Nice: More Than Just a Beach Town

When most people picture Nice, they think of turquoise waters, palm trees, and café terraces along the Promenade des Anglais. And they’re not wrong — the coastline is stunning.
But what makes Nice truly exceptional is that it’s far more than a beach town. It’s a gateway to mountains, culture, and the rest of Europe — all within easy reach.

🏔️ World-Class Skiing Less Than Two Hours Away

Few cities in the world let you swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon. From Nice, that’s not just a saying — it’s a regular winter routine.

Within 90 minutes, you can reach several major ski resorts, including:

Isola 2000 — high-altitude slopes and modern lifts
Auron — family-friendly, with a classic Alpine village feel
Valberg — scenic and perfect for cross-country trails

Each is part of the southern Alps, with reliable snow and breathtaking views over Provence. Locals often do day trips during winter weekends, driving up after breakfast and returning by sunset.

💡 Tip: Many Riviera homeowners keep a small ski apartment in Auron or Isola — a short-term rental favorite during the season.

🚴‍♂️ A Cyclist’s Paradise

Nice hosts one of Europe’s great cycling scenes. It’s the training base for many Tour de France riders, offering legendary routes that start right at your doorstep:

The climb to Col d’Eze, overlooking the sea
The scenic loop through Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze-Village
The mountain roads toward Col de la Madone and Mercantour National Park

Whether you prefer leisurely seaside rides or serious endurance climbs, Nice provides year-round cycling weather and endless routes combining sea and mountains.

✈️ A Global Hub with a Local Feel

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is France’s second-busiest international hub, yet it’s remarkably easy to navigate — clean, efficient, and only 15 minutes from downtown.

Direct flights connect Nice to:

Most major European capitals — London, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam
U.S. gateways — with direct seasonal flights to New York, Atlanta, and Montreal
The Middle East and North Africa

That means weekends in Rome, business in Paris, or a quick getaway to Corsica are effortless.

✈️ For Americans, Nice feels both global and intimate — a place where Europe is always within reach.

🍷 Culture, Countryside, and Cuisine

Step just outside the city, and you’ll find:

Hilltop villages like Èze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Mougins
Vineyards producing crisp Côtes de Provence rosé
Historic towns like Antibes and Menton, each with its own festivals and markets

Cultural life is vibrant year-round — from the Nice Jazz Festival and Carnaval de Nice to dozens of art museums celebrating Chagall, Matisse, and Renoir.

And of course, the cuisine blends Mediterranean freshness with French refinement — olive oil, local vegetables, and market fish turned into Niçois classics like salade niçoise and pissaladière.

🚗 The Perfect Base for Exploring Europe

Within a few hours’ drive or train ride, you can reach:

Provence — lavender fields and hilltop villages
Northern Italy — Turin in three hours, Milan in four
Monaco — twenty minutes by train or car
Geneva, Lake Como, and the Alps — ideal for weekend escapes

Nice sits at the crossroads of French, Italian, and Mediterranean cultures, offering a balance of sunshine, sophistication, and accessibility rarely found elsewhere.

🌅 A Lifestyle That Works All Year

Nice isn’t seasonal — it’s alive year-round. Winters are mild, summers are bright but manageable, and spring and autumn are pure magic. That stability makes it perfect for full-time living, remote work, or long-term retirement.

☕ Morning coffee by the sea, afternoon hike in the hills, dinner on a shaded terrace — all without ever leaving your postcode.

In short:
Nice offers a lifestyle that goes far beyond the beach. With the Alps nearby, world-class cycling, easy access to Europe’s capitals, and a rich cultural rhythm, it’s not just a place to visit — it’s a place to live well.