Weekender: Nice, France

The appeal of France's second tourist attraction (after Paris) isn't hard to spot. Reclining on the Côte d'Azur, Nice has all the charm of its neighbours Cannes and Monte Carlo, but without the snobbery. In a place where people leave work to sunbathe, then leave the beach to party, joie de vivre doesn't run short.

Headline attraction
The Promenade des Anglais is a 5km beachside boulevard created so 19th century English tourists could take evening strolls along the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). Nowadays you're more likely to see roller blades than parasols. The beach itself might be pebbly, but the colour of the water will make you realise why this section of the French coast is called the Côte d’Azur.

Best of the rest
A street back from the Promenade des Anglais you'll find Cours Saleya, a lively marketplace filled with fruit, vegetable and flower stalls every day but Monday, when the antiques take over. North from here is the old town, which is known as Vieux Nice, a winding maze of narrow streets lined with shops, cafés and ice cream stalls. La Place Rossetti is at the very heart of Nice, and is overlooked by the colourful dome of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral.

Chow down
Nice is a great place to eat out, even on a budget. There are plenty of options in Vieux Nice including Chez Rene and Lou Pilha Leva, where you can pick and mix dishes. Specialities include salade niçoise and socca, a pancake made from chickpea flour and olive oil.

Try the local tipple
The rowdiest bars are those that sound most British – Master Home, Wayne’s, King Pub – on Rue de la Préfecture. For something more French, try Le Bar des Oiseaux on Rue St-Vincent. The Grand Escurial is Nice's largest club.

Museum time
After Paris, Nice boasts the highest number of museums in France. Highlights include the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Musée Matisse, and the Musée National Massage Biblique Marc Chagall, devoted to the surrealist painter.

Out of town
Nice is an ideal place to base yourself while exploring the rest of the French Riviera on trains or organised tours. Make sure you take day trips to film mecca Cannes (40 minutes), Monaco (40 mins) or Grasse (35 mins). Other nearby towns worth a look include Eze and St Tropez.

Need to know

When to go: Now – for the buzz of the summer crowds. Book ahead, though

Getting there: There are several direct flights to Nice's international airport. Book flights Catch a bus or taxi to the town centre. There are some direct trains from Paris. The trip takes about five hours

Currency: Euro - Check out our Currency Converter for the latest rates

Language: French

Getting around: Most sights are within walking distance. Taxis aren’t common but the buses are frequent

Accommodation: Hotel deals in Nice