Life on the French Riviera

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I can’t believe it’s already been a month since I arrived here on the French Riviera. It’s crazy how fast time flies! Needless to say, this last month has been nothing short of a dream. Sometimes I can’t even believe that this is my life. While I love being able to easily travel to other countries on the weekends, I’m always excited to return home to Nice. Whether it’s visiting nearby villages, shopping at the Marché Cours Saleya flower market, or soaking up the sunshine along the beach, Nice has so many things to offer.

A woman with curly hair is standing on a terrace overlooking a scenic coastal view. She is wearing a light-colored coat and holding a camera. A large black bag is slung over her shoulder. The background features a beautiful coastline with a clear blue sea and a cityscape stretching along the shore. The sky is clear and blue, and there are some tree branches hanging above her. The setting appears to be a sunny day.
Overlook of Colline du Chateau
Aerial view of a densely packed European cityscape with a mix of historic and modern architecture. The buildings predominantly feature terracotta-tiled roofs, typical of Mediterranean architecture. In the center, a narrow street runs through the city, lined with multi-story buildings. A French flag is visible on one of the buildings. In the background, a large Ferris wheel and a more modern area with taller buildings can be seen, indicating a blend of old and new urban elements. The overall atmosphere is vibrant and bustling.
Vieux Ville (Old Town)

I usually start my day with a run along the Promenade des Anglais (one of my favorite places in Nice). I’m currently training for a half marathon and the promenade is my favorite place to train and has some of the best views of the Mediterranean. With running I’ve been able to explore so much of Nice and little hidden gems along the Riviera. I’ve even stumbled upon a coastal trail that goes all the way from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer!

On days that I don’t have class, I usually find a café to do some work. My favorites are Café Fino, Miette à Miette, Columbus Café, or Copenhagen Coffee Lab. My go-to order is a cappuccino and a croissant or pain au chocolate. With my little snack (and necessary caffeine) I usually work for a few hours until lunch.

For lunch, I usually make my way to the beach and have a fresh sandwich from a local boulangerie. One thing I’ve noticed while being in Nice is that everyone is outside all the time, every day. Between the hours of 12:00 and 2:00, you can find the beach full of people eating lunch and sunbathing– sometimes even swimming too! It’s a lifestyle that I have fully embraced since moving here. As someone from Colorado, I’ve spent pretty much my entire life outside, and coming to Nice reminds me a little bit of that lifestyle.

A beautiful coastal scene with a curved beach stretching along the shoreline. The beach is covered with pebbles and has people sunbathing and relaxing on it. The turquoise sea is calm, with a few swimmers enjoying the water. In the background, there is a cityscape with buildings and palm trees lining the promenade. The sky is clear and blue, with a few scattered clouds, suggesting a sunny day. Hills can be seen in the distance, adding to the picturesque setting.
Bay of Angels
A rocky coastline with a stone path winding along the edge of the cliffs. The path is bordered by a low stone wall and leads towards a multi-story building perched on the cliffside. The sea is calm, with gentle waves lapping against the rocks. In the distance, across the water, a cityscape is visible under a cloudy sky. The scene has a serene and slightly overcast atmosphere.
Coastal Trail

After lunch I like to take a walk up to my favorite park in all of Nice, Colline du Chateau (which translates to Castle Hill in English). You have to climb about 426 steps to reach the top, but the views are completely worth it. There’s also an elevator if you don’t feel like walking, but I choose the stairs because of the beautiful scenery. There you can walk through the old ruins of the Chateau and walk up to the overlook for breathtaking views of Nice, the Mediterranean, Bay of Angels, Port Lympa, and even the French Alpes. I usually find a quiet place to sit in the park to read or journal until sunset.

A scenic view of a hilly landscape with a clear blue sky. In the foreground, there are numerous houses nestled among trees on a hillside. In the background, snow-capped mountains are visible, creating a picturesque contrast with the green hills and the bright sky. The overall atmosphere is calm and serene, with a sense of natural beauty.
French Alpes
A scenic view of a coastal city with a marina. The foreground is framed by dark green trees, creating a natural border around the image. In the middle ground, there are several yachts and boats docked in the marina, which is surrounded by a mix of modern and traditional buildings with red-tiled roofs. The background features a hillside densely populated with more buildings, and the sky is clear and blue, suggesting a sunny day.
View of Port Lympa from Colline du Chateau

I try to watch the sunset almost every evening, either on the beach or Colline du Chateau. Nice has some of the most beautiful sunsets and you can enjoy them both with the water and the mountains. I’ve realized that Nice has my two favorite things from both Michigan and Colorado–the water and the mountains–and I’m beyond grateful to live in a place that is a perfect mix of my two homes.

A beach scene at dusk with a dark silhouette of people gathered on the shore. The sky transitions from a deep blue at the top to a vibrant orange near the horizon, indicating a sunset. The calm sea reflects the colors of the sky. In the distance, city lights are visible along the coastline, and a single bright star or planet is visible in the sky.
Sunset on the beach
A scenic view of the ocean at sunset, with the sky transitioning from a deep blue at the top to a warm orange near the horizon. The water appears slightly choppy, reflecting the colors of the sky. In the foreground, there are palm trees with their leaves gently swaying. In the distance, city lights are visible along the coastline, and a small bright object, possibly an airplane, is seen in the sky. A single star or planet is also visible in the upper left corner of the sky.
Sunset from Quai Rauba Capeu

After sunset I make my way home for dinner. I’m living in a homestay and it has been one of my favorite parts of my study abroad experience thus far. My host family is amazing and I’ve been able to try so many different French dishes. It’s also allowed me to practice my French (which still need a lot of work).

It’s been refreshing to live life at a slower pace compared to the US. Sometimes I don’t even know what to do with all my free time. I’m truly grateful for such an amazing first month, even with all its ups and downs and adjustments, and I can’t wait to experience more of life on the French Riviera.

À bientôt!
Kadence

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