Fly from Nice to Hanover

On your day’s agenda: shopping along pedestrian streets, a quick stop at the beach to soak up some sun, a cocktail on a rooftop, and an evening at the opera. Where in the world are you? In a chic resort on the Adriatic, the Riviera, or the Basque coast? Not at all! You’ll find all this in northern Germany, at the heart of one of the country’s most dynamic economic hubs, in a city of 500,000 inhabitants. This is Hanover, the “garden city” of our neighbours across the Rhine, exuding charm from every leafy street. Here, concrete meets greenery, glass towers reflect lush parks, and locals hop on the tram from their offices to go sailing or bask in the sun on a lakeside beach. Hanover is an idyllic setting, with all the benefits of the countryside in the city. That harmony makes it an irresistible destination for couples and families alike.

The many green spaces make for a serene lifestyle in the capital of Lower Saxony, which the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle once described as “like a wonderful dream.” But this graceful German city is not all about leisure. It is just as industrious. Hanover is home to some of Germany’s leading companies and no fewer than eleven universities with nearly 50,000 students. In fact, the city has established itself as one of Europe’s prime business tourism destinations. That economic vitality also supports a particularly vibrant cultural life, as demonstrated by remarkable architectural and artistic sites, museums, the city’s opera, jazz clubs, festivals, local fairs, and a wide range of gourmet flavours, from street food to traditional taverns to Michelin-starred restaurants.

• Pack a swimsuit, since you’ll need it as soon as you arrive. All roads here lead to the Maschsee, or Masch Lake. The vast artificial lake, dug right in the heart of the city, is the favourite gathering spot for all Hanover residents. You can stroll along its shores on foot or by bike, sunbathe on its beaches, or swim in its waters. Take a cruise or cross it by rowboat or sailboat. It is simply not to be missed!
• Follow the “red thread”! The scarlet line on the ground guides you for over four kilometres, leading you to some thirty remarkable sites: half-timbered houses, religious buildings, historic landmarks, works of art, and more.
• Don’t miss the royal Herrenhausen Gardens, a majestic Baroque ensemble created 350 years ago by Princess Sophie of Hanover. Inspired by the work of Le Nôtre – Louis XIV’s famous gardener – this green sanctuary unfolds with enchantment through flowerbeds, statues, fountains and water jets, a collection of over 800 orchids, exotic plants from around the world, and even a grotto lavishly and playfully restored by Niki de Saint Phalle.
• Don’t miss Sophie, Charlotte, and Caroline, Hanover’s most famous French residents. These three sculptures, also by Niki de Saint Phalle, are part of her whimsical “Nanas” series, embodying generous shapes and joyful colours. They are the highlights of a collection of over 200 works of art that brighten the city streets, making Hanover an open-air museum.
• Expand your knowledge in every direction at the Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum (Lower Saxony State Museum Hanover). It caters both to natural science and art enthusiasts. The same site houses a vivarium filled with over 2,000 reptiles and fish, dinosaur fossils, taxidermy animals, artefacts, and an art gallery spanning several centuries of paintings, drawings, and prints, including works by Cranach the Elder, Rembrandt, Rubens, Dürer, Botticelli, Monet and Sisley.
• Visit the Sprengel Museum, one of the most important modern art museums in Germany. Founded on the private collection of Bernhard Sprengel, it houses works by Picasso, Arp, Klee, Ernst, Léger, Soulages, Dalí, and more.
• Take in the city from above by climbing to the observation platform of the dome of Hanover’s New Town Hall, one of the city’s largest and most beautiful buildings. After passing through its monumental hall and taking the unique parabolic lift (which follows the dome’s curve), you’ll discover the finest view of the city from the balcony perched nearly 100 metres above the ground.
• Mix with the locals by shopping or grabbing a quick bite at the covered market, or browse for treasures along the Leine quays, which host a lively flea market with dozens of antique dealers every Saturday.