Describe who you are in 3 sentences:
I am Jacqueline Hoffmann and I live in the South of France. I went from being a classical ballet dancer to now working in Marketing for the French cycling brand Café du Cycliste. After moving from city life to the South of France my love for the outdoor has indeed grown and exploring small villages around in the local area is what my weekends are spent doing.
What is your relation to this city?
I first discovered the South of France 7 years ago when I went on holiday with my mom and brother. 6 months after our first visit I was all packed and ready to move my life to Nice. Living here has thought me a lot about the French culture and being able to go from sand to snow in only an hour is such a luxury.
Best experience?
Must be with my close friends going bike riding in the morning, stand up paddling in the afternoon and ending the day drinking rosé in Nice port watching the sunset.
Weirdest experience?
When we go bike riding in the sun on Saturday and skiing in the mountains on Sunday.
Your top 3 hangout spots?
"Castel Plage" (summer only), a perfect private beach on the very last end of Promenade des Anglais. You can easily spend a whole day there, getting your tan on, jumping in the sea, eating lunch and drinking rosé.
"Coco Beach" with a paddleboard, a fresh packed picnic and friends.
Walk along the coast on the path from Nice to Cap Ferrat with a good friend. Stop at St Jean Cap Ferrat for a coffee before heading back home.
Favourite restaurants?
"Restaurant du Club Nautique" in Nice, close to "Coco Beach", the restaurant has an incredible view.
"Le Neuf Cinquante" a small family owned Italian restaurant located behind the port.
"Peixes" an incredible chic fish restaurant. It doesn’t take reservations, so get there early to avoid the long queue.
Best date place?
Vespa ride to the top of Mont Boron, on a summer day overlooking the diamond shining sea, the high mountains and the rooftops, or a late afternoon picnic on "Coco Beach" during the summer. For the evening, visit the locals at "Cave de la Tour" located close to the old town and enjoy local wine and traditional 'niçoise' specialities.
Best Sunday spot?
'The Liberation Market' on Place du Général de Gaulle, this place is magical and super local during the whole year. It is full of seasonal fresh fruits, veggies and flowers. When you are done with your shopping, stop by "Altra Casa" for a coffee or charcuterie, cheese and wine in the late afternoon.
If you were to live in another place, where would that be and why?
I would love to live in San Francisco with its buzzing vibe, cycle friendly roads and European feeling. Independent coffee shops and the Californian blues. I have grown to love having a bit of both worlds in the location where I live, and I like being able to move around town by bike.
Where is your escape place from this city?
So many good escape places from the city. But it would either be going for a long bike ride with my friends along the coast, across the border and stop for lunch in Dolceaqua. A hike up to La Turbie, the city located above Monaco, which I have done with my brother and it is an amazing way to spend a day with someone you can have good chat with. Or a drive to Auron with friends to go skiing.
Best 5 local advices?
1. "Comptoir Central Electrique" on Place du Pin for aperol and drinks.
2. Open air cinéma in Villefranche sur-mer.
3. Coffee at "Altra Casa" for coffee lovers.
4. "Nice Jazz Festival" in July.
5. Never take a taxi from the airport.
