You always find things easier the second time round. If you ever go to Nice Jazz Festival, especially to see the big names, then take heed of the following. The 20 bus route from the Port goes directly to the Jardins Cimiez. It takes about half an hour and costs one euro. The gates open at 1800 (or maybe a bit later, but it's on your ticket). Be there a bit before that to be amongst the very first into the gardens. Go straight to the Arene Jardin (the biggest stage and stake a place as near to the stage as you want to be. One of you goes to the little caf� set up by the Arene Matisse and pinches as many chairs as you need. (Or carry folding chairs with you, but they're rarely as good a view.) Keep one of you always on station to protect space, chairs, picnic or whatever. Wait three hours.
It works. And it's why we only heard English and American voices for Leonard Cohen: the French fans already knew all this and were sitting comfortably at the front.