New York Habitat Blog

Nice, France Beaches

Summer is fast approaching and that means vacations on the beach, spent lying in the sun, reading trashy novels, and sipping cocktails.  Instead of going to your normal vacation spot, why not try something new and different this year and spend some time on the shores of the Mediterranean in lovely Nice, France?  Recently, the town has been undergoing  improvements which make it an even nicer place to visit, especially if you stay in a vacation apartment rental or villa from New York Habitat.

Nice has long been known for its beautiful Mediterranean vistas, walks along the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, and the charming Vieux Nice neighborhood.  Now getting to all these places has just gotten easier.  After years of construction, the first of three lines on the new light-rail transportation system (Le Tramway) opened late last year, with the next two lines to open shortly.  The system connects the major transportation hubs and cultural sites of the city with affordable daily or weekly passes.  So if you’ve been hoofing it around Nice all day and need a little rest, hop on the tramway to reach your next destination.

While in Nice, at least one of your destinations should be the many first-rate art museums.  Both the Matisse and Chagall museums have completed recent renovations to provide even better spaces in which to display the works of these famous painting masters.  Of course, these are only 2 of the numerous art museums in Nice, all of which have wonderful collections for you to visit and see.

Nice, France markets

To complete you beach vacation in Nice, New York Habitat has a wide variety of apartment rentals from which to choose.  This 3 bedroom furnished rental in Nice, French Riviera (PR-708) is perfect for a family.  The pre-war building is located in Vieux Nice but is also minutes from the beach.  All the rooms retain their French charm in the architectural details while still offering modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  This apartment will make you feel more like a resident of Nice, instead of a tourist.

If you’d like a more intimate place to stay, look at this 1 bedroom furnished rental accommodation in Nice, French Riviera (PR-244).  With more modern décor and an open kitchen, this apartment looks like it could be in New York but the views from your windows will tell you differently.  Located on the top floor of the building, every window of this apartment has spectacular views of Nice and nearby Place Masséna.  Nothing could be more relaxing that waking up and looking out your window to scenes like this every morning.

A vacation on the beach is a vital part of summer but going to the same old spot year after year can get dull.  Why not change it up this year and be able to tell your friends that you will be vacationing on the French Riviera this summer.  And a vacation rental in Nice from New York Habitat will give you even more bragging rights.

For more on Nice, read Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4. 

Do you have any other travel tips for Nice?  Please share with us in the comments section.

Nice is, well … nice. And this is why we have chosen the French Riviera city as one of the top destinations in the South of France. As we continue our explorations of our favorite towns in that region, we reach Nice, a seaside city located in the eastern French Riviera close to the Italian border and Monaco.

The city of Nice has been a major tourist center for centuries. Royalty and commoners alike are attracted to the Mediterranean coastline and climate. The summers tend to get very hot. However, the cool sea breeze off the Mediterranean helps to make the days pleasant. Snow is rare in Nice and is recognized as a special event by its inhabitants.

Due to its busy port, Nice has been influenced culturally by countries all over the world. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Asian and African immigrants have all left their mark on the Nice lifestyle.

Besides the beaches, shops, and restaurants, another great place to check out in Nice is Le Chateau. The castle originally overlooking the city was removed in 1706. However, the area today is great for walks in the shade, a waterfall, grassy parks, and great views of the city and the Mediterranean.

New York Habitat has some standout apartments available in Nice:

• One-bedroom rental (PR-313) with a terrace overlooking the heart of the city
• Two-bedroom accommodation (PR-768) located on the promenade and perfect for a group of friends
• Three-bedroom apartment (PR-545) with great views of the Mediterranean Sea

Next week, New York Habitat breaks into the top three. Check in again to find out what we think is the #3 top town in the South of France.

Also, if you missed the #5 top town in the South of France, check out the entry from last week: Top Towns to visit in the South of France: #5 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.