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A short post to show off the beachfront views in Nice as the sun comes up

It’s one of my key roles on our trips that I go out in the morning to pick up the fresh bread and pastries for breakfast. I’ve always loved doing this and never see it as a chore.

At this time of year, sunrise is around 8am even this far south. Coincides with when I’m usually up and about so timing was great. Every day I walked out to the seafront a couple of minutes away and then wandered along the Promenade des Anglais.

It was always delightful, peaceful and quiet save for the sound of the waves on the pebbles.

Place Massena lit by the morning sun. Always really loved this open square with its regular passage of trams.

I can’t be 100% sure but I think this is the monument to those who died in the Bastille Day terrorist attack a few years ago.

Place Massena again this time with a tram.

There is a market every day in Cours Salaya. This must be a Monday as that’s the day when it turns from a flower and fruit market to Antiques.

A real mix of stuff on display from the usual sort antique to old military costumes and hats.

Sun dawns on another beautiful day.

The Promenade gets quite busy during the day but at this time its just a few people walking and a quite a few people running or cycling – its perfect for that.

It’s always wet underfoot at this time. Makes you think there must have been overnight rain but its just the regular cleaning that keeps it looking pristine and free of litter. They’ve clearly realised that its their signature feature and they go to huge expense to keep it looking great.

One of my favourite sunrise photos from the week.

Its a great way to start the day, watching the sun rise, the city coming to life, the gorgeous smells from the bakery (they started to recognise me and my order in my regular place after a couple of days) and then back to the apartment to enjoy the produce

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Onwards on our journey through Europe and a very pleasant train ride through the Italian countryside and coast into France and the Cote D’Azure at Nice. Our apartment was superb, large spacious, air-conditioned and with a balcony overlooking Place Massena.

Early evening view.

Nightime view.

And morning view.

We had breakfast out there every morning and the odd meal. It was a great place to take in the atmosphere even if it was a bit hot most of the time.

The only downside was the Nice Jazz Festival across the square. When I say Jazz, as with most music festivals the theme is rarely supported by the music. In this case I heard no Jazz played and the the theme would be better described as pop and hip hop (I don’t recall the Black Eyed Peas ever doing Jazz). At the risk of turning into my dad the music was way too loud even though we were a couple of hundred yards from the arena.

As soon as we arrived we were straight down to the beach for a swim. Another ideal feature of our base was that its only a 5 minuet walk to the beach.

The beach at Nice used to be almost exclusively private bars with little public access but this has changed in recent years. There are now extensive stretches of public beaches which despite the crowds are clean and well provided.

It surprises many to realise the beach here is pebbles and not sand. I prefer this as pebbles don’t get stuck in a variety of cracks and crevices and the water tends to be clearer. It does make for an awkward entry into the water though especially with a steep shelving shore and big waves.

It was great to be able to pop down for an evening swim when some of the crowds had gone and the temperatures were a little more bearable.

We went down here for a swim most evenings, one of the special memories of the trip.

Behind the apartment was the old town, the Vieux Ville and a marvellous place it is. A maze of narrow streets packed with shops and restaurants and a cool retreat from the power of the sun.

This is the Place Rossetti. We spent many happy evenings here, eating in restaurants and tucking into crepes and ice creams.

It was also the way through to the Castle Hill above the town (more on that in a later post) and a walk through the streets was always a pleasure.

The inside of the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate.

The Cours Salaya Market.

I grew especially fond of the Place Massena and the Promenade du Paillon. My research told me that it used to be an ugly eyesore, a heady mix of dilapidated buildings, a car park and bus station.

Enlightened planners have turned the area into a pedestrianised square (other than Nice’s sleek and modern trams) and park full of fountains, children play areas and statues.

Its utterly wonderful and a great example of how to create an green oasis in a urban sprawl. I walked through it many times and loved every step.

The fountains were especially fine.

Its completely free and there was always a vast number of small children playing from morning till night-fall. We could always hear the screams of delight from our balcony which is in the photo below, left centre, 3rd floor.

We walked along the Promenade des Anglais many times and the long sweeping curve of seafront is quintessential Nice.

Nice also has its harbour at Port Lympia.

We took a stroll around looking the lavish and luxurious yachts moored. A little research told us the bigger one’s cost just shy of 100m Euros!

Some less luxurious and more traditional sea faring craft.

A view across the harbour from the headland.

A couple more posts to come from Nice as well as our travels in the local area to come.