The first time I visited Nice I slept on the beach. Rather rocky, as I recall. On a later visit, sans backpack, I lingered in a five-star establishment where the stones were more likely to be heated and placed on your back in the spa.

Caterina Prochilo, the city’s international press co-ordinator, laughed at my recollections during a webchat during Atout France Canada’s “Back to France” workshop event last week – a full week of presentations and one-one-one meetings with destination reps from the world’s most visited country – at least during normal times.

France, like the much of the rest of the world, is in lockdown, but the tourism trade there is eager for return of visitors when the time is right and is intent on keeping the dream of visiting alive in the meantime.

Naturally, this includes Nice, the capital of the French Riviera and the second largest international tourist centre in the country after Paris – five hours distant by train.

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate based on its proximity to the sea, protective mountains to the north, and 300 days of sunshine a year, the city sizzles in summer and stays warm in winter, with Prochilo suggesting September as the best month to visit, as well as spring and fall.

Elegant but not snooty, the city derives its charm from its “art de vivre,” or art of living, which includes open-air dining, strolling along the famed seaside Promenade des Anglais, and lively culture, nightlife and shopping scenes.

Highlights in the city include strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, the old town, Matisse and Chagall museums, flower market and Garibaldi Square.

There is, of course, plenty more.

But Nice is also a hub for visits to neighbouring Monte Carlo/Monaco (about an hour away) and, beyond that, Italy; and, certainly, the Riviera, including familiar names like Antibes, Cannes and St. Tropez, the latter only 100 km distant.

Beyond the seaside scenery, the nearby mountains are dotted with charming towns (close to 50 of them) – some, like the spectacular hilltop village of St. Paul de Vence, are given over almost entirely to tourism. Eze is an essential stop on the way to Monte Carlo.

Simply put, from its beaches to skiing, watersports to food & wine, festivals (including jazz and gardens), and outdoor activities to indoor culture, Nice has it all. But when you go, take my advice, don’t sleep on the beach.