Pearl of the Côte d'Azur: Top 15 sights to visit in Nice

Promenade des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais in Nice is one of the main attractions of the city. It stretches for 7 km along the bay "Bay of Angels". It is the main pedestrian promenade of the city, and also a symbol not only of Nice, but of the whole of France.

The name of the promenade goes back to the XVIII century, when wealthy Englishmen began to come to Nice to survive the cold winter. On the Promenade des Anglais, in addition to the numerous cafes, restaurants and casinos, there is the neoclassical luxury hotel Negresco. It is a symbol of the entire Côte d'Azur. The hotel opened in 1913, among its famous guests are Coco Chanel, M. Dietrich, E. Hemingway.

Old Town

The Old Town of Nice is not the first to arise among associations and references to the city of luxury. However, it is here that a special atmosphere of the romance of the past has been preserved. The narrow cobblestone streets of Nice's Old Town are made up of historic apartment buildings. The first floors of the buildings house cafes, pubs and restaurants, souvenir stores, craft stores, artists' galleries and more. Note that street name signs in this part of the city are not only in French, but also in the Nisar dialect.

Parc Chateau

Park Chateau, known today as one of the main attractions of Nice, traces its history back to the Middle Ages. Tourists from all over the world gather here to admire the beauty of the city from the hilltop. They are attracted by the exotic plants, the breathtaking waterfall and the ruins left from former buildings.

On the lower plateau of the hill is the Castle Cemetery, considered one of the most beautiful necropolises in Europe.

Opera House

An object included in all ratings of the best sights in France — the opera house in Nice is the national pride of the country. In the 19th century Strauss conducted here, opera productions by Masni and Berlioz, Tchaikovsky and Verdi were staged.

The current opera building replaced the theater destroyed by a terrible fire in 1885. It has an excellent technical adaptation, and its stage is used for operas and plays of the highest performing, musical and directing classes.

Flower Market

The famous Cours Saleya flower market opened in Nice back in 1861 and was the first wholesale flower market. It was later moved to St. Augustin, but 30 florists remained on the site. Since then, the air here has been filled with the scent of flowers from all over the Côte d'Azur, including lavender, which is often bought as a souvenir. Every morning from Tuesday to Saturday, farmers also sell their produce at this market, and on Monday antiques are also sold. In the afternoon, the market square turns into a huge open-air food court. Locals enjoy not only shopping at Cours Saleya, but also chatting with the vendors, having a cup of coffee in one of the cafes or a bite to eat in the restaurant.

You can book a hotel in Nice with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Museum of Modern Art

One of the brightest examples of what to visit in Nice for free and with the whole family. More than 400 paintings by American and European avant-garde artists, from Warhol to Yves Klein, are on display. Even the museum building itself is of interest — a Pop Art style object with united glass towers. The building is divided into levels with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Matisse Museum

The collection of the Matisse Museum in Nice is unique in the world, as it contains works by both the artist himself and his followers. Most of these works come directly or almost directly from Henri Matisse's studio and are therefore an exceptional testament to his work.

During your visit to the museum, you can immerse yourself in the intimate life of the extraordinary artist, discovering his works from the earliest to those painted in the last months of his life. The museum also houses the artist's personal belongings.

Beaches of Nice

The beaches of Nice are among the main attractions of the capital of the French Riviera coast. They stretch along the Promenade des Anglais and delight vacationers with clear blue water. Tourists should know that sandy beaches should go to Villefranche-sur-Mer, and in Nice there is a pebble covering.

Beaches here are both municipal and paid. The first ones offer only shower cabins, and there are no toilets or deck chairs on their territory. The second ones belong to coastal restaurants and hotels. They are usually separated by a small fence and are highlighted by striped sun umbrellas. Paid beaches offer guests all the necessary infrastructure, including a boardwalk to enter the water.

Place Massena

One of the city's most beautiful squares is surrounded by 19th century buildings. Despite this, the square is quite modern and has pop-art sculptures. For example, on the benches there are figures of people made of rubber, symbolizing different continents of the world. And at night, neon lights up here, illuminating the luxurious fountain "Sun".

Cathedral of St. Reparata

The cathedral catalytic cathedral, created in honor of the main protector of the city — Saint Reparata. Construction began in the 17th century, and subsequently the facade and interior of the building were renovated several times. Now it is decorated in Baroque style.

To visit the local mass is recommended, in particular, to get acquainted with the excellent sounds of three organs. Every year, the townspeople, celebrating St. Reparata's Day, organize a grand walk starting at the doors of the church, in order to repeat the sad path of the great martyr.

Lascari Palace

Palazzo Lascari is located in the heart of Nice and was built in the mid-seventeenth century in the Genoese Baroque style. Its restrained façade is a complete contrast to the opulent interiors.

The staircases, ceremonial rooms, chapel and other rooms leave no one indifferent. In the middle of the last century Lascari Palace was acquired by the city for the creation of the Museum of Musical Instruments. Its exposition contains more than 500 instruments, most of which were bequeathed by the famous Antoine Gautier of Nice. This remarkable collection is second only to the Musée de Musique in Paris.

Avenue Jean Medecin

Avenue Jean Medecin is the main shopping artery of the city. It is here that you will find many luxury hotels, the largest number of stores and quaint boutiques. The Nicetoile shopping center, Galeries Lafayette, cozy bakeries, trendy cafes and restaurants are also located here. This is where locals and visitors go for partying and shopping.

This part of Nice is no less pleasant for ordinary walks. It is also home to the magnificent Notre Dame de Nice church, and at nightfall, the thousands of blue lights of a piece of public art called "Blue Love" by light artist Jan Kersale come on.

Semieux Convent

The 16th-century Franciscan church, one of the oldest shrines in France, is nestled amidst a beautiful park. The interior is luxurious and expensive: the main hall is decorated with a carved wooden altar covered with gold leaf, and in the center is the main shrine — a cross made of stone from the 15th century. In the square is a burial ground with Matisse's tomb. The Franciscan museum complex is open to visitors.

Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Nis

The Basilica Notre-Dame-de-Nis is the largest church in Nice, while not a cathedral. It was built between 1864 and 1868 in the Gothic style and has become a real highlight of the city. It is easily recognized by its two towers and stained glass windows with scenes of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Be sure to come here at nightfall, when the church is beautifully illuminated.

Old Port

A sightseeing tour of Nice would not be complete without a visit to the Old Port.

The port was built in 1752 and still retains its old-world charm. Yachts still moor here and ferries depart for Corsica. For cruise ships this harbor is small, so they head to Villefranche-sur-Mer. In the eastern part of the Old Port of Nice you can see wooden boats of fishermen from the beginning of the last century and a lighthouse 21 meters high, the light of which can be seen at a distance of 40 km. Along the quay there are apartment buildings with colored facades and always a lively flea market where more than a hundred antique dealers sell all kinds of treasures.