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From party frocks to invites and Christmas cocktails, we've got everything you need to throw a fabulous party
Print-and-go: Nice on a budget
by Nancy Campbell
For over a century Nice has been a favourite
haunt of the international jet set. Fortunately you
don't need a celebrity-sized salary to indulge in
the faded glamour of the most vibrant city on the
French Riviera.
Best bargains
For cheap and unique, head for the outdoor markets. On Mondays the Cour de Salayer in Vieux Nice (the old town) hosts an antique market where you can pick up retro posters, pretty pottery and antique lace. Be bold and haggle hard for the best prices. On the first and third Saturday of every month, visit Place de Palais for the second-hand book fair and browse through old editions of Tintin and Asterix.
Free fun
Walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais - great for watching Nice's super-stylish people. Or laze on the beach (bring something to sit on - it's pebbly). All of the municipal museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, so if the timing is right, go to the purpose-built Musée Marc Chagall. The artist helped design the strikingly simple building, which displays his 12 magnificent paintings depicting famous biblical scenes.
Best views
Walk up the Colline du Chateau, the hill towering over the old town. The easy-to-follow tree-shaded paths lead you to fantastic views of the city and Mediterranean. If you don't fancy the climb, take the less strenuous chairlift.
Cheap eats
Queue up for plates of deep fried fish, and local specialities pissaladiere (onion and anchovy tart) and socca (chickpea flour pancake) at Lou Pilha Leva in Place Centrale. Eat with your fingers while waiters serve you drinks to wash down the salty delicacies. It's difficult to spend more than five euros on a meal here.
If you're looking for a more formal dinner, forget the tourist restaurants on the flower market and walk ten minutes along the seafront until you reach the port. Here you'll find good-value seafood restaurants - you can get a three-course meal for just ten euros in the cluster of restaurants along Quai Lunel.
Cheap travel
Old Nice, the centre and the seafront are all easily accessible by foot. If you're heading further in to the new town, get a bus - single tickets cost 1.50 euros and you can get a day travel pass for four euros.
Splash out
Buy a designer outfit in one of the boutiques on Rue Paridis and Avenue de Suede. Then get dressed up and head to the faded pink dome of the famous Hotel Negresco on Promenade des Anglais for a champagne cocktail.
Prices and details are correct at time of publication.
Are you planning a trip and would like some advice? Get advice and tips from other iVillagers on the Budget Travel message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions taking place on the board right now:
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Created: 06/07/2004 Updated: 09/08/2006
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