Promenade des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais is the line that defines Nice. It follows the Baie des Anges for almost seven kilometres, from the airport side of the city in the west to the Quai des Etats-Unis by the old town, and almost every visitor ends up walking at least part of it. Locals simply call it La Prom.

Its name goes back to the British winter residents who discovered Nice in the early nineteenth century. After a harsh winter left many local people without work, the Reverend Lewis Way and members of the Anglican community funded a coastal path that would give them employment. The walkway was first known in the Nissart language as the English Way, and after Nice became part of France in 1860 it took the French name it carries today. It was widened and modernised during the twentieth century and is now part of the main coast road.

What you do here is simple: walk, run, cycle, sit and look at the sea. The broad pavement is lined with palm trees, and the blue chairs set out along the sea wall are one of the most photographed sights on the Riviera. Steps lead down to the pebble beaches, some of them public and free, others run by private beach clubs with loungers and restaurants. The Promenade also hosts the Nice Carnival, sporting events and, in recent years, the finish of the Tour de France.

It suits everyone. Families can push buggies along its flat length, couples come for the sunset, and runners use it from first light. Early morning is the calmest time, when the light is soft and the cycle traffic is light. In summer the midday sun on the sea wall is strong, so bring water and a hat. Allow an hour to stroll a good stretch, or longer if you plan to swim.

The most useful section for first-time visitors runs from the Jardin Albert 1er towards the old town and Castle Hill, which closes the bay at its eastern end. Along the way you pass Belle Epoque buildings such as the Villa Masséna museum and the Hotel Negresco. Beside the Villa Masséna, the Jardin de la Légion d'Honneur holds the memorial to the victims of the attack of 14 July 2016, when 86 people were killed on the Promenade during the Bastille Day celebrations.

If you want to cover the whole length, a bike is the easiest way, as cycling is part of daily life along the seafront. Otherwise, walk one way and take a bus back into the centre. The Promenade is also the natural place to start a stay in Nice: from almost any point you can see where you are in relation to the old town, the hills and the sea.