FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 499

and admire the view. The walk was done in marble in 1822 for aristocrats who didn't want
to dirty their shoes or smell the fishy gravel.
Strolllikethebelle-époqueEnglisharistocratsforwhomthepromenadewaspaved.Start
at the pink-domed Hôtel Negresco, then cross to the sea and end your promenade at Castle
Hill. The following sights are listed in the order you'll pass them. This walk is ideally done
at sunset (as a pre-dinner stroll).

Hôtel Negresco
Nice's finest hotel is also a historic monument, offering up the city's most expensive beds
(see “Sleeping in Nice,” later) and a free “museum” interior (always open, provided you're
dressed decently—absolutely no beach attire).

Nice at a Glance

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ ChagallMuseum Theworld'slargestcollectionofMarcChagall'swork,pop-

ular even with people who don't like modern art. Hours: Wed-Mon 10:00-17:00,
May-Oct until 18:00, closed Tue year-round. See here .

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Promenade des Anglais Nice's four-mile sunstruck seafront promenade.

Hours: Always open. See here .

▲▲▲ Vieux Nice Charming old city offering enjoyable atmosphere and a look at
Nice's French-Italian cultural blend. Hours: Always open. See here .

▲ Matisse Museum Small but worthwhile collection of Henri Matisse's paintings,
sketches, paper cutouts, and more. Hours: Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00, closed Tue. See
here .

▲ Modern and Contemporary Art Museum Ultramodern museum with enjoyable
collectionfromthe1960s-1970s,includingWarholandLichtenstein. Hours: Tue-Sun
10:00-18:00, closed Mon. See here .

▲ Russian Cathedral Finest Orthodox church outside of Russia. Hours: Mon-Sat
9:00-12:00 & 14:30-18:00, Sun 14:30-18:00, until 17:00 off-season. See here .

▲ Castle Hill Site of an ancient fort boasting great views—especially in early morn-
ings and evenings. Hours: Park closes at 20:00 in summer, earlier off-season. Free
elevator runs daily 10:00-19:00, until 20:00 in summer. See here .