Posted on 16th Nov 2018 13:55:46 in Art located in: Port
Nice’s newest art space has a history as colourful as the city itself. In 2017 this former prison became an unlikely venue for gloriously uplifting art.
Posted on 15th Nov 2018 11:09:51 in Guest Info
To quote The IT Crowd, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” Without meaning to be flippant, this is probably the first question we ask if you contact us via phone or email to report a fault, and statistically, it solves some 30% of issues immediately.
Posted on 5th Nov 2018 10:29:25 in Guest Info located in: Carre d'Or, Etoile, Gambetta, Massena, Musiciens, Old Town, Port, Promenade
The French are proud of their pharmacies. Though they don’t offer glitzy eyeshadow or sell super-cheap meal deals à la Boots, French pharmacy has well trained pharmacists (quasi-doctors for simple maladies) and are well-stocked with all manner of pills and potions for every conceivable ailment. Many speak very good English, and most will try to help you overcome any language barrier.
Posted on 28th Oct 2018 08:28:38 in Eats & Drinks located in: Old Town
We’ve been coming to this small restaurant (which doubles as a speciality olive oil shop) for over a decade now. It remains my absolute favourite, and almost every time I dine, I overhear voices from other diners who murmur in delight at the flavours.
Posted on 24th Oct 2018 08:37:37 in Guest Info
Ok, this is an odd guide post, but we promise a helpful one if you’re new to Nice. We’ve read many a guest comment over the years whose holiday would have been better if they had understood the light switches in the hallways of buildings. So, in the quest to ensure you all have the best stay possible, here’s what you need to know.
Posted on 23rd Oct 2018 17:35:48 in Eats & Drinks located in: Old Town
When we speak with our Pebbles guests, and they ask for recommendations for traditional French cuisine at reasonable prices, we invariably direct them to Bistrot d’Antoine, the cosiest, most popular and romantic bistro tucked away in the back streets of the Old Town. A reflection of the local meat and seasonal produce on offer, the menu changes on a regular basis, but you can expect to find classic French fare: tender veal kidney, rich pork stew, and grilled duck breast. The selection of fish is also impressive: restaurant-goers praise the calamari, the sword fish carpaccio, and the filet de maigre (a type of fish native to the Mediterranean).
Posted on 15th Oct 2018 10:47:29 in Guest Info
The French schedule and traditional opening times might not completely mirror what you’re used to home. The French take their lunch and leisure time seriously, although as a tourist hotspot, Nice will have significantly more doors open than in industrial towns.
Posted on 1st Oct 2018 14:12:49 in Guest Info
Thousands of visitors land at Nice airport annually for various events including the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes film festival. Flights around these dates are sold at a premium, sometimes a hefty one. For example, as of today (8 months in advance) you can pick up Easyjet flights at the beginning of May for around 30 euros return but move the dates to the 23nd May – 28th May and you won’t get a seat for less than 150 euros – triple the price. You can expect it to triple again closer to the date.
Posted on 23rd Sep 2018 07:58:26 in Guest Info located in: Carre d'Or, Etoile, Gambetta, Massena, Musiciens, Old Town, Port, Promenade
Most locals use public transport for a reason: driving and parking around Nice city centre isn’t fun, or cheap. Public transport around the city is far more relaxing, easy and kinder to your wallet.
Posted on 15th Sep 2018 20:50:36 in Guest Info located in: Port
The Ouest-Est Tram Line is almost set to rock and rail! After testing the line throughout September, the plans to have part of the tram line up-and-running in December are looking positive. However, this will only provide transport between Magnan and to le CADAM. So unfortunately, the line won’t yet be of much benefit to our guests staying in the heart of the city.
Posted on 5th Sep 2018 12:19:43 in Go & Do located in: Port
Families, gourmands and all-night revellers flock to Nice harbour for the Fête du Port. During the city’s largest free festival, the area hosts sound stages, food trucks and alfresco wine depots.
Posted on 5th Sep 2018 12:14:43 in Go & Do
Menton scoops the prize for the sunniest town in France. Little wonder it boasts an annual citrus carnival offering winter zest to 150,000 visitors.
Posted on 5th Sep 2018 12:07:40 in Go & Do located in: Old Town, Port
The Mercury is Nice’s leading cinema for independent, English-language and version originale films. That means intimate screening rooms, but no popcorn or 3-D spectaculars.
Posted on 17th Aug 2018 16:07:28 in Guest Info
Every year, France celebrates a rather generous 11 public holidays, with Bastille Day (14th July) and All Saints Day (1st November) being the most widely celebrated. Bastille Day is France’s national day, and falls on the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille. It is a huge celebration, with spectacular public fireworks displays, dances, musical performances, and traditional French food. All Saints Day (La Toussaint) is a much more sombre occasion: families get together to honour the lives of deceased relatives, visiting cemeteries and placing flowers (typically chrysanthemums) on their graves.
Posted on 16th Aug 2018 11:16:57 in Guest Info
Passports, boarding passes, adaptors, electronics’ chargers, prescription meds, toothbrush, hairbrush… We all know to never forget these things, but we all do. Well, with the stress of deciding what to pack and what to leave behind, something is always bound to go amiss.
Posted on 3rd Aug 2018 08:13:36 in Eats & Drinks located in: Etoile, Massena
A small, intimate place, with laid-back vibes and a middle-eastern touch; Le Bocal caters exclusively for lunch, opening for just four hours a day. Just a five-minute walk from the Pebbles office, it is a particular favourite of our team when we’re after a quick lunch-time treat.
Posted on 24th Jul 2018 10:42:42 in Eats & Drinks located in: Promenade
With its two Michelin stars, is one of those places you might overlook until a very special occasion arises. Life’s too short! Go now – it’s a fab experience, if you can get in that is, early-bird booking is essential (it took us three attempts before we secured a table for four).
Posted on 19th Jul 2018 14:13:27 in Eats & Drinks located in: Musiciens
Alounak prides itself on the hearty meals suitable for most eating genres: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free friendly and carnivores (though meat dishes are a token few – the flip side of a standard restaurant). So, as the owner says himself, it’s a restaurant for vegans who have non-vegan friends. The owner is a vegan, and is very happy to talk vegan, but also happy in the company of meat-eaters too. It’s just good honest food, from an owner with a similar personality.
Posted on 19th Jul 2018 14:04:56 in Eats & Drinks located in: Musiciens
Perhaps the best restaurant of its kind in Nice, Pékin is an absolute must for vegans and vegetarians. Think a three course-all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet-style meal but with a twist. The restaurant has been around a long time, but converted to being fully vegetarian in 2017. Where a dish is vegan, you’ll see a sign on the menu (over 50% of the offerings are).
Posted on 18th Jul 2018 13:46:39 in Eats & Drinks located in: Etoile
Big in name and Big in flavour, Big Fernand is the place to be for burger lovers staying in Nice. Kid friendly.
Posted on 16th Jul 2018 13:32:10 in Go & Do
The Train des Merveilles is just that: a ‘Train of Marvels’. Little known to tourists, the line loops north from Nice-Ville station deep into the Italian Alps. Best of all, it connects a dozen oh-so-cute French villages en route.
Posted on 12th Jul 2018 12:32:34 in Go & Do located in: Massena, Promenade
The worlds’ first jazz festival (yes in Nice not the USA!) celebrates its 70th birthday in 2018. It is set to be bigger and better than ever. Nice Jazz Festival is one of the French Riviera’s unmissable events and aims to bring over 60,000 music lovers to Nice over the second week of July.
Posted on 7th Jul 2018 15:04:15 in Eats & Drinks located in: Port
Often hailed as the best pizzeria in Nice, Au Vieux Four is not one to miss. Cooked in the “Vieux Four” (old oven) these pizzas are baked to perfection. Chef Pascal Fritsch was awarded for his Pizza Campagnarde, the best pizza in the Côte d’Azur, and the second best pizza in France for 2006. We know that’s a long time ago now, and Pascal isn’t always at the furnace anymore, but it’s still very, very good. In peak months, you’ll struggle to get a table if you go after 8pm, especially at weekends, but they can take reservations and speak enough English for you to call and book.
Posted on 7th Jul 2018 14:59:56 in Eats & Drinks located in: Port
Almost a Port institution, this restaurant has been Michelin starred for years, and remains so for 2018. It’s also well regarded by Conde Nast traveller’s guide, and others. For a special occasion, this is a gourmet treat, high on flavour with superior presentation. With its port-side location, it’s speciality is of course fish; the John Dory fish in scaled potatoes with diced peppers, olives and anchovy is a pebbles-staff favourite. Chef Michel Devillers is one of the best in the game and never fails to produce new combinations, the menu changes often, largely governed by what’s been caught that day.
Posted on 7th Jul 2018 14:53:41 in Eats & Drinks located in: Port
If you’re fancying top quality fresh seafood but don’t want to head over to the Port, then Peixies (pronounced ‘pesh’) is the place for you. Just a minute from Place Massena, with a great vibe in the evening in this part of town, this restaurant is a must for the fish lovers!
