FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 480

Orientation to Nice
The main points of interest lie between the beach and the train tracks (about 15 blocks
apart). The city revolves around its grand Place Masséna, where pedestrian-friendly Avenue
Jean Médecin meets Vieux (Old) Nice and the Albert 1er parkway (with quick access to the
beaches). It's a 20-minute walk (or a €15 taxi ride) from the train station to the beach, and
a 20-minute walk along the promenade from the fancy Hôtel Negresco to the heart of Vieux
Nice.
A 10-minute ride on the smooth-as-silk tramway through the center of the city connects
thetrainstation,PlaceMasséna,VieuxNice,andtheport(fromnearbyPlaceGaribaldi).The
tramandallcityandregionalbusescostonly€1pertrip,makingthisoneofthecheapestand
easiest cities in France to get around in (see “Getting Around Nice,” later). A new tramway
line along the Promenade des Anglais may be under construction—prepare for detours and
traffic delays.
Tourist Information
Nice's helpful TIs share a phone number and website (tel. [phone],
www.nicetourisme.com ). There are TI branches at the airport (desks in both terminals,
typically quiet, daily 8:00-21:00, closed Sun off-season); next to the train station (busy,
summer Mon-Sat 8:00-20:00, Sun 9:00-19:00; rest of year Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, Sun
10:00-17:00); facing the beach at 5 Promenade des Anglais (moderately busy, daily
9:00-18:00, until 20:00 July-Aug, closed Sun off-season); and in a kiosk at the south end
of Place Masséna (less busy, mid-June-Sept, typically daily 10:00-19:00). Pick up the thor-
ough Practical Guide to Nice and a free Nice map (or find a better one at your hotel), but
skip the Riviera Pass. You can also get day-trip information at any TI.
Arrival in Nice
By Train: All trains stop at Nice's main station, Nice-Ville (baggage storage at the far right
with your back to the tracks, lockers open daily 8:00-21:00). (Don't get off at the suburban
Nice-Riquier station, which is one stop east of the main station.) The station area is gritty
and busy: Never leave your bags unattended, and don't linger here longer than necessary.
Turn left out of the station to find a TI next door. Continue a few more blocks down
Avenue Jean Médecin for the Gare Thiers tram stop (this will take you to Place Masséna,
the old city, and the port). Board the tram heading toward the right (direction: Pont Michel;
see“GettingAroundNice,”later).You'llfindmanyrecommendedhotelsa10-to20-minute
walk downthe same street (listed under“Between Nice Etoile andthe Sea” on here ) ,though
it's easier to take the tram to Place Masséna and walk from there.