Nice Escape
(Traveling in the South of France)
Part 2 of a Series by LuluJones
If you missed Part 1, click here
How much is that Frog Leg in the Window?
At the moment, for non-Europeans, the strength of the euro against many currencies especially the U.S. dollar leaves much to be desired. Never fear! Spend wisely on your trip to the Riviera, and you'll return home bearing sun-kissed gifts for you, and your friends and family. Here are just a few suggestions.
Liquid Gold
Foodies rejoice! Premium quality olive oil is one of the “must buys” on your shopping list because there's some unparalleled, absolutely to-die-for olive oil (L’Huile d’Olives) in the Provence/Côte d'Azur region. Fancy yourself a connoisseur? A foolproof expert? An unparalleled authority on the art of olive? Whatever your test, our method is infallible: TASTE IT.
The best place for you to sample oils is at an open market. Try the Cours Saleya Open market in Vieux (Old Town) Nice or one of the several others in town. Beware of Cours Saleya, however; it is a place that targets the tourist, so you’ll have extremely elevated prices there. Instead, you can buy outstanding olive oil in a regular supermarket such as Champion, Casino or Leclerc for very reasonable prices -- (but don't sample it in-store!). Just look for the premium oils. Prices compared to what you pay back home, are hard to beat.
| While we're on the subject of oil, grab some grape seed oil (L’Huile de pepins de raisins) or other oil (walnut, hazelnut, etc. - there are many different kinds to choose from in France) while you're there. They're also superior and cost much less than outside of Europe.
Bon Appetit!
Other regional specialties you can buy at the supermarket or neighborhood shops are things like: wine, tapenades, spices, lavender or other flower-infused honey and pâtés (canned for easy transport). Even cookies and candy (especially chocolate) are fun purchases that make nice gifts. 
Pain without Pain! Speaking of Food
When in France, do try to go to a Boulangerie/Patisserie for baked goods because the French really know their stuff when it comes to bread and pastries. There are few things more rewarding than sampling French culinary baked treasure in between exploring the Riviera. One of my favorite bakeries in Nice is a place called “Michel Tabarini” (named after the owner/head baker). They bake their breads and pastries using traditional wood burning ovens and the baguettes and pastries are rivaled by none. So if you happen to be lucky enough to go there, don't be dismayed by the long queue; it's worth the wait and the welcoming staff.
| One crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside baguette costs 65 cents, so get one! Grab some Brie, Camembert, tapenade, pâté, ham or anything you like at a nearby butcher or cheese shop to make a delicious sandwich. It's a yummy, easy to make meal that you can take to the beach and have a picnic.
Tabarini has other scrumptious items to choose from as well such as the regional onion tart with olives and anchovies called Pissaladière, small quiches, small pizzas etc. The address: 220, ave de la Californie, 06200 nice Phone: (0) 4 93 83 80 58 (Note: they’re closed on Mondays)
Say “Fromage”
If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll be in 7th heaven, as there are as many different kinds of cheeses in France as there are days of the year -- and then some. Follow your nose, and soon you’ll find yourself inside one of the most smelliest places on earth: A cheese shop. Sample some cheeses and just buy a small chunk for the road. You might not ever have thought you’d eat something that smells like some of these cheeses. :o) P.U.
Other Regular Shopping The best shopping streets are as follows:
Avenue Jean Medécin with stores such as H& M, Etam, Armand Thierry, Marionnaud Parfumerie, Monoprix. Also a shopping mall called, "Nice Etoile," with stores like Fnac, Zara, Sephora Parfumerie, Galeries Lafayette to name a few.
Avenue de Verdun includes designer shops such as Hermès, Cartier, etc.
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