Nice

This Month in Nice:

Shopping: Combine window shopping with star spotting around Monaco's Golden Circle which hosts all the luxury labels and may also provide the chance to bump into famous faces during Grand Prix week (24-27 May). More affordable options can be found at Condamine market, with its tiny boutiques and shops selling affordable souvenirs.

Sightseeing: Don't miss the Asian Arts Museum's exhibition on the Children of China: little tigers, young dragons (405 Promenade des Anglais, arts-asiatiques.com). Running until 14 May, the major works from the Guimet Museum and popular pieces from the Dautresme Collection evoke the different stages in children's lives, which, throughout history, accumulated by the different dynasties until the time of Mao.

Key areas: Head over to the world's glitziest film festival as Hollywood arrives in Cannes for the 64th International Film Festival (16-27 May). As La Croisette swarms with paparazzi and fans, you can't help but get swept up in the frenzy. Be patient (and early) if you want to see the stars on the red carpet. If not, settle for watching images on one of the giant screens nearby. Marilyn is this year's poster girl. The iconic actress and sex symbol was selected in tribute to the 50th anniversary of her death.

Day trips: If you want to distance yourself from the madding festival crowds, the medieval village of Eze provides a place to unwind in historic natural surroundings, 675m above the Mediterranean Sea. The village is rich in history and if old ruins are your thing, you'll love exploring the Jardin Exotique in the remains of a fortress. Heading down through the old village, you'll find Château Eza (Rue de la Pise, tel: 04 9341 1224), which is an idyllic retreat for a meal or drink and well worth splashing out on if just for the magnificent panoramic views. Eze also offers great shopping - pop into the perfume "laboratory" Fragonard and sample its signature perfumes, soaps, lotions and cosmetics (the 112 bus leaves from Nice's Gare Routiere every 20 minutes).

Nice News & Gossip

Travel While You Learn

Self improvement is on many of our minds this time of year. Here, Celeste Kinginger, language-study expert and author of Language Learning and Study Abroad, recommends the best trips for budding linguists.

STARTING OUT

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, MADRID
The method For those whose skills are elementary or non-existent, formal language schools are the best way to learn, as they will understand and accommodate beginners' needs.
Book with International House (ih) has 147 schools in 53 countries and has been going since 1953. Choose from Intensive (20 hours a week), Super Intensive (30 hours) and Intensive Plus (includes one-to-one tuition).
Try this one ih Madrid (ihmadrid.com) is expanding across the city, with nine centres. Enjoy the authentic student experience with a stay in halls close by.
Fly to Madrid (20-minute drive).

IMPROVING SKILLS

EUROLINGUA, PESCARA
The method A home-stay approach allows those who already have basic knowledge to immerse themselves in local life and develop their social interactive abilities. This is a sure-fi re way to make friends, as well as learn the way people really speak.
Book with Eurolingua (eurolingua.com) offers homestays for wannabe English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Swedish speakers.
Try this one You'll stay as a guest of an experienced, native Italian tutor, sharing meals and activities at their villa in Pescara.
Fly to Rome (two-hour drive).

ADVANCED LEARNERS

GOLEARNTO.COM, NICE
The method People who have some language ability and want to develop their vocabulary in a specific area (ie, cookery or dance) will get the most out of language and skill courses.
Book with Golearnto.com has a wide range of combination holidays, so you can choose lessons in Spanish and dance, Arabic and painting or even Portuguese and surfi ng.
Try this one An eight-day food, wine and language course on the Côte d'Azur, including wine tasting and vineyard visit, five hours of cooking and 10 one-to-one language lessons.
Fly to Nice (30-minute drive).

Nice Trivia

• May: Ever wondered how Nice's postcards mostly show deserted beaches? In the summer months, when many people visit, the skies are often cloudy, whereas in winter there are regular clear blue skies, but the locals stay at home due to the colder temperatures.

• April: The Russians weren't the first to succumb to the allure of Nice. The ancient Romans also called the area home, and to this day visitors can see the ruins of a Roman arena and bathhouses in the Cimiez neighbourhood (right next to the Matisse Museum).

• March: The war against counterfeiting is taken very seriously by French border police and big fines are targeted at "innocent" tourists. If you do take the train to Ventimiglia's famous Friday street market (see above), be sure to avoid the very tempting fake luxury brands sold by street sellers.

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