Nice, France Travel Guide: What to See, Do, and Eat

The French Riviera is a very special region of France. One of glamour, warm weather, and vacation. In particular, Nice, France holds a special place in many Frenchmen's hearts. It makes a great stopover on a South of France road trip.

When I did it, I rented a car from the Nice airport and headed off to enjoy this very famous part of France. You can also take the train from Paris to Nice, but you know how I love a road trip! I've got a few of my favorite spots to share.

Getting There & Around

By air: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport sits right on the coast, and Tram Line 2 now runs directly from the airport into the city center in under 30 minutes, with trams roughly every 8 minutes and tickets running about 1.70 to 10 euros depending on the ticket type you choose.

By train: A direct TGV from Paris to Nice takes around five and a half to six hours, a beautiful ride along the coast for the final stretch if you'd rather not drive the whole way.

Getting around: Central Nice is very walkable once you're there, so you don't need a car for everything on this list.

Best Time to Visit

Nice is genuinely a year-round destination, but the season changes the experience. Late spring through early fall (May through September) brings the warmest weather and the busiest beaches and restaurants, with the Cannes Film Festival in May marking the unofficial start of high season along the whole Riviera. If you'd rather have the Promenade des Anglais to yourself, aim for April, October, or November, when the weather is still mild but the crowds thin out considerably.

Cannes Film Festival

There is something about the Cannes Film Festival that always represents the beginning of summer for me, and my thoughts turn to the Côte d'Azur and the French Riviera region where you will soon find a large concentration of tourists in St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, and Monaco – all ready to embrace the sunshine and unique lifestyle of that region.

The Scenery

Of all the notable towns, I like Nice the best. It has just the right Italian influence from across the border; it's a paradise with soft light to inspire artists and photographers alike, amazing food to satisfy the most discerning foodie, and sights and sounds that will keep you occupied morning, noon, and night!

As the high season begins, I thought I would share a sampling of what you can do in this amazing city by the sea.

It is no wonder Nice is called Nice la Belle (Nice the Beautiful): it is absolutely gorgeous year-round, giving visitors the chance to explore every corner without worrying about bad weather getting in the way. If you visit nowhere else, you must take a stroll on the Promenade des Anglais that runs the length of the seafront, where you will find beaches, cafes, and lovely places to stop and take in the world.

If you need to get out of the sun for a bit, there are several museums to take in, including the amazing Matisse Museum, the Chagall Museum, as well as the Nice Archaeology Museum and Roman Ruins, where you can see the ruins of a Roman arena and bathhouses. Good to know: both the Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum are closed on Tuesdays, and the Matisse Museum's permanent collection is free to visit.

Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais will lead you to two places that you'll want to check out. One is Cours Saleya, a fantastic market where you can see and buy delicious food, beautiful flowers, and, on certain days, antiques. The flower and food market runs Tuesday through Sunday (roughly 6am to early afternoon, depending on the stall), and on Mondays it's replaced by an antiques and brocante market.

The other spot to visit is Place Massena, Nice's main commercial street; you'll find plenty of shopping and neoclassical architecture, which is a great photo opportunity.

Another must-do walk when visiting Nice is to climb the steps of the Colline du Château to “Le Château,” which rests on a summit that offers an amazing view of the Baie des Anges, Old Nice, and the Port, which are some of the most photographed panoramic viewpoints in France. Idyllic paths wind through the shade of the trees, with great views and a large grassy park featuring Roman ruins and a waterfall. If you'd rather skip the climb, there's a free public elevator that takes you straight to the top.

The Food

Eating, oh my! The best thing to do is to take advantage of Nice’s coastal location and Mediterranean lifestyle to enjoy seafood and Italian-inspired menus.

Besides where to eat, there's also what to do. Don’t forget to try out these local specialties:  Socca (a rustic chickpea-flour crepe);  Nicoise salad;  Pissaladiere (oven-baked focaccia topped with caramelized onions, black Nicoise olives, and anchovies); farcis niçois (tiny stuffed vegetables); and sardines.

Hotels in Nice

There are tons of hotel options for visiting Nice. You can choose a seaside hotel or one in the hills; you really can't go wrong with whichever you choose.

On the luxury side, there is the Hôtel Palais de la Méditerranée (now part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt) and the Hotel Château Saint-Martin & Spa. In an intermediate price range, you will find the Le Meridien Hotel Nice and Hôtel La Pérouse.

Day Trips from Nice

Nice makes a fantastic home base for exploring the rest of the Riviera. Monaco, Èze, and Antibes are all easy day trips by train or car. I've rounded up seven of my favorite day trips from Nice below, plus why Cannes makes such a great one too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How about you? Have you been to Nice and have suggestions? Do share!

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