Here we are in Beautiful Nice! Another lovely city in Italy! Founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, it later became a Roman province.
The city’s name itself comes from the Latin “Nicaea,” meaning “victory.”
Nice absorbed influences throughout the centuries with a strong Italian presence, thanks to Napoleon, reflected in its terracotta rooftops and ochre-hued buildings.
Today, Nice is France’s second-largest city on the coast, with a population of around 340,000. Majority is French but due to immigration the true ethnicities are unknown.
Our day began with a fascinating visit to Béatrice Rothschild’s rose-colored villa. This sprawling property, encompassing gardens, villas, and a serene olive grove, was once the winter retreat of Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, a member of the renowned banking family. Built in the 19th century, the villa is a testament to her exquisite taste and horticultural expertise.
The story of the villa itself is quite intriguing. Legend has it that Beatrice was determined to have the perfect view for her seaside escape. When she set her sights on this particular peninsula, she discovered another potential buyer – none other than the Belgian King, Leopold III.
Undeterred, Beatrice acted swiftly, purchasing the land before the king could secure it for himself.
Creating the breathtaking panorama she envisioned wasn’t without its challenges. The land itself was uneven, and the gardens, which are now a classified monument of France, required extensive (and expensive) terracing and landscaping.
Beatrice, known for her meticulous attention to detail, even went so far as to have her staff dress in green to represent different trees and shrubs as they experimented with layouts to achieve the perfect composition.
Wandering through the meticulously landscaped gardens, bursting with amazing flowers and interestingly, hundreds of species of cactus, we couldn’t help but imagine the luxurious parties once held here. The rose-colored facade of the villa itself, a nod to Beatrice’s favorite hue, added a touch of whimsy to the grandeur of the estate.
Next, we embarked on a scenic journey to Eze, a charming medieval village perched high on a cliff overlooking the sparkling Côte d’Azur. The winding road offered stunning panoramic views as we climbed to the entrance. The village of Eze is full of narrow cobbled streets, adorned with quaint shops and art galleries. We stumbled upon a delightful artisan shop where I couldn’t resist a hand-painted Christmas ball, a picture perfect painting to remember Eze.
Meandering through Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice) was a sensory delight. Terracotta buildings with colorful shutters lined the narrow streets, very Italian style within a French state! A particularly charming detail, every Saturday, the courthouse in the Old Town holds weddings every 30 minutes. We witnessed several newlywed couples emerge, faces beaming with joy, showered with confetti by their loved ones.
I was on a mission in France. We stopped at a charming wine shop and picked up a bottle of wine for David and Lindsey, hoping they’ll enjoy a taste of the region.
Nice truly lived up to its name however it’s pronounced “niece”. It was a day filled with fascinating history and breathtaking beauty and is a very “nice” place to visit.
Our next stop is Palma de Mallorca Spain. A beautiful island.
May God bless you always.
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 