Get on the bus! Photo by Ambrosiana Pictures

By Annie Shapero—Nice, and the rest of the French Riviera, don’t typically make the cut when we think of a budget getaway. But, luckily for us Cheapos there are ways to make it so. When I was there this July, I found some wallet-friendly hotels (see our whole list here), but once in the land of fois gras and rosé wine, Nice and its surroundings are every bit the luxury holiday locale you imagine.

Since I didn’t have a yacht to travel the coast (it was in the shop, of course!), I took the next best thing: the €1 Ligne d’Azur bus.

What’s that you say about €1?

That’s right. One euro gets you anywhere from Cannes to Montecarlo, and everywhere in between (price is per trip). So, for pennies, I hobnobbed from Nice to Monaco and had time to visit Cannes along the way.

At this price, you can’t exactly expect hors d’oeuvres to be served, but all buses are air conditioned, have comfy seats, and big windows from which to watch the view as you glide by. And, get this – the locals use them like they would public transport. In fact, during my ride to Montecarlo, an older woman asked me if we had gotten on the express. My elementary French was good enough to understand the question and say yes.

Before you hop on…

Nice is a major hub and there’s no need buy tickets in advance. Pay on board the bus and head to Juan les Pins, Cape d’Antibes, Antibes, or the lavender-scented Giot. Or, do as I did and visit Montecarlo for an afternoon. Cannes is also on the Ligne d’Azur’s list of bus stops. Otherwise, just hop on the Ligne’s #100 bus (also known as the Monaco Express) from Nice to Montecarlo and vice versa.

Buses leave from Nice’s Gare Routiere.

For more information, visit the Ligne d’Azur’s official web site where fares and schedules are easily accessible. Fares and schedules are available here.

About the author: Annie Shapero is EuroCheapo’s Italy correspondent. She writes for WHERE Magazine Rome.

Popularity: 9% [?]

MAMAC's architecture looms over Nice; photo by abragad

Nice is a happening summer destination, but all that beach time can get hot, hot, hot! When you need a break from the heat, step on into the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) for a cool respite full of beautiful, mind expanding art—and all for free!

What’s on?

The Musée switches up its offerings annually giving each group of artists it showcases a good, long run. Current exhibits include a retrospective of the work of Robert Longo, and the paintings of Djamel Tatah. Past exhibitions have featured artists like Michel Gérard and Denis Castellas. Be sure to check out the museum’s spectacular structure too, a dream-come-true for architects Yves Bayard and Henri Vidal. For more information, visit the museum’s web site (exhibit info only in French).

If you go-

The Musée is located in central Nice on the Promenade des Arts, near the Garibaldi tram stop. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (closed Mondays) except on holidays. Entrance into the museum and gallery is free of charge. Guided tours are €5, €2.50 reduced and occur daily at 3 PM.

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Promenade Des Anglais, site of Musicalia "Prom' parties." Photo by timo_w2s.

By Sarah Silbert—

Nice is home to many annual concert series, including the world-renowned Nice Jazz Festival in July and the International Festival of Military Music in October. If you’ll be in town toward the end of the summer and don’t feel like shilling out Euros to see a star-studded line-up (or if French military fanfare isn’t your thing), you’re in luck: Nice also offers a free month-long festival of world music and outdoor parties in August.

The Repertoire

Every summer, Nice heats things up with a program of international music and parties known as Les Nuits Musicalia. This year marks the festival’s tenth anniversary, with celebrations set to run from August 8th through 29th.

Musicalia features a wide variety of music, from Brazilian percussion to Portuguese Fado to French blues. Each evening has a different musical theme, and on the off nights “Prom’parties” treat visitors to dance beats on the city’s famous thoroughfare, the Promenade des Anglais.

Events are spread among various locations, including the Avenue des Phocéens and in front of the posh Hotel Negresco. We recommend checking out an act at the festival’s main venue, the popular open-air Théâtre de Verdure. The Nice Tourism website releases more details as Musicalia gets closer, but it’s early enough to pencil the first-annual “Cinema Evening” (Wednesday, August 12th) into your schedule.

Practical Info

Cheapos in Nice can enjoy these French Riviera festivities for from 9 pm to 11:30 pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays in August. Check the Musicalia website for more details.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Pastis and Pétanque. Photo by C-Reel

Nothing tastes better or more provencale, than a glass of pastis in the afternoon, before a hearty dish of bouillabaisse, or after dinner. For the love of Cheapo, when in Nice, please bring home a bottle of this delectable aperitif from the south of France.

Cheers back home

In 1915, absinthe, sometimes known as the “green fairy,” was banned in France. Pernod Fils and Ricard reformulated a drink without the illegal wormwood using less alcohol and more star anise and sugar. The strong liqueur is generally mixed with water, five parts to one. Clear on its own, pastis clouds when you add water to it. Use ice with caution as the cubes have a tendency to crystallize the pastis.

Though popular all over France, pastis is heavily associated with the lifestyle of southeastern France. You can pick up a bottle at almost any grocery store or supermarket. A 70 cl bottle will cost about €10.

NOTE: Americans may bring home 1 Liter of alcohol without paying any tariffs or taxes. More bottles may be brought back for personal use, but you will have to pay a tax. Read more on the US Customs website.

While you’re at it…

Pick up a bottle or two of rosé wine. With an emphasis on Mourvedre grapes, up to 80 percent of the wine manufactured in the Provence region is the charmingly pink-colored rosé. And don’t worry about rules governing what months are “okay” to drink rosé… it’s always a good idea, as far as we’re concerned!

Popularity: 18% [?]

When in Nice, take a break from the Mediterranean waters and head to the posh, northern suburb of Cimiez. The town offers ancient ruins from its important past (it was the region’s capital city during Roman times, 1,700 years ago), along with museums, a famous cemetery, and the Monastere Notre-Dame de Cimiez. The area is also home to Nice’s jazz festival, which occurs every year in July.

A visit to the Monastere de Cimiez is a quiet, enchanted escape from Nice. Dating back to the 16th century, the gothic church you see today was the result of an 1850 renovation. The church is famous for three paintings by prominent brother painters, Louis and Antoine Brea. The near-by museum, the Musée Franciscain, explains the role of the Franciscans in Nice over the centuries, and allows visitors a peek into a recreated (and especially drab) monk’s cell.

The adjoining cemetery is notable for its picturesque qualities, marble graves, and notable residents. Painters Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse, both former residents of Cimiez, are buried here. Wander through the cemetery, making sure to leave time for the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Visiting the Monastere Notre Dame de Cimiez

The church is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM - 12 PM, and 3 PM - 6 PM. Admission is free.  For more information, call 04-93-81-00-04.

Popularity: 12% [?]

The Nice Visitors Bureau just announced the debut of their new visitor’s pass, labeled the Nice “Riviera Pass”. Is it a good deal? It depends on your trip plans. Here’s a quick overview:

The pass: The Nice “Riviera Pass” is a tourist pass that grants holders free entry into a number of the area’s attractions, as well as numerous discounts throughout the region.

What you get: Free admission to nine major sights in Nice, Antibes, Biot, Cagnes-sur-mer, and Monaco. Sights include the National Museum of Marc Chagall (Musée Chagall) and Marineland (for the 72-hour pass), the Musée Renoir, and the Musée national Fernand Leger.

Extras: The pass also includes a 60-page guidebook, unlimited transportation on the Nice “Le Grand Tour” double-decker buses (which stop at most of Nice’s main attractions and includes multi-language commentary), free daily guided tours of major sights like the Nice opera house and Castle Hill (Monday through Friday in French only, Saturdays in French and English), and discounts at dozens of restaurants, shops, and area attractions.

What it costs: The Nice Riviera Pass is offered for 24-hours (€24), 48-hours (€36), or 72-hours (€54). The pass is equipped with a “smart chip” that starts keeping time from the moment you validate it. Free entry into museums and other sights is valid for the duration of the pass, while other discounts (for restaurants, shopping, and leisure activities) are valid for one month.

How to buy it: You will soon be able to an purchase the card online. For now, buy it in person at the Nice Visitor’s Bureau, of which the main offices is at 5, Promenade des Anglais. Check out their website for more information.

The verdict: As we’d suggest with any city pass, price out your trip itinerary and compare it to the cost of the pass. (Conveniently, the card’s website shows you standard ticket prices for these attractions, making it easy to tally up.) If you’re already planning to head to the sights covered by the card, the pass will let you skip lines and bounce around town on a cute bus. It will also take you to places in Nice that you might otherwise ignore.

If, however, your plans in Nice mostly involve a beach towel, an umbrella, and a cool drink, you might “pass” on this tourist card.

Popularity: 12% [?]