Posted Sep 2019 in Go & Do
Found at 6 avenue du Ray, 06100 Nice, this cute place is a bit of a secret. It was shared with us by our interns, who lived with university students who knew little gems are to be found outside the tourist hub. You might want to give it a try if you fancy heading just out of the centre of Nice to something a bit different, especially if you have teenagers to impress. It won’t break the bank, prices are on the cheaper side, and the food will suit most palates.
Posted Sep 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Old Town
Fenocchio describes itself as a Maitre Glacier, or 'master ice-cream maker'. From its picturesque locale on place Rossetti in Nice Old Town, it has scooped award-winning cones since 1966. Celebrity foodies including David Lebovitz are fans.
Posted Aug 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Old Town
When the president or a rock star comes to town, it’s usually in the paper the next day that they dined at La Petite Maison. When you see the restaurant from the outside, you’d be surprised – at first glance it looks like many of the other eateries along the posh part of the Old Town, just a little bigger than the norm. Then up close you notice the sculptured sweets at the entrance, the large terrace area is encased in burgundy curtains and there are plenty of chandeliers alongside flickering candlelight for a warm, relaxed ambience.
Posted Aug 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Carre d'Or
If only Instagram had existed when Japanese eatery Kamogawa set up shop decades ago. The restaurant would have become an instant hit.
Posted Jul 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Etoile
La Popote d’Ondine is the epitome of lazy, tasty Sunday breakfasts but all day long, and for every day of the week. Yay! Waffles, pancakes, salads and homemade cakes galore, all heartily washed down with shakes, juices and gourmet coffee.
Posted Jun 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Gambetta
You can easily miss Rue Dalpozzo, but you shouldn’t if you’re looking for great little venues where the friendly vibes and excellent cuisine brings more word of mouth business than any advertising or high -rents-for-high-footfall ever could. The locals eat here, alongside the tourists who have found the street on a previous visit and keep coming back for more.
Posted Jun 2019 in Guest Info
For a few years now, amidst the glamour, sunshine and joli de vivre, there’s been a gremlin in Nice. Not for much longer! The dust that has plagued the city is finally being swept up, the barricades are gone from walkways and everywhere there are beaming prideful smiles as the city embraces the new airport to port tramline.
Posted May 2019 in Guest Info
Being abroad shouldn’t mean that you miss out on online purchases or letters from loved-ones – and it doesn’t. Guests staying for more than a couple of weeks often ask us how they can receive parcels and letters whilst living in France.
Posted Apr 2019 in Go & Do
Enjoy pure relaxation as you sit under the rows of olive trees, with a book, a picnic and a blanket – there’s nothing better on a sunny day. The red façade of the Matisse museum makes for a great backdrop, contrasting nicely with the blue sky behind. You will often see the local French men playing the popular game of boules in the gardens; or if you’re lucky, you might witness a lone musician playing some gentle melodies on their guitar, keeping up the atmosphere of overwhelming calm and peace.
Posted Apr 2019 in Go & Do
You are still in the heart of Nice, but just by walking uphill for fifteen minutes, the air changes completely, you escape the crowds and you come across the Estienne d’Orves Park. Within these 15 hectares there’s plenty of foliage and magnificent views.
Posted Mar 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Massena, Old Town
Opening its doors in 2015, Vegan Gorilla’s organic and locally sourced vegan cuisine remains a big hit with the locals. Run by M. and Mme Berton, you’d be glad you’ve stumbled across this hidden gem in rue du Lycée, found mid-way between the Old Town and Jean Medicin.
Posted Mar 2019 in Go & Do
OK, you may be slightly breathless when you’ve climbed the steps, but the park and view is well worth the effort. If you’ll find the steps a challenge, there’s an ascenseur (elevator) at the tip of rue de Ponchettes, near the Old Town. This is one of three entrances to this park sat on top of the city.
Posted Mar 2019 in Eats & Drinks located in: Old Town
When Victoria and Jeremy; husband-and-wife team and the brains behind The Fat Mermaid, planned a romantic getaway to Ireland, they hoped for museums, beautiful scenery, and friendly locals. What they couldn’t have predicted was their new-found love of Irish cuisine. Crispy battered fish, chunky chips, and impossibly green mushy peas – this British institution captured their hearts and stomachs, and so upon their return to France, The Fat Mermaid was born.
Posted Mar 2019 in Go & Do
Despite its modest dimensions, this park has all you need, and tends to be much quieter than others. Right next to the sea, it’s a perfect picnic spot or a place to while away an hour or two with a book under the shade of the trees.
Posted Feb 2019 in Go & Do
“The quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century,” Marc Zaharovich Chagall was one of many celebrity artists smitten by the Côte d'Azur, and he eventually settled in Saint-Paul de Vence, a small commune on the French Riviera. It’s little wonder then that he chose to house the Musée Marc Chagall in Cimiez, nestled away in the hills of sunny Nice. Dedicated to his biblical works, the museum is a celebration of Chagall’s Jewish heritage, combining surreal imagery taken from the artist’s life (think flying goats, tumbling flowers, and spiralling embraces) with the Old Testament and the Hebrew Song of Songs.
Posted Feb 2019 in Go & Do
Like many before him, Renoir settled on the Riviera to treat his ill-health, hopeful that the warm weather and sea air would bring some relief in his old age. Despite being riddled with arthritis and having limited mobility (in his final years he needed help just picking up a paintbrush), Renoir persevered and produced many successful works at Les Collettes (his family home), including his lively portrait of Austrian actress Tilla Durieux; completed just five years before his death.
Posted Feb 2019 in Go & Do
Matisse adored the Riviera. After a childhood spent in the industrial town of Bohain-en-Vermandois, he relocated to Nice permanently in 1917, captivated by the spectacular light of the region. He lived in Nice for most of his life (first in the grand yellow building at the eastern end of Nice’s Cours Saleya, called place Charles Félix, and latterly in the Hotel Regina in Cimiez), and then fled to Vence after the Nazi invasion. Want to immerse yourself in Matisse?
Posted Feb 2019 in Guest Info
It’s no secret that France has a penchant for paperwork, and dealing with the seemingly endless list of contracts, application forms, and certificates can be overwhelming – not least when it comes to printing it all out.
Posted Jan 2019 in Go & Do
World-renowned for its coastline, it is easy to forget that the French Riviera is also home to some beautiful open green spaces. Grab a baguette, some wine, cheese, and whatever else strikes your fancy, and enjoy one of the most satisfying and cheap days out around.
Posted Jan 2019 in Your apartment
There’s nothing worse than running out of hot water, we know. Since the provision of hot water in Nice might vary from what you are used to at home, we thought we’d write a quick post for those who like to do lots of research before they come.
Posted Jan 2019 in Muse Mag
It may be world-renowned as the language of love, but it’s also a universal truth that learning French can unfortunately be a labour of love. Our English roots leave us lazy, it seems everyone speaks English and so we’ve never had to make the effort to be understood. Yet, grasping even just the basics of the French language can be life-enhancing to enjoying more of the world you visit.
Posted Jan 2019 in Muse Mag
To become fluent, you must find a continuation method of learning. Once back home, commitment and practise are key. If you are not using the language you will get rusty, and though it will all be there somewhere, your brain won’t access it quickly enough to converse and you’ll sadly lose your French flare.
Posted Jan 2019 in Muse Mag
Well done if you’ve taken the time and effort to go to classes and join groups. We bet you’re asking yourself “How am I not fluent yet?!’”. Everyone who learns a second language after the age of 10 has been here, but to further your language learning you must go that extra mile and try bringing French into your home. Try having a conversation every day in French in your maison.
Posted Jan 2019 in Muse Mag
One of the first fundamental steps to learning French is taking a French course. With bucket-loads to choose from, here’s a selection we can recommend. Most offer accommodation, but (and of course, we’d say this – but promise it’s true) none as good as Pebbles. The smart language learner pays for the course but books their accommodation with Pebbles.
Posted Jan 2019 in Go & Do
Full of cultural heritage, art and design, the French Riviera is one of Europe’s best destinations for world-class museums. From Archaeology to Perfumery, the Cote d’Azur truly does not disappoint on the museum front and has something for everyone, not surprising as there are over 40 of them. The MAMAC contemporary art museum and the Musée Massena history museum (hyperlink to blog post) are just a couple that are worth a visit whilst holidaying with us, but why not hop on a train and explore what the rest of the French Riviera has to offer? If you plan to visit several museums during your stay, or for our long-term guests, the tourism office offers a Côte d’Azur Card or a Pass Musées de Nice (hyperlink to blog post on this) which allows you access to various museums at a reduced cost.
