The capital of the Côte d'Azur, ‘Nice la belle’, as it is known, is famous for its Promenade des Anglais and its seven kilometres of pebble beaches. France's fifth-largest city has many other treasures to explore to your heart's content: escape to the hilltop villages of the hinterland, slide down the snow-covered slopes of Auron and Isola 2000, savour sun-drenched local produce, discover the works of Matisse and Chagall, both shaped by the Mediterranean light...
The must-sees during your stay in Nice
While many of Nice's monuments are well worth a visit, don't hesitate to take the time to start by wandering the streets and lively places to soak up Nice's soul...
Discovering the art of living in Nice
One of the best ways to discover and better understand the city and its people. In Nice, seven sites are undoubtedly the best places to visit to get a feel for the Nice spirit.
The Vieux-Nice district and the Cours Saleya market
To start with, let yourself be carried away to Vieux-Nice. There, take the time to wander through the pretty little streets with their colourful facades and Italian flair. Your steps will then undoubtedly lead you to the unmissable Cours Saleya and its authentic market, rich in colour and fragrance. Every morning, from Tuesday to Sunday, you'll find fresh, tasty, local fruit and vegetables, as well as a flower market that delights the eye from morning to night.
The Cours, lined with bars and restaurants and lively all year round, is undoubtedly the best place to see and experience the soul of Nice.
The not-to-be-missed Prom' or Promenade des Anglais
Top 2 in our ranking: the cult Promenade des Anglais! The Promenade des Anglais, affectionately known as the ‘Prom’ by the locals, is a 7km-long avenue linking the Port of Lympia to the east and Nice airport to the west. Facing the Bay of Angels, and made up of a vast median strip running alongside the beaches, this place to meet and relax has also become a legend for its palm trees, blue chairs and the legendary grand hotels and palaces it runs alongside. To finish your stroll in style, head east to reach the sundial designed by Rauba Capeu. And its highly Instagrammable neighbour, the blue-white-red #IloveNice structure.
La Colline du Château
A little more energy? All you have to do is climb the Colline du Château to discover a haven of serenity, just a stone's throw from the Old Town. This 19-hectare park offers a host of panoramic views over the city of Nice, its port, the Promenade des Anglais and the Baie des Anges. It's an excellent way to take in all the topography and diversity of the ‘bella Nissa’, which is also sublime at sunset (note: in high season, a lift provides access to the summit).
Between Place Masséna and Place Garibaldi
With its striking black-and-white paving, fountain and red-fronted buildings, Place Masséna is one of Nice's (and tourists') favourite meeting places, as it lies at the intersection of a number of popular sites: the Prom, Vieux-Nice, and the lively districts on either side of Avenue Jean Médecin. The vast Place Garibaldi can be reached by taking the Promenade du Paillon past Place J. Toja. Elegantly bordered by buildings with beautiful ochre facades, this square is home to numerous cafés, restaurants and ice-cream parlours, making it an ideal place to enjoy an aperitif, a bite to eat or a sweet break, while taking in the sights and sounds of Nice.
The Promenade du Paillon
The Promenade du Paillon is well worth a visit, whether you're looking for a cool, green spot for a picnic, a romantic break or some outdoor fun for the kids with wooden games in the shape of a marine bestiary. Stretching from Place Garibaldi to the Promenade des Anglais, via Place Masséna, this green corridor hosts a host of events throughout the year. In fine weather, you can cool off on the large esplanade, which has been transformed into a mirror of water, complete with fountains, while to the west, you can enjoy the mists that intermittently invade the Albert I garden.
The Port district
The Port district of Nice is like a small village, with its friendly atmosphere, its inhabitants, its shopkeepers, and its lively atmosphere. With its inhabitants, its shopkeepers and its craftsmen. Everyone knows everyone else, making it a typical place to linger. On the harbour side, you can admire boats of all types: small colourful fishing boats, luxury yachts, cruise ships... On the quayside, numerous restaurants offer their succulent specialities.
The beaches of Nice
Bordered by the Mediterranean, it seems unthinkable to visit Nice without indulging in the pleasures of the beach. And with 40 beaches to choose from, there's no shortage of choice. Here's a small selection of outstanding beaches:
- Le Voilier Plage for its vast expanse, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant space.
- La Plage de Villefranche-sur-Mer: 15 minutes from the town centre, but well worth the slight effort, as it is the nearest fine sandy beach to Nice. Ideal for families.
- Beaches and coves frequented by Nice locals: those on the other side of the port, from Plage des Bains Militaires to Coco Beach.
A sumptuous historical and artistic heritage.
As you wander around the city, you'll want to learn more about its history and discover its rich heritage. Once again, Nice has plenty of exceptional sites to visit. Here are just a few:
- the remains of the Cimiez arenas in the Monastère gardens: scattered across the heart of this green area lightly shaded by centuries-old olive trees, these ruins are a reminder of the city's prestigious past in Roman times. The park also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the Fête des Mais, one of Nice's favourite festivities.
- Nice Archaeological Museum: located just a stone's throw from the Parc des Arènes, this museum - and the next one - are well worth a visit, providing a great way to spend a day in this district to the north of the city. Here you can discover the layout of the ancient city of Cemenelum, founded in the 1st century.
- Musée Matisse: this imposing red ochre villa houses the largest collection of works by the artist: drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc
Not far from Nice station, you can also discover the Musée National Marc Chagall to the west, and the astonishing Saint-Nicolas de Nice Orthodox Cathedral to the east, built in the 19th century under the patronage of Tsar Nicholas.
Back in the Old Nice district, you'll find the following:
- The MAMAC (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain): located near the Place Garibaldi, the MAMAC not only intrigues visitors with its architecture, but also houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by big names such as Yves Klein, Andy Warhol and Niki de Saint Phalle, as well as artists from the Nice school.
- The Palais Lascaris: a beautiful 17th-century Baroque building with a splendid décor, from its monumental staircase to its period salons adorned with paintings, tapestries and antique furniture, and home to a superb collection of 500 antique musical instruments.
Surroundings well worth a visit
If you have time, don't hesitate to climb Mont Boron to the east of the town, not far from Lazaret and Villefranche-sur-Mer. A vast, unspoilt natural site planted with pine trees, it offers an idyllic setting for a picnic with friends or family, or a day of sport, fun or relaxation. With a breathtaking view plunging towards Italy on one side and the Esterel on the other. It's magical!
Another option: a trip into thehinterland of Nice to discover its picturesque villages and incredible biodiversity. Some names to explore: Vence, Grasse, Sainte-Agnès overlooking Menton, Gourdon and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Peillon or Eze on the way to Monaco... and on the natural side, for lovers of hiking, mountain biking and canyoning, the superb Mercantour National Park.
Nice and its Carnival: a whole history
You can't talk about Nice without thinking of its breathtaking carnival, which has been part of Nice tradition since 1873. Famous the world over, the Nice Carnival is part of the DNA of this city on the Côte d'Azur. And with good reason: while it attracts audiences from all over the world, its organisation mobilises a plethora of Nice residents throughout the year, carnival-goers from generation to generation, to build floats, giants and costumes, each one more impressive than the last. All in all, every February, from the Place Masséna to the Promenades des Anglais, 15 days of carnival corsi and flower battles, an explosion of colour and a festive, popular and family-friendly atmosphere.
Nice's culinary specialities
Finally, when you visit a city in France, it's impossible not to feast on its specialities and those of its region. And in Nice, the culinary arts are not to be outdone. When it comes to Nice's gastronomic delights, you'll love :
- The must-try socca: an exquisite chickpea flour cake, perfect for any occasion (as a snack, an aperitif or a main course).
- Pissaladière: a tart with anchovies, onion confit and black olives.
- Salade niçoise: there are many variations, but they all feature vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumber, onions, fava beans, artichokes, etc.), tuna, anchovies and boiled eggs. All seasoned with olive oil and olives.
- Daube niçoise: this hearty speciality is made from beef cooked with carrots, tomatoes, onions, porcini mushrooms and bacon in red wine. It is served with gnocchi or ravioli from Nice.
There are also courgette fritters, Niçois stuffing, pan bagnat and savoury or sweet chard pie.
And those with a sweet tooth will love the ganses (diamond-shaped doughnuts sprinkled with icing sugar) available in most bakeries during Carnival.
All the senses are on alert when you visit Nice!
