The old locals from Nice, the real ones, will tell you: “the Old Nice isn’t what it used to be.” Yet it is there, just steps away from tourists and palm trees, that the true soul of the city is distilled. Early in the morning on the Cours Saleya, farmers from the hills meet the city’s youth. They emerge from the cellars housing nightclubs and concert venues, looking dazed. On café terraces, business executives mingle with mothers doing their shopping. The terraces have a mismatched clientele, but where the same typical expressions bloom: “Qué bastian contrari celui-là!” (“What a stubborn mule!”);
So, ultimately, how do we define a person from Nice? Someone jovial? Often. A bon vivant? Generally. A person endowed with unwavering bad faith? “Ah surely not!”, the people of Nice will respond in unison. They may not fully realize their luck to live in a city envied throughout France, and far beyond its borders. Certainly, there are many contentious issues, and problems exist. But today, a Niçois is primarily someone who loves their city. Depending on their interests, their passions, Nice holds a special place in their heart. Let’s listen to the eaglet that slumbers in every Niçois.
Maurice, 56, civil servant:
“Nice is a dream destination for many. I am proud to live here, and to also enjoy our region, which is one of the most pleasant in both summer and winter. The Niçois culture can be summed up by well-being, quality of life. Being Niçois, to me, means being happy, eating well, going to the Stade du Ray. I love the city itself, but what would it be without the azure sky, the sea and the ever-present sun?”
Yoan, 24, waiter:
“When you say you’re from the Côte d’Azur, it gets people talking, they envy us. I’ve also noticed that Niçois form a strong community, as we are warmly welcomed by those who live elsewhere. They hold on to their roots. The lifestyle here is special, quite sportive among the youth. I am a fan of OGC Nice, I’m eager for us to have a new stadium but I never miss a match. Sport is very important in Nice to combat racists, who have misunderstood the history of Nice. It is a city of mixing, like Marseille, and today more than ever we need to learn to stand together.”
Martine, 67, retired teacher:
“Niçois are complainers first and foremost. The tram is good, but we complain, the Promenade is beautiful, but we complain… I think some Niçois should be prouder of living in our beautiful city. Being Niçois is about appreciating the cuisine, the traditions, the quality of life, the natural joie de vivre. But I think being Niçois is also about fighting the negative image of the city, like the lack of cleanliness. It’s up to the leaders to do something, but also to each of us, in our daily actions.”
Anisha, 28, salesperson:
“I am from Lille, but I have lived in Nice for seven years. My studies brought me here, and I must say I had some apprehensions, such as about security. But it’s a cosmopolitan city. The people and the environment make you immediately feel at ease. The culture, despite what you may sometimes hear, is well represented, and I find that there is a lot of activity in this area, which shows the dynamism of the Niçois. I feel accepted and I’ve even adopted a few expressions that no one understands in the North, like ‘va caguer!’”
The revenge of the Nissarts against the Ch’tis?
