Today, we take you to the south of France, in the Alpes-Maritimes department for visit Nice ! Nice is a world famous city, which attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to enjoy the beauties of the Côte d'Azur. Nice is a city with many faces. Certainly the beach and its famous Promenade des Anglais which runs along it have contributed to the reputation of the city, but its historic center, which is less talked about, is also one of the jewels of the city.
Nice is also one of the main departure points for taking the ferry to Corsica and will give a good opportunity for all holidaymakers on the island of beauty departing from Nice to discover this beautiful city.
What to do in Nice?
- Old Nice
- The Promenade des Anglais
- The Castle Hill
- The Cours Saleya and its markets
- Saint Nicholas Cathedral
- The Square Head
- Cimiez
- Villefranche-sur-mer harbor
- Nice Carnival
- Shopping in Nice
- Discover the surroundings of Nice
Practical advice for visiting Nice:
- How to come to Nice?
- Where to park in Nice?
- When to visit Nice?
- How long to visit Nice?
- Where to stay in Nice?
Old Nice
One of the essential things to do in Nice is undoubtedly the old town! During your stay in Nice, be sure to get lost in its narrow streets lined with houses with colorful facades, and discover its main monuments:
- Place Massena
Its current form dates from the end of the XNUMXth century. Considered as the center of the city, the red facades on the ground floor punctuated with arcades, are reminiscent of the architectural style that can be found in Piedmont. A pedestrian zone, the square is embellished with a monumental fountain and white resin statues, which light up in multiple colors after dark. - The place Garibaldi
Surrounded by remarkable buildings decorated in trompe l'oeil with ocher hues, the oldest large square in the town dates from the XNUMXth century. Decorated with a superb monument dedicated to Garibaldi, this semi-pedestrian area has many restaurants. When you go to visit Nice, you can stop there and discover the local gastronomy on the terrace while enjoying the Riviera sun. Why not let yourself be tempted by tasting a socca, a Niçoise specialty made from chickpea flour? - The Sainte-Reparate Cathedral
Built in several sections between the 1949th and XNUMXth centuries, the building was elevated to the rank of basilica in XNUMX. The architecture of the building follows a Roman style, very common at the beginning of the Baroque era. The magnificent interior decors are inspired by those of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. - Courthouse
Imposing building with its grand staircase and colonnades in the neo-classical style, it was built in the XNUMXth century.
Visit Nice by bike!
Opt for an original way to visit Nice and discover the city by electric bike! Accompanied by a local guide, you will walk through the streets of Nice and climb, without difficulty, to Castle Hill.
See the trip
Place Massena – Nice
The Promenade des Anglais
This avenue is one of the most famous in the world. Bordered by the sea on the one hand, and by sumptuous buildings and luxury hotels (the Negresco, the Radisson Blu Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Palais de la Méditerranée, etc.) on the other, it offers a sublime panorama of the Angel's Bay. Gradually developed over the last three centuries, it has now become a privileged place for walks for both Nice and tourists.
Right next to the Negresco is a tropical garden belonging to Villa Masséna. Built between 1898 and 1901 in a neo-classical style with Italian inspirations, this building now houses the museum of the same name which presents the history of the city of Nice.
Promenade des Anglais
The Castle Hill
From the XNUMXth century, this rocky promontory overlooking the Baie des Anges included a powerful military fortress, a cathedral and dwellings. A suburb surrounded by an enclosure will gradually be established on the rest of the hill, as well as a citadel. Over the centuries, the hill suffered many sieges before the castle was definitively destroyed by Louis XIV in the XNUMXth century.
Now remarkably redeveloped into a park, the hill attracts many tourists and residents of Nice who come to relax there. In the middle of archaeological remains and wooded areas, you can discover superb views of the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the port.
The Cours Saleya and its markets
The main pedestrian thoroughfare in old Nice, the Cours Saleya is lined with magnificent colorful buildings in the Baroque style. Very lively, the area attracts large fruit and vegetable markets every day, as well as a flower market, ranked among the most exceptional in France.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral
Built between 1903 and 1912 by order of Tsar Alexander II of Russia in a neo-Russian style, the Saint Nicolas Orthodox Church is the most important building of this type outside of Russia. Its very rich decorations are unique and stand out in the landscape of Nice.
The Square Head
A symbol of contemporary architecture in Nice, this square-shaped monument 30 meters high houses the offices of the municipal library. The interior of the building cannot be visited, but its exterior appearance is well worth a detour!
Cimiez
On a hill northeast of the old town, the residential district of Cimiez is also one of the things to do in Nice. Place steeped in history, many visits are to be discovered:
- The archaeological site of Cemenelum
Former Gallo-Roman city, the excavations are accessed through the adjoining archaeological museum, which presents the objects found on the spot. In particular, there are remains of dwellings, baths, a baptistery and fragments of Roman roads. An amphitheater dating from the XNUMXnd century as well as a park can also be visited near the archaeological site. - The Cimiez Monastery
Founded in the XNUMXth century and rebuilt in the XNUMXth century, it is worth a detour. During your visit to Nice, take some time to visit the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church and its more contemporary neo-Gothic facades, the adjoining cloister and cemetery. A Franciscan museum can complete your visit and teach you more about Franciscan life in Nice. The Italian garden of the monastery and its rose garden have kept their original plans and will offer you a moment of relaxation with family or friends. - The Henri Matisse Museum
Installed in the former Gubernatis Palace, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Cimiez, built in 1680. Located in the arena park, it offers collections honoring the work of the painter buried in the monastery cemetery. - The Marc Chagall National Museum
Built in the XNUMXth century, it presents the life and work of the artist.
Villefranche-sur-mer harbor
The discovery of the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer is one of the essential things to do in Nice. Located not far from the city, barely 10km away, the bay of Villefranche, wrongly called "bay of Villefranche-sur-mer", is one of the most beautiful on the Côte d'Azur.
Protected on the one hand by Cap Ferrat to the East, and Cap de Nice to the West, its ideal geographical location makes this harbor a little paradise on earth.
Discover the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer
What better way to discover the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer than by opting for a cruise?
Departing from Nice, follow the coast, the city of Nice and its Promenade des Anglais to finally enjoy the wonders of the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer, one of the most beautiful on the Côte d'Azur.
Villefranche-sur-mer harbor
Nice Carnival
If you are going to visit Nice in February, the unmissable event is obviously its famous carnival! Internationally recognized, it is reputed to be the third largest carnival in the world, after those of Rio and Venice.
Although the first mention of the Nice carnival dates back to 1294, the festival committee that imagined the festivities as we know them today was founded in 1873. Since that date, every year, floats, flower battles, numerous artists and a multitude of other activities set the city on fire for two weeks in winter. A magical moment to experience absolutely!
A bit of shopping to do in Nice? See you on Avenue Jean Médecin!
If you want to do some shopping, don't hesitate to take a walk on Avenue Jean Médecin. Nice's main shopping street, it has a large shopping center, Nicétoile, as well as many shops housed in buildings, each as sumptuous as the next.
During your shopping trip, take a short break to discover the neo-Gothic basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, built between 1864 and 1879 to provide a place of worship for the new districts of the city. If its facade gives you a feeling of deja vu, it's because it was designed following the model of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris!
Discover the surroundings of Nice
Are you visiting Nice for several days? So take the opportunity to visit the surroundings of Nice. Nice is 20km from Monaco, 30km from Cannes and 40km from Grasse.
Visit a wine estate
It may seem surprising to you, but you are not dreaming, it is quite possible to visit a wine cellar in the hinterland of Nice. Indeed, you will find two main areas to visit. Whether you opt for a visit with tasting or for a simple tasting, this can be an original activity to do in this region. In addition, this part of the hinterland is very pretty!
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume with moderation.
Visit Grasse from Nice
We recently told you about the city of Grasse in one of our recent articles. Grasse can be visited by the day, departing from Nice via a guided excursion.
Grasse is a city renowned for being the world capital of perfume! You can visit one of the many perfumeries such as Fragonnard, Molinard or Galimard.
The historic center of Grasse is also worth seeing.
Monaco
Of course, a trip around Nice would not be complete without a visit to Monaco! The Principality of Monaco makes many of us dream. The small town nicknamed “Le Rocher” is located just 20km from Nice. Here too you can opt for a guided day tour departing from Nice. This excursion will also take you to discover the town of Éze, an ancient medieval city.
Fancy an excursion departing from Nice?
You know the platform welink ? A small purely French novelty, it offers guided tours in French and excursions to different cities in France, Europe and around the world! In Nice, about fifteen guided excursions in French are offered to discover the surroundings. Take a look here to find out more. See all tours
Practical advice for visiting Nice
In this second part, we are going to focus on the main questions you can ask yourself when organizing your stay in Nice. So much practical information that can help you when booking and preparing for your trip. If we forgot to answer a question, feel free to leave us a comment. We will take the time to respond to you and update our article.
- How to come to Nice?
- Where to park in Nice?
- When to visit Nice?
- How long to visit Nice?
- Where to stay in Nice?
How to come to Nice?
First of all, let's start with this essential question: how to get to Nice? Several answers are possible depending on the means of transport you choose. Indeed, you can very easily reach Nice by car, plane, train or even by ferry from Corsica. Here is a detailed overview of these different possibilities:
Coming to Nice by car
Nice is located in the extreme south east of France, not far from the Italian border. Easily accessible thanks to the A8 motorway which crosses the south of France, Nice can be easily reached by car. We will see the question of parking later in this article.
To give you an idea of the distances, here are some driving times between Nice and major cities in France:
- Nice – Lyon: 5 hours drive;
- Nice – Paris: 9 hours drive;
- Nice – Montpellier: 3 hours drive;
- Nice – Brest, crossing of France: 14 hours drive;
- Nice – Milan, Italy: 4 hours 15 minutes by road.
Coming to Nice by train
If you want to go to Nice by train, it is quite possible. Moreover, if you are content to visit Nice only, you will probably not need a car once there.
Nice station is well served from various cities in France such as Lyon, Marseille and Paris. For these cities, direct routes are offered. If you want to leave from another city such as Toulouse, Lille, Dijon or Nantes, then you will have to make one change or even several depending on the departure city.
To be sure to choose the right trip at the best price, I recommend that you opt for a comparison platform. Personally, we use TheTrainLine site systematically. Tested and approved, you can go through this site with your eyes closed.
Coming to Nice by plane
Another very practical option: get to Nice by plane. Indeed, the city of Nice has an airport very well placed, at the entrance of the city. Served by various cities in France, Europe and around the world, Nice can be the perfect destination for a city trip of a few days.
To give you an idea of the potential departure cities, you can fly to Nice from Nantes, Brest, Strasbourg or even Bordeaux and Paris. From Europe, flights from Nice serve cities such as Dublin, Athens, Bergen or even Berlin and Krakow. And finally, if you want to come or leave from a more distant destination in the world, you will easily find routes for the Maghreb, Moscow or even Tel Aviv or Istanbul.
You can see that the city of Nice is easily accessible by plane from various cities.
As for the train, we recommend a comparison platform, which we have tested, approved and above all, which we use systematically to book our next stays abroad.
Once at Nice airport, the question of travel will arise. Good news for you: public transport connects the airport quickly and easily with the city center of Nice. You will have the choice between a bus line or the recent tram. To find out more, visit the official website of Nice airport.
Coming to Nice by ferry
Last possibility to reach Nice: take a ferry. This option will be especially interesting if you arrive from Corsica or possibly an Italian coastal town. Nice is very well served by the Corsica Ferries company, particularly during the summer season. If you are interested in a ferry crossing from Corsica, I recommend that you read our dedicated article: Which ferry to go to Corsica?
View all Nice sailingsHowever, if you want to go to Nice without a car, but you plan to travel around Nice during your stay, you can absolutely rent a car locally, the time of your trip, then return it for the end of your stay. No worries about parking in the city center for example.
Where to park in Nice?
If you go to Nice by car, the question of parking will arise. As in all big cities, it is better to take care of answering this question beforehand, rather than being bothered when you arrive there, at the risk of having to turn for long periods in the city to find a place. Especially since if you stay a certain number of days, you could have unpleasant surprises when paying.
So to avoid any inconvenience of this kind, here are some solutions that can be interesting if you come to Nice by car:
- Opt for a hotel with parking : indeed, one of the simplest solution, choose a hotel which has a car park. Sometimes these car parks are paid, but remain much cheaper than a place in the city center.
- Study parking lots in the city : if your hotel does not have a car park, you can always find out about the car parks available in the city, their prices, long-term parking conditions or even the location that suits you the most. You will find valuable information on the website of the city of Nice.
When to visit Nice?
Nice is a city with a particularly mild climate. Temperatures are very mild in winter and hot in summer. Between 10 degrees in winter and 30 degrees in summer, the average temperatures are very pleasant for visiting the city. As for precipitation, some months will be rainy like in autumn or spring. On the other hand, sunshine is particularly high throughout the year.
So to answer this question of the best time to visit Nice, I would say that Nice can be visited all year round. It's up to you to see if you want to enjoy the beach and the heat, in this case plan a stay between May and September. If this beach side does not attract you more than that, then you can easily visit Nice the rest of the time.
How long to visit Nice?
Nice is a city relatively concentrated around its historic center. Your visit to Nice can therefore be done very easily by 2 days or over a weekend. You will have time to see the main places of interest but also, weather permitting, to enjoy the beach.
If you want to stay longer in the city, then you can plan excursions around Nice to discover what is hidden there.
Where to stay in Nice?
Nice is a fairly large city and has a fairly wide range of accommodation: top-of-the-range hotels, more accessible hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments for rent, etc. You will have a choice of accommodation. If you come to visit Nice for a few days, the ideal will be to choose accommodation in the historic center of the city. This will allow you to take full advantage of the city without having to use your car or public transport.
To help you in your choice, here is a selection of 3 accommodations of different categories:
Saleya Palace
Let's start with this magnificent boutique hotel, located in the heart of old Nice. A real little gem that perfectly combines the old charm of the building with perfect modernity in the decoration and the many details. Despite a price reflecting the standing of this place, your stay at the Palais Saleya will leave you with unforgettable memories. From the comfort of the room, to the welcome of the staff, through the quality breakfast and the exceptional location, this place is a safe bet in Nice! Standing, Location, Decoration See prices
Hotel Saint-Georges
For this second establishment, I suggest a more accessible hotel than the previous one. Located in the very festive Jean-Médecin district, you will be very well located to visit the historic center of Nice, to go to the Promenade des Anglais or to the beach, all on foot! This hotel has been completely renovated and opened recently. You will benefit from a clean, brand new and very well equipped room. The breakfast is prepared with care and with fresh products. A beautiful address, very well located and at an affordable price. Location, Room, Cleanliness
Seaside Tree Studio
Let's end this part with a charming little studio located in the heights of Nice, not far from the port. Recently renovated, you will find yourself in a real little cocoon, sober and comfortable. All the practical necessities will be at your disposal for cooking, working, visiting, … A very nice address to stay in Nice, with a beautiful sea view as a bonus! Sea view, Location, Comfort See prices
If you have not found what you are looking for in these suggestions, you can always watch all the accommodation in Nice which are available. You will necessarily find accommodation for you.
I hope this article has made you want to discover this pretty Mediterranean city! Do not hesitate to leave us a comment if you know this city. We welcome all advice, comments and feedback.
