Nice is absolutely gorgeous: it is full of statues, fountains, sunny colors and, of course, amazing food.
We started off the day by visiting the Chagall and Matisse art museums. Chagall’s use of color left me breathless. Each time I faced a painting for the first time I was amazed by the instant connection I felt, without yet understanding the biblical or historical references that motivated them. Each painting was more complex than the last, and the amount of detail they contained made spending a half hour examining the work simple.
After Chagall, we visited a museum in Matisse’s home in Nice, which contained many of his sketches and sculptures. Matisse’s use of simple, curving lines always invoke a carnal appreciation for the women of the world. I also related to many of the emotions portrayed on their faces.
The rest of the day involved swimming in La Côte d’Azur, eating some amazing Italian food and, of course, gelato. The next day we woke up at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise on the beach. As the sky warmed, we sat in peaceful silence listening to the serene waves as the sun cleared the haze from the sky and our sleepy eyes.
After a few hours of napping and swimming, we walked through old town to the top of the city. Again, I was moved by the warm colors of the buildings, the blues of the sky and the greens of the plants and shutters popping out of every window.
Not only are the views breathtaking throughout the city, but there is also a man-made waterfall from the 1800s that delivers fresh water to the city.
We finished off the day with more swimming, more gelato and a run through the fountains in city center. I am happy to be in such a wonderful place with beautiful humans!