When most tourists visit France, they tick the big boxes. The Eiffel Tower… the Louvre… the Arc de Triomphe… the Champs-Élysées. But there’s far more to the country than these well-known icons. And for that matter, far more to the country than Paris – as nice as Paris is.
It’s the sort of country where you could spend weeks moving from place to place and never feel bored. A destination where food and wine triumphs, and arts and culture thrive. Best of all, a flight to France is barely six hours from the Middle East.
My philosophy with travel is always to ask, where else can I explore this trip? Case in point: this journey to France springboards off a visit to Qatar for work. Normally, Paris is at least 23 hours of travel from my home city, Melbourne. But from Doha, I’m gate to gate in exactly six hours and 20 minutes. It’s hard to resist that temptation.
I’m fortunate to have visited France a number of times before. From Annecy, Aix-En-Provence and Marseille to Avignon, Lyon and Toulouse, I’ve done my fair share of exploring. But I’m craving some new opportunities – things I haven’t already done. With that in mind, I return to Paris and Nice for a quick five-day visit to explore once more.
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A quick few days in Nice, France
Nice may be far in the south of France, but getting here is a quick journey from Paris. By air, it’s as quick as domestic hops in Australia like Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Melbourne. There’s also comfortable high-speed rail between the two.
Nice is known for its beaches and shimmering water – and I want to wake up with that water view. I stay at Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel – affiliated with the GHA Discovery loyalty program. (Pro tip: Stay at three GHA brands in one calendar year and you’ll ascend to the program’s highest level, Titanium).
It’s a great base for exploring the city on foot, with markets, restaurants, and of course, those beaches, just a short stroll. But this is one hotel where you’ll want to stay in for breakfast, served on the rooftop. If you’ve been reading Point Hacks for a while, you’ll know that I’m really not a morning person. Naturally, I arrive at breakfast 15 minutes before I need to leave. But’s okay, their service is quick, and I can even squeeze in a second coffee for takeaway.
Today calls for a quick half-hour drive to Vence. A visit to Fondation Maeght art museum uncovers a strikingly styled piano amid many of the venue’s other works on display. Château Saint-Martin is the perfect venue to follow-on for lunch, along with a walk through Vence. I have to smile: the water in a neighbourhood fountain here is so pure that a local is using it to wash his wine glasses. France, you’re fantastic – never change.
Back in Nice itself, wine tasting at Cave Bianchi is a must. Our knowledgeable host isn’t restrained with the pours – or the cheese. Dinner at Le Patio, part of Hôtel la Pérouse, is a great finish to the day. The property’s rooftop offers some of the most enviable views of Nice – particularly at sunset.
Paris
Look, you all know that I’m an airline nerd. So it’s probably no surprise that my journey departing France takes place from Paris, primarily for a stickybeak at the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Charles de Gaulle. But I’m not one to fly all the to way to Paris and only see the airport – a couple of nights on the ground is a must.
This time, I’m at La Fondation hotel. It’s a new upmarket pad in Paris’ 17th arrondissement. There’s no chain-based loyalty program here, but that’s fine – I’m doing okay on the points front anyway. Instead, I’m looking for views, cafes, and a neighbourhood with a distinct feel. This isn’t ‘busy Paris’. This is bliss. It’s also a good encouragement to get some steps in with a walk to Galeries Lafayette for a spot of shopping and a visit to the rooftop.
I don’t have long in Paris, so I make the most of it. My day starts strong with a visit to Musée Du Vin (the Museum of Wine). After a tour of the cave exhibitions, a wine tasting is a must. I’m pleasantly surprised by the EPC Champagne. It’s a label I’d not heard of before – perhaps, given the brand is less than 10 years old. But it’s a fresh and fruit-forward drop at the dry end of the spectrum. In other words, there’s minimal added sugar – the polar opposite of a Moscato. A bottle of the EPC comes home with me.
With the wine well-sampled, a solid lunch at Restaurant Margaux hits the spot. I particularly enjoy making new friends sharing the terrine in bread. A lighter dinner back at La Fondation’s Brasserie has me ready for a good night’s sleep. But make sure you visit the hotel’s rooftop – if you don’t mind queueing. Its views towards the Eiffel Tower have locals lining up at the door. Evidently, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to venture on up. Wink.
Also read: Qatar Airways Airbus A380 Business Class (Paris – Doha)
Featured image courtesy of Declan Cleary. Photography by Chris Chamberlin, who travelled as a guest of Explore France, Paris je t’aime Tourist Office and Explore Nice Côte d’Azur.
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