landmark
Promenade des Anglais
Nice's iconic palm-lined seafront boulevard stretching along the sweeping curve of the Baie des Anges.
1 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeFranceProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Nice
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France · Europe
About Nice
Nice works well as a base: 11km from Grande Corniche (D2564).
Nice is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, with about 340,000 people. You drive on the right here.
Nice is a city and commune, and the prefecture of the department of Alpes-Maritimes, and the administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. The Nice agglomeration extends beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of nearly one million over an area of approximately 744 km2 (287 sq mi) orRead more
about the size of Singapore. Located on the French Riviera, the southeastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the French Alps, Nice is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast and second-largest city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region after Marseille. It is approximately 13 kilometres (8 mi) from the principality of Monaco and 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the French–Italian border. Nice's airport serves as a gateway to the region.
The city is nicknamed Nice la Belle (Nissa La Bella in Niçard), meaning 'Nice the Beautiful', which is also the title of the unofficial anthem of Nice, written by Menica Rondelly. The Nice agglomeration contains Terra Amata, an archaeological site which displays evidence of early use of fire 380,000 years ago. Around 350 BC, Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory. The town has changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. From 1388, it was a dominion of Savoy, then became part of the French First Republic between 1792 and 1815, when it was returned to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, the legal predecessor of the Kingdom of Italy, until its annexation by France in 1860.
The natural environment of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families began spending their winters there. In 1931, following its refurbishment, the city's main promenade, the Promenade des Anglais ("Walkway of the English"), was inaugurated by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught; it owes its name to visitors to the resort. These included Queen Victoria along with her son Edward VII who spent winters there.
The clear air and soft light have appealed to notable painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Arman. Their work is commemorated in the city's museums, including Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse and Musée des Beaux-Arts. Frank Harris wrote several books, including his autobiography My Life and Loves, in Nice. Friedrich Nietzsche spent six consecutive winters in Nice, and wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra there. Russian writer Anton Chekhov completed his play Three Sisters while living in Nice. Nice's appeal extended to the Russian upper classes. Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich, heir apparent to Imperial Russia, died in Nice and was a patron of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Nice where Princess Catherine Dolgorukova, morganatic wife of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, is buried. Also buried there are General Dmitry Shcherbachev and General Nikolai Yudenich, leaders of the anti-Communist White Movement. Those interred at the Cimetière du Château include celebrated jeweler Alfred Van Cleef, Emil Jellinek-Mercedes, founder of the Mercedes car company, poet Agathe-Sophie Sasserno, Asterix comics creator René Goscinny, The Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, French prime minister Léon Gambetta, and the first president of the International Court of Justice José Gustavo Guerrero.
Because of its historical importance as a winter resort town for the European aristocracy and the resulting mix of cultures, UNESCO proclaimed Nice a World Heritage Site in 2021. The city has the second largest hotel capacity in the country, and is the second most visited metropolis in Metropolitan France, receiving four million tourists every year. It is the historical capital city of the County of Nice (French: Comté de Nice, Niçard: Countèa de Nissa).
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Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Nice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Nice?
Within an hour or so of Nice: Promenade des Anglais (1 km), Eze Village (8 km), Grande Corniche (11 km), Grande Corniche (D2564) (11 km).
Are there any good drives near Nice?
The nearest famous roads are Grande Corniche, Col de Vence and Col de Turini.
How long does it take to drive to Nice?
London to Nice is about 14 hr 46 min (1391 km). Nice to Lyon is about 5 hr 4 min (471 km). Nice to Marseille is about 2 hr 22 min (199 km).
Where is Nice?
Nice is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 342,669
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Region
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Timezone
- Europe/Paris
- Coordinates
- 43.7031, 7.2661
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for FranceTags
Worth the detour from Nice
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Eze Village
A medieval eagle's-nest village perched 427 meters above the Mediterranean with breathtaking coastal panoramas.
8 km · about 15 min drive
coastal drive
Grande Corniche
The highest of three dramatic cliff roads above the French Riviera between Nice and Monaco with Mediterranean panoramas.
11 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
Grande Corniche (D2564)
Napoleon's high road above Monaco past La Turbie, the highest of the three Riviera corniches and the best for views.
11 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Monaco & Monte Carlo
The glamorous sovereign city-state on the Riviera, home to the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Grand Prix circuit.
13 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
Circuit de Monaco
The most glamorous F1 street circuit through the streets of Monte Carlo
13 km · about 25 min drive
mountain pass
Col de Vence
A popular road above the French Riviera offering twisting climbs through Provençal landscapes with views stretching from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea.
16 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Antibes Old Town
A charming walled coastal town with a Picasso museum, vibrant Provencal market, and yacht-filled Port Vauban.
18 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Nice
8 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereEze VillageA medieval eagle's-nest village perched 427 meters above the Mediterranean with breathtaking coastal panoramas.
- Right hereGrande CornicheThe highest of three dramatic cliff roads above the French Riviera between Nice and Monaco with Mediterranean panoramas.
- Right hereGrande Corniche (D2564)Napoleon's high road above Monaco past La Turbie, the highest of the three Riviera corniches and the best for views.
- 16 kmCol de VenceA popular road above the French Riviera offering twisting climbs through Provençal landscapes with views stretching from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea.
- 32 kmCol de TuriniFamous rally stage in the French Alps, star of Monte Carlo Rally
- 32 kmCol de Turini ViewpointA legendary rally stage in the Maritime Alps with sweeping views down to the Cote d'Azur from 1,607 metres.
Driving in France
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.85/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€10.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Nice.
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