| Our studio, part of a modern residence called Port Nicea, is in the area called 'Nice le Port' right by the Port of Nice. I've shown the location on this map. For a photographic overlay see here Nice Port is found on the east side of the Chateau Hill; you can walk around the front along new the balcony-styled walkway passing the large interactive sundial and past the War Monument built into the side of the Castle Hill. Or, you can reach the Port via the Old Town and Place Garibaldi along rue Cassini. There are options to get to my apartment or the Port area from the airport - see my travel page Some of the apartments in my Residence are available to rent - see my page - Port Nicea Rentals If you're considering an apartment in the Port area, you will need to consider walking distances - the Port covers three sides, closest to the Old Town and centre is the west side of the Port, closest to the Chateau Hill. From here, like my studio in Port Nicea, it's only a few minutes stroll to the Old Town. Apartments on the far side of the Port, nearer the Sailing Club will add an extra 5 minutes walk to reach the Old Town. If you prefer a hotel, there are two modern clean hotels on our road, rue Emmanuel Philibert. They are the all seasons Hotel and the budget Kyriad Hotel More upmarket, for an attractive hotel full of character with a pool, some bedrooms with balconies and a view over the Bay of Angels in Nice, just around the corner of the Port at the foot of the Chateau Hill is the gorgeous luxury Hotel La Perouse Hotel. Next door to La Perouse is another lovely hotel, slightly more modest, no pool but excellent value, the Hotel Suisse A photograph of both hotels is shown here. La Suisse seems to attract consistently good reviews and returning guests. Nice le Port is the area surrounding the Port from Quai Rauba Capeu by the Chateau to the sailing club, 'Club Nautique' on boulevard Franck Pilatte. Its boundaries are rue Barla to the North, Place Garibaldi to the west and the Museum Terra Amata (prehistoric man) to the east. Part of this area, known as the quartier Segurane has been described as the equivalent of London's Notting Hill due to the high concentration of antique and brocante shops here, plus the regular flea market or marche aux puces. The Port is linked to the Old Town and modern centre by Place Garibaldi behind the Chateau and by Quai Rauba Capea at the front of the Chateau. The area around the Port, mainly Place Garibaldi, has been renovated and largely pedestrianised and a tramway and dedicated bus route link close by the Port of Nice to the city centre and main train station. Phase one completed in November 2007 and the tramway is open and Place Garibaldi is finally completed and looks great. My husband took a video of the new tram when we went to Nice just before Christmas 2007. It's posted on youtube. For the latest information about the new tramway (in french) For autotranslation into English. The Port area is a great place to be based in Nice. As well as an attractive harbour setting lined with restaurants, there is quick access to the Old Town with all its artisans' shops and galleries, not forgetting the famous flower market on the Cours Saleya, the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) and a couple of beaches as well as numerous cafes and restaurants, shops and supermarkets. Don't forget to check out the fish restaurants in the beautiful 18th century square, Place Garibaldi, at the end of rue Cassini. You definitely will not need a car if you are based by the Port. To explore further afield, there are several city buses that start and terminate at the Port, part of the lignedazur network. The Port also has a stop for inter-regional buses too via the TAM network; there is no need even to walk to the main bus station or Gare Routiere, although this is only a few minutes' walk away. See my Bus trips out of Nice page for more details. To catch a local ter network train whose line links La Napoule in the west to Vintimiglia in Italy to the east, Riquier train station is closer to the Port than the main train station and it's near Riquier that you will find the huge Carrefour hypermarket a few blocks north of the Port on boulevard Delfino. There's also a large branch of Fly, perfect for equipping your apartment just opposite Riquier Station. The tram now gives quick and easy access from the Port to the main Nice Gare train station in avenue Thiers. The tram stop for the Port is called 'Garibaldi' and is located on rue de la Republique, just off Place Garibaldi. From the main Nice Ville train station, you can catch the fast non-stopping trains to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco etc and also the TGV across France. The Port itself has boat trips, cruises, ferries (to Corsica for example) as well as diving schools and is generally a great place to wander about and gawp at everything from the small fishing boats or pointus to the ultra-expensive boats. The Port is relatively small and compact and manageable compared to say, Antibes. There is a harbour wall pointing out towards Cap Ferrat, this makes a very pleasant stroll, and fishing is permitted here, though not in the harbour itself. You could spend all your holiday within 10 minutes' walk from the Port. As well as the Terra Amata Museum, you are close to the Museum of Modern and Comtemporary Art, the Natural History Museum and the Palais Lascaris in the Old Town. |
| Nice le Port |
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| Map of the area around the port and my studio, Port Nicea. Click on the map to enlarge. |
| view of the Port taken from the Chateau (from the west) |
| 18th December 2005, Nice Port |
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| Quai Rauba Capeu, literally 'where the wind steals your hat', is the road circling the foot of the Chateau hill, linking the beaches and promenade des Anglais on the left with the Port on the right. |
| There are plenty of restaurants, vafes and bars by Nice Port, including the Michelin-starred L'Ane Rouge. New for 2008 is a second branch of the Irish Bar, Ma Nolans between the Barque Bleu and the l'Ane Rouge restaurant on the far side of the Port. The original Ma Nolans is on the Cours Saleya. It's useful for husbands desperate to catch Liverpool playing on Sky Sports. The food menu is not bad and the service is cheerful. Free wifi is offered if you at least stand the price of a drink, even a coffee and they have great happy hours with half-price beer and Guinness. Perfect setting for the evening to watch the sun go down over the Chateau Hill. Here are some restaurants I reviewed that are near the Port:: Jouni de la Reserve La Zucca Magica La Barque Bleue L'Ambiance Au Vieux Four Cafe Borghese La Grange Chez Pipo To search for a restaurant close to the Port, click here then go to 'detailed search' and select the district of 'Port' to give a list of 28 restaurants in the area. www.nicetourisme.com The Port is also very close to the Old Town, about 5 minutes walk, which is packed with restuarants, bars and cafes. Some of the restaurants in the Old Town that I have reviewed include: Lou Pilha Leva La Claire Fontaine Le Safari Chez Pistol (now closed) Restaurant du Gesu Castel Plage Bar de la Bourse Sur le Pouce Also, try thispage for some more restaurant recommendations - all close to Port Nicea. These reviews will link you to my virtualtourist.com Nice tips - you will need to scroll down past the sponsored links to get to the information. Please see my restaurant page for more information about eating out in Nice plus all the reviews and links to Virtualtourist.com |
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| close-up of the Port of Nice. Please click on the map to enlarge. More details found in: Nice Port - the official site |
| For a walk with wonderful views over the port and Nice, take the no 14 bus to the last stop at the top of Mont Boron. Walk around the top of Mont Boron- there's a circular walk along a marked path. You will see Villefranche sur Mer on the far side... When you are back to the bus stop, instead of taking the bus back to the Port, walk! Signposted steps will lead you back down towards the Port with a short walk at the bottom along boulevard Carnot. Don't forget to take your camera. Click here for a review. |
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| Panoramic photograph of the Port of Nice Place Ile de la Beaute is on the right where you can see the columns of the Notre Dame Church. The Colline du Chateau or Castle Hill can be seen above the provencal-coloured buildings on the far side of the Port. Please click to enlarge. |
| Photograph copyright: Andrew Wilk andrew.wilk@ntlworld.com For more of Andrew's photographs please click here (Carnival 2003) |
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| Restaurants by the Port |
| The Port of Nice and the area surrounding our studio |
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| There are a few beaches near Nice Port, please click on the map for a closer view. The free public beaches are 'La Reserve' plus the rather rocky area at the foot of the harbour wall. If you want to pay, try 'Castel Plage' - for a day of luxury. Visit my Beaches in Nice page for more information. |
| A good walk near the Port |
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| view of the Port taken from Mont Boron (from the east) |
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| now closed |