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Euro 2016 city guide to Nice

The Local France
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Euro 2016 city guide to Nice
Photo: AFP

Nice is one of the ten host cities in France for the Euro 2016 tournament. Find out more about the city here from hire car company Sixt.

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Watching the Games

The Stadium: The Stade de Nice, or Allianz Riviera as its otherwise known, is located in the western suburbs of the city about 6 miles from the centre. It has a capacity of 36,000 and was only opened in 2013 making it one of the newest venues in the tournament.

Photo: AFP

Public Viewings: The Fan Zone will be set right in the heart of the city at the Albert 1st Gardens, which is fantastically set facing the iconic Castel beach with the sea stretching out behind. There will be a huge 77m² screen showing the matches along with a smaller screen and some food and souvenir vendors, with the zone holding a capacity of 10,000 fans per game.

Sports Bars: For the best atmosphere to watch the football, head to Ma Nolans on Rue St Francois de Paul and Quai des Deux Emmanuel. This lively Irish bar has 4 large flatscreen TVs that will be screening the games, an international clientele, and English widely spoken by the bar staff. The place is renowned for having a rowdy atmosphere at all times of the day, so if you’re looking to celebrate in style it shouldn’t be a problem here. Wayne's Bar is also nearby hosting 3 large screens and a huge projector, with a similarly international mix of drinks and drinkers!

Get Out & About in Nice

Vieux Nice: Explore the old town, with its cobbled streets and small bars and cafes. Much unchanged since the 1700s, walking through Vieux Nice is like stepping back in time.  The Cue cours Saleya square hosts a popular food market, and all around the square are lively bars and restaurants.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Surrounded by azure Mediterranean waters, Nice is the perfect place to go snorkelling or scuba diving. Whether you are an old pro and want a deep dive experience, or are with the family and want to keep the kids entertained, here you can witness the beautiful reef and variety of fish up close.

Drive to Monaco: Just a half hours drive away is the glitz and glamour of Monaco. Take the stunning coastal road from Nice to this famous principality, and tour the streets which play host to the annual F1 Grand Prix. Feeling lucky? Take a trip to the lavish Monte Carlo Casino, and bask in the luxury of this exclusive place.

Nice Food & Culture

Local Delicacies: In Nice, Italian and French cuisines combine to incredible effect. Find the time to grab a 'Farcis', a hollowed out vegetable that’s stuffed with meat, breadcrumbs and cheese, then baked; perfect pre-game finger food. You can also find 'Pissaladiere', which is like a small pizza with caramalised onions, olives, and topped with shavings of cheese. Too savoury for your taste? Grab a 'Socca', a small hot and crispy pancake with a custard-like centre: it’s sold everywhere and is the quintessential street food. Also don’t forget that Nice is the home to the Niçoise salad, and here beer is eschewed in favour of a glass of local rose wine.

Embrace the Culture: Nice is France’s second most popular tourist spot after Paris, but it has only been a part of the country since 1860. It was previously part of Italy, and this mixed heritage explains the incredibly varied influences you see all over the city’s architecture, food, and lifestyle.

Photo: Sixt

Driving in Nice

The public transport in Nice consists of trams and bus services which close fairly early in the evening, so make sure to plan far ahead if you intend on using them to get home after the games. Given the compact nature of the city the stations are likely to get quite congested with people, so factor this into your planning too.  Luckily with your own car hire in Nice you can escape the crowds and get straight on the road home. With the whole of the French Riviera at your feet, enjoy the freedom of your own vehicle to explore the many beautiful beaches and incredible coastal towns nearby. You could even take the short drive into neighbouring Italy for a change of culture and language!

Who’s playing in Nice?

The teams playing in Nice listed here in local time (GMT +1)

12th June 18.00: Poland VS. Northern Ireland

17th June 21.00: Spain VS. Turkey

22nd June 21.00: Sweden VS. Belgium

27th June 21.00: Runner up of Group B VS. Runner up of group F

This city guide was put together by hire car company Sixt. For more information about hiring cars click here

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