A Nice France

Ice cream is a hot (weather) topic in Nice, however, and others prefer Azzurro on Rossetti Square over Fenocchio’s.

When to visit the Old Town: Go in the morning when the market at the Cours Saleya is bursting with fresh flowers, or straggle in during the evening when the cafes and cocktail bars are lively.

Make sightseeing in Nice easy. Try a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour for one or two days. Check it out here. Prices from $26.

Check out the Baroque Architecture of Nice

If you’re heading to Vieux Nice anyway, check out the city’s Baroque architecture. Baroque is an excessive, wonderfully ornate style that dates from the end of the 16th century to the early 18th century. Here are three Baroque buildings not to miss:

The Chapelle de la Miséricorde. With its unexpected circular walls and windows and fresco-filled interior, it’s considered one of the top Baroque churches in the world. You’ll find it at 2 Place Pierre-Gautier on the north side of the Cours Saleya.

Another Baroque masterpiece is the small Eglise de Gésu at 12 Rue Droite. Built in the 1600s, its pale blue and yellow facade is a delight and its interior will satisfy all your desires for cherubs, gilt and marble.

The Palais Lascaris is both a museum and historic monument. Built in 1648 for the aristocratic Lascaris-Ventimiglia family, it was restored in the 1960s and opened as a civic museum. Salivate over the elaborate staircase, frescos and luxe salons as you see how the other half lived (at least until the French Revolution). The address is 15 rue Droite. Closed Tuesdays.

Appalling Apollo?

Visit Place Massena and learn about the scandal of the Sun Fountain

It would be hard to tour Nice and not stumble upon the grand Place Massena. Nice’s impressive (and busy) main square sits majestically between the New and the Old Town. With its striking red buildings and checkerboard ground, it’s eye-catching indeed.

But here’s the thing: When the square’s monumental fountain, the Fontaine du Soleil, or the Sun Fountain, was unveiled in 1956 onlookers gasped in shock. The seven-metre (23-foot) marble statue of Apollo in the centre of the fountain drew second, third (and possibly) fourth scandalized looks. Not only did Apollo have a crown of four horses on his head, but the seven-ton god also had, er, a rather large member.

The rebirth of the Sun Fountain

The poor sculptor, Alfred Janniot, had to chisel it down to size. Only perhaps he took his task too much to heart because Apollo went from being a seriously large Greek god to being ridiculed as ‘The Virgin.’

Even so, the Catholic League of Feminine Virtue (no, I’m not making this up) gathered enough support in the 70s to get the offensively nude statue removed, and the once mighty Apollo was banished to a new home outside a sports stadium.

Don’t despair. In 2011, with great aplomb, Apollo regained his rightful home in the Place Massena, where you can still get a gander at his chiselled-down privvies today.

Visit the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas

Built during the reign of Czar Nicholas II, the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Nice’s Russian Orthodox Church, has dazzled visitors with its brilliant domes and spires since 1912.

A two-year restoration ordered by Putin himself means that now it will dazzle you even more. The cathedral is an eye-catching attraction in Nice, France, and is located on Avenue Nicolas-II.

Hike up Castle Hill

When it comes to outdoorsy things to do in Nice, walking up the (seemingly endless) steps of Castle Hill, also called the Colline du Château or the Parc du Château, is a great active option thanks to the panoramic views you’ll be rewarded with. Just don’t expect a castle to be part of that view.

The medieval citadel was destroyed by Louis XIV in 1706. While you’re up here, note that this hill-with-a-view, which is now a pleasant park, has been occupied for centuries. Archeologists have found Celtic, Greek and Roman remains. (Important note: Lazy view-seekers can take the elevator.)

Visit the museums in Nice

Painters and sculptors have long found Nice irresistible, attracted by its luminous light, enjoyable climate and sensual lifestyle, and the city is a treasure trove for art fans.

The big three museums to see are the Musée Marc Chagall, the Musée Matisse and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC). If you prefer exploring with a well-informed guide, check out this half-day museum tour.

Gotta love Chagall

Don’t miss the Musée Marc Chagall

When it comes to cultural attractions in Nice, the Chagall Museum is my favourite. Even if the Matisse Museum gets more buzz, don’t pass this one by. Like glowing illuminated gemstones, Chagall’s 17 major Biblical Message tableaux line the walls and conjure up a vibrant world where magic, folk art and creative sophistication meet.

The Musée national Marc Chagall is at Avenue Docteur Ménard. Closed Tuesdays.

See the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain

With nearly 1,300 works in the collection, the very urban Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art covers major art movements from the 1960s on. You’ll find big names such as Niki de Saint-Phalle, Andy Warhol and Fluxus.

Speaking of Fluxus, I saw these conceptual art stars at a performance in Seoul, Korea, years ago, and will never forget them putting a rose in a blender and drinking it. To this day I wonder what a rose smoothie tastes like. MAMAC is at Place Yves Klein. Closed Mondays.

Visit the Musée Matisse

To see the renowned Matisse Museum head to the very posh Cimiez district, one of the best places to see in Nice and nicely off the main tourist track. Henri Matisse originally came to Nice to try and cure his bronchitis, but ended up staying on and off for the rest of his life.

The Matisse Museum, housed in a lovely red-ochre villa, has one of the largest collections of his work in the world, and you’ll be able to get a sense of the wide range of his talent that includes sculptures, monumental paintings and cutouts. The Musee Matisse is located at 164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez. Closed Tuesdays.

Tour the Cimiez district of Nice

If you’re already in Cimiez visiting the Matisse Museum, take the opportunity to check out more of the Nice attractions in this fashionable neighbourhood. Surrounding the Matisse Museum, you’ll find the remains of a Roman settlement.

Nearby you’ll find the Franciscan Monastery and Museum (closed Sundays) that dates back to 1546. It’s a popular stop for its gardens and 15th-century masterpieces by the famous Niçoise artist Ludovic Bréa.

Across from the Matisse Museum, you can see the imposing Regina building where Matisse once lived. Now a swanky apartment building, it was originally built as a grand hotel. Nice’s most venerable fan, Queen Victoria, would stay here for up to six weeks at a time.

(As an irrelevant note, I tried to get a vacation rental in the Regina last time I was in Nice but someone snatched it before me. Rats.)

Soak up the atmosphere

Eat in a top Nice Restaurant

Eating well is part of every vacation in France, and Nice is no different. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Nice.

Seafood at Peixes For fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere with a maritime theme, try Peixes Restaurant at 4, rue de l’Opéra Nice, France 06300.

Health Food at Badaboom Need a fennel fix, some gluten-free dining or a fresh smoothie? Try the health-focused Badaboom Bistro at 11, rue François Guisol.

Fine Dining at Le Chantecler This 2-star Michelin restaurant in the Hotel Le Negresco offers a gastronomic exploration of Provencal-inspired food.

Meal with a view at La Terrace Located in the rooftop of Le Meridian Hotel, La Terrace is one of the highest points on the Promenade des Anglais.

Try the Local Cuisine at La Merenda While you can eat a Salade Nicoise just about anywhere on the Riviera, and there are raging debates about the proper way to make this simple salad, you might want to delve deeper into authentic local cuisine.

Run by pedigreed chef Dominique Le Stanc, La Merenda is a small restaurant in the Old Town that serves regional dishes such as fried zucchini flowers, tomato pie and stuffed sardines. And no, you can’t phone and make reservations ahead of time. It’s part of the charm. Rue Raoul Basio, 06300 Nice, France.

Why not try a Nice Evening Food & Wine Tour? from $114. Check it out here.

Take a day trip from Nice

The city is ideally located for exploring the other towns of the French Riviera, and one of the best things to do in Nice is to leave it – at least for a day.

Day trips from Nice are simple by train, cheap by bus, and there are so many great destinations in the wonderful South of France region you’ll be spoiled for choice.

My top picks are Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, Biot, Grasse, Eze, Vence and St-Paul de Vence.

Organized Tours

If you’re looking for day tours from Nice, you can do an Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo Tour from $51. Check it out here. Or a French Riviera Guided Driving Tourhere. (Prices from $85.)

You can also rent a motorbike – but to see what I think about that read renting a motorbike in France.

Visit my Things to do in the South of France travel article to get some more ideas on what you can see around the French Riviera, and which towns make great day trips from Nice.

If you want to hit several of the best French Riviera attractions in one day, consider Full-day French Riviera tour. It’s a great way to see the sights while learning some facts and history from a knowledgeable guide.

Chill at an outdoor cafe

As you can see, there are a ton of things to do in Nice, but to truly appreciate the Côte d’Azur lifestyle, settle into a sidewalk cafe, order a glass of rosé and watch the world go by. Doing nothing just might be the most rewarding thing you do.

Travel guide for things to do in Nice, France

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Getting to Nice

Flights to Nice. There are many direct flights from Paris as well as other destinations. From the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, you can take a taxi or the Airport Express Bus into town – catch Bus 98 for the beach and Vieux Nice or Bus 99 for the train station, the Gare SNCF.

Taking the train to Nice is also a breeze. You can catch a highspeed TGV from Paris (about 5.5 hours). There are also plentiful regional trains that can get you to Nice from Cannes, Antibes or Monaco.

Getting around Nice

Nice is a dream for public transportation. There are plenty of public buses, a tram, and options for tourists that include hop-on, hop-off double decker buses and those embarrassing but fun little tourist trains. Cimiez is a bit far, as is the Chagall Museum, but other than that you can pretty much walk to all the main sights.

Restaurant A Nice France

More places to visit in the French Riviera

Nice France Wikipedia

Get some fun travel ideas from my attempt to retrace my parents’ honeymoon in the South of France.

Nice attractions tip – get a French Riviera Pass

Musee A Nice France

A French Riviera Pass will save you money if you intend to do much sightseeing. Many of Nice’s top attractions are included with the pass (and so is the little tourist train). The price of a pass for 24 hours is 26€, 48 hours is 38€ and 72 hours is 56€.