Return to Vieux Nice and The Beach...

Le Centre Ville (downtown), is the quartier of Nice with museums, pubs, and restaurants. Next to Vieux Nice, is the beach. Just in front of the Palais de Justice (court house) there is a square with a glacier (ice cream shop) and restaurants and shops. A pianist from the local conservatory rolls his piano into the square everyday and plays for free. Yesterday I caught the end of Rachmninoff's 2nd concerto in c minor for piano.

Striking a cord at the Palais du Justice

This first week at Nice I've gone to the Opera Plage (beach) several times. It's breathtaking. But watch out for cigarette butts, broken glass, and topless tanners. I pick a spot against the stone wall to lounge and read. Boy was I white. I stood out, all right. With my Chinese + North American palour and SPF 45+ sunscreen I positively SHINED.

Opera Plage, Nice with Kate, Nicole, Tim, and Ellie

On the way home, I walk by the docks, and look at the sailboats, which come from South Hampton, New Zealand, and Liverpool.

Quai Cassini 1 of 4 - the smallest boats


Quai Cassini 2 of 4 -smallish boats


Quai Cassini 3 of 4 - getting bigger


Quai Cassini 4 of 4 - titans (70-80m) in the distance

I live at Villa Alba, 5 avenue de la Réserve. The beach is just a block away and down a flight of stairs.

Avenue de la Reserve



the view opposite Ave de la Reserve


From Alba, one can still see a slice of the Mediterrean.