Is Nice really that nice?

Urszula Jurczakowska 

Beautiful beaches, luxurious stores, fascinating museums, and great cafes. It seems like completely different places, yet in reality it’s just one country in Europe…France! It’s a place any type of tourist can visit: the shopper, the food reviewer, the explorer, and the 3 in 1! Everybody can find something to do in France, but more specifically in Nice. 

Nice is a city in the southeast of France on the Mediterranean coast. The city’s seaside location ensures the place is warm and sunny with hot summers and gentle winters, making it a popular destination for tourists year-round. It offers beautiful sea views and sandy beaches, as well as easy access to historical attractions.  

In Nice, the cafes come alive in the morning, filled with people starting their day. Locals and tourists both gather to enjoy fresh coffee with buttery croissants. The area feels vibrant and full of energy with the smell of delicious pastries, hum of background conversations, and the warmth of the mediterranean sun. 

Nice is famous for its beaches, which stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. During the day, people relax on sun loungers, swim in gentle waves, or simply enjoy the breathtaking view of the endless clear bright blue water, perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot day. Some beaches are public, filled with families and friends, other are private and quieter. Walking along the shore, you can hear the gentle sound of the waves and feel the fresh sea breeze brush against your skin. Boats are very popular in Nice. You’ll see everything from small, colourful fishing boats to luxurious yachts lined up in the water, which gives the city a charming, relaxing seaside atmosphere. 

Nice is a home to several fascinating museums that exhibit the city’s artistic and cultural legacy. Promenade des Arts is a museum dedicated to contemporary and modern art. The building itself was a part of the exhibition. Another good museum is The Côte d'Azur Resistance Museum. It showcases the French resistance during World War II:  rare documents, display cases, paintings, and multiple sculptures, which illustrate how everyday life looked like with the rise of fascism, deportation to concentration camps, and the struggles of living under occupation. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a student, it’s worth going there and very interesting. 

Nice is also famous for its delicious cuisine. One of the most iconic dishes is the salade Niçoise, traditionally made with canned tuna, boiled potatoes, hard boiled eggs, green beans, olives, and a vinaigrette dressing. It is loved by many tourists all around the world, constantly adapted and recreated in their home towns. Ratatouille, a vegetable stew made with zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and bell peppers is also a very popular dish in Nice. Lots of people enjoy it, yet they don’t know it’s from the city. Nice offers many good restaurants to eat in with lots of options so everybody can order something and enjoy it. 

Recently, I travelled to France along with my best friend and experienced all of those things: we went to the beach and the museum, and after a long day we went out to eat. The city gave us memories we’ll always remember and cherish, and I’m sure that everybody could use a trip to Nice, France.