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Currently in Nice and the surrounding area

Nice: destination de choix dans le classement Forbes 2023/destination of choice in the Forbes 2023 ranking

The 23 best travel destinations in the world in 2023!

Where to go? Nice, France

Travel destination selected by Laurie Wooleverwriter and editor, is the co-author (with Anthony Bourdain) of World Travel: An Irreverent Guide and author of the best-selling in the New York Times, Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography.

Why Nice is at the forefront of a new era: a new tramway system provides environmentally-friendly transport throughout the city, many streets are now reserved for pedestrians, and the old town district is booming with new restaurants and boutiques," explains Laurie Woolever.

The arrival of theAnantara Plaza Nice hotel in a jewel of 19th-century architecturee The rejuvenated Belle Époque, overlooking the sparkling Promenade des Anglais, also marks a great moment for Nice and the triumphant return of one of the Côte d'Azur's most prestigious hotels. The hotel, which dates back to the Belle Époque, combines the elegance of yesteryear with contemporary luxury, with a sophisticated spa and exclusive experiences such as "In the footsteps of Coco Chanel", which includes a visit to Château de Crémat (the wine estate that inspired Chanel's famous logo) and a tasting of a vintage only available at the Anantara Plaza Nice hotel.

There's no shortage of gastronomic novelties in Nice either. "For meals, I love Reda natural wine bar offering Mediterranean dishes to share, founded by a protégé ofYves Camdeborde du Comptoir in Paris, and the SEEN restaurant and bar on the roof of the Anantara Plaza Nice hotel for its elegant menu and spectacular views of the city," says Laurie Woolever.

In May 2023, the Monaco Grand Prix will celebrate its 80th anniversary.e edition, and this year will also mark the 76th anniversary of thee anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival. Nice is an excellent base for both events.

The 23 best travel destinations in the world in 2023!

Where to go ? Nice, France

Travel destination selected by: Laurie Woolever, writer and editor, is the co-author (with Anthony Bourdain) of World Travel: An Irreverent Guide and author of the New York Times bestseller, Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography.
Why: "Nice is at the forefront of a new era: a new streetcar system offers eco-friendly transport throughout the city, many streets are now reserved for pedestrians and the old town district is booming with new restaurants and shops," explains Laurie Woolever.
The arrival of the Anantara Plaza Nice hotel in a rejuvenated 19th century architectural gem, which overlooks the sparkling Promenade des Anglais, also marks a great moment for Nice and the triumphant return of one of the most prestigious hotels in the city. French Riviera. The hotel, which dates back to the Belle Époque, combines the elegance of yesteryear with contemporary luxury, with a sophisticated spa and exclusive experiences such as "In the footsteps of Coco Chanel", which includes a visit to the Château de Crémat (the wine estate that inspired the famous Chanel logo) and a tasting of a cuvée only available at the Anantara Plaza Nice hotel.
Gastronomic novelties are not lacking in Nice either. "For meals, I love Rouge, a natural wine bar offering Mediterranean dishes to share, founded by a protege of Yves Camdeborde du Comptoir in Paris, and the SEEN restaurant and bar on the roof of the Anantara Plaza hotel Nice for its elegant menu and spectacular views of the city," says Laurie Woolever.
It should also be noted that in May 2023 the Monaco Grand Prix will celebrate its 80th edition, and this year will also mark the 76th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival. Nice is an excellent anchor point for these two events.

Passionate about golf and contemporary art? this is for you! Passionate about golf and contemporary art? This is for you

Enjoy a day of sport in an open-air museum!

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior on the heights of the Bay of Cannes and nestled in a lush green setting, the Riviera Golf de Barbossi is a 18-hole course offering superb views of the Estérel massif and the Domaine's vineyards. Its special feature: fairways lined with a permanent collection of contemporary sculptures. In all, 22 original creations have been installed along the course for the enjoyment of golfers. Deployed on 5461 meters (par 71)The Riviera Golf course alternates between technical difficulties, strategic challenges and tactical choices, while preserving the pleasure of the game and the walk from start to finish.

Enjoy a sports day in an open-air museum!

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior on the heights of the Bay of Cannes and nestled in lush greenery, the Riviera Golf de Barbossi is an 18-hole course offering superb views of the Estérel massif and the vineyards of the Domaine. Its particularity: it presents fairways dotted with a permanent collection of contemporary sculptures. In all, 22 original creations have indeed been installed throughout the course for the great pleasure of golfers. Deployed over 5461 meters (par 71)The Riviera Golf course alternates technical difficulties, strategic challenges and tactical choices, while preserving intact, from start to finish, the pleasure of the game and the walk.

 


Vacances sportives/Sport vacation

Just 1 hour 30 minutes from Nice, you'll experience a wide range of thrills and spills!

Winter and summer alike, La Colmiane offers a giant zip-line comprising 2 lines and a total length of 2663m, which fly safely over the resort and its lakes at a maximum speed of 130km/h. A unique experience!

Or try the summer tobogganing: monorail luge with brake and safety belt. Here again, sensations are guaranteed, with a length of 1,670 m, a vertical drop of 400 m, 22 bends and a top speed of 42 km/h.

If your thirst for adventure isn't quenched yet? Then you can continue with theaccrobranche in the adventure forest and move safely from tree to tree on a course of increasing difficulty. A special area is dedicated to the little ones.

For the less adventurous, there's also the mini golf and other activities...

1h30 from Nice, experience thrills ... and others less strong!

In winter as in summer, La Colmiane offers a giant zipline made up of 2 lines and a total length of 2663m which fly over the resort and its lakes in complete safety at a maximum of 130km/h. You will live a unique experience!

Or try summer tobogganing: monorail tobogganing with brake and safety belt. Here again sensations guaranteed with 1670m in length, 400m in altitude, 22 bends and a maximum speed of 42 km/h.

Your thirst for adventure is not quenched yet? You can then continue with tree climbing in the adventure forest and thus evolve from tree to tree in complete safety on a course of increasing difficulty. A space is dedicated to the little ones.

For the less adventurous, there is also mini golf and other activities...

 

 

 

May 7, Everyone at the Opera! May 7, Everyone at the Opera!

 

As part of the 2022 edition of "Tous à l'Opéra", theNice Opera opens its doors and invites you to come and discover the repetitions of Macbeth Saturday, May 7. Daniel Benoin, the production's director and director of Antibes' Théâtre Anthéa, will be on hand to talk you through the various stages of his work on Verdi's masterpiece.

1st session: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2nd session: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

No reservations

Tickets to be picked up on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30 a.m. in the Opéra lobby.

As part of the 2022 edition of "Tous à l'Opéra", the Nice Opera opens its doors to you and invites you to come and discover the rehearsals of Macbeth on Saturday May 7. Daniel Benoin, director of the production and director of the Anthéa Theater in Antibes, will present to you in the set the different stages of his work to stage Verdi's masterpiece.

1st session: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2nd session: from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

No reservations

Tickets to be collected on site on Saturday May 7 from 9:30 a.m. in the reception hall of the Opera

 

Michelin 2022 starred restaurants

Food lovers take note: Six restaurants in Nice feature in the latest edition of the Michelin guide

2-STAR RESTAURANT IN NICE

– Flavor In the heart of Nice, this exceptional restaurant takes you on a culinary world tour. Local specialties are combined with daring combinations from other continents. A warm, creative cuisine that reinvents itself season after season. Note that the Tourteaux brothers' work was rewarded with a 2nd Michelin star in 2018 and 4 toques at Gault et Millau the same year.
25 Rue Gubernatis

1-STAR RESTAURANTS IN NICE

– The Agitators Nice, near the port of Nice, between sea and mountains, a stone's throw from the Italian border, lies a small, authentic restaurant with jasmine and climbing wisteria. On the corner of Rue Francois Guisol and Rue Bonaparte lies Les Agitateurs... Nice's newest Michelin-starred establishment since 2021!
24 Rue Bonaparte

– Pure & V : Under the impetus of young sommelier Vanessa Massé, accompanied by her chef from Denmark, this restaurant takes diners on a journey through original, stunningly flavorful recipes. The short menu is proof of our determination to work exclusively with fresh, seasonal produce!
15 rue Bottero

– Le Chantecler Every evening, from Tuesday to Saturday, Le Chantecler revisits the codes of fine dining while paying homage to local produce. The kitchen is run by Virginie Basselot, one of the new generation of award-winning French chefs.
37 Promenade des Anglais

– JAN : Awarded his first Macaron in 2016, chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen opened this restaurant in September 2013. He serves an original cuisine, a subtle blend of French gastronomy and South African recipes dear to his childhood. The wine list also features a selection of French and South African bottles.
12 Rue Lascaris

– L'Aromate : This establishment was taken over by Mickaël Gracieux in 2018. After honing his skills alongside some of the greats (Charial, Robuchon, Ducasse...), the chef decided to break free and give free rein to his creativity, offering a modern, creative and tasty cuisine based on fresh produce. A wise decision: in June 2008, Mickaël Gracieux became the first winner of the Trophée Champagne Jacquart de l'étoile montante de la Gastronomie for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region!
2 Rue Gustave Deloye

Lou Camin Nissard : un GR très varié de 42 km qui serpente autour et dans Nice/a very varied GR of 42 km which winds around and in Nice

1000 m of total ascent, to tour the city through the hills of Nice From Place Garibaldi, the GRP® Lou Camin Nissart will take you across the harbor and up Mont Boron to Mont Alban, Mont Vinaigrier, Cimiez, Gairaut, Saint Pancrace, Saint Roman de Bellet before descending through Magnan onto the Promenade des Anglais.

This GR forms a loop, so it can be started at any point and in either direction. It can also be done as a series of walks, alone, with family or friends... or as a sporting hike.

From yellow and red beaconsoften in the form of self-adhesive labels affixed to metal poles, or stencilled on tree trunks, indicate the route to follow

Very useful to prepare your tour, here is a link to the rando fiches :

1000 m of cumulative elevation gain, to go around the city through the hills of Nice: From Place Garibaldi, the GRP® Lou Camin Nissart will take you through the port and then climb up Mont Boron to reach Mont Alban, Mont Vinaigrier, Cimiez, Gairaut, Saint Pancrace, Saint Roman de Bellet before descending through Magnan on the Promenade des Anglais.

This GR forms a loop so it can start anywhere and in either direction. It can also be done in several walks, alone, with family, with friends... or on sporty hikes.

Yellow and red markers, often in the form of self-adhesive labels affixed to metal poles, or stencilled on tree trunks, indicate the route to follow

Very useful to prepare your circuit, here is a link to the hiking sheets:

https://cms.ffrandonnee.fr/data/CD06/files/GR%20NICE/rando-fiche-1.pdf   

Le Carnaval de Nice / Nice Carnival

In Nice, the first mention of Carnival dates back to 1294, when Charles d'Anjou, Count of Provence, recalls his visit to the city for "the joyous days of Carnival".

Later, in 1873, the first festival committee was set up to organize the festivities. And it was on February 23, 1873 that Carnaval 1er entered the town.

Three years later, the "flower battles" were created, during which 100,000 flowers were thrown to the public from floats. 90% of these flowers, such as mimosa, lilies and daisies, grow on the hills of the region.

The Nice Carnival is now the biggest in France, and one of the three biggest in the world after Rio and Venice.

The 2022 edition, which runs from February 11 to 27, is the ROI of the Animals.

The Corso of 1887 as told by "L'éclaireur". The Corso of 1887 as told by " L'éclaireur ".

Nice floats parading in Paris for the 50th anniversary of the "Petit Journal". Nice floats parading in Paris for the 50th anniversary of the "Petit Journal "In Nice, the first mention of Carnival dates back to 1294 when Charles of Anjou, Count of Provence, evokes his visit to the city for "the joyous days of Carnival".

Later, in 1873, the first festival committee was founded to organize the festivities. And it was on February 23, 1873 that Carnival 1st entered the city.

Three years later, the "flower battles" were created, during which 100,000 flowers were thrown to the public from the floats. 90% of these flowers such as mimosa, lilies or daisies grow on the hills of the region.

The Carnival of Nice is now the biggest carnival in France and one of the three biggest in the world after those of Rio and Venice.

The 2022 edition which takes place from February 11 to 27 is that of the ROI des Animaux.

 

Les couleurs du petit marais niçois/The Colors of the Little Marsh of Nice

Le petit marais niçois is the district that stretches around Place du Pin and Rue Bonaparte at the foot of Mont Boron. Its name is a reference to the Parisian district, with its gay-friendly bars and restaurants. The pavement has recently been decked out in a superb azure blue bordered by the colors of the rainbow, those of the LGBT flag. It's a very lively district during the day and especially in the evening. Many restaurants and bars are concentrated here, and the Rue Bonaparte extension is home to a number of food and drink outlets.

 

The small marsh of Nice is this district which extends around the place du Pin and the rue Bonaparte at the foot of Mont Boron. Its name, it owes it in reference to the Parisian district because of the presence of gay friendly bars and restaurants. The roadway has recently been adorned with a superb azure blue color bordered with the colors of the rainbow, those of the LGBT flag. It is a very lively district during the day and especially in the evening. There are concentrated many restaurants, bars and in the extension of rue Bonaparte many food trades.

 

Cité des Sciences de Nice: the Universarium

Nice observatory to get a facelift

A museum at the foot of the Observatory's great dome: the Cité des Sciences de Nice named the Universarium.

The great dome was built by architects Charles Garnier and Gustave Eiffel. It houses one of the world's largest astronomical telescopes.

The Observatory is now also home to an educational and entertaining space focusing on astronomy and astrophysics. A heritage area traces the history of the site and the people who have worked there. Another area invites us to consider the scales of time and space in the universe, and to test our knowledge of the solar system and life on Earth. We can also lie back and watch a "Stardust" projection. Other disciplines such as history and archaeology are also covered on this tour... A visit that delights young and old alike!

practical information: open Wednesdays and Saturdays, and from Tuesday to Saturday during school vacations. Visits last between 1h30 and 2h. Registration and online payment required on the Observatory website.

www.oca.eu/visite

A museum at the foot of the large dome of the Observatory: the Cité des Sciences in Nice called the Universarium.

The large dome was built by architects Charles Garnier and Gustave Eiffel. Inside there is one of the largest astronomical glasses in the world.

In the Observatory there is now also an educational and recreational space focused on astronomy and astrophysics. A heritage area retraces the history of the site and the men who worked there. Another space prompts us to look at the time and space scales in the universe, to test our knowledge of the solar system and life on Earth. You can also, lying down, attend a projection on stardust. Other disciplines are also approached during this course such as history, archeology, etc ... A visit that delights young and old!

practical information: area open on Wednesdays and Saturdays as well as from Tuesday to Saturday during school holidays. visits last between 1h30 and 2h. Compulsory registrations and online payment on the Observatory website

www.oca.eu/visits

 

A show tomorrow

By Olivier Ghebali and le souvenir napoléonien.History of the County of Nice from Rome to its completion in 1860. With songs and music by Bellini, Verdi, Rossini, Offenbach, Gounod and military marches with fife and drum.

At 4:30pm at CUM 65 Promenade des Anglais. FREE

 

Sea excursions

Sea excursions

Admiring the sea is wonderful ... Living it is even better! Take advantage of the many excursions on offer and let yourself be carried away by the azure waves ...

Sea excursions

Sea excursions

Admiring the sea is wonderful, but experiencing it is even better! Take advantage of the many excursions on offer and let yourself be carried away by the azure waves...
VILLA KÉRYLOS

VILLA KÉRYLOS

VILLA KÉRYLOS - Located at the end of a dead end and overlooking the Mediterranean, Villa Kérylos was built by architect Emmanuel Pontremoli between 1902 and 1908 on the model of the villas of ancient Greece of the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Inside, the furniture is also inspired by ancient Greece. This place evokes another Mediterranean, full of myths and legends that have nourished the inhabitants living on its shores. Villa Kérylos offers a dance and music tour that evokes ancient Greece with its gods and goddesses, its fauns, its festivals.

Villa Kérylos in music

Villa Kérylos in music

VILLA KÉRYLOS - Located at the end of a cul-de-sac overlooking the Mediterranean, Villa Kerylos was built by architect Emmanuel Pontremoli between 1902 and 1908 on the model of ancient Greek villas from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Inside, the furnishings are also inspired by ancient Greece. This place evokes another Mediterranean, full of myths and legends that nourished the people who lived on its shores.
Villa Kérylos offers a musical and dance tour of ancient Greece, with its gods and goddesses, its fauns and its festivals.

Nice, 2nd favorite French destination for Europeans

Nice is among the Top 3 favorite French destinations for European tourists, according to the ranking established by Trivago. The hotel comparator analyzed the requests made on its site for stays of at least seven nights. Nice climbs to second position in this list, just behind Paris and ahead of Cannes. The south of France retains all its attractiveness. 9 of the destinations appearing in the Top 10 are in fact cities in the PACA region (and more particularly the Côte d'Azur) and Corsica.

Nice, Europe's 2nd favorite French destination

Nice is one of the Top 3 French destinations preferred by European tourists, according to the ranking drawn up by Trivago. The hotel comparator analyzed requests made on its site for stays of at least seven nights. Nice takes second place of this year's awards, just behind Paris and ahead of Cannes. Visit southern France retains all its appeal. 9 of the destinations in the Top 10 are in the PACA region (particularly the Côte d'Azur) and Corsica.

The Mediterranean University Center

The Mediterranean University Center

 

You must discover this white and red palace which has become the Mediterranean university center and its program of conferences, colloquium and concerts from December 1 to 16, 2020. Information on the Nice tourist office website or at 0497134610. CUM, 65 Promenade des English.

 

The Mediterranean University Center

The Mediterranean University Center

This red-and-white palace, now the Mediterranean University Center, will host a program of symposia, conferences and concerts from December 1 to 16, 2020.

Information from Nice Tourist Office and 0497134610. CUM, 65 Promenade des Anglais

 

 

How to get here

Contact & access

Villa Dracoena

22 Route Forestière du Mont-Boron, 06300 Nice, France

Contact

contact@villadracoena.com
06 09 16 57 35

from the airport

From the airport by car, take the Promenade des Anglais to the port at the eastern end of Nice. The villa is 1.5 km from the port of Nice on the way to Beaulieu and Villefranche-sur-Mer. A secure garage and plenty of free parking are available on site.

Transport

Visit bus stops which serve many destinations in Nice and the Côte d'Azur, are just 100 meters from the villa.

Car-free

Without a car, the tramway from the airport arrival terminal takes you directly to the port of Nice in 25 minutes. Then take bus number 100 from the port of Nice to the villa in 10 minutes (Maeterlinck stop).

Practical info

Visit shops and services A Carrefour store, a pharmacy and a doctor are just a five-minute walk from the villa.

Join us