Très chic Nice!

Nice, the heart of the Côte de Azur, the largest city with heavy traffic, congestion, glamorous shopping, a seductive old town with narrow streets and quaint restaurants and shops, the splendid Promenade de Anglais which appears to be one of the biggest attractions to locals and tourists that is a mandatory experience on itself, Chagall and Mattisse Museums, the Opera and more. The Anglais Promenade is 4 miles long along a rocky beach. It offers the pedestrians chairs with arms to relax watching the Mediterranean or benches on covered areas to protect you from the sun. Even though the beaches run continuously there are named sections every few meters; i.e. Ruhl Plage, Lido Plage, etc. and typically a restaurant/bar. The restaurants have tables, with white linens, chairs and fancy sofas with coffee tables set up on the rocky beach. French people love to sit outdoors. We saw people of all ages walking or simply sitting along the beach enjoying the scenery. Prices are not modest; menu items could run from €15-€20 for appetizers and entrances from €25 to €50, coffee is €3-4 and desert €8-15, but we also heard that Frenchmen spend as much of their income in their stomachs as the Englishmen do on their cars and stereos. And there are  many wealthy Englishmen living here, therefore the comparisons between them. Americans are nowhere to be found around here during this time of year. It's not a tourist season so we are surrounded by French people everywhere we go and we have been forced to use a few french words here and there. People have been extremely nice and helpful so no complaints at all.

                     

Ed and I enjoyed an afternoon strolling the promenade under the sun, it was the first day we were able to walk without wearing the coats all day.  There are many hotels in front of the beach. One of them is Hotel Negresco a famous hotel and landmark where only guests are allowed. Just imagine the room prices, we heard run from €400 to over €1000 per night. Many of the restaurants along the Promenade des Anglais have beautiful outdoor furniture with nice cushions to enjoy the sun while you enjoy a €15 apéritif et hors-d'œuvre.

      

                          

Above are some captions of the Promenade de Anglais, where we can see the side chairs with arms that are found every few meters facing the ocean and benches below the white and large pergola for those who want to be outdoors but can't take too much sun. A view of the flea market, with a big selection of items to sell from silverware, linen napkins, paintings, china, used fancy clothing, purses and shoes. It's worth mentioning that nothing is offered at bargain prices; all set up under stripe canopies. Another attraction of Nice is the large Harbor which has a collection of yatchs of all sizes. 

Overall, people have been very nice to us. I keep trying to say a few words in French and getting by. The locals smile at us when we attempt speaking their language but they appreciate or efforts.