosé is the classic accompaniment. |
| 09 |
If you're driving, dip down to the Corniche Inférieure coast road, where the villages are quaint and the views spectacular. |
| 10 |
Call your own taxi to take you back to the airport, as many of the hotel concierges have agreements with car companies that charge the earth. For taxi numbers, ask at the tourist office. |
03
Hotels
Independent and easy
Hi Hotel
3 avenue des Fleurs, Nice
+ 33 4 97 07 26 26
hi-hotel.net
Dependable chain
Sofitel Cannes Le Méditerranée
1 boulevard Jean Hibert, Cannes
+ 33 4 92 99 73 00
sofitel.com
Premium
Hotel Negresco
37 promenade des Anglais, Nice
+ 33 4 93 16 64 00
hotel-negresco-nice.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Au Pain Quotidien
1 rue St-François-de-Paule, Nice
+ 33 4 93 62 94 32
painquotidien.com
Leisurely breakfast
Le Café Lenôtre
63 rue d'Antibes, Cannes
+ 33 4 97 06 67 65
lenotre.fr
Mid-morning coffee
Patisserie Cappa
7 place Garibaldi, Nice
+ 33 4 93 62 30 83
Lunch with friends
Oliviera
8 Bis rue du Collet, Nice
+ 33 4 93 13 06 45
oliviera.com
Picnic spot
Park of the Colline du Château at the eastern end of the Baie des Anges: breathtaking views and a waterfall.
Lunch on your own
La Part des Anges
19 rue des Gubernatis, Nice
+ 33 4 93 62 69 80
Sunset cocktail
Bar des Célébrités
Carlton InterContinental
58 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
+ 33 4 93 06 40 06
ichotelsgroup.com
Dinner for two
Caffè Bianco
9 rue Chauvain, Nice
+ 33 4 93 13 45 12
Dinner with friends
Le Bistrot du Port
28 quai de Lunel, Nice
+ 33 4 93 55 21 70
Best barbeque/alfresco dining
Plage Beau Rivage
107 quai des Etats Unis, Nice
+ 33 4 93 80 75 06
Big dinner with friends
L'Univers de Christian Plumail
54 Boulevard Jean-Jaurès, Nice
+ 33 4 9362 3222
christian-plumail.com
Drink after dinner
Le Before
18 rue du Congrès, Nice
+ 33 4 93 87 85 59
Late drinks
L'Amiral
Hotel Martinez, 73 La Croisette, Cannes
+ 33 4 92 98 73 00
hotel-martinez.com
Late bite
L'Estrilha
11-13 rue de l'Abbaye, Nice
+ 33 4 93 62 62 00
On the tiles
Le Loft
13 rue du Docteur Monod, Cannes
+ 33 4 93 39 40 39
04
Reading
Bookstore
FNAC
44-46 avenue Jean Médecin, Nice
+ 33 825 020 020
fnac.com
05
Basics
Galeries Lafayette
6 avenue Jean Médecin, Nice
+ 33 4 92 17 36 36
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Maison Auer
7 rue St-François-de-Paule, Nice
+ 33 4 93 85 77 98
maison-auer.com
Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Façonnable
7-9 rue Paradis, Nice
+ 33 4 93 87 88 80
faconnable.com
Something for the kids
Petit Bateau
13 rue Masséna, Nice
+ 33 4 93 82 05 00
petit-bateau.com
Something for someone you love
Bouteille
59 rue d'Antibes, Cannes
+ 33 4 93 39 05 16
Something for yourself
Caves Bianchi
7 Raoul Bosio, Nice
+ 33 4 93 85 65 79
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain
Promenade des Arts, Nice
+ 33 4 97 13 42 01
mamac-nice.org |
02 |
Cathédrale St-Nicolas
Avenue Nicolas II, Nice
+ 33 4 93 96 88 02 |
03 |
Musée Matisse
164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, Nice
+ 33 4 93 81 08 08
musee-matisse-nice.org |
08
Limousine/car
Central Taxi Riviera
+ 33 4 93 13 78 78
09
Transport
The efficient bus network in Nice is run by Ligne d'Azur (lignedazur.com). The Multi+ (17 journeys for €20), single day passes (€4) and weekly passes (€15) are available.
Rent a bike
Nicea Location Rent
12 rue de Belgique
+ 33 4 93 82 42 71
nicealocationrent.com
10
Fitness
Good gym
Befit
12 rue Caïs de Pierlas
+ 33 4 92 04 85 46
Good running route
Get in line with the bronzed joggers on the promenade des Anglais.