The pebble beaches, the small medieval streets, the Art Nouveau palaces, the Art Deco buildings, the terraces, the gardens, the museums… There are many reasons to discover Nice, in the south of the France. Especially when you have to add the cuisine full of freshness and the sun which shines 300 days a year.
At the edge of the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Alps and very close to the Italian border, “Nissa la bella” is even registered with UNESCO because of its history centered on… tourism. And not just any. Aristocrats and families from high society (mainly British) started coming to spend their winters in Nice as early as the 1750s. Over the centuries, the city developed specifically to accommodate this very chic clientele.
It is therefore not very surprising that Nice now welcomes 5 million visitors a year!
Here are 19 things to do to be charmed by the beautiful Nice, gateway to the Côte d’Azur and 5th largest city in France:
1. Get lost in the streets of Old Nice.
The narrow medieval streets of the old town of Nice hide terraces, galleries, shops, cafés, churches, monuments and centuries of history. Day and night, you stroll there happily among the people of Nice and visitors.
2. Drinking “pools” looking at the Mediterranean.
Rosé on ice: this refreshing nectar called “piscine” has long been popular on the Côte d’Azur! With or without ice, rosé wine is the aperitif of choice under the Nice sun.
3. Stroll on a pebble beach.
Sarah Bergeron Ouellet
Built along the Baie des Anges, Nice has 7.5 kilometers of beaches. They are all made of pebbles, unlike the sandy beaches of Cannes, Antibes and other towns on the coast. Typical!
4. Dwell on the Liberation market.
If you like local markets, don’t miss the one in the popular and lively Liberation district, which takes place in the morning on Place Général de Gaulle. Sun-kissed fruits and vegetables are mouth-watering. To enjoy the atmosphere, order a coffee on the terrace of Le Gambetta brasserie, just opposite the fishmongers’ stalls.
5. Take your morning jog on the Promenade des Anglais…
… and dive into the Mediterranean to refresh yourself afterwards! Iconic, this promenade lined with palm trees runs along the Baie des Anges and its pebble beaches. It is also lined in places with beautiful Art Deco buildings and imposing palace-hotels. Its name comes from wealthy British tourists of the past. A place where you absolutely have to go, jogging or not.
6. Eat a real niçoise salad.
You will find this super fresh dish everywhere. And if your family makes the niçoise salad with potatoes and beans (as Ricardo himself suggests!), you’ll find that it’s not the “real” version.
7. Climb Castle Hill.
There is no more castle on the hill of the Castle of Nice, only vestiges and a beautiful park where to mingle with families. From its belvedere 92 m high, you will have beautiful views of the city, the coast and the sea. Be sure to go for a walk in the cemetery of the Castle: its tombs and extravagant sculptures will surprise you.
8. Order a pan bagnat at Tintin kiosk.
An unmissable local speciality, the pan bagnat is a bit like a niçoise salad in a sandwich version. Tuna, egg, fresh vegetables, olive oil, salt and pepper: simple and delicious. Near the Liberation market, in the district of the same name, those of the Kiosque Tintin attract regulars and tourists alike. Order, find a shaded table and enjoy!
9. Sit under the beach umbrellas Beau Rivage Beach.
While some beaches are public in Nice, several others are reserved for deckchairs and umbrellas from clubs or private hotels. But you can rent your place for the day or reserve for lunch or dinner. Our suggestion: Plage Beau Rivage, club-restaurant-lounge-hotel founded in 1935.
10. Buy a bouquet at the flower market.
To decorate your hotel room or your Airbnb, let yourself be tempted by a local wreath in the Cours Saleya flower market, in Old Nice. It has bewitched passers-by since 1861.
11. Admire Place Masséna.
You should not go to Nice without going to this famous square. With its black and white floor, its red, yellow and orange facades and its perched sculptures by Jaume Plensa, it is one of the most beautiful places in the city.
12. Tasting a socca fresh from the wood-fired oven.
So simple and so good: socca is a thin pancake of chickpea flour cooked over the fire, salted and peppered. It should be enjoyed hot, at a kiosk in the Cours Saleya market, for example. It is a Nice specialty.
The bright and soft light of the Côte d’Azur has attracted an incredible number of painters and artists over the centuries. Discovering their works is part of any worthwhile trip to the region. In Nice, the Chagall museum celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, while that dedicated to Henri Matisse, its 60th anniversary. To have.
In the vibrant heart of Old Nice, this little restaurant with a retro air offers traditional cuisine inspired by the market in a warm atmosphere, on pretty Formica tables or on the terrace.
15. Shop on Avenue Jean-Médecin.
This large, pleasant thoroughfare is lined with international stores such as Zara, Mango and H&M and other addresses such as Galeries Lafayette. You don’t have a little white and blue striped shirt yet for a walk by the sea? This is the place to get one!
Sarah Bergeron Ouellet
We fell in love with the terrace of this tapas bar located at the entrance to Old Nice. Nice selection of beers, wines and bites and friendly atmosphere in the evening.
17. Discover the works of MAMAC.
For an immersion in art from the 1950s to today, it is at the Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art in Nice that you must spend (at least) a few hours. The collection of this institution includes more than 1300 works by 300 artists.
18. Order a breakfast formula on a terrace.
A croissant, a coffee and a freshly squeezed orange juice while watching the city wake up? A little happiness not to be sulked during a trip to France.
19. Set off to explore the other towns and villages of the Côte d’Azur.
Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the heights; Cannes and Antibes by the sea; Mougins, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat… the choice is endless in this region between the Alps and the Mediterranean.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Sarah Bergeron Ouellet
Getting There
Move
- Nice can be explored well on foot and by tram. It is also possible to rent bicycles and scooters. We suggest the car only if you want a road trip on the coast after your city break.
Housing
- We tested (and liked!) the Hotel Riviera Nice, a 4-star hotel located near rue Jean-Médecin, Place Masséna, the Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice and the sea. Accommodation is expensive on the Côte d’Azur, Airbnb apartments and hotels combined.
Prepare your trip
This trip was made possible thanks to Transat, the Côte d’Azur Regional Tourism Committee and Atout France.