One of the most memorable meals we had during our last trip to the French Riviera was on the beach. It wouldn’t be extraordinary if it weren’t for the fact that we had that meal in early March when it was still technically winter in the U.S. and most of France and Europe was still cold. But in Nice, it was nice. Cool but sunny, it was a perfect weather to stroll around and just enjoy your day. It was like the city was saying ‘Come on over. We’re getting ready to have some fun!”

On Ruhl Plage (plage means beach in French), it was exactly like that. Tables and chairs were nicely set up. The white and blue umbrellas adorned the pebble beach against the backdrop of the Côte d’Azur blue sky and Mediterranean Sea, making the scene uniquely French Riviera.

I had seafood pasta along with a glass of white wine. My husband got a prosciutto pizza. Everything was beyond delicious. The seafood in my pasta was fresh. The sauce was perfectly seasoned. The pasta was on the al dante side just like I like it. The pizza was awesome. The crust was soft, the edge slightly crispy. The cheese simply melted in your mouth and went well with the flavorful prosciutto. Downing all that with such an amazing view and gorgeous weather, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect moment.

Believe it or not, one year we went to Nice in mid-September and were able to not only eat on the beach but swim in the ocean! I shouldn’t have been surprised. Nice has around 300 days of sun a year! No wonder it has been a favorite winter destination for Europeans fleeing the cold at home for centuries.

We visit Nice every year. There are several beaches on the shoreline along the famous Promenade des Anglais, but Ruhl Plage is my favorite. Its classic color scheme and good food remind me I’m in the South of France enjoying a simple moment.