Day 3: The good life in Nice

We remained in Nice today, taking it easy and just enjoying all of the pleasures of this cloudless Mediterranean paradise. After a leisurely breakfast at the Hotel Vendome, we walked to the Musee Massena, which presents a lot of the history of this resort city and it's most celebrated resident. The museum is named after Andre Massena, who was born in Nice and was a general during the Napoleonic and Revolutionary Wars. Wikipedia says his "military career was equalled by few European commanders in history." Massena, New York is named after him, so we've always been attracted to his history, and many streets, places, are named after him in Nice. Along the way we stopped to book a dinner reservation at Le Bistrot des Viviers on Rue Alphonse Karr. Reservations appear to be a necessity at the better restaurants in Nice, so we considered that a major score and a relief too.

Next, we had our 2nd breakfast at Caffe Vergnano 1882, reported to have the best coffee and croissants in Nice. It lived up to it's reputation! This cafe was right along a main walking route to the beach, so the people watching was great. We then went to the Musee Massena, but it was closed for a private reception. The grounds are beautiful and provided lots of shade from the 93 degree heat, so we just relaxed on the bench and planned the rest of our day. This museum is right next to the Hotel Negresco, Nice's most luxurious, so Joni insisted I go in and check out the chandelier in the lobby. Fortunately I was allowed in, unlike the Ritz in Paris where I was quickly turned away. The lobby and adjoining rooms was spectacular, definitely worth seeing. Once you're past the registration desks, the actually lobby is a circular room, probably 75 yards in diameter with a mammoth chandelier right in the middle. There is a cloistered hallway which circles the whole lobby and it is filled with photos of the famous guests: The Beatles, Maurice Chevalier, Sophia Loren, Princess Margaret, and others.

I rejoined Joni who had completed our plans which included lunch, pizza & salad, the flea market along the Cours Saleya, church viewing, and the obligatory gelato. In fact if the temperature exceeds 90, two gelatos per day are required. We returned to our hotel, put the Tour de France on the TV, but quickly fell asleep for 90 minutes. Eventually awaking around 4, we headed back to the center of town, I went swimming in the Mediterranean, the wiser choice, and Joni went shopping. We regrouped at the hotel around 6:30, showered and relaxed before dinner.

Dinner at Le Bistrot des Viviers was superb. We each had an appetizer, a main dish, a dessert, and a large bottle of Rose. We were satisfied to say the least. The food inFrance is beyond words.