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Nice Old TownYet, only thirty years ago Nice Old Town was a place often avoided because of its reputation for crime and poverty - how things have changed! Huge investment by the local council coupled with investment from private individuals have transformed the Old Town into the coolest neighbourhood on the French Riviera. The new tramway continues this improvement - running along the edge of Old Nice with two stops: "Cathedral" and "Opera". This connects the Old Town even more quickly with the boulevard of shops along Avenue Jean Medecin and also with the station.
Heart of the vielle ville is probably Cours Saleya - the open square just one street back from the beach where the daily flower and produce market takes place (except Mondays which is antique-day). This not only looks beautiful but smells beautiful too: lush fruits and vegetables piled high and magnificent exotic flowers arranged into breathtaking displays fill the air with their scents between dawn and lunchtime. Cours Saleya is fringed with bars, cafés and restaurants. Our tip is to avoid eating in Cours saleya, you can get better quality and keener prices elsewhere in Old Nice ... instead linger over a drink and people-watch. If it's sunny install yourself on one of the South facing terraces. If it's getting darker pop into Café del Arte and play a game of backgammon while you sip your apéro. The other main square of the Old Town of Nice is Place Rosetti. It is here that you will find the domed Cathédral de Sainte-Réparte. Fenocchio, Nice's great ice-cream parlour is also on Place Rosetti. Rue Rosetti (Old Nice's premier address) runs from Place Rosetti to the foot of the Colline du Chateau. The climb up the steps to the top is a must do, for when you reach the top you will be greeted by a wide open park. A tranquil place after the hustle of the city and a place for picnics, romantic couples, young families and spectacular views over the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges), the Old Town (Vielle ville) and the port. Really the key to discovering Nice Old Town is to just stroll around - you will stumble across small art galleries, cafs, little family run restaurants, gift shops, bars and even the odd Genoese Palace (Palais Lascaris on Rue Droite)! Nice Old Town is small enough to get round comfortably on foot yet big enough to keep you coming back for more. Click here to rent a Nice Old Town apartment
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