Capital of the French Riviera
Baie des Anges is surrounded by hills that form a natural protective barrier for Nice; this is probably why some of our prehistoric ancestors settled here. The Terra Amata encampment and the Lazaret cavern, which are approximately 400,000 years old, are a true testimony of this early human presence. Nice is blessed with a highly favourable microclimate: lovely weather in winter (around 11ºC or 52ºF) and moderate heat from mid-June to September (around 24ºC or 75ºF). The month of September is particularly pleasant. This region has been a vacation spot since as early as 1850, when wealthy English and Russian visitors would come here to escape the bitter winters of their homeland. Since then, thanks to the development of major tourist attractions, Nice has become a first-rate international destination and welcomes visitors throughout the year. Despite being a major city, Nice is still a lovely and friendly place that can be explored at one's leisure. It offers all the advantages of a big city while still preserving its human aspect. In summer, of course, Nice is filled to capacity with vacationers, as is the entire Riviera. Nonetheless, it features several quaint neighbourhoods that have benefited from the particular care given to its urban planning. In addition, its inhabitants are genuinely warm people, an accurate impression of the image citizens of the Northern hemisphere have of "people of the South." Nice has an enviable world status and often hosts national and international conferences. It is also home to several of the region's major industries and offers countless cultural activities. Here, you will find many show venues and a wide array of museums where, for the most part, admission is free.