Nice, capital of the French Riviera

Old Town (Vieux Nice)

The old town of Nice, also known as Vieux Nice, is the beating heart of the city and one of the most charming districts on the Côte d'Azur. This district is known for its narrow, winding streets, colourful houses with green shutters, charming squares and lively atmosphere that lasts until late in the evening. The district is largely car-free, making the town perfect for going on a stroll. The district has many small shops, boutiques, markets, cafes and restaurants. The best known and most central place is the Cours Saleya. This wide square is famous for its daily market, where you will find flowers, local products and freshly baked delicacies. There are numerous terraces and restaurants around the square where you can settle down for a cup of coffee, a glass of rosé or a Provencal lunch. Some popular restaurants with terraces on the Cours Saleya include La Storia, Casa Leya and Molo26, where you can enjoy French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Another popular square is the Place Rossetti, in the middle of the old town. Here you can taste the real southern French life: children play by the fountain, people enjoy an ice cream from the famous ice cream parlor Fenocchio, and the terraces are pleasantly busy until late in the evening. Place Masséna is located exactly between Vieux-Nice and the new part of Nice. If you walk there from the old town centre, you will pass by an imposing marble fountain that contrasts nicely with the bright pink houses behind it. Continue your way over the black and white checkerboard motif painted on the ground, admire the beautiful red and yellow painted facades and discover 'the pole sitters'. These men were created by the artist Jaume Plensa and depict the seven continents. In the evening they are illuminated and change color. Nice has several religious buildings such as Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate on the Place Rossetti. This cathedral is an example of Italian Baroque with a striking dome and a high white bell tower. In addition to the cathedral, there are several baroque churches such as St.-Jacques and St.-François-de-Paule, La Chapelle de la Miséricorde, and Tour de l'Horloge (not a church, but a pink bell tower) that are worth visiting. This also applies to Palais Lascaris, a baroque palace with a rich interior full of frescoes. The Russian Church Cathedrédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice is an impressive Russian Orthodox cathedral, unique in France and an architectural jewel. With its colorful domes and beautiful interior, the cathedral offers a special piece of Russian history and culture in the heart of Nice.

Nine beautiful museums in Nice

• Musée Matisse - Located in the Cimiez neighbourhood, dedicated to the life and work of Henri Matisse
• Marc Chagall Museum – dedicated to the work of painter Marc Chagall
• MAMAC (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain) - Modern and contemporary art, with works by Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle, among others
• Palais Lascaris - Antique musical instruments
• Musée Masséna - History of Nice and the French Riviera
• Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret - Paintings, sculptures and decorative arts
• Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre - History and art of photography
• Musée International d'Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky - Art from the 18th to the 21st century
• Musée National du Sport - History of sport at the Allianz Riviera stadium

You can easily visit all these museums when staying in holiday park FranceComfort - Résidence de Salernes

Promenade des Anglais

The Boulevard of Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is one of the most famous places in Nice and runs from the old town of Nice to the airport in the west of the city. It owes its name to a group of wealthy English winter visitors who decided to finance the construction of a coastal footpath in 1821. This was intended to give the local population work during a period of poor harvests and poverty. The promenade was completed in 1824 and was initially nicknamed "Camin dei Inglés" (the English Way) in the local dialect, which was later officially renamed Promenade des Anglais after the annexation of Nice by France in 1860. Along the promenade you will find iconic buildings such as the Hotel Negresco, a stunning example of Belle Époque architecture, and the art-deco Palais de la Méditerranée. The promenade is a popular spot for walkers, cyclists and runners and is used annually for events such as the Nice Marathon and the 'Battle of Flowers' during the carnival. The famous blue chairs along the promenade are a signature feature; Originally white, they were painted blue in 1850 as a reference to the sky and the sea.

Colline du Château

At the end of Promenade des Anglais is Parc de la Colline du Chateau, also known as the castle hill park. To get to the top of the hill, you can climb the stairs with more than 200 steps, take the elevator or take a ride on the tourist train. Not much more than a ruin is left of the medieval castle, the space around it has been turned into a beautiful 19-hectare park with shaded walkways, a spectacular artificial waterfall, playgrounds, picnic areas and a café. From this hill you have a beautiful view of Nice, the Baie des Anges, the Promenade des Anglais, the old town, the port and other seaside resorts on the Côte d'Azur. The daily cannon shot around noon is a fun local tradition.

Shops and boutiques in Nice

Nice is an ideal place for shopping enthusiasts, with a mix of vintage shops, boutiques, luxury department stores and markets. Especially the old town (Vieux Nice) and the centre offer an attractive and diverse shopping experience. Depart from your luxury villa in Provence so that you can shop in the morning. In the afternoon when it is warm, it is more appealing to sit and relax on a terrace.
Central vintage shop on the Rue Centrale is a popular place for those who love unique second-hand fashion.
Caprice Vintage Shop on the Rue Droite is a must for lovers of vintage and antiques. Here you will not only find clothing, but also special accessories and interesting curiosities.
Galeries Lafayette on Avenue Jean Médecin is Nice's most famous department store and offers an impressive selection of fashion, beauty, perfumes, accessories and luxury brands. The Verde Acqua boutique on Avenue de la République focuses on Italian fashion and accessories for women. This boutique offers stylish, modern and outspoken pieces, perfect for those who love fashion with a Mediterranean touch.
NAT'S is a charming women's boutique on the Rue de France, known for its contemporary and feminine collections.

The Rue de la Préfecture in Vieux Nice is a hotspot for original shops and concept stores. Bubu Sheli offers eye-catching bags and accessories, Antic Boutik is loved for its trendy clothing, and Cabane de Nice is an inspiring concept store with a mix of interior, fashion and design.
Nicetoile is the largest shopping center in Nice, located in the heart of the city. With more than 75 shops, restaurants and various services, it is an ideal place for those who like to have everything under one roof. After a day of shopping, you will return satisfied to your villa with private pool or villa with air conditioning where you and your partner can enjoy a delicious glass of wine.

Local cuisine and restaurants

Nice has various culinary specialties that reflect Mediterranean and Provençal cuisine, often with Italian influences due to its proximity to Italy. Well-known dishes are Socca, Salade Niçoise, Pan Bagnat, Pissaladière, Dube niçoise, Petits Farcis Noçois, Bottarga, and Tourte aux blettes. There are several restaurants and markets in Nice where these specialties are served authentically. For Socca, for example, Chez René Socca is recommended and for Salade Niçoise and Pan Bagnat, L'Escalinada and Chez Tintin are popular addresses.
We would like to recommend the following 5 dining options to you:
1. Chez Acchiardo is a household name in Vieux Nice and is known for its classic Niçoise dishes in a cozy, historic setting. Here you can taste authentic local specialties such as Niçoise salad, carpaccio and grilled meat dishes.
2. The charming bistro-restaurant Comptoir du Marché serves seasonal Mediterranean cuisine in a nostalgic, cozy atmosphere.
3. La maison de Marie offers refined French cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, served in bright, stylish rooms and on an lively terrace. The focus is on seasonal ingredients and an extensive wine list.
4. For those who fancy Italian influences, Les Amoureux is  the place to be for classic and creative Neapolitan pizzas. The atmosphere is informal and cozy, ideal for an evening with friends or family. The pizzas are praised for their authentic flavours and the wine list offers beautiful Italian choices.
5. Le Panier is a bistronomic restaurant located in the heart of Vieux Nice, where creativity and seasonal products come together. The menu changes every few months and offers delicious dishes with international influences.

Markets in Nice

Nice is known for its lively markets, which are an important part of the city's daily life and atmosphere. Especially in the old town (Vieux-Nice) you will find some of the most characteristic and colourful markets of the Côte d'Azur.
Cours Saleya Market - Flower Market: From Tuesday to Sunday there is a famous flower market on the Cours Saleya, where you will find local products such as fruits, vegetables, olive oil, cheese, sausage, herbs and soaps in addition to flowers. Flea/antique market: On Mondays, the Cours Saleya transforms into a large flea market and antique market, with crockery, paintings, silverware and curiosities. Arts and crafts market: In the summer months (mid-May to mid-September) arts and crafts market are held in theevenings, the perfect place for local artisans to display their creations.
Puces de Nice - Located near the port, with a wide range of antiques, vintage items and curiosities. In the Rue Antoine Gautier you will also find many antique shops.
Marché de la Libération - A daily market (except Mondays) on Place du Général De Gaulle, with fresh produce from local producers such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, honey and cheese.
Fish Market Place Toja - Daily (except Mondays) fresh fish directly from the fishermen.
Place du Palais de Justice - On Saturdays a market is held here, selling books, art and collectibles.

Watersport in Nice

Located on the beautiful Baie des Anges on the French Riviera, Nice is ideal for water sports enthusiasts. The city and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities on and around the water.
Jet Skiing & Water Skiing - Along the coast of Nice you can rent jet skis and there are plenty of opportunities for water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing.
Parasailing - One of the most spectacular activities to do in Nice is parasailing: fly up to 30 meters above the sea and enjoy breathtaking views.
Stand-up Paddle Boarding & Kayaking - For a more peaceful experience, you can rent a paddleboard or a kayak. Explore the rocky capes of Cap de Nice or paddle towards Villefranche.
Diving & Snorkeling - Nice has a rich diving history and offers access to more than 30 dive sites, including reefs, caves and even a plane wreck. Snorkeling is excellent around Cap de Nice, you can spot schools of fish, sea urchins and sometimes even octopuses.
Flyboarding - The real daredevils need to try flyboarding: a sport where you are launched meters into the air by a powerful jet of water.
Sailing & Boat Tours - Nice is the perfect base for sailing lessons, boat day trips or for renting a yacht.
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing - Although kitesurfing is prohibited on Nice's main beach in the summer months, you can do so in the nearby Saint-Laurent-du-Var, where conditions are often ideal.

Events in Nice

Nice is a city that is bustling with cultural, sporting and festive events throughout the year. Below is an overview of the most important events.
Nice Carnival (late February) – Colorful parades of floats (Corsi Carnavalesques), flower fights on Place Masséna, and illuminated evening parades
Nice Jazz Festival (late July) – This is the oldest jazz festival in the world and features a mix of international and local artists in an atmospheric setting at Place Masséna and Théâtre de Verdure.
Festival International de Commedia Dell'Arte (June/July) - A theater festival that celebrates the Italian commedia dell'arte with performances and events at various venues, including Palais Lascaris.
Festival de Tragédies (June/July) - Held in the amphitheater of the Arènes de Cimiez, with a program of classical tragedies and related events.
IRONMAN 70.3 Nice (May) - A half triathlon along the coastline of Nice with an impressive course of swimming, cycling and running.
Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes (November) - A marathon from Nice to Cannes along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, thousands of runners from all over the world participate in this.
Fête de la Musique (June), free music performances throughout the city.
Prom Party (July/August) - Summer parties on the coast.
Nice Classic Festival (July/August) - Classical music concerts at the Cimiez Monastery.
Festival du Livre de Nice (end of May) - a literature festival with authors and readers in Jardin Albert 1er.
Concerts (June) - Eric Clapton and Zucchero at Palais Nikaïa.