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Nice, the capital of the region, is characterized by narrow winding alleys, labyrinths and secret little squares, monuments and facades brimful of history, traditional restaurants, cafe terraces, and of course the magnificent Promenade des Anglais, the road which runs along the stunning sea front.
The Museum of Art and History houses collections of late Gothic "Primitive" painters from Nice and Europe, armour from the 15th to the 18th centuries, and regional porcelain, while the Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art's collections trace the history of the European and American avant-garde since the early sixties. The Matisse Museum shows works from all periods of the artist's life, from the first paintings of 1890 to the famous gouache cutouts.
Nice is also a city of parks and gardens. The oldest, Le Jardin Albert 1er is an oasis of greenery stretching over 2 kilometers from the seafront towards the hills. Fountains mingle with the play of light in Place Massena, the restful and flowery esplanade between the Old Town and the center. It is the Promenade des Anglais however which Nice is most famous for. This superb sea-front boulevard, always decked with flowers, follows the curve of the "Baie des Anges" and was originally a path just two meters wide.
Nice is a wonderful place for food indulgence-- with restaurants strongly influenced by the Italians. Unequalled anywhere in the world for its pizza- try one covered lightly with tomato sauce and grated cheese- baked to perfection then topped with fresh salmon and a touch of white cream, served fresh at most street side cafes. Why not try a picnic from the fine foods at market prices in any of the town fares. Many of the cafes sell sandwiches with fresh basil, olive oil, goat's cheese and mesclum, the unique green salad mix of the region.
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