Hotel De La Fontaigne, 49 Rue De France
We have never been to the South of France before - I suppose I had some pre-conceived ideas but it was just as I had hoped. Clean, warm, friendly and with just enough life at night to make it interesting without being overpowering. It feels sophisticated yet at ease with itself, and I was in love with Nice as soon as I walked along the front after dumping our bags at the hotel.
The hotel was quite small, small rooms, small loo's and a small dining room. We ate our breakfasts in the small courtyard at the back, and it was so peaceful!
Our road was one back from the seafront - only a short walk - and by turning right, then right again you were on the Promenade des Anglais.
We spent the first (and second) afternoon on the beach. Very pebbly but clean enough. The sea was cold to start with, but actually once you we in it was lovely.
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You can stroll along the promenade - West and you go right round the bay in the direction of "Nice Ouest" - the newer, brasher, airport end (in the background)
Stroll to the East (towards the hill with the "Chateau" and you pass the Opera House, behind which is the market square. The flower market was packed with the most wonderful flowers, bouquets, plants..... around 1/4 the price of Sainsburys!
The Chateau
You CAN take an elevator to the top - DON'T - you miss out on the best views of Nice - surely one of the top ten views in the world!
The waterfall is just visible from the town - the path leads around the foot.
Path round the waterfall
(At the top in the grounds of a cafe you can see the head)
Lovely Mosaic paths at the top of the hill.
View of the harbour from the top of the hill
View over rooftops - tiled dome.
At the other end of town there is a wonderful Russian Church
