Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur |  Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (2024)

Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (1)

©Pierre BEHAR

  1. Home
  2. Discover
  3. Cities on the Côte d’Azur
  4. Visit Nice, the multi-facetted Côte d’Azur town

It is the largest of the Côte d’Azur towns, a seaside resort that is festive, cultural, gastronomic and artistic at the same time, hence the nickname Nissa la Bella – everything to immerse yourself into a waking dream. Known globally for its splendid coastline, Nice offers you a setting conducive to hedonism, where trips and lazing around form the pattern of your days.

BEAUTIFUL, AUTHENTIC NICE!

Nice Patrimoine Mondial de l'UNESCO©CRT COTE D'AZUR FRANCE / Camille MOIRENCNice, Unesco World Heritage siteWhile the region of Nice Côte d’Azur is world-famous for its buildings and countryside, the city is now mainly dominated by architecture from the Belle Époque. This...
©Camille MOIRENCThe top 10 things to see and do in NiceThe splendour of beautiful Nice is incomparably described in the Occitan hymn sung by choirs here: O la miéu bella Nissa, Regina de li flou, li tiéu vielhi taulissa, léu...
©Ville de NiceFocus on Nice Jazz Festival by Mister Riviera BlogIn 70 years, the Nice Jazz Festival has become a legendary musical event on the Côte d’Azur. First jazz festival in the world, it is still today a special time full of...
©Caesa PicsproductionNice carnival, a unique experience!Nice Carnival 2023 : King of World Treasuresfrom February 17 to March 3, 2024Nice Carnival is one of the biggest carnivals in the world! Every year thousands of visitors...
©OTC - KelagopianWhere to eat Nice's specialitiesWhy not try some of Nice’s specialities? Many restaurants offer typical dishes originating in Nice, and for some, very successfully… But which ones combine the quality of...
©Office de tourisme Métropolitaine de Nice5 ways to discover Nice differentlyForget your paper or audio guides and even your smartphone, here’s how to explore Nice differently. 5 friendly and fun ideas for roaming around Nice differently.
©OTC Nice Côte d’Azur – A.ISSOCKShopping in Nice: Our recommendations for menIf like me, you like to rub shoulders with true fashion professionals, then you have to go to independent shops in Nice. Real clothes shops or better still the designers...
©Moirenc CamilleThe best instagrammable spots in NiceAmong the TOP 20 most “instagrammed” cities in Europe, the Côte d’Azur capital attracts tourists from all over the world. Are you planning to visit Nice and...
©IstockThe best ice cream in NiceTell me which are the best in Nice? I haven’t really got a sweet tooth… But the exception often proves the rule: ice cream. I have a passion for these cold wonders that I...
Where to have brunch on the Côte d’Azur !Created in the United States, brunch takes its name from the contraction of breakfast and lunch. Traditionally served as a buffet, the locals love to gather around a copious...
©Camille MOIRENCVisit Nice: 10 free or very cheap activities!Discover Nice differently with 10 original ideas to visit the capital of the Côte d’Azur for free or very cheaply without overspending on your holiday budget! Don’t wait any...
©Rooftop RadissonThe top 5 rooftops for an aperitif in NiceIf having an aperitif is the custom on the Côte d’Azur, Nice locals now love to go up and nestle on the rooftops of hotels with their secret and trendy terraces, with a...
©IStockFamily outings: 5 things to do in Nice!Here you are on a long weekend in the sun in Nice. What can you do that will satisfy all the family: the curious, the foodies, the artists and the sports enthusiasts? Here are...
©CRT Côte d'Azur France - Drone06Hotels in Nice: a successful stay!Have you always dreamt of strolling along the Promenade des Anglais? Make the most of your stay in the heart of the Côte d’Azur capital by booking a hotel in Nice. For one...
©CRT Côte d'Azur France / Jérôme KELAGOPIANGuest houses in Nice: togetherness at the heart of your stayAnd if you were to book a guest house in Nice to benefit from the joys of the Mediterranean? In the company of the locals, enjoy an unforgettable stay in the capital of the...

The top 10 essential visits in Nice

To discover the essentials of the town’s many treasures, here is our top 10 visits not to miss during your trip to Nice:

The Promenade des Anglais
Old Nice and the Cours Saleya market
The MAMAC (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)
The Matisse Museum
The Marc-Chagall Museum
The small port of Nice
The Russian orthodox cathedral of Saint-Nicolas [Saint Nicholas]
Mont-Alban Old Fort
The stunning church of Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc [Saint Joan of Arc]
The former Gare du Sud concourse

Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (17)

©CRT Côte d’Azur France / Camille Moirenc

    ©C. MOIRENCFIND YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN NICEWhere to sleep in Nice From hotels to tourist residences and hostels, Nice has a wide selection of accommodation for every budget and every desire. Find your accommodation now!Find here
    • All accommodation on the Côte d’Azur

    Where can you spend the night in Nice?

    From a 5-star hotel to a tourist apartment complex via a youth hostel, Nice boasts a wide choice of accommodation.

    Depending on your desires and your budget, discover the perfect accommodation for your holiday on the Côte d’Azur.

    Book your accommodation in Nice now!

    Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (19)

    ©Guillaume Eymard – Côte d’Azur France

      Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (20)

      ©OTMNCA / Jerome Kelagopian

        The French Riviera in all its splendour

        You can’t visit Nice without going to the famous Promenade des Anglais. Stretching along the sublime Bay of Angels, this 7-kilometre avenue, which extends from the Colline du Chateau to Nice Airport is now one of the most beautiful seafronts in the world.

        Nicknamed the “Prom’” by the people of Nice, the Promenade des Anglais offers you a unique panoramic view over the French Riviera. Imagine yourself, an ice-cream in hand, surrounded by palm trees, sitting down in the famous blue chairs that border the pebble beaches, contemplating the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean…

        Just behind you are the most beautiful buildings in Nice, in particular two luxury 5-star hotels: The Negresco and the Palais de la Méditerranée. An emblematic location of the town, the Prom’ brings together visitors and those who love jogging, rollerblading or even the Segway!

        Nice, town of culture, art and history

        Matisse, Klein, Arman, Sasha Sosno, César, Ben Vautier… Over the years, Nice has inspired great French artists. Its cultural influence has given rise to multiple museums with inspiration from here and further afield.

        Visit the Villa Masséna located near the Promenade des Anglais to learn more about the history of Nice and its various cultural influences. Through its collections, this architectural jewel evokes the art and history of the Riviera from Nice’s attachment to France up to the end of the Belle Epoque.

        Other museums to visit in Nice:

        Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC)
        Matisse Museum
        Marc-Chagall Museum
        Charles-Nègre Photography Museum
        Jules-Chéret Museum of Fine Art
        Museum of Asian Art
        Anatole Jakovsky International Museum of Naïve Art

        Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (21)

        ©Moirenc Camille

          Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (22)

          ©CRT Côte d'Azur France/ Anaïs BROCHIERO

            The festive events not to miss in Nice!

            In both summer and winter, Nice is a town where the events set the tempo. The festivities start in February with the famous Nice Carnival: a two-hour show that will impress young and old! Its specific feature? The flower battle, a parade during which confetti usually thrown onto spectators is replaced by flowers grown in the Alpes Maritimes!

            An essential musical event on the Côte d’Azur, the Nice Jazz Festival also causes a buzz in the Côte d’Azur capital in July. Since its creation in 1948, the greats have appeared on the stage in Nice, such as Jamie Callum, or the R&B legend Ms Lauryn Hill. Remember to book you seats for the next edition!

            Do you like beautiful Christmas lights? Nice is your next family destination for the end of year festivities! In addition to its scintillating illuminations, its grand Christmas Market (which spreads out over Place Masséna and the Albert 1er Garden) is the spot not to miss during your winter visit to the town!

            Discover the cuisine of Nice

            Within the historic town centre, discover the shady narrow streets of Old Nice and its colourful facades; you’ll admire its Provencal atmosphere with an Italian feel. Follow the aromas from Cours Saleya to discover the famous flower market and its assorted early produce.

            The opportunity for you to try a few specialties from Nice before going to visit the many palaces and Baroque churches nestled in the surrounding area.

            If you want to eat in an unusual location, go to Avenue Jean Médecin in the Liberation district. At the end of this famous shopping street in Nice is the concourse of the former Provence Railway terminus.

            Today, it’s a gourmet covered market where you can try regional products or simply sip on a drink on the terrace.

            Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (23)

            ©Jerome Kelagopian

              Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (24)

              ©CRT COTE D'AZUR FRANCE / Pierre BEHAR

                Nissa la Bella: land of history and authenticity

                Nice has always been cosmopolitan, and several locations bear witness to the presence of the Russians who came to seek refuge in Nice during the 1917 Revolution.

                The cathedral of Saint Nicholas is certainly one of the most beautiful orthodox buildings that you can visit outside of Russia!

                To go back through the centuries to when Nice was still a county, visit Mont-Alban Fort.

                Located on the Mont-Boron hill overlooking the Bay of Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer harbour, this visit will show you the everyday life of the 16th century soldiers.

                Other historic sites to visit in Nice:

                ● Basilica Notre-Dame [Our Lady]

                ● Arènes de Cimiez

                ● Chapel de la Miséricorde

                ● Church of Jeanne-d’Arc [Joan of Arc]

                ● Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate [Saint Reparata]

                Do you have any questions? We’ve got the answers!

                • Why visit Nice?

                  If you are an Epicurean at heart, it’s essential to visit Nice during your trip to the Côte d’Azur. Friendly and bon vivants, the people of Nice will be pleased to share with you the secrets of Occitan gastronomy. Famed for its artistic and historic past, Nice is not just summed up by the Promenade des Anglais and its sublime Bay of Angels: multiple museums and historic sites await your visit. The Côte d’Azur capital is animated all year round with multiple events, so what are you waiting for before visiting Nice?

                • What is there to do in Nice?

                  Admire the view from the Colline du Château, try specialties from Nice in the Cours Saleya market, visit the various museums and historic sites, stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, try a water-based activity, meander along the hiking trails… There’s plenty to do in Nice!

                • What districts are there to visit in Nice?

                  For your trip to Nice, here are the best districts to visit over and above the Promenade des Anglais:

                  ● The Mont Boron district: for its spectacular view over Villefranche harbour and the Cap-Ferrat peninsula; Mont Boron is a tremendous place for a stroll.

                  ● The Jean-Médecin district: perfect for shopping and eating at the Gare du Sud concourse.

                  ● The Cimiez district: in the heart of the countryside, set back on the Colline du Château, discover the Matisse and Marc Chagall museums.

                  ● The Port district: nicknamed the “petit marais niçois” (little marsh of Nice), it’s the perfect place to alternate between boutiques, bars and restaurants.

                  ● Old Nice: the historic district of the town, it’s a must-visit!

                • What other towns are there to visit near Nice?

                  The Côte d’Azur is not lacking in pretty towns to visit: Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Grasse, Menton, Antibes, Hyères… You have a wide choice on the French Riviera.

                Cities on the Côte d'Azur

                ©IStock – XantanaDiscover Monaco
                ©Cannes is Yours - Herve-FabreDiscover Cannes
                ©Flavio Vallenari . IstockVisit Menton, its famous gardens and its gentle way of life
                ©IStock – BrzozowskaDiscover Grasse
                ©OT Golfe de Saint-Tropez – E. Bertrand Discover the Golfe de Saint-Tropez

                NICEA UNIQUE LIFESTYLE!

                Présentation clip Campagne Nice Côte d'Azur

                Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (30)

                Présentation clip Campagne Nice Côte d'Azur

                Easy & quickBook your activity online!

                Come and visit Nice: our best ideas | Côte d’Azur |  Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera (2024)
                Top Articles
                Latest Posts
                Article information

                Author: Arielle Torp

                Last Updated:

                Views: 6464

                Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

                Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

                Author information

                Name: Arielle Torp

                Birthday: 1997-09-20

                Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

                Phone: +97216742823598

                Job: Central Technology Officer

                Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

                Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.