Global IPAG What you need to know for your exchange to Nice, France

Transcription

1 I P A G B U S I N E S S S C H O O L N I C E Global IPAG What you need to know for your exchange to Nice, France ERASMUS If you are an ERASMUS student coming to Nice, here is some information that can help you organize your arrival, and make your experience within Nice go as best as possible. We know you will be coming to enjoy and have a good time, and that some of you do not know how to speak French or have maybe never been in France before. With this catalogue, you will be able to find administrative information that you will need when coming to France, and you will also find some tips and information about what you can do and what Nice has to offer. Enjoy! GLOBAL IPAG Business School NICE Global IPAG is an association that was created specifically for all ERASMUS students coming to Nice and IPAG. We are a group of students that are familiar with the city, its surroundings, have lived here for some time and can offer our help and recommendations to help other students integrate and facilitate their stay within France.

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 The City of Nice... 1 The Surroundings Areas... 3 Transport and Housing... 5 Tramway and Bus... 5 Velo Bleu Train Accommodations and Hostels Administrative Part Phone Companies and Internet Banks La Poste Eating out and Gastronomy Good Restaurants in Nice Beach Restaurants (Nice and Surroundings) Typical Food in Nice Hang Out in Nice and Surroundings After-Work & Bars Clubs & Night Clubs Cultural Life in Nice & Surroundings Museums Cinemas / Movie Theaters Popular Events Theaters, Concerts/Festivals Sports and Entertainment Hikes & Walks Ski Resorts Theme Parks (Nice & Surroundings) Sports Gym clubs How to Find a Job in Nice... 64

3 NICE & THE CÔTE D AZUR The City of Nice Nice is located in the southeast coast of France, on the Côte d Azur and is the 5 th most popular city in France. The city is called Nice la belle (meaning Nice the beautiful ) and with good reason. Nice is known for its beautiful Mediterranean Sea and its wonderful climate. It is one of the most visited cities in Europe à has about 4 million tourists per year Nice offers both, cultural and social aspects where everyone and all age individuals will experience La Promenade du Paillon, also known as La Coulée Verte : Inaugurated October 26 th 2013 An urban park in the center of Nice that crosses the city from one extreme to the other. Has trees, bushes and different types of plants. Many things to do What to do and where to go is never a problem in Nice. Amazing places such as restaurants, bars, shopping, etc. The beach and the ocean are right in front. Easy transport to go to different villages, and even countries such as Italy right next door. 1

4 Nice also has its famous Promenade des Anglais It was first called the Camin deis Anglés (the English Way) by the Niçois in their native dialect Nissart. After the annexation of Nice by France in 1860 it was rechristened La Promenade des Anglais, replacing the former Nissart name with its French translation. Whole families go for a stroll along the Promenade. It has also become a favorite place for skateboarders and in-line skaters. It s a nice place to go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, or to simply chill. A lot of events also take place on the Promenade, for example: the annual Carnaval, the Battle of Flowers, etc. It s a nice place to go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, or to simply chill. A lot of events also take place on the Promenade, for example: the annual Carnaval, the Battle of Flowers, etc. History/Culture History/culture, beauty, unique architecture and amazing gastronomy is offered and found all around the city. Nicoise Food: Simple, inexpensive but always offering good quality 2

5 The Surrounding areas that are worth visiting: o Villefranche More of a sand beach, nice little old town with a unique sense of style and history. o St. Paul de Vence Cute little town up in the hills with an amazing view. o Eze Little town with ancient streets and a lot of galleries as well as nice garden, a fortress and an amazing view. There is also a nice restaurant, and little streets you can walk through, as well as a walk you can do from the top all the way down, where you could then take the train back to Nice. 3

6 o Monaco and Monte-Carlo Good party place, good restaurants, The famous Casino, the old town A luxurious place to visit( amazingboats/yachts and cars) o Ventimiglia Good Italian food and gelato A big market on Fridays Cheaper products o Les Gorges de Verdon Amazing walks and hikes with incredible views. Amazing place to swim. o Cap d Ail Nice beach and nice walks around o St. Jean Cap Ferrat Peaceful and beautiful place Amazing villas and history 4

7 TRANSPORT AND HOUSING TRAMWAY The tramway, usually called tram by French people, is a kind of a small city train using same roads as cars. In Nice, there is only one circuit: it begins at the station Las planas and the terminus is at Pont Saint Michel and conversely for the other side Pont Saint Michel-Las Planas as you can see on the map below. It has 21 stops in just 30 minutes. Between two Tramway, you just have to wait for 4-5 minutes. The traffic begins at 5am and stops at 1:30am, the whole week. 5

8 The most popular tramway stops are: Gare Thiers : which leaves you just behind the train station, you just have to walk for 2 minutes before to enter in train station. Then you have 2 stops on Jean Medecin s avenue, which is the largest street of Nice with a lot of shops: 1) Jean Medecin : just behind the mall Nice Etoile 2) Massena : which is one of the most touristic areas but also one of the most beautiful places in Nice. To conclude, if you read this catalogue that means you will be studying at Ipag. So your tramway is/will be Garibaldi : which is a typical and lovely place where you can hang out after school and have a drink after a long day. Place Garibaldi is very close to Ipag, you just have to walk about 5minutes (if you are lazy) and 2-3minutes if you are fast! 6

9 FAIR? v Unfortunately, it s not free. What do you think? France is on crisis! v But don t worry; it s not very expensive! And you have different tariffs. v You can buy ticket one by one at the counter of each tramway stop counter. This ticket is a one-way ticket valid for one travel with a connecting-travel lasting 75 min between the first and the second validation. This ticket cost 1, 50 Take a Subscription: v You can also buy a PASS (only sold on Selling Points) : o o o o For one day, your travels are unlimited for 24h after the first validation. This Pass cost 5 For seven days, your travels are unlimited for 7 days after the first validation. This Pass cost 15 For 31 days, your travels are unlimited for 31 days after the first validation. Or, same pass but for student -26 years old FREE BUS 31 which cost 20 (to have this fee, you need to go at Ligne Azur s selling pointl with a photo ID, your passport and a photocopy of it and a certificate if registration to IPAG BS) Liberty: unlimited travel during one year from the first validation (not recommended) This pass cost 320 v You can also get a PACK: 10 tickets which costs 10 7

10 When you buy a ticket, a pass or a pack, it is valid for both bus and tramway. We also advise you to valid your ticket when you enter into the tramway or the bus because sometimes there can be a lot of people who check. v Here is a little map to help you see the different stops and destinations you can go to. v We hope this makes it easier for you to get around and find your way within Nice. v When we do not speak the language (in this case French), sometimes it can be hard to communicate or get directions. However, do not hesitate to ask people around you, sometimes it can be helpful. 8

11 Ligne d azur s selling points: Open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 8h30 am to 6 pm. v With the same subscription you can also travel by bus. v After 9pm you can still travel by bus by taking the noctambus which stops at many different spots within the city. 9

12 v Vélo Bleu (or Blue bicycle) is an easy to use self- service bicycle rental system : How it works: Use your bankcard, call the voice server from a bike station and take a Vélobleu from one of the terminals. When you have finished using it, simply return the bike to any of the stations. v You have 175 stations spread across the region (a bike station every 300 meters) providing 1,750 bikes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 10

13 v Here is a list of all the different prices if you are interested in using this service when you are here in Nice: Prices: Season ticket: 1 day: 1 7 days: 5 Month: 10 Year: 25 but if you already have the a subscription for the bus it s only 15! Hire: First 1" 2 hour: FREE 1" 2 hour to 1 hour: 1 Extra hour: 2 Bus : Adresses Eurolines Nice 27, rue de l'hôtel des Postes nice@transdev-eurolines.com (0,34 /min) Opening hours : Monday-Sunday : 9am-12am ; 2pm-6pm Gare Lindbergh - 175, Boulevard René Cassin nice@transdev-eurolines.com (0,34 /min) Opening hours : Monday-Friday : 10am-2pm ; 2 :30pm-5 :30 pm Sunday : 10 am-4pm v Ferry (companies with departures from Nice: ok ferry, direct ferries 11

14 TRAIN In France, there is only one railway company: the SNCF. v However, you can visit the country by train. The main cities are served. Website : 12

15 Because the SNCF is the only train company in France, the price of a ticket varies and there are always some different offers.! TGV tickets are available for sale up to 3 months before departure. v You cannot get a student discount. But you can by a Carte which is reserved for young people aged between 12 and 25. The Carte costs 49, it is valid for 1 year and entitles you to 25% to 60% discount on your train tickets. To apply for this card, you can go on the web or go to a SNCF station or stores. Important: remember to bring a passport photo when buying your card. If you buy your card on the web, it will be sent to your home address free of charge. 13

16 At Nice, in each rail station, you will find counters and staff members that can advise you. The central train station is Nice-Ville. Carte sans titre Calque sans titre Nice- Saint Augustin Station Nice-Riquier Station Nice-Ville Station Calque sans titre Nice Saint Augustin Opening hours Monday to Friday : 6:00am-1:10pm & 1:40pm-8:40pm Saturday to Sunday : 9:15am-12:30am & 1:30pm-5:20pm Nice-Ville Opening hours Monday to Saturday: 6:10am-9:00pm Sunday: 7:00am-8:00pm Nice Riquier Opening hours Monday to Friday : 5:45am-9:00pm Saturday : 6:15am-8:00pm Sunday : 7:15am-5:20pm 14

17 By train (LER or TER) you can go on a weekend trip and explore the surroundings of Nice: LER web site : TER web site : If you have the idea to discover the region by train, you should buy a reduction card named Zou! 50 % - 70 %. v With this card you benefit of a 50 % discount on your train tickets. This reduction is available for three other people that travel with you. v Price: under 26 years old : 15 over 26 year old : 30 v The card is valid for one year. o To buy the card, you have to get at a ticket office in one of the Nice s SNCF railway station. Do not forget an id photo. 15

18 There are some tourist trains within the region. The Train des Merveilles, takes you along the hinterland of Nice to discover provencal villages. From where can you take the Train des Merveilles? You have to board in Nice- Ville railway station. The train stops at Tende station. This train runs during the weekend and from June until September. You need to book in advance. In Tende, three valleys are included in the central area of the National Park of Mercantour : - The valley of Fontanalba : home to an exceptional archaeological heritage, you can see symbolic rock engravings. - The valley of Merveilles: home to an exceptional archaeological heritage, you can see symbolic rock engravings. - The valley of Valmasque : 3 beautiful lakes. v The way marked footpath of the Park, accessible without a guide, already enables you to discover it. 16

19 From Nice to Digne, an authentic steam-powered train runs, it is called Train des Pignes. v Ticket price: 20 Booking recommended v Operating days: May: Saturday and Sunday June: Friday, Saturday and Sunday July and August: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday September: Friday, Saturday and Sunday October: Saturday and Sunday The Train de la Côte Bleue drives through a scenic route, in the heart of protected creeks with turquoise sea. v You can embark at Carry-le-Rouet, to visit the Mediterranean creek by boat. Price: 19 v It runs every Sunday from July to September. 17

20 And if you have more time, you can also book ticket to visit Europe. SNCF offers a special ticket, witch offers you the opportunity to visit 29 European countries or explore all the sights of a particular country by train. It is the Interrail Pass. v With this ticket you can travel by train for a period of five days to a month. v Price: - GLOBAL PASS (29 countries): from 184 (5 days) and 440 (a month) - ONE COUNTRY PASS: from 85 Ø Youth price: Youth travellers age who travel 2nd class get a 35% discount pass. Ø More information and booking online: 18

21 If, the SNCF s website does not suit you, or if you would like to book a ticket for Europe easily, you can try Capitaine Train. Website: It allows you to buy your train tickets without any hassles. v Prices are the same as the SNCF. 19

22 ACCOMMODATIONS AND HOSTELS v Accommodation: If your are looking for an accommodation you can look at: à Lokaviz (in partnership with the government) : à à Le bon coin (offers from the particulars): à v Just like French students, international students are eligible to apply for housing assistance under a system set up to deal with the relatively high cost of housing in France. v If you intend to apply for student housing assistance, make sure to meet the following conditions. You must: 1) Be in possession of your lodgings and can provide your address as well as the amount of your rent. 2) Be enrolled in the mandatory student health insurance plan. 3) Have a bank account in France, as housing assistance is deposited directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts. v If you are sharing a house or an apartment with other students, all members may apply for assistance by providing their names, which will appear on the rental contract (lease). v Each student must apply individually. Married couples submit just one application. Applications for assistance must be completed on the Web site of the family assistance fund (CAF, Caisse d'allocation Familiale) within 3 months of taking possession of your lodgings. Website: There are Facebook pages that can help you find an accommodation or find roommates: each Facebook page has different promotions. v Backup solutions v Couch surfing: 20

23 Selection of 3 hotels near school and with affordable prices: Lepante 6, rue de Lépante, Nice, France Between 55 and 79 Free WIFI Breakfast : 8 euros H33 hotel 33 Rue Pastorelli Nice Between 45 and 70 Free WIFI Hotel Wilson 39, rue de l hotel des Postes, Nice Between 45 and 70 Free WIFI o Hotels and less expensive solutions to go on adventure: If you will visit France or Europe and you need a hotel for the best price and the best quality. You can book it on Trip Advisor ( This travel site gives you access to reviews and promotions. When having a small budget, there is Airbnb ( It is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world online or from a mobile phone. 21

24 ADMINISTRATIVE PART PHONE COMPANIES INTERNET v Here are the major companies you need to check out to keep in touch with your relatives and be able to work from home. All these operators can provide you with both a mobile phone plan and also a WIFI connection including hundreds of TV channels from all over the globe. v Nothing really differs from each other s, beside the average price and the after sales service. v We compared them and selected the best option for your budget and your convenience as an exchange student. 22

25 You already have your smartphone and need all included plan? Here is what you need: v This mobile phone plan with no subscription includes unlimited calls in France and in 120 countries, unlimited text messages, as well as 5go of Internet data. This is the best solution for you semester abroad in France, and it won t cost you anything when you will be leaving! You don t have a phone and need a cheap way to make calls and send texts? Here is what you need: v This mobile phone plan with no subscription enables you to call your friends in France for 2 hours a month and also text them with no limit! 23

26 You need to have a WIFI connection at home? Here is what you need: v This offer includes high speed Internet, 160+ TV channels and unlimited calls worldwide. v For less than twenty euros, with no subscription! v This company will help you out in case of any problems. v Check more details from those offers at 24

27 BANK International students may open a "nonresident" bank account (in euros or another currency) or, if they will be staying longer, a "resident" account (in euros or another currency). You may wish to ask your bank at home if they are related with a French banking network, which may make it easier for you to open an account (perhaps even before you arrive in France) and transfer funds. You will probably be asked to provide a bank identity statement, or RIB (Relevé d Identité Bancaire), which you can obtain from your bank, to enable deposits or withdrawals from your account for example, direct deposit of your wages or automatic, scheduled payments of your bills. The major bank cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted by most French businesses for transactions of more then 15. Cash transactions must be made in euros. Checks are used less and less in France. Few businesses will accept checks drawn on foreign banks. LA POSTE La Poste is the mail service of France. La Poste postage stamps can be used in the Overseas Departments, but not in the Territorial Collectivities. Web site : French mailboxes are yellow: International postal rates : 25

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29 EATING OUT & GASTRONOMY In regards to the restoration and the gastronomy in Nice, it is important to mention that you will be able to find a little bit of everything within the city. There are a lot of different good restaurants that offer excellent food as well as good wine, which we are sure you will all enjoy. In order to help you, we have chosen some very good restaurants that are well located within the city, that have affordable prices and very good quality food! However, when coming to the south of France, you should know that there are some specialties that come from here, and some specifically from Nice, so when being here, you should definitely try them! Some Good Restaurants in Nice 1. Chez Pipo To try some of the Nice specialties (Food Niçoise, specially the Socca ), and to have a good and unique ambiance, this is a place to go! 13 Rue Bavastro, Nice Telephone #: Le Gloss A very good restaurant that offers a variety of plates (all excellent quality), they are well priced, have a nice decoration, and a very good service. Located a bit outside the old town and touristic area and is run by a married couple and their family members. 16 Rue Delille, Nice Telephone #: La Voglia A well known and popular restaurant on the Cours Saleya, that offers a variety of plates, with a focus on Italian cuisine. 2 Rue Saint-François de Paule, Nice Telephone #:

30 4. Le Blast An American Bar located on the Cours Saleya, with a good ambiance, good prices as well as very good food and cocktails. 8 Place Charles Félix, Nice Telephone #: Les Amoureux A very cute and small Italian restaurant, located behind the port. Owned and ran by an Italian married couple, who are very friendly and make excellent pizzas. 6. Geppetto A very good Italian restaurant, well-priced and excellent food as well as wine. Owner is always nice and welcoming and the ambiance and decoration is very cozy. 46 Boulevard Stalingrad, Nice Telephone #: Rue Gioffredo, Nice Telephone #: Indian Lounge If you are feeling like some Indian food this is a good place to go. The decorations and setup is completely Indian, the staff is dressed with Indian outfits and there is some music as well as a good ambiance. The food is very good and the price range is well setup. 34 rue Droite, Nice Telephone #:

31 Beach Restaurants in or around Nice There are several very nice beaches that have some excellent restaurants within Nice and also close by. However, it is important to know that the restaurants are not all open year around, so we highly recommend checking on their websites before going. Here is a pick we made for you! Hi Beach o Eco Spa and beach in Nice, with a good ambiance, a restaurant, a bar, a communal area to relax, some spa treatments, some mattresses right in front of the ocean, and a unique decoration and style. 47, promenade des anglais 06000, Nice Telephone #: hibeach@hi-beach.net Website: Castel Plage o o A beach club that is at the far westerly end of the Nice beach, on the Promenade des Anglais. Although it s a bit pricier then other places Castel is a very nice place. Has very good food, a relaxed ambiance, some mattresses in front of the ocean and a good staff. 8 Quai des États-Unis, Nice Telephone #: Website: 29

32 La Reserve Maya Cap d Ail o o o A great beach club in a very protected cove. A bit hard to get to, but the best way to arrive is by train. You get off at the Cap d Ail stop, walk under the tracks, then turn right and follow the path for about 5-10 minutes. It is a great beach for lounging and swimming and there is a very good restaurant and bar. Plage de la Mala, Cap-d'Ail Telephone #: Website: Paloma Beach Cap Ferrat o o o A very nice beach club with a beautiful beach that does not tend to ever get too crowded. The restaurant is only open during the summer, but having a picnic there is also really nice. It s also a very nice place to swim. To get there you can take the bus #81 which stops in St. Jean and you just have to walk about 10 minutes to get to it. 1 Chemin de Saint-Hospice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Telephone #: Website: Eze beach o o o There are a couple of restaurants on this beach, so you have a pick. The best way to get here is by train, there s a stop right at it and it s an easy walk down to the water. Not a deep beach but a great one to swim. 30

33 Typical Food in Nice As many other cities, Nice has many typical Provencal dishes. It is a unique fusion of Provencal cooking with elements of Spanish, Catalonian and northern Italian cuisines that have resulted in an impressive list of simple, vegetable-based specialties that have an invariably delight fans of healthy yet rich and aromatic dishes. v First of all, the most famous dish is the Salade Niçoise. Salade Niçoise (occasionally referred to as insalata nizzarda) is the very gastronomic ambassador, so to say, of Nice to the world (next to the famed ratatouille). The origins of this salad are not well defined, and the wide range of versions of the Nicoise salad is also pretty confusing with respect to the way it should be cooked and to its ingredients. v However, the bottom line is in Nice the likelihood of managing to stumble on the original recipe and product is considerably higher. Thus, the salad is a mix of slices of tomatoes, slices of hard boiled eggs, boiled potatoes (disputably) and steamed green peas, all laid on a layer of lettuce (optional). The entire edifice is topped with tuna (either canned or seared) and canned anchovies. v The second is the pissaladière. Called onion tart by foreign. This is a very traditional dish from the region of Nice is a short of combination of quiche and pizza. v It is effectively a bread dough covered with onion accented with anchovy fillet and black olives. You can eat it hot or cold, no matter but you have to test it! 31

34 v After you have a very typical Niçois street food called the socca. Socca is a thin, moist-on-the-inside, crispy-on-theoutside pancake made of chickpea flour, olive oil and salt and baked in huge pizza pans in wood burning ovens. It is served on little paper plates. You just add pepper. v You can find it at The old Nice, take it and continued hanging out on streets. v Nice is the place where yet another internationally famed dish is originated, that is, ratatouille. v The cooking of ratatouille is still under debate, but the ingredients refer to a mix of vegetables and herbs (thyme, bay leaves, marjoram, carrot, onion, garlic, eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes). v Ratatouille is often served as a side dish, and it can be associated, for instance, with omelette (either as filling or garnish). The Nicoise ratatouille has inspired the creation of sundry international versions of ratatouille. v Soupe au pistou is a dish popular throughout Provence, and it refers to a bean soup enriched with pistou. Pistou is a garlicbased sauce heavily flavored with basil, all mixed with olive oil. v The addition of sundry types of hard cheese (parmesan or pecorino, for instance) to the sauce is optional. The origins of this dish allegedly go back to Antiquity. 32

35 v In the local dialect, the name of this dish means 'wet bread.' Pan bagnat is basically a French white bread sandwich with the classic Nicoise salad. v The sandwich is best prepared the night before eating it, in order to allow all of the flavours to mingle. In the region of Nice, it's one of the most popular lunch meals, widely available at bakeries and markets. It's believed that this sandwich-version of the traditional salad was developed for the convenience of local farm workers and picnickers. v In the past, northern sailors stopping at Nice harbour used cured Scandinavian haddock as currency to obtain the necessary goods. Over time, stockfish became incorporated into the Provencal cooking tradition. v The same fish that in Norway is prepared with a variety of dairy products, in southern France became the basis of a dish called estocaficada, a rich casserole of tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, garlic and olive oil. 33

36 HANG OUT/ NICE & SURROUNDING AFTER- WORK & BARS MANOLANS Stylish, upbeat & welcoming, Ma Nolan s is a unique bar and restaurant concept which has created its home in the fabulous Cote d Azur. The bars open from midday until late, and have an earlier opening time of 11am at the weekends and if you arrive at the right time, you ll get the chance to listen to one of Ma Nolan s resident bands performing live. Happy hour prices on drinks are available from 5-8pm. Why going there? Beers and Irish food. Where? Vieux Nice: 2 Rue Saint François De Paule // Port : 5 Quai des Deux Emmanuel Phone number: 33 (0) Open/Close: 11am / 02 am EL MERKADO More than merely a pub, you will find tasty dishes, and particularly delicious Tapas. Fresh and local, El Merkado offers you classic home-made cocktails as weekly inventive creation. Close to the Opera of Nice, El Merkado welcoming you every day, between 11h30 and 01h30. A cool and wavy atmosphere, this is the ideal place to share a moment with your friends in drinking a cocktail in the outside sitting area. Why going there? Music, cocktails and tapas. Where? 12 Rue Saint François de Paule Phone number: Open/Close: 11:30 am/ 1:30 am LE BLAST This is the place to eat a burger or a real fat American dish. Relaxed and cool, live music and pool tables are available at the stage upstairs. For drinking before a club, to spend a nice evening with your friends or even to have a brunch, Le Blast is welcoming you every days of the weeks. Why going there? Burgers, cocktails and playing pool Where? 8 place Charles Felix Phone number: Open/Close: 08 am/ 02am 34

37 BAR OC The Bar oc is a wonderful place, original and retro, the atmosphere is as for a lover couple as for a group of friends. Atypical but local, you will find a taste of Corsica in your plates but also delicious home-made cocktails specifically created by Ben, the owner of the place. Then, your ears will enjoy the chill and deep music playing there. Why going there? Coktails, music and local finger-food Where? 10 Bis rue Bavastro Phone number: Open/Close: Tuesday: 06:00 pm/ 02:30 am- Saturday: 06:00 pm/ 02:30 am LES DISTILLERIES IDEALES This is certainly one of the most beautiful bars in Nice. A wonderful decor created few years ago by the French artist Ramon. A little paradise in the midst of the Vieux Nice. Jazzy music and nice service. Happy hour from 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm for the beer lover. Why going there? Atmosphere, wine and beers Where? 24 rue Préfecture, Vieux Nice Phone number: Open/Close: 03:00 pm/ 01:00 am LE 4 Ideally situated, you will enjoy the beauty of the Garibaldi place in the terrace. Cheap drinks and tapas, this is the good place to go before parties. The owner of the place is really welcoming and knows how to make you feel comfortable. Happy hours every day on cocktails and beer. Why going there? Friendly and happy hour Where? 4, place Garibaldi Phone number: Open/Close: 08:00 am/ 01:00 am 35

38 LE WAYNE S BAR Wayne s Bar & Restaurant, an institution in itself, where people from all over the world get together for the sole purpose of having a good time. Situated in the heart of the old town, Wayne s is one of the busiest bars in town, 7 days a week. Whether you are looking for having a pint, live music or great before party, Wayne s bar is welcoming you! Why going there? Live music and atmosphere Where? 15 Rue de la Préfecture Phone number: Open/Close: 10 pm/ 02:00 am. CLUBS & NIGHTCLUBS HIGH CLUB The High Club in Nice is greeting some of the most famous Djs every weekends (DVBBS, Steve Aoki, Showtek, LMFAO, Inna, Far East Movement, Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclar, Avicii, Chuckie, Benny Benassi, Fatman Scoop, Joachim Garraud, Fedde Legrand, Laidback Luke, Big Ali,Laurent Wolf, Eddie Thoneick etc.). Big panoramic screens, shops, smoking area, 2 floors, VIP corners. Why going there? Meet some hot chicks/guys Music: Commercial Where? 45, promenade des Anglais Phone number: Open/ Close: Every Fridays, Saturdays and one to two Sundays. To 11:45pm. To 6.00 am. BAOLI A fine dining restaurant situated in the heart of Port Canto. The Bâoli is a magical place, so unique that it seems no other venue in the Côte d Azur. Discover an open-air Eden in surrounded by palm trees and tich tropical greenery, where Christophe Caucino and Pierre-Antoine Navarro invite you to a sensorial journey. Wheteher you are here to sip a tasteful cocktails, savour an Asian and Mediterrean inspired cuisine or delight in a workl of bubbles; the Bâoli will satisfy your dreams. Why going there? Unique decors, high standards, music Music: Commercial- Live interpretation of international artists Where? Port Canto- La Croisette- Cannes 36

39 GOTHA CLUB Since its opening in 2011, every year the Gotha Club greets people that come from all over the world. In the midst of this temporary club, luxury, extravagance and outrageousness lead the nights at the Gotha Club. High standing, the club offers one the best line-up of every summer. The place is unique, at the end of the Croisette, the terrace seems settled on the sea. Why going there? The place, high standards, artists and atmosphere Music: Live interpretation of international artist- Concert Where? End of the Croisette Open/Close: From End of May to Early September- 10:00 pm. To 06:00 am COULISSES CLUB Whether you are up to a cocktail after work in a cosy and smart place or whether you prefer going partying and spending a hard night, the coulisses club is made for you. Smart and fancy, students are used to meet at the The Coulisses Club. Why going there? Good atmosphere, student party Music: Commercial Phone number: Where: 12, rue chauvain, Nice Open/Close; Tuesdays to satudays- 10:00 pm. To 05:00am. 37

40 LE POMPEI/ BULL DOG PUB This is one of the oldest pub in the town! Known for its live music, you can be sure to meet a huge and uncontrollable crowd every weekends! Beers and shot will be your favorite drinks there, don t be afraid to ignite the dance floor! Why going there? Hard party, live music Music: Rock n roll, Alternative Phone number: Where? 16 Rue de l Abbaye, Open/close: 11:00pm. To 05:00am. ELEKTRISHE CLUB A place that gives electronic music, principally House or Deep House and sometimes Tech House. A bar, a dance floor and sometimes a music a bit heady but always groovy! Elektrishe Club is greeting local, national and international artists selected with the sharpest ear! Why going there? Music, artists Music: Electronic Where? 2 Rue Bréa Nice Open/close: Thursday to Sunday- 11:45pm to 05:30 GHOST Fancy going somewhere that s cool and relaxed, but then becomes livelier as the night wears on? Ghost does that! It is a restrained atmosphere where you feel encouraged to while away the hours in one of the large sofas with a cocktail. Why going there? Ambiance, Music, Coktails Music: Electro Where? 3, rue Barillerie Nice Open/close: Tuesdays to Saturdays- 10pm to 2:30am. 38

41 CULTURAL LIFE IN NICE & ITS SURROUNDINGS MUSEUMS 1) The MAMAC museum v The museum s program finds its attractiveness with the relationship between the new European realism and the American pop art. v It has the label «QUALITE TOURISME» which is the only label given to the professionals for the quality of their collection and how the people are welcome in the museum. v A good thing about this museum: It has the biggest modern art collection. Price: 6 euros Telephone #: +33 (0) Open everyday from 10am to 6pm (except Mondays, 1st of January, Easter Sundays, 1st of May and Christmas. day. 39

42 2) The Matisse museum v This museum of the famous French painter Henry Matisse, provides the biggest collection of sculptures of Matisse and more than 500 paintings, drawings and objects related to the painter, who died in Nice. v Free entrance Telephone #: +33 (0) Open everyday from 10am to 6pm except on Tuesdays Address: 164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, Nice, France 3) Fondation Maeght v A wonderful modern art foundation behind Nice, in a little village called St-Paul de Vence. v Internet website: Telephone #: Price: Tickets cost 10 euros. 40

43 CINEMAS (MOVIE THEATERS) 1) Pathé masséna v Address: 31, avenue Jean Médecin Nice v Internet website: nema-pathe-massena/informations-pratiques.html v Price: 8,70 euros per ticket 2) Pathé paris v Address: 54 Avenue Jean Médecin, Nice, France v Internet website: v Price: 8,70 euros per ticket 3) Cinéma le rialto v Address: 4, rue de Rivoli, Nice v Internet website: v Price: 7 euros per ticket Ø This cinema offers a great number of movies on their original version (these 41

44 Nice carnival v Every year, there is the famous Carnival that happens here in city! v It is considered as the biggest event in Nice regarding its cultural life and brings more than one million people to Nice. v It is a very popular event and although it can get really crowded, we highly recommend for you to go and live this experience! 2015: THIS YEAR, THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE FROM THE 13TH OF FEBRUARY TO THE 1ST OF MARCH. Cannes film festival v Takes place during the month of May. v It is considered as the biggest cultural event on the French Riviera. v It consists of different film projections and parties. v Internet website: MICS (Monaco international clubbing show) v Takes place during the month November v Internet website: Price: 30 euros per day 42

45 THEATERS 1) National theatre of Nice v Regular representations of classics and new theater from France and the whole world, places may be free depending on the program. v Internet website: Telephone #: Address: Promenade des Arts, Nice, France CONCERTS/FESTIVALS 1) Docks des sud, Marseille (PACA region, bouches du rhone) v Concerts regarding mainly: electronic music. v Happens nearly every Friday. v Internet website: Price: Tickets go from 20 to 40 euros, depending on the program. 2) Small concerts halls v Le Volume, 6 rue Defly, Nice. There are 4 concerts per week, including a free jam for the concerts. Price: normally 5 euros. v Le B spot, 24 Avenue du Maréchal Foch, Nice. Regular concerts and jazz jam session every Sunday, where everybody can come and play. The Price: 5 to 25 euros, depending on the artist playing. 43

46 SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT In Nice there is a great opportunity for everyone to do many different kinds of sports and activities. When coming as en exchange student, we all know that we love to party and have fun. However, it is important to be able to keep in shape! Nice is a good place to do this, which is why we are providing you the different type of activities you can do within your stay. Hikes & Walks In Nice as well as around it, there are some amazing hikes and walks that are worth doing. If you are someone that likes adventure and sports, this section is mostly dedicated for you so it s easier for you to find new places and different hikes and routes that you will definitely love. We have chosen the walks and hikes we find the most attractive and unique, and have labeled them regarding the level of difficulty. 1. Nice to Villefranche à Level I A walk that begins on the port of Nice (at the dock where the ferries leave from). You ll see a sign for the Nice Yacht Club with a walkway next to it, take this up to Blvd. Franck Pillate. Walk south and you ll pass the Chateau des Anglais (built back in 1856). You ll come to a pathway on your right that leads down along the shore, just past the Hopital d Anglais bus stop. Take this and enjoy a seaside promenade. You can keep following right into Villefranche along the water. To come back, you can walk back on the highway, take the small bus #82 from the port to get you onto the highway and then #81 or #100 to Nice, or take the train back. 44

47 2. Mont Boron to Villefranche à Level I To take this walk, take the #14 bus from the port in Nice, up to the top of Mont Boron (it s the last stop). You can walk over into Villefranche or down the front back down to the port of Nice. Both paths are quite nice with great viewpoints. à For a more challenging and longer hike, you can walk up to Mont Boron from Nice instead of taking the bus, but be ready, there are a lot of steps to get up to Mont Boron. 3. Cap Ferrat Walk à Level I Take the #81 bus to Cap Ferrat and get off at the small town/port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Follow Av. Jean Mermoz through the town, past the port and past the restaurant La Voile d Or, to where it intersects with Av. Claude Vignon. Across the street you ll see a pathway the Promenade des Fossettes. Short but nice oceanside walk, that makes a circle around the point. 4. Longer Cap Ferrat Walk à Level II This walk takes you around a larger part of the Cap Ferrat peninsula (the majority of it) and is called the Chemin de la Carriere. You can continue or begin from the park mentioned on the first walk by following Av. Claude Vignon. Turn left on Av. de la Puncia and then right on Chemin de la Carriere. There s a gate but you just have to walk along it. This path takes nearly two hours but offers some great viewpoints, wonderful places to picnic and even to swim. When the trail ends you can walk back up to the roadway (keep turning left) and there s a bus stop when you reach the main road, right in front of the Rothschild s Gardens, take the bus back to Nice. 45

48 5. Mala to Monaco à Level I Take the bus #100 and get off in Cap d Ail, at the stop Edmond s Cap d Ail. Take the street Av. Charles Blanc down until to you come to the Parc Sacha Guitry and walk through it, until you come to Av. Raymond Gramaglia. Turn right and at the end of this street you ll find a pathway down to the sentier coastal walk. Turn left on the walkway and follow it to Monaco. It is a very nice walk along the coast, easy to do and has some great views. There s several places to have picnics as well along the way. If you prefer the train, then you can do that instead of the bus. The stop is right by the sentier pathway. Exit the train station on to Av. de la Gare, and walk up it a ways and you ll see an underpass you can take to get down to the beach. It enters onto Av. Gramaglia, and you ll find an entrance down to the pathway from here. 6. Hike at Gourdon à Level III This hike is on the hills behind Cote d Azur, behind the hilltop town of Gourdon. where there s a bluff that overlooks the town and provides a very panoramic view of the coast and Mediterranean. The trail is called the Plateau de Cavillore and it is accessible right from the parking lot below the entrance to Gourdon, if you have a car, if not, there is a bus that takes you there. Cross the street and look for the sign a little ways up highway RD12, about 50 meters. Continue to follow the signs and look for the yellow markings that mark the trail. It takes about an hour to get to the top and the hike up is about 300 meters in elevation and three kilometers in distance. 46

49 SKI RESORTS Interested in doing some ski/snowboard? Another great thing about being in Nice is that you have the ocean right in front and the mountains to ski not far! Not a lot of people can swim and ski the same day, but here in Nice you could, so take advantage!! 1) Isola 2000 v At only one hour and half from the French Riviera and its International airport, Isola 2000, summit of the Southern alps welcomes you this winter for great vacations! Located at 2000m of altitude and at the borderline with Italy, Isola 2000 offers oxygen in an exceptional environment. v Isola 2000 offers to its customers 120 kms on 42 slopes.3 blacks, 11 reds, 21 blues, 7 greens from 1800m to 2610, summit of the resort where you will discover with a great weather, the Mediteranean sea, the Viso or the Argentera summits. The new gliding s are welcome, specially the snow scoot. 47

50 2) Auron v Less than one hour and half, Auron, authentic village resort, at 1600m, and close to the Mercantour national park proposes vacation where you will find ski of course, but also wellness, warmth and entertainment! v You will discover, all the season long, entertainment for kids and adults as well v The ski domain consists in 4 territories: Las Donnas, Sauma Longue, Demandols and Lieuson. v The resort offers 135 kms of ski runs 42 slopes: 8 blacks, 16 reds, 16 blues, 2 greens 18 ski lifts: 3 cable cars, 8 chairlifts, 7 tear lifts. v You will enjoy discovering this beautiful environment and the large possibilities for off tracks (with a ski instructor). SKI PASS: DAY HALF DAY SNOWPARK 20 BEGINNER ) Gréolière v This ski resort, located in the hinterland of Grasse is the closest to the coast. The ski area is between 1400m and 1800m. There are only 30km of tracks. v There are 22 tracks, including: o 4 greens, 4 blues, 12 red & two blacks. v Day pass is between 19 and 22 euros. 48

51 4) La Colmiane v Family resort skiing, 1 hour from NICE, Colmiane in the outskirts of the Mercantour National Park. You can practice skiing, snowboard half pipe and snow park, snowscoot the snowshoe walks, etc. v Many other activities await you like mountains outings, ski touring, climbing gym, walking quad and paragliding, etc. v The day pass: 21.5 euro v Whether you snowboard or ski, you will be able to find some nice tracks in all the different ski places. v Also, if you are a beginner, don t hesitate to get some classes or get a friend to help! 49

52 Here is how you can get to the different Ski Resorts: 50

53 THEME PARKS IN NICE & ITS SURROUNDINGS Another fun thing to do while being here is to go visit some of the theme parks. We all know we used to love them when we were younger, so why not go with a bunch of friends to have some fun! Here are some we found that might interest some of you! 1) Laser Game Nice Description: like all the laser games, it s a place where you wan have fun with your friends, playing in one of the biggest laser game of the Cote d Azur. Price: 11 euros/person for one game (the second game is less expensive). Where? : Carrefour Nice La Lingostière (shopping center) 604 Boulevard du Mercantour ) Alpha, le Temps du Loup Where? : Next to Saint Martin Vesubie (2 hours from Nice) v Price: 9 euros per day Description: located within the «Parc National du Mercantour», Alpha le Temps du Loup is a park dedicated to the wolves, where you might observe them, and participate in some activities (depending on the season, the weather, and the chosen theme). Wolves disappeared in France, but they have been reintroduced 10 years ago, in their natural environment. Alpha Park allows you to get closer of this underestimated animal. 51

54 3) Aquasplash Description: Aquasplash is an aquatic park, the biggest of the Côte d Azur, with different waterslides, and aquatic attractions. When weather is good, and if Nice s rocks are not enough for you, you should try this park, which is an opportunity for a fully fun day. v Price: 27 euros/person When? : 13th of June until 6th of September Where? : Antibes How to get there? : «Gare SNCF de Biot» stop. Ligne 200 (Nice-Cannes) 4) Marineland Description: Marineland is a kind of marine zoo, where you can see many kinds of aquatic animals (polar bears, dolphins, sharks, orcas, sea lions ). Many shows are scheduled throughout the day. This is one of the most famous parks in France. v Price: 39 euros/person When? : All year around Where? : Antibes How to get there? : As previously said about Aquasplash, «Gare SNCF de Biot» stop, ligne 200 (Nice-Cannes). 52

55 5) Bowling Nice Description: Bowling with 24 computerized lanes, pools, restaurant and bar. v Price: between 3 and 6 euros/game (depends on the period) When? : All week Times? : From 1:00pm until 2:00am Where? : Acropolis. 5 esplanade JF Kennedy Telephone #: SPORTS Some Tips: there are some football fields where you might be able to play for free (however, you should avoid going to these fields on Wednesdays, week-ends or after 6pm, because of the official games and trainings). Take the tramway, and get off at *station*. Water Sports v When summer is coming, you might be able to practice more and more water sports. v You will find all the typical/popular ones, such as: o Jet ski, fly board, parachuting, paddle boarding, wakeboarding, wake surf, etc. v The prices depend on the clubs, but they are generally high priced. 53

56 For the true lovers of these kinds of sports, there are 2 main clubs in Nice with a good reputation: 1) Glisse Paradise: à open between the 1st of May and the 30th of September (9am-8pm) 176 Promenade des flots bleus Saint Laurent du Var (Ligne 200 Nice-Cannes, bus) Telephone #: Internet website: 2) Nikaia Glisse: à less expensive than Glisse Paradise, and located in front of the old town of Nice! Plage Beau Rivage, Quai des Etats-Unis Nice Telephone #: Internet Website: (website is in English) PARC DE MERCANTOUR v The Parc du Mercantour is not so far from Nice. You can go by bus, and during the summer, it provides a lot of different activities (water sports included). Many rivers cross the mountains within this area, and it offers many opportunities, in terms of things to do. 54

57 Ø These sports are more extreme, and the sensations are incredible! So, if you feel brave enough, here is a non-exhaustive list of the things you might /should try: Rafting Kayaking Hydro speed / River boarding v Three main rivers in order to practice these sports: Vésubie, Roya and Var, and the best period is between the beginning of spring (April-May) until the end of September. v We invite you to visit the website v It offers many benefits and is really complete about the region and its activities (it is available in English). CANYONING v The region «Côte d Azur» is well known for its seacoast, but the back country really offers another face to the south of France. Typical, and radically different. Definitely worth seeing! v Located in the north of Nice, some of the most famous French gorges can be visited. Canyoning, a kind of aquatic hike, is one of the best ways to discover these amazing landscapes. 55

58 Four main areas to do some Canyoning: 1. Var - Cians : clue du Raton, clue d Amen, Gorges de Daluis, vallon de Challandre 2. Préalpes - Estéron : clue de la Cerise, clue des Mujouls, clue de Saint-Auban, clue d Aiglun, clue du Riolan, gorges du Loup 3. Tinée - Vésubie : vallons de l Infernet, de l Imberguet, de Cramassouri, riou de la Bollène, vallon de la Peïra 4. Roya - Bévéra : clue de la Maglia, vallon de Carleva, la Bendola, vallon d Audin v The best period is, like for the rafting or the kayaking, between April and September. v And the website is still the best one to choose what you would like to try. VIA FERRATA v Have you ever tried Via Ferrata (also known as Iron Road)? v It is a protected climbing road; the essence is a steel cable, and you follow it along the route, periodically fixed to the rocks. v It is a kind of alpinism, without the risks you can meet in normal alpinism. v It is a fantastic way to discover new landscapes and views! 56