Trains to Nice
Image: Antonello Roma reproduced under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic licence
Twinkling turquoise waters, a chic cosmopolitan vibe and tropical temperatures are just some of the reasons why Nice and the surrounding beaches draw a crowd every year. From sun-kissed beauties lounging on yachts, to families and party-goers, there's never a shortage of visitors. It’s no wonder Nice has been crowned as capital of the Côte d'Azur. Reaching Nice by train can easily be done in a day with a relaxed interchange at Lille Europe... More
Setting out early from London, you'll be on the continent in a couple of hours and aboard the high-speed TGV from Lille to Nice in no time. The views of the Cote d’Azur en-route are spectacular, so book a window seat if possible then sit back and take it all in.
Alternatively, opt for an evening departure from London and an interchange in Paris to board the daily Train Bleu overnight service to the Riviera. In the morning you'll be greeted by stunning scenery as you pull into the city’s main station, Nice-Ville, just in time for breakfast. Ideally located in the heart of town, you'll find yourself a hop and a skip from the tempting waters of the Mediterranean Sea so you can start your holiday the moment you arrive.
With picturesque streets and breezy piazzettas Nice is the authentic French Riviera. Whether viewed from above or from the shoreline, 300 annual days of sunshine ensure a radiant holiday experience. If the razzle-dazzle is too much, get out of town for the day to the fragrant perfume fields of nearby Grasse...
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Scent Central
An hour away by train is Ville de Grasse, the humble perfume manufacturing capital of the world. Many noses have trained in the colourful fields of the surrounding area. And at 400m above sea level the cool hills provide a great escape when the balmy climate of the Riviera gets too much.
Here, violet, jasmine, and rose are grown in the surrounding landscape and lavender from the lilac fields of Provence is distilled into pure tinctures for the perfume industry. Rows of flowers in full bloom are picture perfect, and look as though they've been taken straight from an Impressionist painting. Sweet aromas intoxicate visitors further, drawing your senses into the rich heritage of the alpine hills.
Grasse is no stranger to tradition as the perfume industry that began here 500 years ago is still going strong. Many years ago the fragrant balms and oils, that were once produced to scent leather, became coveted luxuries of the French upper class. Modern man is no different from his renaissance ancestors; so succumb to your senses and be lured in by the exotic aromas of the historic factories in Grasse, where you will see first-hand the procedures involved in perfume creation.
Image: Nevanlenx reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic licence
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King of the Castle
The views of the Baie des Anges from the Colline du Château, Nice’s 92m hilltop park, are nothing short of spectacular. For this alone it would be worth the hike to the top. The steps that lead to the summit are easily accessible from the old town, and there's an elevator for those unable to make the climb.
As you approach the top, you'll glimpse the 12th century citadel through the foliage. And as you ascend you'll be taken alongside a natural waterfall whose fine mist offers welcome respite from the Riviera climate. At the top you are rewarded with panoramic views of the Riviera, the port below and the bright terracotta clad buildings of the old town. You'll also find the ruins of the old Cathedral of Nice, and the remains of a 16th-century tower - la Tour Bellanda, which houses a small museum.
A clutch of cafés offer cool refreshments as you look out onto turquoise waters, which tempt you back to the beach . If it’s a clear day stay to watch the Mediterranean sun disappear over the horizon, just make sure not to get locked in as the gated park is locked at sundown.
Image: Dale Harvey reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic licence
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Life's a Beach
300 days of sunshine annually, miles of palm-fringed beaches and a cluster of ritzy resorts have all helped to make the Côte d'Azur a playground for the rich and famous. Though every year sees a parade of bronzed and glamorous who come here to show off their yachts and villas, you don’t have to be made of money to get in on the action.
Nice is an alluring destination in its own right, perfect for your own glamorous getaway. The charming medieval streets of Nice’s old town complement the pristine boulevards of the new, giving contrast to the typical razzle-dazzle of the French Riviera, A lazy day can easily be spent wandering the jungle of old streets that chart its history.
If you’ve had enough of the beach then take in the atmosphere of the town. Make a cultural pit stop at the Musée des Beaux Arts or be an onlooker from the Promenade des Anglais, where palatial Belle Époque mansions look out onto crystal blue waters and an impeccable bikini set. While away the afternoon people-watching or sun-basking and watch the sun go down on the sweeping bay with the beautiful Cap D’Antibes as a backdrop.
Image: karenandkerry reproduced under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence