5 Reasons People Fall in Love with Nice, France
Paris may be the City of Love, but France has more to offer when it comes to romantic destinations. One place that often gets overlooked? Nice. It’s beautiful, full of history, and has a unique character that blends elegance with a touch of the unexpected.
With its Italianate Old Town, grand 19th-century mansions, and stunning natural scenery, Nice has been a favorite of artists for centuries. This is a city where the light itself seems to have a magic touch, the kind that inspired Chagall and Matisse.
Nice is also a way of life with incredible food, a fantastic climate, and that signature Riviera flair make it a place that deserves a spot on any France travel list.
Here are the top five things to do in Nice.
1. Cours Saleya Market
The heart of Old Town is one of the liveliest spots in the city. The Cours Saleya Market is always buzzing with activity, filled with people browsing, shopping, or just admiring the colorful displays.
Striped awnings stretch across the stalls, shading vendors selling everything from fresh flowers to beautifully arranged fruit and vegetables.
The most famous part of the market is the Marché aux Fleurs, the Flower Market, which runs from Tuesday to Sunday. While flowers are definitely the highlight, the market also overflows with fresh produce, such as juicy melons and fragrant herbs.
Spices, olives, honey, and handmade soaps fill the air with a mix of aromas that make the market impossible to resist. On Mondays, the space transforms into an antiques and flea market, selling everything from vintage jewelry to old books and furniture.
If you visit, bring an extra bag. You’ll end up buying more than you planned.
2. Get Lost in Old Nice (Vieux Nice)
Tucked beneath Castle Hill, the Old Town of Nice is a maze of narrow alleys lined with local shops and restaurants. Tall, ochre-colored buildings cast long shadows, creating pockets of cool air.
The streets are alive at all hours, especially in the squares where cafés, crêperies, and gelato shops stay open late.
There’s a distinct Italian feel to this part of the city, which makes sense. Nice wasn’t even part of France until 1860, when the Treaty of Turin officially made it French territory. That mix of influences is everywhere, from the architecture to the food.
One landmark you can’t miss is the Cathedral of Saint Reparata. Its colorful dome is visible from Castle Hill. Inside are the remains of Saint Reparata, the patron saint of Nice.
The Place Rossetti, where the cathedral stands, is a charming square perfect for a quiet pause. la Porte Fausse (the false gate) is a marble-lined passageway with gold-like decorations that leads to the more modern part of the city.
3. Taste The Food
Nice’s culinary scene is a mix of Mediterranean flavors and local traditions, with dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in France. The local cuisine is built on fresh, simple ingredients. It’s French, but with a Mediterranean soul.
The first thing to try is the Salade Niçoise. It’s a simple but iconic dish made with hard-boiled eggs, green beans, anchovies, tomatoes, and calletier olives. Pair it with a glass of Bellet or Bandol rosé.
For something heartier, try the Socca. It’s a thin, crispy pancake made from chickpea flour, sold hot from street vendors in the Old Town. The Ratatouille is another specialty, a vegetable stew packed with tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplant.
The Daube Niçoise is a slow-cooked beef stew with bacon, tomatoes, and red wine. The bread here is special: la Fougasse is a local favorite.
4. Dive Into The Art Scene
If modern and contemporary art is your thing, start at MAMAC (Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain). This striking, futuristic building houses works by Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, and other major artists from the École de Nice.
It’s the place to see classic pop art and new realism, with exhibits spread across two floors and even on the rooftop terrace, which offers breathtaking city views.
The Musée Matisse in Cimiez holds one of the largest collections of his work. Housed in a red-ochre Genoese villa surrounded by olive trees, it’s a tribute to one of France’s most celebrated painters, who lived in Nice for nearly 40 years. He is buried across the street in the Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez.
If you love both art and music, don’t skip Palais Lascaris, hidden away in a narrow Old Town street. It’s a beautifully preserved 17th-century palace filled with Baroque interiors and a unique collection of musical instruments.
5. Walk the Legendary Promenade
No visit to Nice is complete without a walk along the Promenade des Anglais. This wide boardwalk runs for miles along the Mediterranean, lined with palm trees, pergolas, and grand 19th-century palaces. The English aristocracy built it in the 18th century, financing the construction so they could enjoy a comfortable seaside stroll. Their influence lingers in the names of luxury hotels like Westminster and West End.
People go there to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, or just sit and watch the world go by. The Le Negresco Hotel, one of Nice’s most famous and expensive hotels, sits along this stretch.
The promenade also connects to some of Nice’s biggest attractions, like Castle Hill, Massena Museum, and the Nice Museum of Fine Arts. During the peak season, you’ll see planes coming in low over the Bay of Angels.
It’s also the setting for some of Nice’s biggest events, from the Nice Carnival to open-air exhibitions and sporting events.