Nice Just Gets Nicer All the Time

Yes, I’ve been spending more time in Nice. The more I’m there, the more I like it and the deeper in love with it I fall.
No, it’s not Paris. Nothing is Paris and Nice will never be Paris. But it doesn’t need to be Paris. It just needs to be Nice.
And yes, Nice is nice. Nice is movin’ and shakin’ under its blue skies, warm air and swaying palm trees. It’s welcoming and inviting. The scenery is beautiful, the weather is mild, the food is fabulous and the people are friendly.
Property prices are about one-half of those in Paris. Vacation rentals are plentiful. The city is trying to encourage tourism and the rental of apartments — unlike Paris where there is a housing shortage and a vigilant government seeking to turn vacation rentals into full time residences.
The Mayor is progressive and doing everything in his power to make Nice a major European destination.
NICE’S ILLUSTRIOUS MAYOR
Christian Estrosi Christian Estrosi is 58 year-old professional motorcyclist of Italian descent who serves as Mayor of Nice and ‘mover and shaker’ of the Alpes-Maritimes. He was elected in 2008 and is a member of the UMP (Union for a Popular Movement), the same party from which former President Nicolas Sarkozy hails.
His plans and aspirations are evident everywhere.
“Nice, an authentic and booming city…is currently under-going a real economic, cultural, artistic and architectural revolution. Creative, dynamic, cosmopolitan and young, it is bubbling over with achievements worthy of the world’s biggest capitals. Innovation is everywhere and can be seen across all areas. Nice is moving, evolving, changing and excelling… and generating lots of energy in the process.”
Its ambitions:
* To become a benchmark city for ecology and THE Green City of the Mediterranean.
* To make Nice the number one Mediterranean destination while continuing to meet the requirements of tourists.
* To preserve the authenticity of the city and ensure visitors receive a quality welcome.
* To be the leading short stay destination.
To achieve these goals, the city has identified and implemented a series of ambitious plans. It is hoping to redefine the way of life for both residents and tourists. The Nice of tomorrow is being built today. These future developments will have an economic impact throughout the entire region.
To learn more about progress in Nice, download the city’s pdf brochure.
THE CARNAVAL DE NICE
Nice is gearing up for its annual “Carnaval” — a time when the city turns to total fantasy and color. This year the festival takes place from February 14th to March 4th (similar to the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans which take place about two weeks before and up through March 4th, Mardi Gras Day). It’s a great time to be in Nice when the weather is warming up, the skies are blue and the festivities add so much life to the streets.
Carnival Queen CandidatesOur friends at the Office de Tourisme are giving us all an opportunity to participate vicariously, if not in person, by contributing to the choice of Carnival Queen! The Carnival Queen is the ambassador for Nice and its Carnival the world over for one year! The winner of the competition will receive a stay in Naples, a portfolio by a professional photographer and a one-year contract with the Enjoy Models agency. During the Carnaval de Nice, she will take part in the Flower Parades on her very own float!
Win a stay at the Beau Rivage
Just by voting, you earn the chance to win a prize! Now untill February 2nd, possible prizes include 1) A stay at the Hotel Beau Rivage (2 nights in a double room for 2 persons), 2) Meals for two people in our partner restaurants in Nice (L’Aphrodite, l’Escalinada, Univers, Le Hard Rock Café), 3) a cooking class at the Atelier de Tam, 4) places in the stands for a Flower Parade during the 2014 Nice Carnival and 5) “King of Gastronomy” kits (apron and mug).
It’s easy to participate and increase your chances of winning. Learn more and cast your vote. Good luck!
For those who wish to visit Nice during Carnaval, be sure to check the availability at our Parler Nice Apartments!
MEET NICE GREETERS
The Office du Tourisme and the Congrès de Nice is developing a form of participatory tourism by presenting a new Web site dedicated to its “Ambassadors.” A “Greeter” is a  person passionate about his/her city who volunteers to meet with visitors to show off the city’s best assets…its people. These Ambassadors are a new way to discover Nice, through its own people in an informal and relaxed manner. Learn more about Nice Greeters.
Or maybe you’d like to become one? To learn more about Nice and its investment opportunities, contact us at [email protected] for more information.
A bientôt,
Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider & Director of The Adrian Leeds Group, LLC
(in Nice)
Email: [email protected]

 
 

P.S. Don’t miss House Hunters International on January 18 at 11:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. ET/PT for “La Vie en Paris, France.” After transferring to Paris for her dream job five years ago, Abby Gordon was ready to purchase an apartment to call her own. We helped her search for the perfect Paris property to suit her style and budget.