We have passed through Nice a few times prior but we never stopped even though it is an Unesco Heritage Site and today we plan to remedy this oversight. If only we would be able to find a parking lot, the first two are full or closed but in the third one we find a spot after many rounds through multiple levels of the parking lot, phew. And then we start with the Place Massena and the greenlands that extend all around the old city as we look for birds while returning to our relatives which we left downtown before searching for a parking place.
Close to Place Massena is the (in)famous Fontaine du Soleil containing the Apollo sculpture which caused outrage during its unveiling due to its “endowment” and was then moved multiple times.
Next we pass the Plage d’Opera, which is quite popular even though it is a pebbles beach with little sand. Some are cavorting in the water aquaplaning or whatever the name is when parachuting over the water?!
We descend near the beach for a short while but we cannot stay long as we have to meet our relatives so we do some people watching before moving on.
Next we follow the Promenade des Anglais, the famous promenade that was the scene of a terrorist attack in 2016 with a truck being driven through the crowds of attendees for Bastille day. Today there are far fewer people and a lot of protections in place to ensure no cars can make it to the promenade.
Next it is time to enter the old town walking the streets with magnificent buildings towards the Flower Market. It is a busy street which is mostly pedestrian which means it is pedestrian but quite a few cars slip by.
Soon we arrive at Chapelle de la Miséricorde, a Catholic church built in the 1700s with baroque architecture that looks quite a bit more impressive inside than from outside. It is also empty of visitors, quite surprising after the many tourists walking outside.
We continue admiring the beautiful buildings, there are some special ones including the Opera after which the nearby beach was named. It is actually a newer building as the previous one burned in 1881.
We finally reach the Flower market proper but there are only a few stands and they are really not that impressive compared to other flower markets we have seen so soon we move on.
We then pass by the Justice Palace, quite impressive as befits any courthouse in a major city. And then we start slowly climbing towards Castle Hill through a part of the city that is less visited by tourists but still special.
Slowly climbing I said? Actually it becomes quite an exhausting climb relatively fast especially in the heat. But the older less maintained houses are quite worthwhile to admire and take photos off.
Descending from castle hill we pass again old houses, quite beautiful and with lots of character, we are happy we took this route while descending.
Before meeting with the rest of our group we enter the Nice Cathedral an imposing building in the middle of the old city. It was built in the 17th century and has served as the centerpiece of the city since then. It can also be entered relatively easily to escape the crowds and just to enjoy the beautiful decorations.
After that we reunite with the rest of our group and everyone is hungry so we choose a restaurant in Place Massena, Restaurant Café Noir for our dinner. It is quite good, even though it takes some time to get served and satiated it is time to return back to Mougins to rest for the night.
