Nice is home to an estimated 347,060 inhabitants in the year 2006. The Riviera´s capital and the largest city between Marseille and Genoa, Nice is founded by the Greeks, making it one of the most ancient. Nice airport is the second largest in the whole of France. This city is a main center for tourists and a resort leader on the French Riviera. By bus, many travel the exceptionally picturesque entirety of the coastline. Nice was called Nike by its Greek founders, which means victory. Nice´ relaxed living and warm sunshine has attracted many writers and artists among which are Flaubert, Victor Hugo, Mistral, Chateaubriand, Alexandre Dumas and Nietzsche.

Three hundred days of sunshine has caused one of its famous residents, Henri Matisse to say "though the light is intense, it is also soft and tender." Nineteenth century Nice had a passionate following of upper class aristocracy of the Victorian era but not so today. Nowadays, Nice is a middle class excursion hub in the middle of the Riviera and is a great place to see other places from. It is possible to go to San Remo which is the queen of the Italian Riviera and be back in Nice late in the day.