The Enchanting Charm of Vieux Nice

• HelloBonjour
  [bohn-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît/De rien
  [seel voo pleh/duh ryehn]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé
  [ehk-skew-zay mwa/deh-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [kohm-mohn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byehn. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [pahr-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kart, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [al-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-peh-lay ahn meh-deh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu(e)
  [zhuh swee pehr-dew(e)]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray ah-shet-ay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gahrd zhoost]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-veh voo bay-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell eur eh-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel eh oon eur]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [dees eur eh deh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tahn]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray-mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [trwah]
• 4Quatre
  [kat]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [set]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nurf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?
  [oo eh luh/lah]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell eh lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn eh luh proh-shahn (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [uhn bee-yeh (poor)]

Vieux Nice, or Old Nice, has roots that trace back to the ancient Greeks, who founded the settlement of Nikaia around 350 BC. This strategic location along the Mediterranean Sea made it a significant trading post. The Romans later took control, and remnants of their influence can still be seen in the architecture and layout of the narrow streets.

In the 18th century, Vieux Nice was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. The region's architecture reflects this period, with baroque buildings such as the Chapelle de la Miséricorde. The influence of the Sardinian monarchy also brought about urban reforms and the construction of the Promenade des Anglais, enhancing the city's appeal as a destination.

In 1860, Nice was annexed by France, a pivotal moment in the history of Vieux Nice. This transition marked the beginning of a new cultural identity for the neighborhood, blending Italian and French influences. The local cuisine, festivals, and dialect evolved during this time, contributing to the rich tapestry of Nice's cultural heritage.

During World War II, Vieux Nice was occupied by German forces, leading to significant changes in the neighborhood. The war left its mark on the buildings and the local population, with many residents forced to adapt to the hardships of occupation. After the war, efforts were made to restore and preserve the historical character of the area.

In the late 20th century, Vieux Nice underwent extensive restoration efforts to revitalize its historic core. The introduction of pedestrian zones and the promotion of local artisans have transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant cultural hub, attracting tourists eager to experience its unique blend of history, architecture, and gastronomy.

Vieux Nice is easily accessible from various neighborhoods in Nice. From the Nice Ville train station, you can take tram line 1 towards Cadam, which will take you directly to the Old Town (Vieux Nice) in about 15 minutes. Alternatively, local buses (lines 15, 17, and 100) also connect Vieux Nice with other parts of the city. For those flying in, the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is approximately 7 kilometers away; you can take the Airport Express Bus (line 99) to the city center and then switch to tram line 1.

Vieux Nice is a pedestrian-friendly area, making walking the most convenient way to explore its narrow streets and vibrant squares. Public transportation options include trams and buses, but within Vieux Nice, everything is within walking distance. Bicycles can be rented through local services, and there are bike lanes leading into the area. However, beware of the steep hills if you decide to cycle.

Vieux Nice is generally safe for tourists, but like any urban area, it is advisable to stay vigilant. Pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded spots like markets and popular tourist sites. Avoid isolated streets at night. Specific areas such as around the Cours Saleya market can attract petty crime, so keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for police, medical, or fire services. For non-urgent situations, the local police station is located near the Place Garibaldi. Pharmacies can be found throughout Vieux Nice for minor health issues, and it's recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do wear comfortable walking shoes, as the cobblestone streets can be uneven. Don't wear overly casual or beach attire away from the beach areas. Religion: Do respect local customs, especially in churches. Always keep your shoulders and knees covered. Public Transport: Do validate your tram/bus ticket before boarding. Don't engage in loud conversations or eat on public transport. Greetings: Do greet locals with a polite 'Bonjour' during the day. Don't forget to say 'Merci' when you receive service. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes like socca and ratatouille. Don't eat while walking, as it's considered impolite.

To experience Vieux Nice like a local, start your day with a visit to the Cours Saleya market in the morning for fresh produce and local specialties. Try to explore the less touristy streets to discover hidden boutiques and cafés. Engage with local artisans and shopkeepers, as they often have fascinating stories to share. Visit the local boulangeries for freshly baked pastries, and don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy an apéro (pre-dinner drink) at one of the many charming terraces.