Nice is one of the oldest cities in the Western Mediterranean – evidence suggests that the area was inhabited for millennia before the Greeks established a colony in 350 B.C. The city is also the fifth largest metropolis in France. Nice has been a beloved vacation destination since the 18th century, when British aristocracy first toured the Baie des Anges. The city and the Cote d’Azur also proved a lure to painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso were all drawn by the Cote’s superb light and vivid colors. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, pass by the famous pink Hotel Negresco or wander among the vendors at the colorful flower and grocery market in the Cours Selaya. Or travel the Corniche – the Cote d’Azur awaits. To the east is fabled Monaco, while to the west is glamorous Cannes, home to the world’s most celebrated film festival.
