Nice

Nice is a busy, vibrant city situated on the Mediterranean Coast, facing out onto the Baie des Anges. The beach is a major focus of the city, with the bustling Promenade-des-Anglais, the city's beachfront road, taking centre stage for the tourist trail. With its long, pebble beaches and excellent museums, Nice maintains a sheen that seems borrowed from some of its more glamourous Riviera neighbours. But unlike rarified cousins like Cannes, Nice also has a cultural and ethnic mix, which adds more depth and interest to the city.

For classic sun and sea, stake out a spot on one of the rocky beaches below the Promenade-des-Anglais by day, and return there to one of the many casinos or brasseries for champagne, gambling and nightlife.

Take refuge from the heat by entering the narrow, cobbled streets of Vieux Nice, where you can wander between boutiques and shops, or take a seat, relax and people-watch in a café facing out onto a small square. Sample the delights of the outdoor market at cours Saleya, or buy a cone of lavender-flavoured ice cream from one of the many vendors situated within the cobbled alleys.

Roman history abounds in this thriving, modern city. The remains of a Gallo-Roman arena atop the hill at Cimiez are now a public garden, which is worth a visit, along with the nearby Franciscan monestary. As with many cities on the Riviera, the ancient is blended with the more modern, and here amid the Roman ruins is a 17th century villa which houses two museums, the Musée Archeologique and the Musée Matisse. The Matisse museum's collection is housed in this former hotel, where he lived after World War I, and is comprised of an extensive number of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs.

Although much of the sights in Nice are within walking distance, you can rent a bicycle or moped to explore the coast further afield or even take a ferry to Corsica. It's cheaper and faster to sail there from Nice than from anywhere else in France. Chartered sailing tours of the Baie des Anges are available from Nice, and can be an excellent way to see the French Riviera from the water.