I travelled to Paris for a consumer tech event last week and decided to tag on two extra days in Nice because I had never been to the Côte d’Azur — which is the Mediterranean Coast of France. I was lucky enough to be hosted by Le Negresco , one of the most famous hotels in the world . If you’ve never been to this city there is a main stretch of road called the Promenade des Angles which goes for about seven kilometres.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today As you drive along here from the airport the 110-year-old hotel emerges like royalty mixed with a touch of old school glamour. From the outside it is an exquisite piece of architecture. The one word that comes to mind before I had even stepped inside is opulence.
Despite the prime location , what makes it really special is the interior. Let’s explore the heartbeat of the hotel itself — the art. Known for being a symbol of the Belle Époque era, Le Negresco’s artistic charm is hard to resist.
Staying here is like taking up residence in a living art gallery, something I never thought I would do. There are more than 6,000 pieces on show including my favourite — Yellow Nana by Niki de Saint Phalle — which spins underneath a chandelier of 16,800 Baccarat crystals . It is a stunning piece emphasising femininity and self-expression.
This was something I discovered was incredibly important to Madame Augier , the owner of the hotel since 1957, who was a pivotal figure in extending the hotel’s influenc.