July 29th, 2023 at 03:47 am
Best Tourist Sites to Visit in Nice, France
Nice is one of those cities that can make you instantly happy. Nice is undoubtedly more than nice, whether it’s for the sunny weather, the relaxed mood, the picturesque shores, or the mixture of all of these. It’s fantastic.
Here are some of the top activities and destinations in this pleasant region of France.
Nice Old Town Walking Tour
The Old Town, also known as Vieux Nice or Vieille Ville, is the city’s historical core and is fronted by the Promenade des Anglais. It is located at the foot of Castle Hill. A number of cultural and culinary treasures are hidden in its winding, old-building-lined, small medieval alleyways.
Since the neighborhood is designed for pedestrians, going on foot alone to explore is very feasible. But you can join a FREE walking tour if you wish to enjoy the statues and spots throughout the town. Here are a few of the Old Town’s buildings and locations.
Place Masséna
One of the primary entrances to the Old Town is Place Masséna. The main square of Nice bears André Masséna’s name, a military leader who served under Napoleon Bonaparte. It was created in 1834 by Joseph Vernier and is surrounded by red ochre structures that make for a lovely vista wherever you turn. A monument of a naked Apollo, the Greek deity of the sun, medicine, prophecy, music, and poetry, guards the square that joins Avenue Jean Medecin with the Old Town.
Cours Saleya
The name Cours Saleya, which means “beating heart” in Arabic, is suitable considering that this bustling market street is one of the busiest and most energetic areas in the Old Town. The Marché aux fleurs (flower market) is the main draw of Cours Saleya. Nice has always been fond of flowers. Farmers have gathered in Nice for more than a century to sell flowers to wholesalers who then ship them to other regions of the nation. The Bataille de Fleurs, a flower procession, is another event held in Nice as part of the Nice Carnaval celebrations.
The Marché aux fruits et legumes (fruits and vegetable market) is located next to the flower market. Here, you may sample fresh products from the area and nearby Provence.
Chapelle de la Misericorde
The Chapelle de la Misericorde (Chapel of Misericorde/Mercy), a Gothic church constructed in 1747, was created by architect Bernardo Vittone. It is among the most striking buildings on Cours Saleya.
Le Palais de Justice
Le Palais de Justice, the city’s Hall of Justice, can be found across Courtyard Square from the market street in the other direction. At the location of the former Dominican convent, it was finished in 1892.
Place Rossetti and the Nice Cathedral
Place Rossetti, also known as Rossetti Plaza, is a little plaza in front of the Nice Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice), surrounded by a dozen restaurants with ochre-colored buildings and branching off into tiny alleyways.
Galerie Le Container
Numerous works of street art are displayed in this tiny gallery. The business is so named because it spent many years traveling between cities, introducing street art to more intrepid individuals. They currently reside in a historic structure near the conclusion of Cours Saleya.
Henri Matisse, a French painter who lived much of his life in Nice, formerly called this building home.
Saint-François Bell Tower
The Saint-François Bell Tower, a prominent building in Old Town, is all that’s left of the area’s former Franciscan convent. The top of the tower, which is 50 meters above sea level, doubles as an observation deck and provides a clear, 360-degree view of the city.
Place Saint-François
The fish market is located in this tiny area close to the town hall, which is built in the Baroque style and opens every morning from Tuesday to Sunday. The Saint-François Bell Tower is also visible in the distance, towering tall.
Musée du Palais Lascaris
This palace dates back to the 17th century and was constructed for the wealthy Vintimille-Lascaris family. It now serves as a museum showing the more than 500 antique musical instruments in Antoine Gautier’s collection.
Opéra de Nice
A wooden theater was erected on the site in 1776, which is when the building’s history began. Since then, significant changes have occurred. The Nice Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ballet Nice Méditerrannée call it home, and it is now the primary location for the city’s operas, classical concerts, and ballet events.
Baie Des Anges (Angels’ Bay)
The Beaches of Nice
Nice’s coastline is what makes it famous. Although it lacks fine sand, this pebbly strip has long been a favored place for Europeans to unwind. Even now, visitors still go to the beach for swimming, tanning, and general relaxation.
Promenade des Anglais
The Nice coastline is hemmed in by the Promenade des Anglais, which is a seaside boardwalk. Due to the fact that the English provided the funding for its construction, the name literally translates to “Walkway of the English.” English nobility seeking refuge from the bitter winters made Nice their preferred destination in the 18th century.
Neuf Lignes Obliques
Only 150 years have passed since Nice joined France! Up until its reunification with France in 1860, it belonged to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. The Neuf Lignes Obliques were built in 2010 to mark the annexation’s 150th anniversary. It is a huge steel structure with nine 30-meter beams that merge at the top. Translation: “nine lines” for Neuf Lignes.
Castle Hill Park
The coastline that stretches to the horizon, dividing the view into two parts—the Mediterranean Sea on the left and the Old Town’s red-tiled roofs on the right—is likely the first image that comes to mind when you think of Nice. Climb to the top of Castle Hill to take in and capture that breathtaking panorama.
Until Louis XIV’s armies obliterated it in 1706, this was capped with the Castle of Nice. Today, it serves as a public park where you may take in the greatest city views. The majority of visitors ascend the stairs to the top.
Quai Rauba Capeu
Quai Rauba Capeu borders the base of Castle Hill. It extends out into the sea and connects the Promenade des Anglais and Quai Lunel, providing a good view of the Mediterranean Sea’s azure seas.
You can also enjoy seeing the promenade with the golden sunset in the background because part of it faces west. A memorial to the 4000 townspeople who lost their lives in the two world wars can also be found there.
Port Lympia
Port Lympia, the city’s primary port district, is located on the other side of Castle Hill. Although the majority of visitors arrive here to board a boat or ride the Bus 100, the area is also quite scenic, with vibrant buildings flanking the horseshoe-shaped harbor.
French Riviera Tours
The fact that Nice can be used as a starting point to go to other French Riviera locations like Monaco, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, or Cannes makes the city even more alluring. You may get around by using the public transit system. You may travel easily on the bus and train.
Here are some of your other options
Monaco Tour
The Principality of Monaco, the second-smallest nation in the world, is a sovereign microstate on the Riviera and is close to Nice. The Formula One Grand Prix, the Casino Monte Carlo, and one of the most breathtaking nighttime views in the entire world are its most famous attractions.
The Palais du Prince, the Jardin Exotique, and Larvotto Beach are further attractions. Additionally, inhabitants pay no income taxes, making it a tax haven.
Coastal Tour
The beautiful beaches and blue waters in this region of France draw tourists. Well-known locations visited on this tour include Mont Boron, Villefranche, Monaco, and Cannes. The tour includes a visit to Eze Village where you can learn more about the nation’s perfume and cosmetics industries.
Countryside Tour
You can also take a day trip to explore the stunning Alpes-Maritimes area. You can view the area’s natural and man-made beauties throughout this outing. Before visiting Gourdon, Mougins, and Tourettes-su-Loup to witness old-world architecture, observe the attractive waterfall at Saut Du Loup. These towns are like time warps that offer a peek at the past.
Nice Food Trip
The food of France is well-known worldwide. But if you believe you have had your fill of French cuisine in Paris, you shouldn’t miss up the chance to binge in Nice. It differs greatly from the typical French cuisine found in other cities.
Niçoise cuisine is distinctive and diverse as a result of this region’s convoluted historical past. It benefits from the quantity of top-notch, fresh ingredients and adds a touch of Italian flavor.
Local Restaurants in Nice
Be on the lookout for the “Cuisine Nissarde” sign when selecting a restaurant. Restaurants that provide top-notch Niçoise dishes and offer friendly service are given this designation.
Street Food in Nice
Grab a local snack if you’re in a hurry or just in the mood for a fast nibble. Here are a few possibilities:
Ice Cream in Nice
Treat yourself to a scoop of gelato when exploring Nice becomes too hot to handle! Nice, the most popular summer vacation spot in France, boasts a number of ice cream businesses. Fenocchio and Gelateria Azzurro are two of the most well-liked. They provide a variety of regional flavors, like lavender, black olive, tomato, and thyme, that are both well-known and uncommon.
Nice Guided Food Tour
Join a guided culinary tour if you want to understand more about each meal, including how it is made, where it came from, and other details. Pan bagnat, socca, farçis niçois, and pissaladière are included in the Klook food tour. Additionally, you can sample gelato (Italian ice cream) and artisanal macarons.
Other Attractions
Villa Kerylos
This lovely Greek villa is located in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, close to Villefranche. This Greek-inspired attraction was constructed over a century ago by Theodore Reinach. Explore the opulent home to observe how the wealthy once lived. Due to its proximity to the coast, there are several options for videos to capture the breathtaking scenery.
Avenue Jean Medecin
This highway connects Place Massena (at the entrance of the Old Town) with the railroad, which is just a short distance from the main railway station. It remains flanked by scores of eateries, pubs, and shops as Nice’s main shopping strip!
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice
It is not the cathedral of the city; that distinction belongs to the Old Town’s Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice. The largest building in Nice is the Basilica of Notre Dame. It situates on Avenue Jean Medecin and completely finished in 1868. The architecture is gothic, resembling Angers Cathedral and even Paris’ Notre Dame.
Parc Phoenix
This large botanical garden, which spans 7 hectares, is located in the city’s southwest corner in the l’Arenas neighborhood. Over 2500 different plant species found in its gardens and greenhouse, which remains one of the biggest in Europe. Its lake is home to 100 ducks and swans. It’s a terrific location for some fresh air and a change of view.
Biking
Both normal and electric bikes are available for rent. You can maneuver between Nice’s lovely buildings and alleys thanks to the city’s many bike lanes. On two wheels, explore the attractive boulevards and squares.
Top Budget Hotels
Here are the top budget hotels in Nice:
- Hotel The NAP Hotel – Happy Culture
- Residence Lamartine – Nice
- L’Alcove Hotel
- Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare
- Aparthotel Ajoupa
- Boutique Hotel Neptune Nice
Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.