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Nice & Beyond!
We just came back from a long weekend in Nice! It was really nice – a relaxing few days under the sun with good Provençals food, all we needed. Though we have been to Nice several times, each trip turned out to be too short. There are many places around Cote d’Azur that I want to visit, which I reckon I need at least 2 weeks.
Whenever in Nice, I never miss eating my favourite snack – Socca. Socca is a thin pancake/crêpe that is made of chickpea flour. Originally from Italy, this delicious snack is really popular in Nice. Since Nice is just bordering Italy, the Italian food is as authentic as it could get!
Back to Socca – we went to René Socca (2 Rue Miralheti, 06300 Nice), which is said to be one of the best in town. But, I didn’t quite agree – though it has a nice crispy outer layer, it got pretty soggy when it was cold and it seemed to have a thicker layer in the middle part. Overall, it was slightly thick for my liking. However, Pissaladière was absolutely delicious. So was the beignets de courgettes. I have tried Socca Lou Pilha Leva (10 Rue du Collet, 06300 Nice), which I think is much better – it is thin overall, crispy and light (no picture unfortunately!)
We visited Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat) at St. Jean Cap Ferrat. St. Jean Cap Ferrat has to be one of my favourite towns; Villefranche is another favourite of mine. St. Jean Cap Ferrat is situated about halfway between Nice and Monaca. It has a fantastic view of the Meditteranean sea – very breathtaking! As such, it is one of the most expensive areas along the coastline – a lot of beautiful looking villas and apartments. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is built by Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, a very wealthy French socialite. Upon her death in 1934, she donated the property to the Institut de France, and it is now open to public visitation.
The villa is surrounded by 9 gardens: Florentine, Spanish, Garden à la française, exotic, a stone garden, a Japanese garden, a rose garden and a garden de Sèvres. Each garden is stunning with its own specific charm.
A short trip to Cap d’Antibes isn’t complete without a visit to Hotel du Cap Eden Roc. This hotel is frequented by Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Mel Gibson, Sharon Stone, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks and many more. A bottle of soda priced at €10, you gotta be really loaded to dine and stay here. For me, I would rather pay €5 more to dine at my favourite rustic restaurant in Nice, Chez Palmyre!
Lovely clicks! Thanks for sharing. It looks like you had a great time in Nice.
I really love socca and pissaladière!
Cheers,
Rosa
Yeah I had a great time! Love South of France.
Thanks for sharing! I’m heading to Nice in a couple weeks and need all the tips I can get!
Ah cool! I tried a restaurant that serves Provencal food called La Tapenade (6 Rue Sainte-Reparate 06000 Nice), which was pretty good. If you plan to go to Chez Palmyre (€15 for 3-course meal!), make sure you book a few days before as they get booked up fast since there are only a few tables in the tiny restaurant. Don’t forget to get your ice-cream/sorbet fix at Fenocchio!
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks Mary!
It looks like a fantastic trip – I haven’t been there 🙂
Yeah, I really enjoyed myself. You should go there one day!
Makes me want to go to Nice this weekend! Somehow I’ve never tried socca and feel I must.
After your visit to the Villa Ephrusi you should really read The Hare With Amber Eyes, by Edmunch de Waal. It traces the history of the Ephrussi family. I have a feeling you’ll love it.
You should give Socca a try, it is nice!
I Will check out the book. 🙂
Gorgeous ! The blue of the sky and the blue of the mediterranean sea! Definitely going to take note of these addresses:-)
I think the sky is extremely blue in the Mediterranean!
Beautiful Place…and photos
*sigh*… one day perhaps, but for now I will enjoy your postcard-like photos 🙂
If you come to Europe one day, you should visit Nice. 😉
Gorgeous shots!! Love the scenic view of Mediterranean sea!
Thanks LK!
One of my very favorite cities! I was just there this summer and miss it already.
Yeah it was a nice place. There are still so many nearby places I haven’t been. There’s always next time I hope! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Leemei! I really hope I get to visit Nice one day!!
Yes you should! I am hoping next time I will spend more time there and go to Corsica and Italy. 🙂
Wonderful vacation — I hope we get to travel to that part of the world soon 🙂
If you come this way, do visit Nice!
Thanks for sharing, very beautiful place!
Mei très belles photos de Nice et des alentours
Dommage que ns n’ayons pas pu aller chez Palmyre
La prochaine fois j’espère Bises et beau livre
Merci Nelly!
Oui, la prochaine fois j’espère que you pourras essayer la cuisine chez Palmyre!