Top Things To See In Nice France: The Beautiful French Riviera

Our Suggestions For The Best Places To Visit

The French Riviera is everything you have ever dreamed of, and more, which may be why it receives five million visitors each year. Visiting this area is always a treat with so much to see and explore.

We had previously seen other towns in the area, including Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo, but this time our visit focused on exploring the city of Nice. We stayed for five days, explored several different places and would like to share our experience with you. This can help you narrow down the top things to see in Nice.

Highlights of Nice

Promenade des Anglais

Ever ask yourself what Nice is best known for? It would likely be this incredible stretch of walkway along the coast. This seven kilometre stretch was created by the British when they came to the area each winter in search of climatic therapy, which was highly recommended during that period.

They loved the area but thought it was missing an appropriate spot for the aristocrats to walk and mingle with society, so they paid locals to build the promenade for them. Hence the name, since the English built it.

Nowadays, it is still extremely popular as people stroll, jog, skateboard, and rollerblade along the promenade. This pathway also provides access to many restaurants and bars set on the beach for perfect views of the sea. Keep in mind that walking on the beach here can be difficult as it is made of pebbles, not sand.

And of course, here you will find the famous blue chairs that you see in pictures, where you can relax and lounge, taking in the ambiance around you.

✅ Looking for a great walking tour of Nice that hits all the highlights? This is a great 5-star tour that we took. We took this on the first day we were in Nice, and it was perfect to understand the layout of the city and receive excellent recommendations.

I Love Nice Sign

At the far end of the Promenade (on the end opposite from the Nice airport) is the I Love Nice Sign. As many other cities have done, Nice has positioned its sign in a nice spot with a beautiful background, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Here you can take a great photo to show you were actually there in the city known as the Bay of Angels.

Hotel Negresco

Once you are tuckered out from people watching on the Promenade, be sure to check out the Hotel Negresco located across the street on the main strip. It is hard to miss with its iconic pink dome.

This hotel was started with the goal to attract the wealthy by a Romanian, Henri Negresco, who had a French architect design and build it in 1912. It has a colourful past, including being used as a hospital during the First World War.

After a period of decline, the property was bought by the Augier family in the late 1950s and was converted back to its former glory. Now it houses 6000 pieces of art, including an original Dali, and a 3000kg chandelier that was originally commissioned for a Russian Czar.

We were told that when the owner, Jeanne Augier, passed away, she left the hotel to her cats! Apparently, it is now managed by the animal association.  Inside the lobby area, there is a display case with photos of this incredible woman with many celebrities.

The hotel has an eclectic collection of art, some of which can be viewed in the gorgeous room with a glass-domed ceiling, just past the main lobby. To visit, you can stay at the property for an exorbitant amount each night or enjoy a wonderful meal at its Michelin-starred restaurant.

But a little-known fact is that if you want to get access to the hotel, you can for (expensive!) drinks in the lobby cocktail lounge. This room is also quite impressive with opulent paintings, a huge fireplace, heavy drapery and an incredible painted wood ceiling.

We had a wonderful time pretending we were high society in this opulent location. And then we had a peek at some of the public areas and enjoyed the interesting artwork. Definitely a fun thing to do if you enjoy exploring historical timepieces.

✅ Another option to enjoy some decadence in Nice would be to take part in a French wine tasting. Here is a fantastic 2-hour tour that gives you ample tastings and a good amount of knowledge about French wines.

Old Town

Once you leave the beach area, you must explore the Old Nice or Vieux Nice. This is a beautiful area with narrow, cobblestone streets filled with restaurants, cafes and shops. The buildings are painted with various pastel colours, and the shops have pretty displays out front. It did remind us of the Old Town in Lyon that has similar charm.

Be sure to look closely at some of the buildings. Many have the window decor painted on the walls. They are such great 3D paintings that it is almost impossible to tell until you really start paying attention.

To get a really good look at this, check out the buildings in Place Girabaldi to see some incredibly detailed mural work on the various buildings that surround the square.

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If you haven’t been to Eze and visited the Fragonard perfume shop, it’s ok because there is a boutique here where you can buy these famous scented products that are only sold in France.

✅ Don’t have time to visit Eze or Grasse? Then, plan on doing this perfume workshop right in Nice. It provides a background on the art of perfume and allows you to create your own personal scent to take home.

And make sure to pop into Maison Auer. This is an extraordinary specialty chocolate shop. It dates back to 1820 and has been passed down from generation to generation.

They have some incredible products, including chocolate-covered orange peels, sugar-covered chestnuts, candied rose petals and of course, the callisons, a marzipan treat that is well known in the South of France. We were there leading up to Easter, and the variety of the treats was amazing.

The tasting room at the back is stunning.

We also had some of our best meals in this part of the city. There are loads of small, local spots with fantastic food.

✅ If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, then consider taking a walking food tour. On this 5-star, small group tour, one of the stops is the chocolate shop Maison Auer. You will get to enjoy several specialties of the region, all while learning about Nice.

Cours Saleya Market

Located on the main street of the Old Town is the Cours Saleya market, which has a market every day.

On Mondays, there is an antique market where you can find all kinds of treasures from artwork to household items and clothing to tools. There is an extensive collection of items laid out on tables, and some even spill out onto the ground.

The rest of the week, this is a very nice flower and produce market. Amazing fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the local area are available for purchase. And the flowers are gorgeous. So many varieties and colours, even if you aren’t purchasing, they are a delight to look at.

You can also find great souvenirs in this location, such as lavender, olive oil, and spices that make perfect gifts.

Place Massena

This is a large plaza at the entrance to the Old Town that is considered to be the international landing point of the city. The buildings are all painted in a deep coral, and each has uniform windows, which are mandated by the city.

At one end, there is a famous statue of Apollo with 4 horses, officially named La Fontaine du Soleil. This statue caused a lot of controversy when it was installed in the 1950s. Many people thought that his private parts were far too large, and the artist was called back to scale them back somewhat.

But that didn’t stop a women’s Catholic group who worked to have him removed entirely! He was exiled for many years until the early 2000s, when, during the reconstruction of the plaza, the community rallied to have him returned to his original spot. I guess the artist was just a little ahead of the times.

Across from the statue is a large open pedestrian space where the tram runs. Here you can see an interesting art display called Conversations in Nice. Upon each of the seven pillars sits a kneeling man who represents each continent. Many refer to them as Buddhas, but they actually aren’t.

At night, the statues are lit with different colours. As the colours change, it symbolizes the different continents having conversations. There are always two lights of the same colour, showing that there are always at least two continents in dialogue at the same time. Many people in Nice don’t like the art. We thought it was interesting to have a modern installation amongst the beautiful, older section of the city.

Promenade de Paillion

Another great location to visit is Paillon Park, located in the city centre. Interestingly, there is a river that runs underneath that caused major flooding in the neighbourhood. It was decided to build the park on top of it to avoid the flooding hazard.  You can actually see where the river lets out under the Promenade des Anglais and out to the sea.

Now it is a pleasant spot for strolling or lounging on the benches that surround a very large concrete pad with many water spouts. Be sure to check it out when you go to see Place Massena.

Opera

The original opera house succumbed to a fire, so in the late 1800s, the current structure was designed and built by Francois Aune, an architect who trained under Gustave Eiffel.

It is a grand building with columns made from red stone and statuary and ornate carvings that decorate the outside facade. Interestingly, if you look up at the lanterns along the lower level, you will see the Statue of Liberty’s head amongst the intricate decoration.

We didn’t have a chance to go inside at the time of our visit, but from the interior pictures we saw, it reminds us of the grandeur of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. It is on our list for next time we come to Nice.

Cathedral Sainte Reparate

Be sure to stop in to see the main church of Nice. The building at this location is actually the third church and was created in the 1600s. The original church was consecrated in the 11th century and dedicated to Sainte Reparte – the Patron Saint of Nice.

The legend says there was a young girl who was martyred in the 3rd century. She was of Christian Faith, and as a result, many tried to kill her. They tortured her in awful ways, including burning her at the stake, but she always survived until they decapitated her. It was thought a miracle that she survived as long as she did, so she became a Saint.

It is said that at the moment she died, her soul left her body in the form of a dove and on the church facade, you can see a feather that represents the dove. Inside, there is a chapel where a glass box holds her remains.

The church is created in Baroque style, and we were impressed by the large dome. Each of the side chapels is very elaborate, and there are many enormous paintings. Make sure you look up at the one end, where there is also a large organ.

Other Incredible Baroque Churches

If you love Baroque-style churches, Nice has many to see and enjoy.

One of the oldest Baroque churches is St Jacques le Majeur, built by the Jesuits. This building dates back to the mid 1600s. Amongst the majestic red columns, it has incredibly detailed carvings and a gorgeous altar.

Another church that you may walk by due to its plain outside is the Chapel of Mercy. This church was built 100 years later and is considered to be a masterpiece. Stepping inside here is truly magical.

Every surface is elaborately decorated. The columns and arches made of pink and green stone are incredible. And the ceiling is stunning, with paintings perfectly painted in the circular designs created in gold. It is quite something to see.

Both buildings are listed as historical monuments and are worth a visit.

Colline du Château  & Cemetery

Castle Hill is a wonderful place for a walk and to take in great scenic views of the beach, promenade and Old Town. This was originally a fortified castle that dates to the 11th century, but now there are only ruins remaining due to it being destroyed by cannonball fire.

Unfortunately, rather than repairing it, King Louis ordered the remainder of the castle to be dismantled, similar to the situation in Eze, and the stones were eventually used to build the Promenade.

As the name suggests, it is located on the top of a hill, but you have the choice of taking the stairs or the elevator. The elevator was constructed inside the original well for the castle and holds the unique name of Devil’s Well. We took the elevator up but walked down, and that worked perfectly for us.

Fun Fact: If you are up on the hill around noon, you will hear the daily cannon firing a lot louder from this location. It is said that this custom, dating back to the 1860s, was started originally to advise a military officer’s wife that it was time to come back for lunch! We have heard similar noontime cannon firings in other locations such as Valetta in Malta.

Up on the hill, there is a perfect view of Nice and the coastline below from the large balconies. This is a popular spot and does attract a lot of people for this purpose.

Once you have taken your perfect photo from here, be sure to explore the rest of the park area. There is a waterfall and quite a large green park area. It is a lovely area to enjoy a walk in nature, and quite serene in the central sections

We also visited both the Jewish and Catholic cemeteries. Some elaborate crypts reminded us of the Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires, although not as large.

We would recommend visiting this area for a nice change of pace.

MAMAC

The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum in Nice has a large collection of art from the 1950s to the present day.

Unfortunately, it is now closed for a massive renovation project until 2028.  Much of the art collection has been moved to a variety of other museums around France until it reopens.

Cimiez

Located just a little way outside of the downtown, are the amazing Roman ruins of Cimiez (in Latin known as Cremenelum). This location dates to the 1st century and is a fantastic Roman settlement that can be easily explored.

Outside of the entrance to the museum, you can see remnants of the amphitheatre, while not as large as the one in Arles or Nimes, but still large enough to hold 4000 spectators.

An indoor museum with artifacts and small-scale models does a great job of describing the town that was once located in this spot. While the signage is mainly in French, for the outside archaeological site, there are translated sheets available that detail what can be seen outside.

Venturing outside to the preserved site, you can really appreciate the size of this community. Much of the stone has been taken and repurposed, but this spot had many thermal baths, and the outlines are still visible.

We find it fascinating to visit Roman ruins sites and love the fact that we continually see parts of the same road, Via Domitia, which is visible in so many towns that we have been through, such as Saint Remy or Narbonne.

Matisse Museum

Located just across from the Cimiez site is the Matisse Museum. We quite enjoy Matisse’s work and his connection to our special French city of Collioure. It is in Collioure where he and Andre Derain created the Fauvism movement that was considered quite radical at the time.

The collection in Nice is the largest there is and was created by his family. He spent many years in Nice and had a studio located not far from the museum.

The pieces are varied and include everything from very early sketches when he was learning how to draw, and progressed through his different styles of art as he experimented with various mediums and creative styles.

We learned about the fascinating process he used with paper cutouts. And many pieces using this style are on display, including a whole room dedicated to a piece he created called La Piscine.

It is a wonderful museum that pays tribute to an intriguing artist and his major contributions to the art world.

Best Places To Stay in Nice

We stayed within the Old Town and found this area to be the most convenient to get around to all the sights and also the coast.

Depending on your budget, you could look at one of the following options:

For a perfect location on the Promenade with easy access to Old Nice look at Le Meridien Nice as a great option. This property has great views and a wonderful rooftop patio that is a perfect place for drinks or a meal after a day of sightseeing.

Another property located right near Place Massena is Ananatara Plaza Nice Hotel. This hotel has wonderful staff, very comfortable rooms, and it even has a spa onsite.

Where to Eat In Nice

We had some fabulous meals in Nice. Check out these options that we enjoyed:

For a wonderful home-cooked meal, be sure to visit Casa Tua. They offer some traditional dishes from the area that were fantastic. We had a wonderful French onion soup, warm goat cheese with honey and the famous Daube stew that was amazing.

For another small, local place, you can enjoy a meal at L’Epicerie Georges. This tiny little place has local specialties and very limited tables, so be sure to arrive early or make a reservation. The goat cheese salad and steak tartare were both excellent.

For wonderful gelato, be sure to try Fenoccio. Being so close to Italy provides the opportunity to enjoy authentic gelato, and this is the real deal. The regional specialty is lavender, but there are other delicious options as well.

Another sweet treat to try is the macarons. A delicate cookie with cream inside, with many different flavours, makes for a terrific afternoon indulgence. And if you go to Angéa, you can try larger macarons filled with ice cream! You can thank us later!

The Final Word…Top Things to See In Nice France

We were pleasantly surprised by this lovely city in France. For us, the Riviera in general can sometimes seem a little over the top and overpriced at times for what you get. But we found Nice to be far more laid back and a truly beautiful location.

It has a lot to offer, stunning coastline, a historic Old Town, beautiful architecture, great shopping and food choices, and the people were very friendly. We would highly recommend planning to visit Nice.