A long weekend visiting Nice and the hilltop villages

Right in the heart of the old town centre, the Cours Saleya flower market offers a huge array of Mediterranean flowers and local products. This place is highly popular among the local residents. 

Walk to the Matisse Museum on the Cimiez hill where you’ll also find the Archaeology Museum and the arena. In the surrounding area, you'll admire the beautiful architecture of the Régina Palace as well as other luxury hotels and bourgeois mansions. 

Take lunch by the sea at the Plage Nice Beaurivage (certified by Green Key in 2023) where the carefully selected dishes are made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers and farmers. 

It’s time to board the Navatiki Cruising, a 100% eco-friendly vessel that will take you to admire Nice, AKA the City of Angels, while tasting the local specialities. 

We recommend you stay at the Hôtel Amour, a fabulous place invitingly decorated in warm, pastel colours. Spend the night in this lovely little haven. 

From Nice, head for the medieval village of Eze (which you can reach by bus), perched high above the sea, to enjoy an amazing view. Stroll around the  Exotic Garden, famous for its collection of cacti and succulents. Wander along the artistic trails covering various topics. 

Fragrance fans can join the  Fragonard institution’s creative workshop, visit the perfume factory, or make their own fragrance at Gallimard, one of the oldest perfume-makers of Grasse. 

At lunchtime, head for the incredible Chèvre d’or, to admire a staggering view and enjoy delicious local produce sublimely prepared in dishes of outstanding quality.  

We recommend you visit La Colle-sur-Loup, the former capital of the rose. This typical Provence village of the olden days is now a popular starting point for walkers taking to the many hiking trails. On foot or by bike, explore the unspoilt nature of the Rives du Loup Departmental Park, a delight for those in search of a little peace and quiet. The majestic wildlife instantly puts you at one with nature, and you can swim in the cool, clear water of the river!

For foodies, book a cookery class with Notes de Cuisine and learn to make the traditional dishes of Nice.

Round off the day calmly at an ecolodge, Casa Sallusti, a magical little haven set in the depths of nature. 

Visit Vence, a town that has all the beauty and authenticity of the neighbouring Saint-Paul-de-Vence, but without the crowds of tourists! You’ll see all the typical features of a southern village, including colourful houses, the old town, a street lined with plane trees and lots of little squares. Take a look at the Cathedral and the beautiful Chagall mosaic that decorates the baptistery. 

If you visit Vence, you absolutely must visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence as well, with its ramparts and the beautiful Fondation Maeght. Not forgetting the iconic ‘Place du Jeu de Boules’ where the morning market yields to the typical Provence scene of players engaged in a game of boules! If you’d like to try this sport, book a lesson for beginners! 

Now is the time to take a seat at the Toile Blanche, where 3 brothers who are both artists and cooks, add their own personal twist to the dishes of Provence! 

Nice wouldn’t be Nice without olives! Don’t leave without having visited an olive grove. Speak to the local producers and take an interest in their work which has built the reputation of this luxury product. 

A walk in the beautiful village of Gilette with a chance to try the region’s typical dishes at Lou Countea.

For this last stage of your weekend, we recommend you spend the night gazing at the stars from a bubble dome set amid the lush greenery of nature. Now that’s what you call finishing in style!

Further reading : 

Visit NICE 

What to do in Nice ?