Nice, France September 2013
 

We booked a little apartment in Nice Old Town, through Go Nice website. They were very professional to deal with from our initial enquiry to the full details of how to get the keys, get to the apartment etc. We were very pleased that we’d chosen to be in the Old Town area – it has a lovely atmosphere, and is very close to the seafront and the main town area. It’s full of interesting little shops with lots of artisans in our street.

As we walked along the Promenade; I could see why people rave about the Mediterranean, the water is such a beautiful aqua blue. The pure aqua in the shallows, combined with the rich deep blue further out is quite magical.
Not so sure about swimming here though, the beach is all large pebbles and they recommend swimming in beach shoes to save the agony on your feet. Of course, for a small fee you can hire a beach chair, umbrella, etc. then you have to find a section of beach that isn't reserved for the hotel across the road . . .all starts to get a bit complex, I think! . It's as well the beach is so pebbly, otherwise I might have to change my mind about our beaches at home being the best in the world!

We climbed the hill just by the Old Town – great views over the town, then came back down the other side into the old port.

We took a day trip to Antibes, just to the west of Nice along the coast. A walk along the harbour wall took us past some of the most magnificent private cruisers - many of them 5 decks high. Of course they had everything in board that they could ever want; uniformed staff everywhere, jet ski, inflatable dinghy etc. We went there by bus, but I think the train would have been a better option to take; it’s a quicker journey, and the line travels closer to the coast than the bus route.

We took the bus up into the hills to Vence and Saint Paul. Both were lovely little towns perched on the rocky hills, full of arty shops and eateries. We preferred Vence out of the two - it was a bit more historic and less overrun with tourists. I can't imagine what they are like in high summer season, the little narrow lanes must be jammed packed.

Sitting on the waterfront at sunset each evening was one of our favourite parts of the day; interesting buskers, plenty of joggers, sun dropping over the hills gave us some beautiful photographs and lovely memories of this delightful town.

Would you share the apartment that you rented? We are looking for an apartment in Nice in the spring. Was the apartment quiet an night? I had wondered about being in Old Town at night. Thanks for sharing your trip!

Hi blh

Happy to share the apartment - on the Go Nice website (go-nice.com) it is listed as Old Town - Nice - Old Town. At the time I booked, it was the only one available; I do notice that there are others in their listings that must have been already taken. I only booked about 3 months ahead of our stay. You could always ask them which are located in quieter quarters - they were very obliging with answers to my questions.

The street it is on doesn't have any restaurants in it, most of the buildings are artisan workshops or exhibition shops, so are very quiet at night.
We did get a bit of noise from neighboring streets, but that finished at a reasonable hour so didn't cause us any problems.
There are garbage trucks that come around once it's daylight, and a flock of cooing pigeons that are released from a nearby coop - that's the only sounds we noticed, and we do sleep with open windows at night.

For us, the Old Town had a lovely ambiance that was lacking in the more modern parts of Nice. Di

Thanks, Di. I'll check it out!

"Sitting on the waterfront at sunset"---aaaahhhhh!

I hope you'll share some of your photos.

Thank you-what is the minimum stay? did you travel elsewhere? Gorge du Verdon? Provence?

And in Old Town, you WILL eat very well. I think Socca and Daube have changed my life! I just returned last weekend.
I meant to go out and about of town, just never quite got around to it. I was on vacation after all, I came home pretty darned relaxed!

I can't tell you what the minimum stay is - you'll have to contact the agents for that info. We only had a few days there, so everywhere we went is already in my report. Di

Nice is a really excellent city and I do not understand why the 'trendy' cities of the Côte d'Azur are preferred by so many people. At least Nice is a real city and not just a picturesque tourist trap.

Hi
I am interested in the apartment that you rented and wondered if you could answer 2 questions.
Where did you pick up the keys? I notice that the home office is a walk from the apartment. Did they offer a meet and greet, someone to meet you at the apartment to answer all questions etc.
I noticed that there are 15 steps to get to the elevator, Were the stairs difficult to manage?
I will be traveling alone and I am a 84 year old female and while very healthy I am concerned about the stairs with luggage.
I always stay in the OLD TOWN area of NICE. I love the area and feel very safe there.
I would appreciate your thoughts
Thanks in advance
tdk320n (Tina )

Hi Tina
The stairs were very easy to use, nice and wide, and only in separate banks of about 6 or 8 at any one time. Nothing like the tiny narrow stairs we've found in other old European buildings.

I'll leave it to the agent to give details about keys etc - once you let them know how and when you'll be arriving in Nice, they give you these arrangements. It was all very clear and well organised by them.

I'm sure they would happily answer any questions you have. Di

Hi Di
Thanks for the quick reply.
I wrote the agency for all details about the key.
The apartment looks good and I may take the apartment.
Tina

Hi di2315 - is the apartment you rented at 11 rue Colonna d'Istria? I've booked our flight and now searching.

Yes, Micheline - that's where we stayed! The apartment is in a quiet street in the old town, so very little noise at night, but still right in the heart of everything.

For a studio apartment it is quite large and very comfortable. It had everything we wanted. If stairs are a problem for you, then be aware that the elevator doesn't go right up to the top floor. There are two short flights of stairs to the front door.

The agency we booked through were very helpful and reliable with their communications. Di

Di2315 - Your flat was one of three finalists but in the end we felt we needed a balcony - Homeaway.co.uk. 496385. I loved the look of yours. So french country.
Tdk320n - we will be in Nice June 6-14 and Villefranche 14-16 if you want to meet for a drink somewhere. My sister in law, my daughter and me. Daughter lives n London and only coming for three days.

Hi di2315, You were very kind to describe the Nice beach as pebbles! Thanks for the good info about the apartment.

Hi Micheline It is so nice of you to sugggest we meet for a drink. i will be in Nice May till June 4.
I will be in Paris from May 11 till May 28 if you are there I would love to meet for a drink
Tina

Sorry we will,just miss each other. Unfortunately we are not going to Paris this time.