France > Farewell to Nice

I take it easy this morning. I already explored much of Nice’s old town on Friday. For today I have planned a walk that includes a museum and two churches. Since the museum only opens at eleven on Sundays and churches often have a service on Sunday morning, I leave a bit later. I can stay in the room until eleven. I choose a nice breakfast from the buffet. As it is more like a brunch, I take some extra yogurt with muesli compared to yesterday. At eleven I check out and take my hand luggage with me straight away. Once again, the weather is pleasant today. Within about fifteen minutes I arrive at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret. Even from the outside, the 19th-century mansion is beautiful. The art museum houses paintings by Van Loo and Monet and sculptures by Rodin. There is also a special exhibition by the painter Maurice Denis. I am not particularly into paintings, but I recognize several locations along the Côte d’Azur in the works.

France - Musee des BeauxArts Jules Cheret

I find the historic building with its magnificent staircase even more impressive. To my surprise, the museum is quite busy, even though it has just opened. By around noon I have seen all the paintings, sculptures, and rooms. I then head for my next destination: Église Jeanne d’Arc. It is quite a long walk to this relatively new church. Along the way I pass many ordinary streets. I notice that in Nice I am often approached by beggars and homeless people.

France - The SainteJeanne dArc cathedral

I also see quite a few people sleeping outdoors. Most of them are elderly. I pass Nice railway station again and begin to recognize the surroundings. After the station I turn off toward the church and come across the local market, where Christmas music is playing loudly. When I arrive at the church, I find it closed; it only opens to visitors at three o’clock. From the outside, the Jeanne d’Arc church is unusual as well. I walk back via a different route and end up at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Families in neat clothing are walking around the church, coming to pray. When I enter, I see a beautiful Russian Orthodox interior, filled with a haze of incense.

France - Inside the Cathedrale SaintNicolas de Nice

Children are practicing Christmas carols in a corner of the church. I sit down for a while at the back to absorb the atmosphere. It is not yet two o’clock and my flight does not leave until five. I decide to walk to the promenade and from there continue on foot to the airport, a distance of just over six kilometers. Walkers, cyclists, joggers—everyone is out on the promenade. There are more people on the beach now than on Friday. On the other side of the road stand large historic buildings interspersed with modern apartment blocks. At a quarter past three I arrive at the airport. Although my flight departs from Terminal 2, I first enter Terminal 1 because I urgently need to use the restroom. I also order a drink, as I haven’t had much to drink today. Using the tram, which is running today, I travel to Terminal 2 and go straight to security. While waiting, I strike up a conversation with a father and son. The son has just turned eighteen, a perfect reason to visit the casino in Monaco—what a nice idea. On the plane I accidentally sit in the wrong row; when someone comes for the seat, it turns out I need to move one row forward. Right on time, flight KL1478 takes off for Amsterdam. The flight goes smoothly, and before I know it, the descent has already begun—unfortunately to the Polderbaan, which means a long taxi ride. I hurry to the exit and arrive just in time to catch the train home.