A Complete Travel Guide to Nice in France

Nice, located in the south of France, is a beautiful city and the second-largest tourist destination in France. Nice is full of exciting tourist places to visit, and it attracts a large number of visitors each year. Nice is well-known for its culture, ancient history, tradition, museums, one-of-a-kind cuisines, impressive mountains and hills, stunning beaches, and stunning landscapes. Also known as the Queen of the Cote d'Azur city. On your France vacation package, there are many interesting places to visit in Nice.

Nice was formerly part of Italy's Savoia and then the Kingdom of Sardinia before being ceded to France in 1860. As a result, there are many scenes in Nice that retain the colours of poetic Italy. The Var River flows through Nice, overlooking the beautiful Baie des Anges Bay to the south and leaning against the Alps to the north.

This location has clean air and pleasant weather, making travel very comfortable and enjoyable. The beach is stunning, with clear blue water and a long pebble beach. This city is divided into two sections: the old town and the new town.

There are Several Places to Visit in Nice.

1. Old Town

The Old Town, also known as Vieux Nice, is a small old quarter in Nice and is among the famous places in France. You'll get mediaeval vibes here, and the atmosphere will transport you to a time when Nice was an independent Italian state. Nice, like Italy and Spain, has narrow Mediterranean-style streets lined with tall houses painted in warm colours such as red, yellow, pastel, and others. You can also go to any of the many cafes and eateries that line the streets.

2. Promenade des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais is a tourist attraction in Nice that offers fresh air and a breathtaking view. It is a 7-kilometre-long coastal road for strolling, watching the sea, and relaxing. You will be immersed in a fresh, pleasant natural environment, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves and views. This road is lined with restaurants, cafes, shops, and hotels, among other things. Locals refer to this street as Promenade or La Prom.

3. Marc Chagall National Museum

The Marc Chagall National Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Nice. This museum displays paintings, mosaics, and other works of art. The museum houses a large collection of Russian painters by Marc Chagall. Chagall was involved in the construction of the museum as well as its decoration with a stained glass window and mosaic works. The artist is well-known for his figurative works. The main draw of this museum is its collection of 12 paintings depicting Genesis and Exodus. All of these paintings are hung in a three-diamond pattern on the walls. In addition, there are 105 engravings based on biblical stories. There are no entry fees to this museum.

4. Musee Massena

Musee Massena is regarded as one of the city's most recognisable architectural landmarks. This structure is said to have been built for one of Napoleon's grandsons, Prince Victor d Esslin, to spend the holidays in. The architecture of this building is modelled after a neoclassical style, and it is the main attraction of the area. The entrance fee to this location ranges between 10 and 20 Euros.

5. St. Nicholas Cathedral

The Royal Family built the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral for the Russian community in Nice. It is Western Europe's largest Russian Orthodox church. The church's structure was built in the Old Russian style, but certain elements distinguish this Cathedral. The entire church is surrounded by a large garden. It is home to some unusual flora.

6. Castle Hill

Castle Hill is a park with stunning natural beauty. It is made up of the ruins of defensive walls, an artificial waterfall, and an elevator built into the rock. There are also many other interesting and appealing landscapes to discover, such as Baie des Anges, Vieille Ville, and the harbour. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Nice.

7. Place Massena

It is the main square of Nice, located between the Old and New Towns. The fountain in the square depicts Greek mythology stories, with a 7-meter-tall statue of Apollo in the centre. Old buildings painted red with blue windows, typical of the Mediterranean region, surround the square. This is the city's largest square, and it represents Nice's distinct culture.

8. Rue De France Pedestrian Zone

Nice's pedestrian zone has it all, from the unique store layout, music, discounts, and fashion products, to the adorable service of the sales staff. Visitors were unable to stop themselves from purchasing items. Because street performances are always held in this area, it is a tourist hotspot for leisure and entertainment. You can walk, sit, or simply stay in the centre and enjoy the nice weather while being entertained.

9. Port of Nice

The port of Nice is a fascinating place to visit. Visitors can watch the Corsican ferries leave from a corner of Nice's old town. Despite the fact that there are always ships coming in and out, the boats anchored here are very orderly and neat. There are many crowded nightclubs, busy shops, and traffic around the port.

10. Beaches

The beach is one of Nice's main draws. Nice has approximately 15 private beaches and 20 public beaches. There is a fee for entering private beaches, and guests are not permitted to bring food or drinks. Public beaches are free but have no amenities. Nice's coastline is made up of pebbles from the Var and Paillon rivers. The Cote d'Azur beach looks like something out of a fairy tale, with its emerald-green waters.

Dishes to Try

The Nice cuisine is unique and you must try its local delicacies while roaming the streets. Here, we have listed some of the best dishes you should try on your next vacation.

1. Ratatouille: It is a Nice-born vegetable stew dish.

2. La daube niçoise: A red wine-based beef stew with vegetables such as onions, carrots, and herbs.

3. Soupe au pistou: A popular Provençal bean soup.

4. Salade Nicoise: This salad with tomatoes, radishes, onions, black olives, hard-boiled eggs, tuna, and anchovies mixed with olive oil is available in any restaurant.

5. French chicken stew: Coq au vin, which means rooster in wine, is a French chicken stew. The dish is quite elaborately prepared, with delicious pieces of chicken marinated in spices and wine so that the meat absorbs the rich flavour.

6. Steak Tartare:  Raw beef minced with onions, pepper, sauce, and egg yolk served with rye bread.

7. Crepe: A simple cake made of flour, barley, eggs, milk, and butter, then thinly coated black and golden brown and served with cold cream, chocolate sauce, and caramel.

8. Socca: An unleavened, thin pancake made from chickpea flour.

9. Le Pan Bagnat: A sliced sandwich filled with garlic, tuna, and anchovies.

10. Pissaladière: A pizza-like pie with onions, anchovies and olives.

Best Time to Visit Nice

Because of its location in the Mediterranean climate zone, the climate here is very pleasant all year.

Summer (June to August):

This is an excellent time to visit Nice, which attracts a large number of tourists from all over Europe each year. As a result, summer in Nice is extremely crowded, and service prices are also higher. You should avoid walking around the city because it can be exhausting.

Autumn (September to November):

Nice is best visited in the autumn. The weather is hot and cold here, which draws a lot of tourists. This season, the mesmerising beauty of Nice appears more.

Winter (December to February):

This time of year is well-known for the Nice Carnival, one of the city's most important events, which takes place every February. This location is packed with tourists due to the exciting Christmas atmosphere.

The Best Part? It’s Easy to Reach!

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is located in the southwest of the city, approximately 6 kilometres from the city centre. To get to your destination, you can take a taxi or cab. Or you can travel by train from different European cities to Nice.

It’s all in place. Head out and experience this beautiful city that’s going to leave a lasting impression on you!