This past weekend was one of my favorite experiences in France thus far. I headed south to Nice— a bright, sunny town at the heart of the French Riviera— just in time for Carnival! The Nice Carnival, an annual festival leading up to Mardi Gras, is one of the largest carnival events worldwide.
On Friday and Saturday night, I joined the hordes of partygoers, whose faces were either colorfully painted or covered beneath glittery masks. The revelers, ranging in age from 4 to 84 years, joyously celebrated on the confetti-sprinkled streets. Enormous floats illuminated the night sky during the parade. My friend and I ended our night at Wayne’s, an English bar I would highly recommend if you are visiting Nice.
Exploring the Côte d’Azur during the day was just as exciting! In the morning, I visited the museums of two of my favorite artists— Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall— and shopped at the bustling Cours Saleya Flower Market. Afterwards, I strolled along the glitzy boardwalk overlooking Nice’s rocky beaches. I stopped by the famous Hotel Negresco, where rooms start at 245 euros a night, to admire the museum that is its lobby. At the end of the boardwalk, I ascended Castle Hill to discover gorgeous panoramic views of Nice!
Sunday was even more interesting. I hopped on a train for Monaco— the tiny Mediterranean country whose orchestra is larger than its army! I met up with some friends who are working on a yacht in Monaco Harbor. I heard about their exciting adventures overseas while sipping rosé on the deck of the yacht and admiring the Prince’s Palace overhead. One of the boys just came from Egypt, where he worked as a windsurfing instructor. His job was carried away by the revolutionary waves emanating from Cairo Square.
We headed to a chic bar overlooking the harbor afterwards, and ended our night with a visit to the famous Monte-Carlo Casino. I was wary about gambling, but my friend won a bit of money.
I will be traveling in Italy next weekend; stay tune!