Bastille Day

Bastille day is in place in order to celebrate the creation of the new French Republic. It has been a national holiday for as long as anyone can remember and the day is known for providing one of the biggest parties in the country. If you can plan on being in Nice for Bastille Day then you will be rewarded to a celebration that you will never forget.

Cannes Film Festival

Nice is a hub for transportation in Europe and is one of the best places to say during the Cannes Film Festival. You can easily get to and fro Nice from Cannes and it can be far more affordable and less crammed during the enticing international festival.

Nice Jazz Festival

Tens of thousands of people make the journey to Nice for the Nice Jazz Festival that is held in Arenes de Cimiez. Concerts take place all night and the event offers some of the very best jazz and jazz performers from all corners of the globe.

What makes Nice such a popular destination is its temperate climate and the sheer abundance of activities and attractions that it provides in the summer. Not only does the entire city come alive in the summer with events and festivals, but it is also easy to get to a number of other destinations from this thriving city. Stop by for a visit and then jet our for summer events such as the French Tennis Open or the Cannes Film Festival.

The idea of owning your own slice of life abroad, for many, is a dream come true. France is a popular destination and no more so than Nice and the Côte d'Azur. This is primarily due to the ease of access from the Nice Côte d'Azur airport, its proximity to the sea and the border of Italy as well as the surrounding city’s of Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco, the home towns of the rich and famous.

However, finding and choosing the right property and location can be tough so what are the key things that prospective buyers need to consider when embarking on their French property quest?

Finding your ideal Property

Before you can start your property search you must first decide what type of property you’re after, its location, local amenity requirements and what you’ll be using the property for. Will it be a city apartment, a country house or luxury seaside villa complete with swimming pool? Will it be rural or close to a town, restaurants and nightlife or a stones throw from the sea and beaches? Will the property be your main residence, a second home or a holiday let investment?

Once you’ve made your property requirement wish list you can begin your search. It is often a good idea to start your search by using some of the many online estate agent websites who offer a diverse selection of properties in Nice all at the click of a mouse button. Some also offer property finder services whereby you submit your list of requirements and expert property consultants will go out and find you a selection of properties which closely match
your search criteria.

Once you’ve a list of property viewings booked you can book your flights, car hire and accommodation, then set out to view the properties and soak up the atmosphere of the surrounding area. It’s important to do your homework to ensure you not only find the right property but also the right location.

The Property Buying Process

In France the property buying process is different from many other countries and takes quite a few months to complete.

Once your offer has been accepted both parties sign an initial contract which sets out the terms of the sale. At this point there is a seven day cooling off period. During this time the buyer has the opportunity of changing their mind about the sale without incurring any penalties or loss of a deposit. After this seven day period the buyer is legally bound to continue with the sale and a deposit is paid, usually about 10% of the sale price.

The conveyancing process then begins which takes about 3 months to complete. After which time the final fees and payment are made, contracts exchanged at which point you would officially become French property owners.

Obviously the process if a bit more complex than this but your property agent will be able to advise you on the finer details of the French conveyancing process in France.

Nice is known to have a very lively festival scene. There are a lot of attractions and events that is why you can never run out of things to do all year round. From open air music concerts, street fairs, sporting events and theatrical performances, Nice has got it all. So if you happen to visit Nice, here are some of the city’s annual attractions that you can partake on.

JANUARY

New Year’s Concert – This is usually held on New Year’s Eve at Nice’s Acropolis. Nice’s New Year’s concert is a great way to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Luna Park – This is a large fair with lots of various attractions for everyone.

FEBRUARY

Nice Carnival - This carnival is the leading winter season attraction on the French Riviera. It features parades, bonfires, fireworks and many more.

MARCH

Nice International Trade Fair – This trade fair is annually held at Palais des Expositions.
Nice Boat Show – A must-see event for boat enthusiasts and the like.
Festin des Cougourdons (Gourd Festival) – This festival which is annually held in Cimiez gardens traditionally symbolizes the end of the winter season. It features gourd painting events and a gourd food fest.
Nice International Semi-Marathon – This annual 3-day event in Nice offers various competitions for tourists and locals alike.
Printemps des Poetes – Nice celebrates their Printemps des Poetes by staging events in various theaters, schools, and cafes.

APRIL

Nice Open Tennis Tournament – A must-see event for tennis enthusiasts.
Nice International Dog Show - Nice locals show off their cute canines.
Egg Hunt – Nice children partake on an Egg Hunt every year to celebrate Spring.
Printemps des Musees – Open museum day. Every year, museums all over Nice waive their entrance fees for just one day. This gives everyone the opportunity to discover Nice’s rich culture and art.
Nice Half Marathon – An annual sporting event where about 4,000 runners compete with each other.

MAY

La Fete de Mai – This event held every Sunday of May in Arenes de Jardins de Cimiez features a series of free events such as music, picnics and folk dancing which celebrates Nice’s history.
Fete de la Cuisine – A celebration of Nice cuisine.

JUNE

Festival de Musique Sacree (Sacred Music Festival) – A celebration of Baroque and religious music held in various churches around Nice.
Nice en Roller – Annual event for rollerblade enthusiasts.
Fete de la musique – Offers free concerts all around the city.
Salon du Livre – Features book fairs all over the city.
Fete de la Mer – Celebration of St. Peter’s day. Nice fishermen celebrate this event with a mass at Gesu church then a procession to Les Ponchettes beach in Old Nice where they burn a boat in honor of St. Peter.
Nice International Triathlon

JULY

Nice Jazz Festival – Internationally acclaimed musicians gather at the Cimiez gardens and amphitheaters to share their musical prowess to the audience.
Bastille Day Celebration – Features fireworks and dancing all over the city.
Musicalia (Theatre de Verdure) – Features Mediterranean and world music. It also features dance performances and film screenings.
Nuits Musicales de Nice (International Academy of Summer Music) – Features concerts in the Cloister of the Cimiez Monastery.
La Castellada – This event is held from the start of July in the Parc du Château. This event runs until the end of September. Actors in costume recount the story of Nice’s past in a 3-hour tour.

AUGUST

Ball for the Liberation of Nice – Celebration of Nice’s liberation.
Nice Musical Nights -A series of classical concerts held at the Opéra de Nice and the Cloitre du Monastere de Cimiez.

SEPTEMBER

Historic Automobile Tour de France
Fete de la San Bertoumieu – A grand market for traditional arts and crafts.
Catherine Segurane ceremony – An annual event held in the Sainte Reparate Cathedral. Nice’s patron saint is commemorated with a special mass and wreath-laying ceremony at the Catherine Segurane memorial.

OCTOBER

Nice-Matin Real Estate Trade Fair
Mushroom Exhibition
Festival Internationale de Musique Militaire – A biennial military tattoo that takes place over the course of a weekend. This popular festival of military music also includes a grand parade.
Fete Patronale de la Ville de Nice Sainte Reparate – A colorful traditional Nicois festival that takes place in the streets of Vieux Nice

NOVEMBER

Rock and Mineral Show
Cap Cyber Multimedia Show
Festival Manca – This international festival features contemporary music performed by world renowned musicians
Challenge de Lutte Henri Deglane - international wrestling contest, with some of the world’s Olympic champions competing for this prestigious prize

DECEMBER

International Rowing Regatta – This event is held in the Baie des Anges. It brings together the world’s best rowers to compete with each other.
Christmas Day Swim – Every year, swimmers brave the chilly waters of the Mediterranean from Nice’s Ruhl Plage.
Nice Christmas Village – This traditional festive market is held at the Place Massena. Forty wooden chalets are set up in the square, selling typical Provencal gifts. There is also an ice-skating rink and children’s entertainment.

For your car rental needs in Nice, Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.

Every month, Nice, France features various special events and attractions which are greatly enjoyed by both tourists and city locals. This month of November, here are some of the events lined up in Nice.

Nice Manca Music Festival
(November 13 – 29, 2009)
Nice’s National Centre of Musical Creation (CIRM) organises the annual Nice Manca Music Festival, with performances in selected venues across Nice, Monaco and Grasse. The programme of concerts is supplemented by Les Mini Manca, musical workshops for youngsters.

Celebration of Catherine Segurane
(November 13 – 29, 2009)
Catherine Segurane saved Nice in 1543 by showing the attacking armies her bare posterior. She is remembered with a slightly more solemn ceremony, the Celebration of Catherine Segurane, held in the Sainte Reparate Cathedral in Nice Old Town.

Nice Sacred Art Month
(November 2009 – January 2010)
During the Sacred Art Month, the city of Nice invites visitors to discover its rich sacred heritage through art, music, architecture and talks. Chapels and other venues open up to host concerts or reveal their hidden treasures.

Halloween celebrations around the city.

1.  Check for scratches.

It is important to check for scratches before using the car to avoid having conflicts with your car rental company. They might hold you if they find a scratch which they are not aware of.

2. Check for noises.

Start the car and let it warm up. Observe if the car is making strange noises. If it does, then report it immediately so that the company could take note of it and do the necessary actions.

3. Check the A/C.

Turn on the A/C and observe for about 15 minutes. If the temperature doesn’t fluctuate then there’s no problem. But if it does, again, report it to the company.

4. Check the mirrors.

Before using the car, check the side and the rear view mirrors of the car and adjust it accordingly. This is very important as it could cause serious problems while you’re driving when not adjusted properly.

5. Check the windshield wiper.

Check the windshield wiper if it’s working flawlessly. It is very important to check your wiper because it’s very essential in case of intense weather conditions such as rain or snow.

6. Check the brakes.

Check the brakes if it’s working. Immediately report it to the company if you see any problems.

7. Check the lights.

Figure out and familiarize yourself where the light switches are. This way you won’t panic while you’re driving.

Making sure that the vehicle is working properly is essential for a safe and stress-free trip. Simply follow the checklist above and you’re ready to roll. Bon Voyage!

For you car rental needs, Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.

Although Nice has always been known to be a summer destination, it’s still a good place to go any time during the year. There are a lot of attractions to look forward to every season. Nice has a Mediterranean winter unlike the usual winter other regions of France experience.  Therefore, expect the temperature to be a bit warmer. Winter in Nice could be enjoyed by strolling on their parks and viewing various flowers that are in bloom. It’s also a perfect time to watch people stroll by while sipping a hot cup of espresso on one of Nice’s coastal cafes.  Of all the seasons, summer is the season where Nice expects more visitors than the usual. Well, it’s a summer French paradise to start with anyway. Lots of people flock to this French coastal paradise to relax, unwind and enjoy the view. So if you happen to visit Nice, or if you’re planning to visit, here are some of its top must-see attractions for you to see.

1. Promenade des Anglais – It is a promenade which in front of Nice’s seafront lined with cafes, hotels, museums and posh apartments.

2. Cours Saleya Flower Market – It is the site of an enticing flower market by day. Here you’ll see a wide array of flowers and potted plants. This place transforms into a lively area packed with bistros and restaurants by night.

3. Matisse Museum – This museum situated in a red building showcases the art of Henri Matisse. It houses Matisse’s artworks such as paintings and sculptures. It also has a gift shop where tourists could buy artwork prints.

4. Vieux Nice (Old Nice) - Wandering through the narrow streets in Vieux Nice is the best way to explore Nice. With its baroque churches, cozy squares and shadowy streets, Vieux Nice makes you feel teleported in a century old setting.

5. Le Chateau – There isn’t actually a Chateau but instead, you’ll only get to see the ruins. Nevertheless, the place offers a spectacular view of Nice.

If you’re planning a vacation break in Nice, France, you should definitely consider renting a car. Visiting Nice’s various scenic spots such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, Matisse Museum, and Le Chateau could be quite difficult and tiring if you’ll rely on public transportation alone. There are a lot of Nice-based car rental companies scattered all over the place so it’s makes the rental quite convenient and accessible for the tourists.

Searching for Nice car rentals online could also help you a lot in finding great car rental deals. You could have instant access to a number of car rental companies such as Car Hire Nice through the use of various search engines. With the advent of modern technology, tourists can now request for rental quotes and book online. It gives the convenience of getting the best deal without even leaving the comforts of your own home. As a final tip, try booking as early as possible. This way, you could avail of discounts and other perks.

How many people are you with? Are you traveling with kids? Are you traveling alone?

Knowing how many people you are with would greatly determine what type and what size of vehicle you should rent. If you’re traveling alone, you might want to rent a smaller car. This would definitely save you a lot of money and gas.

When will you rent the car?

Some car rental companies offer huge discounts during off-peak seasons. On the other hand, expect higher rates during peak seasons and holidays. You could also save a lot by booking early.

How much would it cost you to rent a car? What are their rates and service inclusions?

Choosing a car rental company greatly depends on the rate of their services. Also take note of the inclusions of the rental. Some companies also offer insurance to their clients so it’s up to you to take advantage of it. Some companies also offer roadside assistance if a problem arises so it would really be best to research on what the companies have to offer first before settling on one.

As a tip, always have your concerns addressed by the car rental company before signing the contract. Don’t let your car rental experience ruin your entire vacation. Only settle with the best for a worry-free vacation.

For you car rental needs, Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.

Bonjour – Hello / Good day / Good morning

Bonsoir – Good evening

Bonne nuit – Good night (used only before going to bed)

Salut – Hi / Bye

Au revoir – Goodbye

Merci – Thank you

De rien – You’re welcome

Bienvenu(e)  – Welcome

Allons-y! – Let’s go!

A plus tard – See you later

A bientôt – See you soon

A demain – See you tomorrow

Je suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry

Excusez-moi! – Excuse me!

Comment allez-vous? – How are you?

Je vais bien – I’m fine.

très bien – very good

mal -bad

pas mal – not bad

oui – yes

non – no

Comment vous appelez-vous?  – What’s your name?

Je m’appelle… – My name is….

Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you.

Vous êtes d’où? – Where are you from?

Je suis de… – I am from…

Où habitez-vous? – Where do you live?

J’habite à… – I live in….

Pouvez-vous m’aider? – Can you help me?

Bien sûr. – Of course.

Comment? – What? Pardon?

Félicitations! – Congratulations

Bonne chance! – Good luck

Tu me manques. – I miss you

Je t’aime – I love you

French is one of the most beautiful spoken languages in the world. It may be hard to learn at first but with enough exposure and practice, you’ll be able to speak the language fluently in no time. Bonne chance!

For your car rental needs, Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.

1. Research on your destination.

Before making your bookings, don’t forget to make a research on your destination. Research on the tourist spots on your destination so that you can plan your itinerary beforehand. Also, research on your destination’s culture, food, dress code and gestures to avoid so that you won’t be out of place when you get there. Researching the weather and climate of your destination would also help you in what kind of clothes to pack.

2. Pack light.

Don’t bring your entire wardrobe on your destination. Try to pack light so that you’ll have enough space for souvenirs and other stuff. This is also to avoid extra charges in airports and other terminals.

3. Stack up on your medicines.

Don’t forget to pack your medicines and always place them on your hand carry luggage. Also, bring some motion sickness medicines to avoid getting dizzy and sick while traveling.

4. Exchange money with the currency of your destination.

Always have some local currency of your destination before traveling. This is for your cab fares, snacks, and other stuff that might come about while you’re traveling. Avoid carrying loads of cash though. Having an ATM card or a credit card would be better than carrying lots of cash on hand.

5.  Confirm your bookings.

Before leaving, especially if you’re leaving for another country, don’t forget to confirm your hotel, flight details, car rentals, and other bookings. This is to avoid major problems on the day of your trip.

6.  Keep track of your expenses.

While traveling, always keep track of your expenses. This is for your reference if ever you plan to return to the place again in the future. This way, you could have a good estimate of how much you it will cost you for such vacation.

7. Take lots of pictures.

Make your trip memorable by taking lots of pictures. This way, even if you’re back at home, you’ll still have lots of things to reminisce on your trip.

For your car rental needs, Car Hire Nice offers affordable car rental services to both tourists and locals in Nice, France. From airports to railway stations to key spots in the city, Car Hire Nice would surely bring you to your destination.