Guide Nice & the french riviera Festival Gay

Nice is not a classical gay destination in Europe and if you are looking for a gay place at every corner, this is not the right town for you. But more and more gays from all over the world choose Nice for the variety of the city and surroundings. Nice is now the second most visited city for gays, after Paris of course and with more than 35 gay-outlets there is surely a place for you.

The the town has also a lot to offer. Beautiful buildings throughout the whole city and lots of museums with the 'Musée Matisse' as the most famous one. Shopping is also very pleasant. You will find everything from the big department store "Galeries Lafayette" to the cheap T-shirt shop, typical 'provence'shop or the high class 'Yves Saint Laurent,Cartier,Louis Vuitton' and many, many others. The parks and gardens are also a must to see and what about the 'Russian Church'. The biggest one outside Russia. For a moment you would think you're on the red square in Moscow.

The old part of the town is very typical and looks like an Italian village. In the mornings it's very lively with the famous flower market which is very colourful. And in the evening this is the place where you will find little restaurants, bars and discos in one of the narrow streets. Don't forget to go up to the 'Château' The view is spectacular on a clear day you can see from Saint Tropez on one side to Italy on the other side.

And what about the 'Promenade des Anglais'. The main street on the seafront, 6km of palmtrees and other exotic plants, the famous 'Negresco Hotel' and the sea of course. The Promenade becomes very cruisy after midnight at 'Parking Ferber'. just want to relax, take a stroll or go inline skating, roll on over to the Croisette in Cannes or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice by day. Then by night, enjoy their vibrant gay and lesbian club scene.

And for those who have still some energy left after this, there is a good gay life in Nice that you will love. Everything from saunas to restaurants, bars and discos.

And while in Nice don't forget to see all the typical villages which are just half an hour away by bus or train. There is obviously Monaco/Monte Carlo but also Eze Village, Antibes, Villefranche sur Mer (10 min), Saint Paul de Vence, Menton and many others. Ask for a brochure at the tourist office which is particulary helpful in Nice. There is one at the Airport (terminal 1), one on 5 Promenade des Anglais and one at the train station.

You can find many associations in Nice and one of them, AGLAE, have created the "PINK PARADE" 2007 will be the fourth year and a very good reason to PARTY.

The Côte d'Azur is a well known destination for its culture and painters : Chagall (the Chagall museum in Nice), Matisse (the Matisse museum in Nice).Younger artists diplomed from the Art school of Nice like Sosno, Klein, Arman, Ben, Cesar and Niki de Saint Phalle in the Modern Museum of Art.

You'll discover the lovely architecture during a promenade through Nice. For example : The roman arenas in cimiez or the churches in the old town...

You can't miss : The day and life in the old town and it's Cours Saleya, the gay beaches: Castel and Coco, the "Chateau" and it's extraordinary view, the port and of course the promenade des Anglais.

All the gay shops will be there to answer all your demands. Day time: Hairdresser, clothing, tanning, esthetics, gym, sauna, restaurant,...Night time: bars, clubs, sexclubs...All those etablisments will propose different events all year long. You might not have the time to do everyting this time, so it will give you a good reason to come BACK!

Nice has one gay beach (Coco beach) and one gay-friendly beach (Castel plage) and another two gay beaches are just outside of town.