Nice France is one of the most culturally diverse and beautiful towns in the Mediterranean, and has plenty of attractions to keep tourists busy. From beautiful architecture, to serene views of the water, to museums full of history, Nice has something to offer everyone.
To start, you can take a relaxing walk through the (no-cars allowed) streets of Old Nice, called Vieux Nice. These streets are windy, many are cobblestoned, and will lead you through the oldest and most historical part of the city. Then, you can walk down the seaside Promenade des Anglais, which is probably the world’s best known and most loved seafront boulevard. The Promenade wraps around the Bay of Angels and all along it, you can find beautiful buildings built in belle epoque architectural styles.
If you have time, take a quick stop at the famous Hotel Negresco, and check out the baroque architecture inside. Then, you can stroll down to the Opera de Nice, which is one of the most stunning French theaters in the world. Take a look at the facade, the staircase and the beautifully painted ceiling. Across the street, you can find the Eglise St. Francois de Paule, an 18th century church that has both baroque and neoclassical architectural tones.
French Cuisine
Next, for some food, you can walk to Place St. Francois, which is a herb, vegetable and fish market. You can walk through the stalls and find some wonderful fresh ingredients, and snack on food for sale at the stalls. The square is flanked by an 18th century clock tower, that is one of the most iconic structures in Nice. If you enjoyed the market, you can visit the Cours Saleya, another market nearby that sells only flowers every morning. It is a beautiful way to start the day and you can find dozens of different types of flowers.
From Old Nice, you can make your way to La Colline du Chateau (“Castle Hill”), either by walking through Old Town or by taking a life at Place du 8 Mai 1945. Both ways are very scenic and iconic. Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll find yourself in a park full of Mediterranean trees with a waterfall and you’ll get great panoramic views of Nice and the surrounding towns. There used to be a fort here centuries ago, but much of it has been destroyed. You can see the ruins and the relics of the Cathédrale Santa Maria de l’Assompta.
Nice Museums
Next, you can visit a few of Nice’s world famous museums for some French art. Villa Massena is one of the most renowned museums in the city, and has attracted some of the best French painters such as Chagall, Matisse and Niki de Saint Phalle. Some other museums include the Matisse Museum, which is a completely renovated 17 century villa in the heart of the Gardens of Cimiez (an olive grove, which itself is a wonderful attraction). The museum ha the personal collection of Matisse and has works from all across his lifetime, which makes for a wonderful experience.
Then there is the Museum Marc Chagall, which the artist Marc Chagall helped design. Many of his large paintings, sculptures, mosaics and stained-glass pieces are here, and is definitely worth a quick visit.
For something more modern, there is the Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art, four gray marble towers with glass walkways, with collections of European and American art since the 1960’s onwards.
Finally, don’t forget to grab a meal at one of Nice’s many restaurants. You will find most restaurants rely heavily on produce and fish from the region, and you will find many specialties using stockfish made from dried haddock. Beware, however, that many places do not accept credit cards, so you will need cash.
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