City Introduction

Nice is the representative resort along the French Riviera, which enjoys warm and moist climate and laid-back atmosphere. You may walk along the Walkway of the English (Promenade des Anglais) to Bay of Angels (la Baie des Anges) to view a refreshing blue ocean. There is an unique cobblestone beach that is heated by the sun, with lazy tourists lying on the beach in a variety of positions and listening to the friction of waves and rocks. All kinds of local groceries are available in old but still beautiful ancient city (Vieux Nice), and there are even seabirds in the fresh seafood market for finding food. There are flower market every day, and second-hand flea market near Place Masséna (Place de Massena) in the downtown. Trace of modernization and traditional Nice flavor are in complete harmony here.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Nice city was built in about 350 B.C. and soon became one of the busiest trade stations along Ligurian Riviera. In the 7th century, Nice joined the Genoa alliance established by cities along Ligurian Riviera. In the middle ages, Nice suffered the disaster of war as most of the Italian cities. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Nice became the territory of Duke Provence for several times. In 1388, it became Duke Savoy's territory. In 1543, France and Turkey allied forces attacked Nice, and France finally controlled Nice. In 1600, Nice was occupied by Duke Guise. Then in 1696, Nice became Duke Savoy's territory again. In 1705, France regained Nice. And in the following two hundred years, the controllers of Nice had been constantly changed. Until 1860, Napoleon III signed a contract with Regno di Sardegna whereby Nice became France's territory until today. A lot of traditional culture and art of Nice have been preserved, especially folk music and folk dance. The most famous dance in Nice is francs dole.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Geographically, Nice is surrounded by mountains on three sides and sea on the fourth side, which enjoys a 7500-meter coastline. The mountains block the cold north wind.

 

 

 

 

Climate Change

Nice features a pleasant Mediterranean climate all the year round, which is warm in winter and cool in summer. Nice has almost no freeze and snow in winter, sometimes in early spring temperature can reach 20°C. And on March 2, 2007, the temperature hit 26°C.

Information for Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Sri Lanka

Address: 20 Boulevard Carmagnole, 13008, Marseille, France.

Business hour: Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00 and 14:30-17:30 (See the notice on Consulate General website for arrangement during holidays).

Consular Section (responsible for passport, visa, notarization and authentication)

Business hours: Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:15-12:00 (See the notice on Consulate General website for arrangement during holidays).

Address: 16 Boulevard Carmagnole 13008 Marseille France

Route: Take subway line 2 from Saint-Charles railway station, get off at Rond-point du Prado station, walk along the Prado Street in the direction of the sea, and turn left after about 6 minutes.

Inquiry email: consulate.marseille@gmail.com

Consulting Tel.: 0033-491320000 (only for business hours)

Consular protection: 0033-491320267 (fixed-line telephone), 0033-671905835 (mobile phone)

Fax: 0033-491320038

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

France is one of the Schengen Agreement countries. So any tourist holding a valid visa of any Schengen country can come in, and any tourist holding a French visa can also enter other Schengen countries. 2. The visa application can be submitted through TLScontact or the visa application is submitted direct to French consulate by making an appointment in advance through TLScontact. Visa appointment and Tel: 010－64131878,Monday to Friday: 8: 30-12: 00, 13:15-16:30; 3. Materials needed for applying for a France visa: 1) Air ticket (round trip) and accommodation bookings; 2) overseas travel insurance; this insurance policy must cover the following during their stay in Schengen countries: for the cost of returning home due to health reasons, emergency medical care costs or hospitalization costs; this insurance policy has the minimum insured amount of 30,000 euros; 3) the work proof issued by Chinese company must include: - payroll - approval or vacation certificate by the company (dated) - positions - a copy of business license of the company affixed with the official seal; 4) The applicant’s bank account records for last three months; 5) in the case of minors, proof of financial source and authorization certificate by their parents or guardians; 6) household register (original and copy); 7) two color photos of 3.5cmX4.5cm with white background; 8) the completed application form.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

The housing and living costs of Nice are slightly higher than other cities in France, but its price of commodities is acceptable when compared with Paris, the same as average cities in Germany. You are not suggested to visit American fast food restaurants like McDonald's in Nice because you can enjoy good seafood in local restaurants with the same five to ten euros.

Telephone Number of Tourism Service

First Aid Tel: 15

Police Tel: 17

Fire service: 18

Emergency Service: 112 (both for mobile phone and fixed-line telephone within EU)

 

 

 

 

Notes

Please take care of your luggage in the airport. Please take valuables along with you when parking cars for dining and put important items in the car trunk for safety. Otherwise, offenders will break glass for stealing. Do not put cameras and mobile phones in front of chest, and try not to wear expensive jewelries such as necklaces, earrings and watches to reduce the risk of robbery. Pay attention to protecting yourself.

 

 

 

 

Festivals (Important/Historical/Folk)

Nice Carnival Festival

Nice carnival is one of the world's most famous carnivals, which is comparable to the Brazilian carnival. It has a different theme each year. There are grand parades both in the daytime and at night. You can clearly see parade floats decorated with all kinds of flowers, and performers in the daytime, while at night, you will enjoy gorgeous firework show. "Flower Throwing" is the feature of Nice carnival, during which, beautiful ladies on floats pull down all flowers and throw them to the audience. Who send out all flowers before reaching the finish will win. So you should choose a position near the procession, then it is possible to catch a lot of flowers.

Nice Jazz Festival:

Nice Jazz Festival is the first jazz festival in the world, and one of Europe's three jazz festivals. Since 2011, the venue of jazz festival has been moved from the open-air theatre in Cimiez to Place Masséna and Verdure theatre nearby.

National Day:

Nice's National Day firework show can be watched on the Walkway of the English, which is very spectacular. If you happen to be there on that day, please do not miss it and remember to choose a good position.