About Nice

Nice, capital of the French Riviera, skirts the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges. Founded by the Greeks and later a retreat for 19th-century Europe’s elite, the city today balances old-world decadence with modern urban energy. Its sunshine and liberal attitude have long attracted artists, whose work hangs in its museums. With vibrant markets and diverse restaurants, it's also renowned for its food. The population was about 343,304 (2010). The history of Nice dates back to 350 BCE when Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia. The population is about 340,000 in the city and 1 million in the urban area. Nice is located on the Riviera close to the Italian border. The clear air and soft light has been of particular appeal to some of Western culture's most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman. Their work is commemorated in many of the city's museums, including Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse and Musée des Beaux-Arts. Nice has the second largest hotel capacity in the country and it is one of its most visited cities, receiving 4 million tourists every year.