Nice is about 13 kilometres from the principality of Monaco, and its airport is a gateway to the principality as well. The city is nicknamed Nice la Belle, which means Nice the Beautiful, which is also the title of the unofficial anthem of Nice, written by Menica Rondelly in The area of todays Nice contains Terra Amata, an archaeological site which displays evidence of a very early use of fire.
Around BC, Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory. Through the ages, the town has changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. For centuries it was a dominion of Savoy, and was then part of France between and , when it was returned to Piedmont-Sardinia until its re-annexation by France in The natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winters there.
The citys main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais owes its name to visitors to the resort. For decades now, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation, but also those seeking inspiration.
The clear air and soft light have particularly appealed to some of Western cultures most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman.
Nice has the second largest hotel capacity in the country It is the historical capital city of the County of Nice.
