Nice is looking for volunteers to act as “greeters” to the city, a scheme first tried in New York some years back with success – Lynn Brooks wanted to share a slice of the Big Apple she loved with visitors in a personal way, not so much as a guide as an enthusiastic friend.

In Nice, volunteers must be willing to give up half a day a month to singing the virtues of their city by the sea, taking visitors to places they themselves find special, rather than dots on the tourist map. They are also expected to be able to express with warmth and perhaps a touch of humour what makes Nice a great place to live. (Perhaps you can talk about the widening of the Promenade at Quai des Etats-Unis, which will start in November at a cost of €2 million.)

Speaking a foreign language would be helpful for the volunteers, but not we think essential, as many of the people using the service will be from other French cities. However, native English-speakers, Italians, Germans and Spanish who know French and love this very individual city would certainly be welcomed as ambassadors by the Nice Tourist Office, who are organising the initiative.

You can join up at www.nice-greeters.com