The massive U.N. Ocean Conference is not just for scientists and heads of state… You too can plunge into the fun!
First up, on Friday June 6, is an eye-popping free Drone Show, visible from the entire Prom, but the best views will be on the beaches across from the Old Town. Stake your spot early and bring a picnic; DJ’s start up at 8:30pm, and once the sun sets and the sky darkens, at 10:45pm a record 2025 drones will dance in the sky, light up the sea, and put on a show!
Saturday, June 7, you can join in the protest march against overfishing starting at 5pm at Lenval Plage and heading up the Prom. Sign up here, and wear blue!
On Sunday June 8 head back to the beach for a free Boat Parade. Actually 3 different boat parades: 11am off Antibes with 65 classic sailboats, then 2:30pm in the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer for a traditional salute to the sea, and then Nice off the length of the Prom to see 30 of the most spectacular modern boats in the world parade by for your pleasure.
All week long, from now until Friday, July 13, plunge into the massive free expo La Baleine (The Whale) at the Palais des Expositions, where you’ll feel like Jonah walking into the mouth of a giant whale! Don’t miss the sensorial experiences in the Psychosphere tunnel that will plunge you into the depths of sea, and the Cryosphere dedicated to glaciers, plus exhibits, demos, and workshops in English and French It’s free but you need to get your free ticket: we-are-the-ocean.com. Tram stop Palais des Expositions.
All month long, there is a fantastic open-air Marine Photography Exhibit at the top of the Promenade de Paillon gardens, right across from the Old Town. Tram stop Garibaldi or Cathedrale.
All next week, from Monday June 9 to Friday June 13, come visit the Nautilus Village and Wow Festival at the seaside Theatre de Verdure for music, concerts, performances, screenings, and surprises. It’s free and open to all.
If you are going to Monaco, the famous Jacques Cousteau Oceanographic Museum (not free) will be a splashy compliment to your experience, and in honor of the U.N. Ocean Conference is featuring an Immersive Experience that I’ve heard is really incredible.
A few areas of Nice will be closed for security, including much of the Port, the Nice Chateau Hill, and the Cemetery on the Chateau. The beaches will all be open except ones near the Port, and the Promenade des Anglais will be open to traffic (except for drone show night) but will be very congested due to special lanes for accredited vehicles only. Oh, and avoid the Hotel Negresco on Sunday night June 8, when there will be a dinner for heads of state, so massive security all around.
See Related Page: June Event Calendar
The Menu: It’s subject to change on Michael’s whim, but a recent menu featured 10 vegetables (8-12€) including Maple Lime Butter Sweet Potato, Sichuan Cauliflower, Citrus Glazed Fennel with Burrata (and of course the famous Pancetta Brussel Sprouts); along with 4 succulent meat choices plus specials ranging from 12-25€ (the Sticky Ribs with Maple Bourbon Glaze are killer!) The dishes come out one at a time to be shared, vegetables first, and I recommend sitting at the bar where you can watch it all happen.
Last June marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day: the storming of the beaches of Normandy. But that was just the start, as battles raged all summer, including the storming of Toulon/Var beaches on August 15th. Town by town the Nazi occupiers were eradicated and villages liberated, each at tremendous cost.
Saturday Aug 24th: Giant free 40’s style big band retro dance ball, 6pm-midnight, Theatre de Verdure. The American tanks arrived in Nice two days later, and that elation is the theme of tonight’s American-style 40’s swing celebration. Costumes encouraged, food trucks on site.
In medieval times, ancient Convent of the Visitation in Old Nice was an austere abode for pious nuns. The nuns are long gone and the convent has been boarded up for decades, but nevertheless the locals fought tooth-and-nail to stop its transformation into a lavish 5-star hotel, fearing the introduction of an ostentatious luxury resort would forever alter the feel of the vieille ville.
It’s rare to find a hotel with such a sense-of-place: the guestrooms are sober yet elegant, the spa evokes Roman baths, the terraced gardens beg to be strolled, the restaurants serve on antique linens and vintage glassware …and they grow their own herbs, just like the nuns used to do.
