Description: This popular square in Nice's Old Town is rather poorly named. It's moniker would suggest that it would create a visual or emotional impression that is red or pink. You might expect red buildings or pink facades. However, this is very much not the case. The whole area is a variety of shades of yellow. The facades of almost all of the buildings are yellow - there is a wonderful spectrum ranging from a delicate pastel to a deep bursting canary yellow. It makes for an interesting visual experience. There is hardly a tinge of red to be found.
Plaze Rosetti is popular amongst locals and tourists in Nice as a place to relax and enjoy dinner or a drink. I believe that much of this comes from the calming yellows, particularly when the late afternoon sun sends down a soft glow that makes the place feel so very inviting. It also comes from the scores of cafes and restaurants that cover the square and circle the fountain at its centre. Cafe Antonia is popular for snacks and cocktails, Chez Juliette offers haute local cuisine and Brasserie de la Fontaine gives local cuisine at budget prices.
There is also plenty of entertainment in Rosetti. During the summer months it is a popular stop-off for many of the street entertainers that make their living from diners in Nice. If you stop for a drink or dinner in Rosetti you can expect to see various buskers, dancers and even Brazilian acrobats. However, there is also a rather good jazz quartet that frequents the corner close to Chez Juliette and there is a gentleman who makes his money by eating fire. You can regularly see him gargling lighter fluid and letting forth bursts of flame on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The bottom end of Rosetti is dominated by the giant facade of one of Nice's many cathedrals (There are three in the Old Town alone). The open area of the square gives a great view and makes for a wonderful photograph. The cathedral too has a yellow facade and fits perfectly into the style of the square. The chimes of its bells also make a rather pleasant soundtrack to an evening eating and/or drinking.
Place Rosetti is situated in Nice's Old Town. In itself, it is worth a visit for the evocative colours and the beautiful cathedral. In this situation, the square might warrant a ten minute sojourn. However, it is a great place for drinks and dinner.
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