A bit of Russia without ever leaving Nice
Bet you didn’t know that Nice used to be the hotspot for exiled Russian nobles. Just as the French Riviera is now the playground of jetsetters and celebrities, Nice was once the ultimate vacation destination for Russians looking to escape those rough winters in Moscow.
Nice is home to the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia. Built in 1912 in memory of Tsar Nicholas II, it is still a cornerstone of the Russian community in Nice. The outside is absolutely stunning, particularly in comparison to the drab buildings that surround it.
It’s absolutely worth a visit if you’re ever in Nice. My favorite part? The tiny shop next door that sells Russian souvenirs, like babushka dolls. Who would have thought you could find genuine Russian nesting dolls on the French Riviera?
