Nice is like an elegant, aging garmet. It has a timeless style, wrapped in a colorful mediterranean fabric. Unlike the hyper density and congestion of neighboring Monaco to the East, Nice is enjoyably at a human scale and unblemished by shoulder to shoulder new high rises.
I spent my first day waking: The Promenade des Anglais to the base of Colline de Chateau, then around to the Marina basin, returning via a lenghtly exploration of Vieux Nice with a crowded Sunday flower and fresh vegetable market. The market -- Marche Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya -- is lined with cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, all fully occupied on a sunny afternoon.
Nice has several outstanding art museums. Unfortunately the 2 I wanted to explore were closed. The Matisse museum was closed for installation of a new exhibit and the Chagal was closed on a Tuesday, rather than the customary closure on Mondays. I contented my curiousity with exploring the Massena, The Musee Massena is an ornate center for Riviera art & artifacts to the belle époque, including Napoleon's death mask.
Finally, I left Nice well feed. Truly a gourmet experience of Mediterranean seafood.
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