Not only a major tourist centre and leading French Riviera beach resort, Nice is also a historical city, blessed with a number of interesting sights. Religious buildings include: the deliciously baroque Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas, a national monument which would not look out of place in St Petersburg; the more traditional Cathedrale Sainte-Réparate; the Eglise Saint-Jacques and the Eglise Sainte Jeanne d'Arc. Dedicated, as the name suggests, to Joan of Arc, the church has been nicknamed 'the meringue' due to its white colour and domed roof and still remains a point of contention for the Niçoise. Deemed ugly by some, it is an excellent tribute to the art nouveau movement and a must-see.

From defensive fort to public park, Le Château is a great place to visit.  Although the castle that once perched on the hill is long gone, there are stunning views of the city below and you'll find a grassy park, Roman ruins and a relaxing waterfall.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Nice is all about seeing and being seen, but culture vultures will also find themselves at home here, in one of the many museums. Art lovers should head to the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret , which is set in the former private mansion of a Ukrainian princess and offers the opulence and grandeur synonymous with Nice.

Other recommended museums and art galleries include the Natural History Museum, the Naval Museum and the Galerie des Ponchettes.

No visit to Nice would be complete without a tour of its old town, or “veille ville”. Splendidly narrow and rambling streets give way to baroque churches, colourful markets and quiet squares. This is a favourite area for locals to meet and an excellent place to start discovering the history of Nice.

The Cours Saleya market, lined with café terraces, is not to be missed. Every day is market day and you'll find anything from flowers to crafts and antiques on offer over the course of a week. This is the place to pick up some great bargains and practice your French bartering skills.  Or take a seat at one of the many cafes and simply watch the world go by.