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"Though the light is intense, it's also soft and tender."

Nice: Beauty and Fun on the French Riviera!

Nice, France has long been a hot bed for those seeking fun in the sun on the French Riviera. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Nice has drawn nobles and artists for centuries; Dumas, Nietzsche, Apollinaire, Flaubert, Victor Hugo, George Sand, Stendhal, Chateaubriand, and Mistral have all spent time basking in the Nice sunshine. Nice was founded by the Greeks, who named the city "Nike" meaning victory. Today, Nice is a vacation destination for anyone who wants to spend time soaking up some sun, visiting excellent museums and restaurants, or just people watching along the Cote d'Azur. The surrounding area offers outdoor enthusiasts ample hiking, swimming, mountain biking, scuba diving, parasailing, and sun bathing opportunities.

Art lovers and anyone with a passing interest will appreciate Nice's museums. The Musee Matisse (Matisse Museum) houses a comprehensive collection belonging to Henri Matisse, who wintered in Nice until his death in 1954. The collection spans all of his creative life, and includes famous works like the Blue Nude IV and Woman with Amphora. The museum is housed on the grounds of a spectacular villa surrounded by olive trees, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll after you visit the museum. The Musee National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall (Marc Chagall Museum) houses a collection by noted Russian born artist Marc Chagall. The highlight of the collection is the Biblical Message Cycle, a collection of 17 enormous canvases inspired by the Old Testament. The museum, located in a Mediterranean garden, is a visual feast and offers a wonderful natural setting in addition to Chagall's wealth of art works.

Nice seems to have jumped right out of a postcard. Intimate, scenic views abound just around every corner. The best way to see Nice is to put on some comfortable shoes and explore! Let your boots do the walking to Old Town Nice, a delightful mish-mash of twisting streets, lively squares, and baroque and medieval architecture. Baroque churches, like Saint-Martin-Saint-Augustin (the oldest church in Nice), line your path. Be sure and visit the bustling cours Seleya and its flower and vegetable market. Another can't-miss stroll is the Promenade des Anglais, a seaside walkway that is lined with palm trees and offers excellent views of the sea. The Promenade is a favorite with joggers and rollerbladers, and makes a great place to sit in a cafe and watch Nice go about its day.

The French Riviera has long been favored by the sun worshipping crowd. Nice is no exception. With seemingly endless sunshine and over 5 miles of beaches, you will find plenty of things to occupy yourself as you work on your tan. Be warned: Like most of the Riviera, the beaches around Nice are topless optional! The waters of the Mediterranean Sea are a natural playground for water sports enthusiasts. There are numerous places along the beaches where you can rent equipment for jet skiing, parasailing, and sea kayaking and canoeing. There are also plenty of places that can take scuba enthusiasts out on diving and snorkeling excursions.

Nice, France has something for every vacationer. Visitors can find ample hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities in the nearby Parc National du Mercantour. Golfers will want to tee it up at the oldest course on the Riviera, the Golf Bastide du Roi. Opera buffs will want to plan a trip when Opera de Nice is offering one of its lavish productions. Dance the night away in one of Nice's discos. For an excellent day-trip, head south to Cannes, home of the Cannes Film Festival, or head north to Monaco. Rent a car and take a drive in the hills above Nice to see the little villages and the incredible views of the city. Nice is waiting with open arms offering you vacation memories that will last a lifetime!