The nightlife in Nice is not for the faint of heart. Some clubs run all night, and visitors, including students on school break, flood the clubs at all hours. One of the oldest bars in Nice, Café de Turin, has been renovated. The Blue Boy Enterprise serves a diverse clientele, offering dancing to techno, funk and a house blend, and it's open until dawn. Many clubs are full-service restaurants as well.
Shopping is more of a sport in this beautiful city and there is no shortage of places to spend money. Vacationers will enjoy the fish market, flower mart and the flea market to pick up distinctive items. The Centre Commercial Nice Étoile is a large shopping center with many fine establishments to choose from. For antique books, readers enjoy Place du Palais de Justice where, in addition to books, they can also purchase old postcards, stamps and coins. Basic supermarket items can be picked up at Monoprix and travel guides at Magellan Librairie de Voyages.
For 18th to 20th century art, the Fine Arts Museum hosts an impressive collection of impressionism and post-impressionism works. Step back several thousand years and visit the Prehistoric Museum of Terra Amata. This museum is believed to be one of the first sites inhabited by man. The museum houses reconstructed scenes of prehistoric elephant hunters as well as an impressive array of media presentations. The Musee Marc Chagall is a museum dedicated to the works of Russian-born artist Marc Chagall, who depicted scenes of Jewish folklore and biblical stories.
Families will enjoy Blue Beach, with soft white sand, playgrounds and access to boating. If you want the beach but no sand, then Plage Publique des Ponchettes is a better fit where sunbathers will experience a beach covered in small smooth pebbles. Fifteen private beaches are close by with restaurants, showers and changing rooms.
Travelers can exchange money at Barclay's Bank and Le Change, located in the train terminal. Vacationers have several options in getting to Nice. You can travel by train and disembark at Gare Nice Ville or by bus and ferry. An international airport is a short distance outside the city center and free shuttles are available. For those headed to Monaco, a seven-minute helicopter ride leaves from the Nice airport.
