Nice epitomizes the alluring French Riviera. It’s a place to get lost in sensual delights: the seductive stone alleys of old Nice; the azure, milky sea; sweet delicacies; the setting sun changing the color of your rosé. In only 24 hours, can’t do everything in Nice, but you can essentially feel everything in Nice.

Dip into the creamy, warm Mediterranean
Nice’s share of the Mediterranean caresses your body with its creamy, soft water. As you enter, the floor quickly drops away, and the soft rolling waves undulated, and the salty water helps you to effortlessly float. The beaches are made of rounded, gray stones. They create a hill where the waves kiss the shore, making exiting the sea barely worth the tricky exit. If you must leave the water, a towel laid upon the stones create a warm, soft massage feeling, and there are public facilities under the promenade.

 

The Bustle of Old Town Nice
The main drag of the Old Town is crowded, even at 10 pm, but turn a corner and claim a quiet, softly lit alley for yourself.  Old town (Vieux Nice) is  full of history, food, giggling teens, musicians, strolling couples lost in their own world, ornate buildings, and culinary temptations. Once you enter, put your map away and wander, soaking in every detail. Follow your nose, eyes, and ears. You can’t go wrong.

Breakfast at Au Ble d’Azur Boulangerie
Grab a traditional French breakfast at this little bakery known for its almond croissants. Order a cappuccino and the best almond croissant you’ll ever have: the almond paste is thick and taste like almonds, not just a sugar paste, while the pastry is light and flaky. Snag a table at the little outdoor seating area; beret,  stripped shirt and pouty red lips optional.

Locals linked up for fresh baguettes. Grab one of those piping hot, airy batons of happiness for later because no one has ever said, “I wish I didn’t get that airy, fresh baguette.”

Au Blé d’Azur Boulangerie is located at  20 Rue du Marché

Enjoy la Tarte Tropézienne at Boulangerie du Palais
Boulangerie du Palais lures passersby in with its display of Tropézienne. It’s brioche that is filled with luscious pastry cream and fresh fruit. It’s very, very light and addictive. Locals say that a Polish baker brought the recipe over to nearby Saint-Tropez. It was made famous in the late 1950s when discovered by Brigitte Bardot, who loved it so much she asked the baker, Alexandre Mika, to give it a special name, and he christened it “La Tarte Tropézienne.”They are hard to find in America, so you may have to make your own.

Boulangerie du Palais is locate at 20 Rue du Marché

L’Art Gourmand Chocolatier

Forget gawking at windows displaying sparkling diamonds, fancy shoes, or designer handbags. In Nice, stop to stare at glistening confections of L’Art Gourmand Chocolatier, which showcases sweets disguised as works of art. Tables of shimmering candied fruit and intricately sculpted chocolates look so delicate that you  may worry about using the self-service tongs lest you break anything. Try anything or everything.

L’Art Gourmand Chocolatier is located at 21 Rue du Marché.

Enjoy Marrons Glacés at Pâtisserie Henri Auer Confiserie
Across from the Opera building in the middle of a main drag of the Old Town stands the beautiful facade of Pâtisserie Henri Auer Confiserie. Family owned since 1820, it’s famous for  traditional chocolates, sweets, and candied fruit, especially the marrons glacés, which are chestnuts soaked in sugar syrup and glazed.

This type of marrons glacés dates back to 16th century France. A traditional treat at the holidays, it is enjoy on its own (a bit chalky and dense and surprisingly not very sweet) or as special ingredient, such as pureed and mixed into pastry cream, or chopped and added to ice cream.

 

Pâtisserie Henri Auer Confiserie is located at 7 rue St-François de Paule

Sunset Rosé at Le Meriden
Anyone is welcome to the rooftop lounge of Le Meriden, which is directly on the Promenade des Anglais, a famous boulevard that runs alongside the sea.  It’s the perfect from which watch the sunset with local rosé.

Le Meriden Nice is located at 1 Promenade des Anglais