Montpellier

NICE


	Nice, the capital of the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) and France’s fifth largest city (with over 933,080 inhabitants) is located on the Mediterranean coast of southern France, between Marseille and Genoa. Known for its Mediterranean climate of rather warm summers and mild winters, Nice maintains a popular image as a lovely, sunny spot with inviting beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. The shingle beaches are along the coast to Antibes and the sand beaches between Antibes-Juan-les-Pins and Cannes.

	Its history as a major tourist resort began around the 5th century BC when the Greeks of Massilia (Marseille) established the "modern" city of Nicaea ("Nikaia") adding the Vieux Port, a haven for exotic ferries and yachts. The Romans added extensive baths on Cimiez. The city became a part of France in 1860. In the 20th century, Nice along with the French Riviera became a popular summer spot for many Parisian artists and elites, as well as, Europe’s rich and powerful. The Promenade des Anglais, the grand boulevard that stretches about 7 km around the Baie des Anges, saw the construction of several elegant, deluxe hotels and casinos. Today, it is Nice’s biggest tourist attraction featuring summer days with busy sea watchers, sunbathers, joggers and roller skaters, and an energetic nightlife.



	Nice is a cultural metropolis for dining, shopping, sunbathing and swimming, movies, theatres, opera, and museums. There are the Chagall and Matisse museums and a vast new modern art museum. The Archeology museum, Matisse museum, the Franciscan Museum and Monastery are located on the Cimiez grounds on a hill just outside the centre. Cimiez is also the location for the August Jazz Festival with music until midnight every night from three stages, in the large park amidst olive groves and the Roman Amphitheatre. The lovely park of "Le Chateau" offers a panoramic view of Nice and the Mediterranean shades of trees perfect for walk, Roman ruins and a waterfall.



	The city retains its medieval heritage in the historic centre or "vieille ville", with its narrow curving streets between old buildings with closely-packed red-tiled roofs. Its streets are packed with shops, small restaurants, food, clothes, and gift stores. The Rue de France that runs from the end of the Place Massena, is the main pedestrian shopping street, with several shops, exclusive clothing boutiques, and restaurants and cafés with outdoor terraces. The Cours Saleya’s famous flower market (marché aux fleurs) and food market has scores of stands displaying produce and live fowl directly from the farm. The length of the Cours Saleya is lined by the low buildings housing mostly seafood restaurants. The other side of the Cours Saleya is filled with terrace cafés, lovely old buildings and the grand Prefecture.



	Traditions are still alive, especially in the folk dances and the music, such as, the famous farandole. The local language Niçard (Nissart) is an Occitan dialect still spoken by a minority. The local food culture includes pissaladière, socca, Stoquéfiche or “Stockfish ", farcis niçois, and salade niçoise. Nice is also world renown for the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and EDHEC Business School. There is much to enjoy for students and tourist alike.



	School Facilities

	Alexis Mossa Actilangue: Located in the centre of Nice,near the Hotel Negresco, the school facilities are less than six minutes walk away from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais. PC with free internet access and free WIFI connection are provided. You will find a very friendly international atmosphere.

	American College Credits - Bildungsurlaub - CSN - IALC

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