Walking Tour of Nice, France
This beautiful city on the French Riviera is a great base of operations for an exploration of the area and of much of the province of Provence. Vieux Nice, the Old City, is a charming tangle of narrow streets and alleys and a great place to stroll.
My walk begins at the Hotel Negresco, a prominent landmark along the Promenade des Anglais, opposite the boardwalk and the stone beaches.
Walk eastward from the hotel along the boardwalk as far as the Casino (Le Ruhl), across the street. Gamblers will want to make a stop here. Other wise continue eastward along the Albert I Gardens. Take a short stroll in the gardens if the spirit moves you.
Next continue east to the Opera House, a magnificent and opulent building. Along the quay, just to the east, is Les Ponchettes, a series of low, white buildings now filled with shops and cafes.
Head back to the Opera House and turn right. Take the first right and walk eastward along the Cours Saleya, whose vegetable and flower market will entrance you for a while. When you reach the end of the stalls turn around and walk back on the opposite side. Check out the Chapelle de la Misericorde on your right, a Baroque church with a fine, Rococo interior.
Turn right on Rue L Gassin which will bring you into the Place de Palais where the imposing Palace of Justice sits, in all its splendor. From the palace head north (away from where you came) and turn right on Rue de la Prefecture, then left on Rue Colona d’Istria. The Cathedral of Saint Reparate, dating to 1650, is on your right. Note the Bell Tower and the tiled dome on the exterior and the many frescoes inside.
Then take a right on Rue F Gallo and continue eastward through the Place Rossette. At Rue Droite, take a left to visit the extravagant Lascaris Palace. The interior is positively sumptuous and worth exploration.
From here continue north then turn left on Rue de la Loge, heading out of the Old Town onto Boulevard Jean Jaures. Take a left, preferring to stroll through the park area rather than along the road, eventually continuing westward on Avenue Felix Faure which soon becomes Avenue de Verdun. Just before the Tourist Information Center, take a right, then left on Rue Massena which becomes Rue de France, a pedestrian-only street jammed with shops and restaurants.
Continue westward to Rue de Rivoli and take a left to return to the starting point of the walk.
