Nice (Nizza)
Nice is the unofficial capital of the Côte d'Azur — and since 2021 a UNESCO World Heritage site as the "Winter Resort of the Riviera." France's fifth-largest city (340,000 inhabitants) combines Italian flair, French grandeur, and Provençal ease like no other place on the coast. Here, the ochre facades of the old town blend with the Belle Époque hotels of the promenade, markets with museums, the sea with the mountains.
Nice became French only in 1860 — before that, the city belonged to the Kingdom of Sardinia. This Italian past is felt everywhere: in the cuisine (Socca, Pissaladière, Salade Niçoise), in the architecture, in the language. The people of Nice still speak their own dialect, Nissart, a mix of Occitan and Italian.
Plan at least 3 full days for Nice — one for the old town and Castle Hill, one for the museums, one for the promenade and the Cimiez district. From Nice, you can easily reach the entire Riviera by train or bus.
💡 Tipp
The best Nice hack: Buy the French Riviera Pass (€26/24h, €38/48h, €56/72h). It includes over 30 museums and attractions, a city tour, and the airport bus. Worth it from 2 museums per day.
Vieux Nice (Old Town)★★★
The Old Town of Nice (Vieux Nice) is a labyrinth of narrow streets, ochre-colored Baroque facades, fluttering laundry, and hidden squares. Located between Castle Hill and Place Masséna, it is the vibrant heart of the city — here people live, cook, celebrate, and haggle.
Cours Saleya — the most famous market on the Côte d'Azur. Tuesday to Sunday flower market (since 1897), Mondays antiques and flea market. Set up at 7 a.m., bustling until 1:30 p.m. Lavender sachets (€3), soap from Grasse (€5), olives (€8/kg), fresh Socca directly from the stand (€3 per portion).
Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate — Nice's Baroque cathedral on Place Rossetti, named after a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. Magnificent interior with gilded stucco work and a bell tower with glazed tiles. Next door, the best ice cream in town at Fenocchio (72 flavors, €2.50 per scoop).
Place Garibaldi — the most architecturally uniform square in Nice in the Piedmontese style (1773–1790). Named after the freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was born here in 1807. Today surrounded by cafés and restaurants — especially atmospheric in the evening.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château) — the 93 m high hill east of the old town offers the most beautiful panoramic view over Nice, the harbor, the Baie des Anges, and on clear days to Cap d'Antibes. The castle was destroyed by Louis XIV in 1706, but the park with its artificial waterfall is beautiful. Ascent via 213 steps (15 min.) or by free elevator at Tour Bellanda.
Park: free, daily 8–20 (summer until 21). Elevator: free, 9–19 (summer until 20).
💡 Tipp
Eat Socca only at Chez Thérésa on the Cours Saleya (since 1920) or at Chez Pipo on Rue Bavastro. Socca is a crispy chickpea flatbread, fresh from the wood oven — Nice's national dish. Always eat directly from the tray, with a glass of rosé.
Promenade des Anglais★★★
The Promenade des Anglais is the most famous promenade in the world — 7 km of winding sidewalk along the Baie des Anges, lined with palm trees, Belle Époque hotels, and the azure Mediterranean. Financed by the English colony in 1822 (hence the name), it was the winter walk of the European aristocracy.
The Hôtel Negresco (1913) is the landmark of the promenade — a Belle Époque palace with a pink dome, designed by Dutch architect Édouard-Jean Niermans. The lobby with its Baccarat crystal chandelier (16,309 crystals, made for the Tsar in 1860) is freely accessible. A drink in the Le Relais bar costs from €14 — expensive, but worth it for the ambiance.
The beach of the promenade consists of pebbles, not sand — comfortable shoes or water shoes are recommended. Public sections are free, private beach clubs (Beau Rivage, Castel, Blue Beach) charge €22–35 for a lounger and umbrella, offering mattresses, service, and restaurants.
The promenade is ideal for jogging, cycling, or rollerblading — the separate bike path runs the entire length. "Vélo Bleu" bike rental at numerous stations (€1/30 min.).
💡 Tipp
For the perfect photo: Stand on the terrace of Castle Hill (Belvedere platform) at sunset. From there, you can overlook the entire promenade in golden light — with the Alps in the background. Free and breathtaking.
Museums in Nice
Musée Matisse
In the noble Cimiez district, in a Genoese villa from the 17th century. Henri Matisse lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954 — this museum showcases his entire oeuvre: from early still lifes to the Fauvism period to the late cut-outs. 68 paintings, 236 drawings, 218 prints, 57 sculptures. The garden with a view of the ruins of the Roman arena is worth a visit alone.
Free (since 2015 all municipal museums in Nice). Wed–Mon 10–18, Tue closed. Bus 15, 17, 20, 25 to Arènes/Musée Matisse.
Musée Marc Chagall
The world's most important museum for Marc Chagall's work — inaugurated by the artist himself in 1973. 17 monumental paintings of the "Biblical Message" in rooms specially designed for them. The bright colors and dreamlike scenes unfold their full effect in the natural light of the building. In the concert hall, three stained glass windows about creation.
€8 (reduced €6), under 26 free. Wed–Mon 10–18 (Nov–April until 17). Bus 15 to Musée Chagall.
MAMAC (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)
At Place Yves Klein: four interconnected towers display works of Nouveau Réalisme (Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, César), Pop Art, and contemporary installations. The rooftop terrace offers a spectacular view over the old town to the sea.
Free. Tue–Sun 10–18.
Musée Masséna
In a magnificent Belle Époque villa directly on the promenade: the history of Nice and the Riviera from 1792 to 1939. Napoleon memorabilia, historical photographs, costumes, and the opulent interior of an aristocratic villa. The garden with palm trees and roses is freely accessible.
Free. Wed–Mon 10–18.
💡 Tipp
Nice's municipal museums are all free — take advantage of that! On a rainy day, you can cover Matisse, Chagall, and MAMAC. Only Chagall (National Museum) costs €8, but even that is a bargain for one of the most important museums in southern France.
