Summer on the coast is all about showing off, flirting, and evening parties. As soon as the temperature exceeds 20°C, the people of Nice pull out all the stops. And they make sure everyone sees their efforts. The best way: the terraces, much to the delight of the bars and cafes in the city.
While walking through the streets of Nice, everyone can see that terraces are sprouting up everywhere lately. Like a young shoot making its way through the asphalt, cafes set up terraces wherever they can. Rue de la République is totally devastated by the tramway construction, yet the restaurant Le Calypso II has set up plastic chairs and tables on the gravel next to the future tramway tracks. The café “L’esplanade” has taken over the sidewalk on Boulevard Jean Jaurès, between the red and white bollards. Four people might duel for the chance to drink their coffee accompanied by the pleasant sounds of tractors and excavators. At least, “L’esplanade” has its terrace.
It seems bar managers cling to their terraces like mussels to a rock. And rightly so. Because tourists, as well as locals from the Azurean coast, especially enjoy their little pastis in the sun. A group of tourists, freshly arrived from Haute-Savoie, are strolling on the Cour Saleya. They are about to “have a drink in a café in the sun.” For them, these terraces definitely suggest summer; “back home, it’s still winter!” But these beautiful terraces come at a price. These tourists took an hour and a half to travel from Peymenade to Nice due to traffic. It seems the terraces of Nice are internationally renowned. This must be the case, as four Australians are found in front of “la Civette du Cours,” whose terrace is packed. They will surely eat under the sun for “lunch time.” However, they regret “the lack of flowers on the terraces” and would have preferred “a beautiful view of the sea.” In any case, it is clear they prefer “eating outside a thousand times over eating inside.”
Bar and restaurant managers with terraces have noticed this. La Brasserie de Tivoli, on Rue de la Tour, keeps its tables outside all year round, but the busy period is mainly in July and August. The Pizzeria “La Mama” notes that its turnover increases from May. They are even forced to add tables with the arrival of the sun. Pascal, from the restaurant “La Cambuse,” finds that business is better in the summer. “There are more people and tourists. Besides, everyone brings out the terraces, so it’s easier. It entices the customers.”
If in April, the people of Nice do not shed a layer, by May, they begin to do as they please.
