The 11 essential things to do in Nice

A stay under the Niçois sun makes you dream? Here is a guide to visit Nice and its must-sees.

In summer and winter, you will be impressed by the beauty of the capital of the French Riviera. Visiting Nice is walking on the Promenade des Anglais, enjoying an Italian ice cream or admiring the tanks of the mythical Niçois carnival. By exploring the treasures of the beautiful city, this excursion in the south of France will leave you the head full of beautiful memories.

About 30 kilometers from the Franco-Italian border, shared between sea and hills, Nice has a unique identity. It is a fascinating city, both rich in history and heritage. To avoid any of the city's wonders, here are the 10 things to do in Nice.

1. The Promenade des Anglais

Visit Nice by this avenue along the Baie des Anges on nearly 7 km is obviously a must-see in Nice. This name dates back to the 18th century, during which many European aristocrats settled in the resort. Although all the nationalities crossed, the English were relatively numerous. It is said that the Prom was financed by one of them: Reverend Lewis Way.

Today, the Promenade des Anglais is one of the most famous avenues in the world. With palm trees and its mythical blue chairs, it goes from the Colline du Château to Nice airport, to luxurious hotels. It is now an emblematic meeting place where jogging, rollerblading and Segway enthusiasts are present!

2. Old Nice

Let the colorful and shady alleys be discovered little by little. While areas of Provence and Italy are intermingled, the countless small shops and restaurants will make your happiness for a chic and local shopping. It is an opportunity to drink a drink or eat a piece in these narrow paved streets with pastel tones.

Some spots are a must-see in Nice. This is the case of the Place du Palais de Justice or Rossetti Square, one of the most lively in Nice on which is the magnificent Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate. But getting lost in this maze is one of the best ways to visit Nice and its old town.

3. The Saleya Course Market

In the middle of old Nice you will find this very animated pedestrian street. These floral effluves may have attracted you so far. It is indeed on this course that the market is held with bounties and flowers. It is a real Mediterranean market on which local products and color bouquets form a perfect harmony.

Warm and full of life, the Saleya Course market is ranked among the exceptional markets in France and is therefore one of the must-sees to be made in Nice. The florists and bounties will welcome you every day except Monday, where they will leave room to the grinding and lovers of old furniture and bibelots.

4. Niçoise specialties

Of course, visiting Nice and its warm architecture is an indispensable thing, but enjoying its gastronomy is also a must-see in Nice. Typically Mediterranean, niçoise cuisine combines vegetables, flavors and scents.

The " Cuisine Nissarde" label is awarded to restaurateurs who work to preserve and respect traditional recipes in the region. Quality of products and guaranteed reception, do not leave without having tasted it! Here's a sample.

• You can start with the panisses. This recipe niçoise based on chick peas flour usually takes the form of reels that are fried: would it be a kind of niçoise fries?
• Also based on chick peas flour and olive oil, the socca is a tender and crispy cake. This recipe comes straight from Liguria, as the proximity to Italy is even on the plates.
• The pissaladière is in the kitchen niçoise what pizza is in Italian cuisine. She takes her name from pissalat (peis salat en niçois) which means salted fish. It is therefore a pie with confit onions enhanced with anchovies and black olives.
• A little lighter, the salad niçoise is, as its name suggests, a pillar of the gastronomy of the region. The drift is numerous, but according to the traditional recipe, the niçoise salad is composed of lettuce and tomatoes with hard eggs, tuna and black olives. The gourmets will accompany him with a bagnat bread.

5. The Matisse Museum

Are you lovers of art and passage in Nice? So nothing better than visiting Nice by taking height in the villa of the arenas, on the archaeological site of Cimiez. You will discover one of the most important global collections of the French painter. This cultural site is labeled "Museum of France". Here, art and nature blend and allow us to trace the life of Henri Matisse , its evolutions and its course.

Having finished his life in Nice in 1954, the artist himself participated in the enrichment of this collection. Paints, sculptures, engravings, drawings and other personal objects. What's better to get into the intimacy of this artist's creative work with undeniable genius?

6. The beaches niçoises

Nothing is more pleasant than visiting Nice along its seaside. The Mediterranean and its beaches are never far away. In the summer, when the heat of the sun is felt, the water temperature is ideal for swimming. The bravest swim from mid-season, while the fryinges dip their feet.

But whatever the time of the year, an Italian ice or a sunbath will always be welcome. And if the pebble beaches seem too uncomfortable, it is possible to turn to a private beach niçoise.

7. A boat ride

Once you’ve made a tour of the beaches of Nice, there’s another must: the boat ride! Indeed, renting a boat in Nice , you offer the possibility to admire “ Nissa la bella from the sea. You can also take the sea off for a coastal trip to discover marine mammals or to join Monaco , Saint-Tropez , Iles de Lérins and even Corse !

8. Water activities

Aquatic activities are also a way to visit Nice. If you are fond of strong sensations, you will find more than one activity to do in Nice. Ascensional parachute, scuba diving, fly buoy, Jet Ski, or canoeing and paddle. For the most athletic, visiting Nice is also spending an active holiday in the open air.

9. The Carnival of Nice

Every year for fifteen days in February, Nice organizes the largest carnival in France and one of the largest in the world. The streets are animated by more than 1,000 musicians and dancers, and hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world. During this period, a traditional battle of flowers takes place on the Promenade des Anglais and giant and colorful chariots walk through the city, day and night.

This authentic event will leave you unforgettable memories and will make you discover another facet of the city. The Nice carnival and the Côte d’Azur sun will make you forget the winter.

10. The park of the Castle Hill

At the top of this rocky hill you will have a breathtaking view of the bay of the Angels, the old town and the port. As you stroll through the gardens, you will surely reach the cascade of the castle. Artificial certainly, but very appreciated for the freshness it brings.

Ascension to the castle can be on foot. To do this, you have to take a stairway through the Bellanda Tower that offers a magnificent view. Otherwise, it is also possible to opt for an elevator climb or with the small tourist train in Nice.

11. Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Close to the train station, the contrast between Mediterranean vegetation and the architecture of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas will surprise you. Classified as a historic monument, it is the first Russian-Orthodox church built in France and one of the most important outside Russia.

By respecting certain rules, it is possible to visit the interior of this place of worship that has a very rich decoration. Although this is not necessarily what you expected to do in Nice, this surprising place by its style inspired by Moscow churches is worth a visit.

Our workshop niçois

Your stay niçois under the sun of the south and the song of the cigales arrives at its end? Take advantage of it to participate in a workshop to make a case for your petanque balls, and go back with a unique souvenir, made by your care!

Under the wise advices of Estelle, gradually realize all the steps of making your future essential accessory! You can even customize your creation by choosing from the letters to hit, laser engraving or hot marking. We'll only notice that you're going to be in your next game of trouble!

Feel free and let yourself be tempted by this workshop niçois de 2h at price 60€ per person!

How to get to Nice?

Visiting Nice and moving there is quite simple thanks to the multitude of transport that the city enjoys. Indeed, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is one of the largest in France. It is therefore served by many companies, at low cost in particular. To find the most suitable flight for your needs, Compare flights Will help you. Nice Airport is 6 km from the city centre and shuttles will take you there.

The train or bus are also effective ways to visit Nice. Once in the city centre, most of the trips can be on foot, by bicycle or by small tourist train. Nice is also a good entrance to visit the region. You will find about 2h road Marseille and Toulon and 1 hour from the border Italian .

Where to stay in Nice?

You will find all types of accommodation to visit Nice. It is true that a stay at the hotel makes dream, but in Nice it can quickly become expensive. An alternative would be to rent an apartment through Airbnb . To find the most suitable accommodation for your desires, a Compare hotels will present all available options.