Welcome to Nice
Whether you’re settling in Nice for a few days or a longer stay, the capital of the French Riviera isn’t just meant to be visited: it’s meant to be lived. We invite you to discover it through its neighbourhoods, its landscapes and its finest atmospheres.
Here you’ll find some of our tips for discovering Nice and its surrounding area. Before your arrival, we’ll also send you useful information and suggestions for your stay by email and WhatsApp. And of course, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like some advice.
The timeless classics
You can’t discover Nice without starting with the Promenade des Anglais. Nicknamed « the Prom’ » by locals, it runs along the Baie des Anges for nearly 7 kilometres and is just a few minutes’ walk from our apartments.
On foot or by bike (rent a bike — see our Transport section), stroll along the sea to the famous Hôtel Negresco, then simply enjoy the view from one of the Promenade’s iconic blue chairs.
A craving for cooler air leads you into the shaded lanes of the old town, Vieux-Nice. It’s a vibrant maze of yellow and ochre façades with a distinctly Italian feel. Emerging onto Cours Saleya, your senses awaken among the colourful stalls of the flower and vegetable market (on Mondays, antique dealers set out their treasures instead). Wander a little further to admire Sainte-Réparate Cathedral on the lively place Rossetti, just a 10-minute walk from our apartments.
To round off this first taste of Nice, let’s look up towards Castle Hill. Don’t go looking for the castle itself — Louis XIV reduced it to rubble in 1706! The summit, however, offers the finest panorama in the city. On one side, the Prom’ stretches out as far as the eye can see; on the other, the traditional « pointu » fishing boats bob about in Port Lympia. The more energetic will climb on foot through the large shaded park, while others will glide up in the free lift to admire the surprising waterfall at the top. Access via the Promenade des Anglais, between the port and the old town, 10-15 minutes’ walk from our apartments.
Find out more
Be sure to check our Transport page to book a bike and easily reach the Promenade des Anglais.
An awakening of the senses and the mind
Nice has that unique light which bewitched the greatest artists of the 20th century. After Paris, Nice is the city with the most museums in France. To understand this magic, two cultural stops are essential:
The Matisse Museum
Nestled on the Cimiez hill, at the heart of a superb 17th-century Genoese villa, it tells the story of the life and evolution of this master of colour, who fell madly in love with Nice.
The Marc Chagall National Museum
Designed by the artist himself, this museum houses his masterpiece, the Biblical Message. Don’t miss the concert hall: its blue stained-glass windows bathe the space in an almost mystical atmosphere.
Find out more
The French Riviera Pass (see our Activities page) gives you free access to the Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum. And for even more history, head to our Nice facts and stories.
A table for food lovers
After all that walking, your stomach starts to grumble. In Nice, food is sacred and even has its own official label: « Cuisine Nissarde ». Here’s a selection of the best addresses to discover this cuisine, sorted by the kind of experience you’re after.
La Merenda
Run by former two-Michelin-starred chef Dominique Le Stanc, this tiny counter with no phone serves Niçoise daube or pasta with pistou, eaten perched on stools.
My tip
To discover authentic Niçoise cuisine, head for the small addresses labelled Cuisine Nissarde, in the old town (Vieux-Nice) or behind the port. There you’ll taste the great local specialities, including the must-try farcis niçois (stuffed vegetables).
The best-kept secrets
To round off your stay in style, let’s stray a little off the beaten path. Head towards the Port district and place Garibaldi. Here, the atmosphere feels more local, more authentic. Place Garibaldi will impress you with its striking resemblance to Turin and its stunning trompe-l’œil façades. Just behind it, the antiques quarter (the « Petit Marais niçois ») is the perfect spot to put the world to rights over a drink on a terrace. 15-20 minutes’ walk from our apartments.
Finally, if you’ve had enough of the crowds, I have a secret for you: the Sentier du Littoral coastal path. From the port, walk towards Villefranche-sur-Mer. You’ll find yourself clinging to the rock face, right at the water’s edge, listening to the sound of the waves. It’s a wild, beautiful and deeply invigorating escape.
Lou Passagin
Lou Passagin is the small free « pointu » boat that ferries you across Nice’s port from one quay to the other. It’s a charming local tradition that most tourists don’t know about. I never get tired of it!
If you have an afternoon to spare, head to Èze Village. This medieval eagle’s nest, spectacularly perched above the Mediterranean, will leave you with an unforgettable memory. From Nice, the train takes you to Èze-sur-Mer, right on the coast. To reach the hilltop village, take bus 83 from the station. On foot, via the Sentier Nietzsche, the climb is beautiful but fairly demanding.
Find out more
Find all our boat trips and the French Riviera Pass, plus great addresses for Èze and the surrounding area on Exploring the area.
Tourist information
Nice Tourist Office
There you’ll find city and transport maps, as well as all the best addresses for your excursions along the Côte d’Azur: free printed guides, just a 5-minute walk from our apartments.
- 25 Av Jean Medecin, 06000 Nice – France
- 5 minutes’ walk from our apartments
- +33 4 92 14 46 14