Nice City Guide: Identity and Facts
City overview
A practical overview of Nice: city profile, local atmosphere, and what makes it such a strong travel destination on the French Riviera.
An attractive tourist destination
Nice, the 5th largest city in France, enjoys an exceptional microclimate that makes visiting pleasant all year round. Its 7.5 km of beaches with turquoise waters, the beauty of its landscapes between sea and mountains and its very distinctive culture make it the most popular tourist destination in France after Paris, with 4 million visitors a year.
Whether you come in summer for the beach, in spring or autumn for sightseeing and hiking, or in winter for its mild climate and for skiing, you will always find something new to discover.
Its exceptional location, on the Côte d'Azur and on the edge of Italy, « close » to Corsica, Monaco, the Mercantour National Park, Provence and the Var, indeed offers an endless wealth of activities and excursions.
A crossroads of cultures
Beyond these attractions, the city boasts a great cultural richness, blending French, Italian and Corsican culture but above all Niçois culture, which is reflected in, among other things, a true local gastronomy and language.
A deep attachment to local culture
Don't be surprised if people talk about « crossing the border » when leaving the County of Nice, or if they speak of France as if it were another country. It is often friendly, and although some take it very seriously, it is only ever a way of showing the love the Niçois have for their land.
A Latin temperament
When travelling on the Côte d'Azur, remember that while you are on holiday, the Niçois are at home and at work.
So, a tourist who causes a traffic jam by driving at 30 km/h because they want to admire the scenery without paying attention to the road risks irritating the locals, as will visitors who drop paper, cigarettes or other litter on the ground or into the water.
The simplest advice is to remember that you are only passing through.
Finally, it is good to know that people from the south have a fairly direct and expressive way of speaking, without it being a form of aggression. And if it shocks you, go to Italy to see what real Latin behaviour is!
Location and size
- Area: 7,300 ha
- About 347,100 inhabitants
- Located 30 km from the Italian border
Climate
- 2,700 hours of sunshine a year compared with 1,800 in Paris
- 300 sunny days a year, with high temperatures in summer and mild ones in winter
