It's nicer in Nice

Here's a quick post- with more things to do in Nice. You never know when you'll pass through. Perhaps en route Corsica, or Monaco for the Grand Prix, or Cannes for the film festival.

I knew about the Matisse Museum, and the Notre Dame Monastery up the hill in Cimiez- but didn't know of the Fashion Gallery on Rue du St Suaire at the far end of the Cours Saleya with it's flower market. There's also the Musee Massena (musee-massena-nice.org, 0033 493 911910).

Have heard of- but not yet been to "Vinivore" 32 Av de la Republique- next tram stop to Place Garibaldi- for wine, cheese and charcuterie at wafer thin prices.

Dine at Chez Palmyre at 5,  Rue Droite 0033 3 857 232- they've got fig ice cream. Also on Rue Droite (No 38) is "Acchiardo"-  00 33 493 855 116. Ask for their "merda" a local version of Gnocchi. At 35 Rue Droite is "Le Fois a Bois Espruno" for freshly baked speciality bread- 0033 493 805067. You could almost get all your needs met on Rue Droite. I also really like the sound of "La Cave d'Origine at 3, Rue Dalpozzo 0033 483 500960. They've got bone marrow and blackboards rather than menus. My style.

For a quick snack- "La Gratta" is a kiosk at the end of the port- 56 boulevard Stalingrad- and eat your "Pan Bagnat" overlooking the harbour. Or maybe bistro Voyageur Nissart- 1 Rue d'Alsace Lorraine (0033 43 821 960) for lunch up to 2.30pm (not Mondays).

If you need a cheap hotel then Hotel Gounod (gounod-nice.com) has a rooftop pool. Better still stay at Nice Gardens- with exquisite views overlooking Nice. Or book a bargain at Villa La Tour- www.villa-la-tour.com -0033 493 800815. Bon Jour for sure. The latest news of course is that the 4-star Hotel Riviera now has a brand new classy spa.

Not strictly in Nice but nearby- theres the very rustic but pleasant- Le Clos St-Pierre in Le Rouret near St Paul de Vence. Of course La Colombe d'Or in St Paul is too grand- but one day maybe. Meanwhile why not have one of the lovely cupcakes at Cafe de la Poste in Biot- the home of glassblowing of course.

Or en route Monaco- spend a while at Menton. Exceptional views and a lovely medieval "old" town.
Eat at Le Petit Port (4 Rue du Jonquier, +33 4 93 35 82 62), or in the old town- "A Braijade Meridounale" 04 93 35 65 65 abraijade.fr. And in case you're Michelin star inclined- then there's Mirazur (04 92 41 86 86, www.mirazur.fr). Enjoy!