Nice, France with Kids
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region
“From where I sit I can see the smoky peaks of the Alps rising behind a town that was old before Alexander the Great was born.”
Rachel, Ellie, and Sophie pose at the Nice sign overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
One of our must-see locations when we created our itinerary for France was the French Riviera. Aside from Paris, it might be the most glamorized area of the country. We’ve all seen pictures of wealthy people vacationing on their yachts off the coast, along with rich and famous actors attending the Cannes Film Festival and enjoying the sunshine on the beautiful Mediterranean beaches. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, there is really no bad time to visit. We chose November, during the shoulder season, and were treated to pleasant temperatures, gorgeous views, and lovely experiences that created memories we will cherish forever!
History of Nice
Did you know evidence of the oldest known inhabitants in human history was found in Nice? Archaeologists estimate that the history of Nice could date as far back as 400,000 years! Evidence of primitive civilizations has been discovered throughout the area. There’s even a caveman museum (more on that below) where you can learn more!
Nice’s history includes Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Savoyard eras. It has seen conflict brought by invasions by the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and the Saracens. It was even part of a 500 year tug of war between France and Sardinia. Each era of its history can be found as you explore this town. The Greeks, who named the town Nikaia (after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory) were responsible for the origin of its name. They also established a trade route between Nikaia and Massalia (now Marseille).
After it became part of France, its military importance was diminished, making it less of a military target and allowing it to become a tourist destination. The city flourished, welcoming visitors from all over Europe who came to enjoy the beauty and comfortable weather found on the French Riviera.
Both world wars brought trouble and hardship for Nice. During the early stages of World War II, Nice became a city of refuge for displaced foreigners, including Jews who were fleeing Nazi attacks. However, in 1943, the Nazis sent Alois Brunner, a notoriously brutal commander, to overtake and rule the city. Thus, it was occupied by the Germans and, later, the Italians. The citizens were left starving and the Old Town was bombarded before the town was liberated in August of 1944. The city was rebuilt after the war and regained its place as one of the most popular tourist areas in Europe (and the world), a status it enjoys to this day.
Traveling to Nice
Nice is very easy to reach with options available by car, train, bus, or plane. The train links the city directly to Paris and other major French cities (in particular Lyon and Marseille), as well as to Monaco and Italy. So, if you’re already in southern France, or on the Italian side of the Riviera, then you can take an easy drive or catch a train. The train that runs along the coast will treat you to magnificent views along your route.
If you’re coming from farther away, you may want to fly directly into Nice via the city’s own international airport. The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the third busiest airport in France (after both Paris airports), with routes to and from 115 destinations in more than 40 countries!
From Paris, many tourists spend time in the “City of Light” and then take a quick flight to Nice. If you’re coming from Paris and prefer to take the train, it will require some patience on your end. You’ll first need to catch a high-speed 3-hour train to either Marseille or Aix-en-Provence, and then make a transfer to a new train for the remaining two-hour journey to Nice. Nice is quite close to Marseille and Aix-en-Provence so, even though high-speed trains can’t travel at their top speeds here because of the limitations of the Riviera’s rail network, the journey will be quick and enjoyable.
Our Accommodation
For our family of 5, hotels are not usually an economical option. We will occasionally book 2 rooms and make sure to have 1 adult in each room but without the guarantee of adjoining rooms, it takes away from the experience of traveling together. We enjoyed the B&B Hotel in Paris because of its ability to accommodate all of us in 1 room, but it wasn’t an option in Nice. So, we splurged a bit and booked an Airbnb that was conveniently nestled between Antibes and Nice, in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
From the terrace of our penthouse apartment, we had a stunning view of the Mediterranean, Nice, Antibes, and Cannes. We also enjoyed watching the planes take off and land at the nearby airport but didn’t notice any of the noise. We were within walking distance to the grocery (although there was a rather large hill) and just a short drive got us to the seaport where we could park and enjoy all that Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais had to offer.
Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.
Our rental consisted of a 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath apartment with stunning views from the enormous wrap-around terrace. We had a fully equipped kitchen that included both a washer and a dryer, a comfortable family room area, and a huge dining space. The Littles shared a room with twin beds that gave them plenty of room to spread out. Ellie had her own ensuite room with a huge walk-in closet and private balcony access. Kevin and I had an ensuite room with both built in storage and a huge walk in closet. It also featured a bathroom with both a shower and a tub. We enjoyed cooking meals together, watching movies, and enjoying cups of coffee and breakfast on the terrace. We felt so at home, that we even reached out to our host to extend our stay by a few more days.
Our Experience
From our Airbnb, we set out for a day of exploration. We began making our way, on foot, down toward the beach. We encountered a “murmuration of starlings” along our journey. This is a term that I’d never heard until we experienced it firsthand. A flock of thousands of starlings would roost together in a tree and then take off without notice, shaking acorns down onto our heads and flying within just a few feet of us. Even though we were laughing and it was fascinating to watch them all move as one, it was actually a bit frightening at times too. The birds stayed with us for much of our descent to the shore, leaving us with a truly memorable experience.
When we arrived at the rocky beachfront near Plage du Port du Cros, we sat on the rocks and just enjoyed the sea salt air. A few fishermen were casting their lines nearby and the girls watched them fish. We stopped to admire boats in one of the private ports and allowed the girls to spend some time playing in the sand near a beach club while we watched small sailboats navigate through the water and planes arrive and depart at the Nice airport. We were beginning to get a bit hangry so we made our way to CAP3000 (the shopping mall very near the airport). We found a restaurant called Edgar Burger, on one of the lower levels, with a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean where we ordered dinner. Several of us ordered a Croque Madame which was absolutely delicious! With our bellies full, we explored the mall for a little while before beginning the long walk back to our Airbnb at dusk.
We found Nice to be surprisingly walkable. While you will need a sturdy and comfortable pair of sneakers and/or sandals, you can get almost anywhere you want to go in Nice by walking. Our Airbnb was not located downtown. While we could have driven or taken an Uber, we did a lot of walking. We walked to the grocery for our food, the beach, the mall, and all around downtown, Castle Hill, and the port. Over the course of just 3 days in a 5 day span, we walked almost 20 miles, exploring all over Nice and Monaco. (If you stay closer to the Old Town, you can easily get to anything you want to do and see by walking.)
What to See & Do in Nice
Nice is located in the far southeast of France. 480 miles from Paris, Nice is nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps and boasts approximately 330 days of sunshine annually! It is only 20km from Monaco, 30km from the Italian border to the west, and about 30km from Cannes to the east. It is France’s 5th largest city and the 2nd most popular tourist destination (after Paris).
There is so much to see and do in Nice and the surrounding area so it’s easy to see why millions of tourists travel to Nice each year. There are historical landmarks to visit, beautiful views to enjoy, and incredible foods to be savored. The best news is that almost all the items mentioned in this section are FREE! (Please note that, as with most of France, you’ll need to have cash and/or coins on you if you need to use the restroom as you tour the city. Most restrooms will require a small fee to enter but you will find clean, well maintained facilities.)
Promenade des Anglais – This is one of the most popular attractions in Nice. Affectionately referred to by locals as the “Prom,” it was built in 1822 by a group of English aristocrats. The pebble beach and unlevel coast made it difficult for the wives of the wealthy English lords to enjoy their winter holiday so they built the promenade whose name still pays homage to their efforts and financing. It provides 7km of uninterrupted views of the spectacular Mediterranean Sea! To this day, it is a popular place for both tourists and locals to stroll, and bike, with a view of the sea. Many other attractions in Nice can be easily accessed from the Promenade, including Castle Hill, Old Town, Masséna Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Nice.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill) – This is a must-see location for any first-time visitor to Nice. While there is no castle to be seen, the ruins of the defensive walls of Colline du Château are still visible. The 92m high rocky cliff overlooks the sea port and offers a stunning panoramic view of Nice, the port, the sea, and the mountains. The first Greek settlement, called Nikaia, was positioned atop the cliff. The castle, whose ruins still lie here, dates back to the 11th century. It was demolished at the request of Louis XIV in 1706. Located on the hill, visitors will find a beautiful waterfall and a children’s playground.
To reach Castle Hill, you can walk up from Old Town or you can take the free elevator located across the street from the sea port, next to Hôtel Suisse. A great option for families with little ones is the Petit Train (available in 8 languages). The electric train can be accessed at the Centennial monument on Promenade des Anglais and gives you a tour of the city of Nice while aboard. The entire circuit takes 50 minutes and stops for 10 minutes atop Castle Hill to allow for pictures of the gorgeous view.
Promenade du Paillon (Coulée Verte Niçoise) – This is a 12 hectare park located right in downtown Nice. It is built over a hidden river and runs from the Promenade des Anglais, crosses the Place Masséna, and ends at the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC). Inaugurated in 2013, the beautiful park is home to hundreds of trees, shrubs, and plants, offering shade, fresh air, and garden pathways. A huge reflecting pool that lights up with a thousand lights each evening is one of the fun features that makes this location a welcoming destination from dawn until dusk.
The park is also a gathering place for families, providing playground facilities with whimsical equipment. There’s a climbing rope, trampolines built into the ground, a pirate ship, water jets, misters, and even a river flowing through. Our girls loved climbing a jungle gym shaped like a giant whale skeleton. They also met some local kids who were happy to play with them. (Nothing overcomes a language barrier better than children at play.) It also plays host to events like the Nice Jazz Festival. Even teenagers are known to hang out here in certain spots.
Carousels – Nice boasts, not one, but three carousels scattered throughout the city! One is located at the end of the Promenade du Paillon, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Another is located at the Place Garibaldi, and the last is at the Gare du Sud. These carousels are a great attraction for families with kids and are particularly beautiful after sunset.
Beaches – There are a number of beautiful beaches in and near Nice where you can enjoy some sun and fun as a family. The pebble beaches around Nice are beautiful, but they’re not the sandy beaches you might be used to. There will be no sandcastle building or lazy walks along the soft sand. The pebbles can get quite hot and they can make getting around barefoot quite uncomfortable. We recommend some type of water shoe or sandal that can be worn into the water to make swimming and walking around more pleasant. (The adults in our family love our Teva sandals and find that they’re great for everything from pebble beaches, to hiking, to going out for dinner.) The plus side is that you won’t spend your day trying to shake the sand off of your skin (and out of your bathing suit). Here are just a few to consider:
Opéra Plage – You’ll find both a public space and a private beach-restaurant at this location. It is the oldest private beach in Nice. Since 1889, the Maiffret family has welcomed visitors with a staff whose goal it is to meet all your needs. It’s located near the old town and is open mid-March through October. A half day admission to the private beach includes a deck chair and parasol for 20 euros.
Plage Beau Rivage – This public beach, located along Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, is the largest in town. You’ll also find an adjacent private beach, restaurant, and lounge bar where the beach team is eager to serve. Cabanas, parasols, and beach chairs can be rented over the phone and lockers are available to stow your belongings while you enjoy the beach.
Bocca Mar – Located in front of the Bay of Angels, this private beach offers a beach, lounge, and restaurant. Deckchairs are available for rent from 10am to 6:30pm and may be booked online
Centenaire Beach – This is a public beach located near the Prom du Paillon. It is wheelchair accessible and one of two non-smoking beaches. This is also one of only four beaches that have installed ropes making it easier to navigate getting across the sometimes steep incline of small rocks when getting in and out of the water.
Castel Beach – This public beach is located at the base of Castle Hill, near the sea port. The stones here are the largest, making it a bit uncomfortable for walking, but the water is a bit calmer. Despite our off-season visit, one of my favorite memories in Nice was sitting on Castel Beach after sunset and admiring the beautiful lights of the city while listening to the melodic and mesmerizing sounds the pebbles made as the waves washed in and out across them.
Villefranche-sur-Mer – A 15 minute bus ride from downtown Nice offers something none of the Nice beaches can - SAND! The entire coastline in Villefranche-sur-Mer is open to the public with no admission fee. Some warn that the water isn’t nearly as clean due to the number of boats in the nearby bay so that may be a trade-off you’ll need to consider.
Place Masséna – La Place Masséna is Nice’s main square, and it is crossed by the Promenade du Paillon. Its checkerboard pavement tiles are contrasted with the bright citrus-red color of the surrounding buildings, making it a stunning place to sit and relax near the fountains and watch the people strolling by. The central focal point is a fountain that depicts a story from Greek mythology. In the center of the fountain is a 7m high statue of Apollo, the god of sun and light. This is one of many popular places to grab an iconic photograph of Nice. It’s also a pedestrian area that is known for the best shopping in Nice. The Tramway begins here, connecting the downtown area of Nice to the suburbs on either side. A single ride on the tramway costs about 1.50 euro, but a 10 day pass goes for about 10.00 euro.
At night, the square comes alive when Jaume Plensa’s seven statues are lit up with a sequence of changing colors. These sculptures of seven different kneeling men, sitting high upon poles overlooking the square, were created to represent the seven continents coming together in peace. Together, they are called “Conversation in Nice.”
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas – Nice was once a favorite destination for Russian Tsars - there are still 3 Orthodox Cathedrals around the city. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is considered one of the top attractions of Nice. It is the largest Russian Orthodox place of worship outside the administrative and political confines of Russia. On top of that, it is a national monument and a landmark of the architectural landscape of Nice.
The cathedral was built in the early 20th century with the support of Tsar Nicholas II. It was named for Tsarevich Nicolai, the oldest son of Tsar Alexander II who died in Nice in 1865, at the age of 22, from tuberculosis. The ornate exterior of this onion domed building is a clear mark of the Russian architectural style, the cathedral being easily distinguishable in Nice as an atypical structure. The inside contains a vast collection of icons, decorative woodwork, and items of huge historical value, in part moved from Russia to Nice during the troubled times of the Russian Civil War.
Old Town – The historic Vieux Nice is not to be missed. The very heart of Old Town is Place Rossetti, the beautiful town square. Among the decorative buildings with intricately carved decorations and flower draped balconies that line the narrow streets, you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. From here, you can walk up to Castle Hill, enjoy a few hours at Palais Lascaris, access the Opera House, or enjoy the beautiful baroque architecture of Chapelle de la Miséricorde.
Port Lympia – Located in the Old Town area is the Old Port of Nice and it is worth the time to take a walk around. With its colorful fishing boats and impressive yachts, surrounded by pastel buildings, the port also offers a stunning view of Castle Hill and the rest of Nice.
It is actually one the main harbors in the French Riviera for the boats which sail across the Mediterranean Sea. It accommodates both the ships operated by certain ferry companies and the private yachts of tourists who come to Nice by sea, on their own water craft. For our day in Old Town, we actually parked near the port and strolled around, taking in the beautiful boats and admiring the city from a new perspective. Afterwards, we made the somewhat steep 300 step ascent up to Castle Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sea. (Families with small children may want to take the free elevator that is located a bit further from the port, instead.)
The Museums of Nice – Nice is host to a number of museums. If you have kids, you’re in luck because the museums offer free admission to kids under the age of 18! For the adults, we suggest the museum pass for 15.00 euro which will give you 4 days of admission to all 10 museums. Here’s a list of the museums included in the pass:
Musée Matisse – The painter, Henri Matisse, made his home in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954 at the age of 84. His work is displayed in a building that has its own rich history. The original Genoese style villa was completed in 1695. Over the centuries, the Garin villa underwent continued renovations and property improvements making it into the impressive landmark that it is today.
In 1950, the City of Nice acquired the property in an effort to preserve the site and renamed it “Villa des Arènes.” In 1963, the Archaeological Museum opened on the ground floor and the Matisse Museum on the upper floor (thanks to a generous donation made by Matisse’s heirs). In 1989, the Archeological Museum relocated to the neighboring site. The Matisse Museum was renovated, expanded, and reopened in June 1993. It displays several dozen paintings, drawings, prints, photos, and sculptures by the artist.
Musée Masséna – Opened in 1921, this museum presents the history of Nice and the entire region. It was once the winter residence of Prince Essling, grandson of one of the greatest generals of Napoleon, André Masséna. It was built in the years 1898 – 1901 in the Italian neoclassical style. Visitors are able to stroll through the rooms, including the dining room with a view of the garden, an office with a library, and a huge living room with 19th century paintings. Among the paintings are some that depict Napoleon Bonaparte in coronation dress and in historical battles. You’ll also find several pieces of memorabilia that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC) – This museum features 1,300 works of art by more than 300 artists. The building itself is an interesting design. You’ll find works representing European New Realism, Minimalism, and American Pop Art.
Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret – This museum is located in a former private mansion, built in 1878 by Ukrainian Princess Elisabeth Vassilievna Kotschoubey. It is named for artist Jules Chéret who spent his final years in Nice. It houses the artist's work, along with those of several other artists. You’ll also find a few ceramic pieces by Pablo Picasso.
Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre – This museum is located in Old Town in an old power plant. It is named after Charles Nègre, a pioneering French photographer. One of the missions of the museum is to compile a collection of photographs of Nice and the surrounding region. In addition to the museum, the adjoining gallery hosts several temporary exhibits throughout the year.
Musée d’Archéologie de Nice / Cimiez – This museum, located next to Musée Matisse, was inaugurated in 1989 and it is dedicated to the ancient history of Nice. Its collections range from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. It also includes an open-air portion where visitors can see the ruins of the Roman Baths and a Gallo-Roman baptistry.
Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky – This museum is located in the Château Sainte Hélène, the former residence of perfume master François Coty. The collection covers the history of Naïve painting from the 18th century to the present day. Naïve art usually refers to art made by artists who have had no formal training. (Please note that it will be closed through the remainder of the year.)
Musée de Préhistoire de Terra Amata – This museum, which is sometimes referred to as “the caveman museum,” presents the way of life for the oldest known inhabitants in human history. It was at Terra Amata, in Nice, where the oldest organized fireplaces in the world were discovered. Traces of large huts, dating back 400,000 years, are believed to have been constructed by the Homo erectus ancestor.
Musée d’Histoire Naturelle – This museum, which was founded in 1846, is one of the oldest museums in Nice. It offers a walk-through experience through thousands of exhibits meant to display the biodiversity of the Alpes-Maritime area.
Palais Lascaris – This museum offers both permanent and temporary exhibits along with an incredible collection of ancient musical instruments (2nd largest collection in France). Located inside a baroque style “palace” built in the early 1600’s, visitors will be treated to intricate architectural features and beautifully restored rooms with furniture from the medieval age.
L’Artistique – This is Nice’s second modern art museum. It takes a fun and whimsical approach with some quite interesting works. It is a relatively small building, but admission is free and it is located near the MAMAC so you can likely fit it in on the same day.
Fun Activities for Kids Near Nice
Saint Cezaire Grotto – Located between Cannes and Grasse, this grotto is nestled in the heart of a 6-hectare wooded park. You can discover the cave and explore to a depth of over 40 meters. The 200-meter journey wanders through stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations that are over 6 million years old! The guided tour lasts about 40 minutes and includes a 17-meter-high fluorescent waterfall. It’s a beautiful underground adventure and a great place to cool off during a hot day.
Antibes Land – Located between Nice and Cannes, this amusement park featuring giant roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions for every age, is a great place for the entire family to enjoy some fun together.
Aquasplash – This water park, which is located just a short drive away in Antibes, is a great place for the entire family to cool off on a hot day. With water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, all ages can enjoy the park.
Park Phoenix – This is a beautiful nature park/arboretum that opened right on the Prom in 1990. Over the years, it has grown to include a petting zoo, orchid garden, aquarium, kiddie park, fountains, and climb-through treetop adventure park. This summer, the city of Nice has set up a swimming pool with the goal of teaching the importance of learning to swim. People of all ages can get instruction and participate in water exercise classes, all included with the price of their park entry ticket! Kids under 11 get free admission to the park. There is discounted admission for students 12-18 and adult admission is less than 6.00 euros for a 7 day ticket. The park is open year-round, only closing on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Special Events in Nice
Nice hosts a slew of events, festivals, sporting events, and concerts throughout the year. There are some, however, that attract an abundance of tourists from all over the world. If you plan to be in town during these events, you’ll want to plan ahead for your accommodations and do a little research to make sure you have the best possible experience. This month, Nice is even hosting the 2024 Tour de France finale because the traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris is unavailable due to preparations for the Olympic Games. Here are some annual events in Nice:
Winter in Nice – The biggest Christmas market in the South of France is held in Nice every year. "Village de Noël" is held in the central Jardin Albert 1er that incorporates an ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel, and delicious special Christmas foods and drinks.
The Nice Christmas market is themed around an alpine village and you will see the stalls, located in 60 French mountain chalets, and an alpine forest, constructed from over 600 pine trees. The pièce de résistance is the Christmas lights and decorations along the Promenade des Anglais.
This year’s market runs from December 1st, 2024 to January 1, 2025 and is open from 11am to 8pm. Papa Noël takes a break from his busy Christmas schedule to make an appearance each evening from 2-7pm, beginning on December 19th through Christmas Eve.
Carnaval de Nice – One of the biggest events of the year is the Nice Carnival. This festival, which takes place each February, has been held for over 140 years and is one of the largest in the world. It is the largest winter event along the entire Côte d’Azur, attracting over one million tourists to the area annually!
The Carnival begins on a Friday evening in Masséna Square with the entrance of the huge King of Carnival puppet. The Light Parade is one of the highlights of the multi-day event. Huge grandstands are set up for the public at the center point in Masséna Square. A colorful procession passes while everyone dances to the music. You’ll also want to indulge in a Carnaval favorite - Ganses are commonly known as beignets de carnaval (carnival doughnuts). They are a delicious fried pastry with a mouth-watering texture infused with orange blossom water. They are served warm, generously dusted with confectioners sugar.
Nice Jazz Fest – Each August, the city of Nice hosts a jazz festival. The inaugural festival, back in 1948, featured Louis Armstrong and his All Stars as the headliners. It was the first jazz festival to bring together, in one place, the best jazz talent from all over the world. This year the two stages, the Massena and the Verdure, will hold 24 concerts over the 4 days of the festival.
Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes – In November each year, runners of all backgrounds, beginners to pros, gather in Nice for the events of the French Riviera Nice-Cannes Marathon. This year, around 175,000 participants are expected to compete in the 16th annual event which will take place on November 3rd. In addition to the marathon, athletes will compete in a 2x21k, 20k, and a Marathon Relay (for teams of 3, 4, 5, or 6). The course for the featured event is widely considered one of the most beautiful routes in the world!
Cannes Film Festival – While this event is not actually in Nice, visitors will be impacted by much larger crowds who are coming to the area for the festival, so you’ll want to be aware and plan accordingly. The first festival took place in 1946, but the idea for it dates back even further. The first festival was scheduled to take place in September of 1939. The father of cinematography, Louis Lumière was to be the honorary president. However, the early events of World War II put those plans on indefinite hold. When the first event was finally held, the industry was ready to celebrate and it has been a favorite event for celebrities ever since.
Day Trips From Nice
Nice is incredibly well-positioned to serve as a home base for your exploration all around the French Riviera. If you’re staying for a while and are interested in venturing out of town, there are some nearby locations that would provide a wonderful day trip. Here are some of our suggestions:
Antibes – Located between Nice and Cannes, Antibes offers beautiful beaches and a quaint Old Town. The ride from Nice takes only about 30 minutes by car. It is also only a 15 minute train ride (trains depart every 20 minutes). It is worth the trip to explore the winding cobblestone streets lined with pastel buildings and flowers. You’ll also find a museum dedicated to Pablo Picasso who fell in love with this little town.
Cannes – Located just a 35 minute drive from Nice is Cannes, home to the world’s most famous film festival. This walkable city has much to explore. From shopping on Rue d’Antibes, to the Chemin des Étoiles with handprints of celebrities who have visited for the festival, to the Église Notre-Dame-d’Espérance and its panoramic view, it’s definitely worth your time. You could also visit Musée de la Mer on Sainte-Marguerite Island, off the coast of Cannes (you’ll have to take a boat trip). It is a former prison that held the infamous “Man in the Iron Mask” and has some parts of Roman shipwrecks that were found in the bay.
Villefranche-sur-Mer – This town is located east of Nice and you can actually walk there. If you want to hop on the bus, the ride will take about 10 minutes. This town has a beautiful sandy beach, in contrast to most of the pebble beaches along this stretch of the French Riviera. You can explore the colorful Old Town with its red tile roofed buildings overlooking the sea. One popular attraction is the Rue Obscure (Dark Street). It’s a 430 foot long walkway that travels under the village buildings. It was built in the 13th century to allow soldiers to move easily through the village. The Promenade des Marinières, located beachside, is a great place to grab a lunch of fresh mussels and regional wine.
Menton – Menton lies to the east of Nice on the border of Italy. It has recently grown in popularity to become a favorite for visitors. Its pastel colored buildings, quaint Old Town, and beautiful water views make it a gorgeous spot to spend the day. It can be reached, by train, from Nice in about 40 minutes. A 10 minute walk from the station will have you at the waterfront where you can stroll on the Promenade du Soleil.
Menton’s Old Town is set on a hilltop so be sure to wear some comfortable shoes so you can climb the hill and explore the cobblestone streets. The Vieux Château cemetery will allow you to see the final resting place of a few Russian princes and will offer a stunning view over the sea and into Italy. Menton is known for their citrus, so you’ll have a good excuse to sample some lemon or mandarin gelato.
Monaco – Our favorite day trip from Nice was to Monaco. We took our car and enjoyed the 45 minute drive but could’ve easily taken a train instead. (In fact, that would probably be our preference in the future due to the steep, winding streets.) We visited the Prince’s Palace and the Musée Océanographique de Monaco. We also got to experience the set-up and decorations for a festival that was taking place for National Day of Monaco a few days after our visit. We will feature our visit to Monaco in next week’s post.
So, when is the best time to visit Nice? The answer to this depends on the kind of experience you’d like to have. If you want to attend Carnaval or visit during the summer, you should expect large crowds, higher prices, and more traffic. We recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when there are fewer tourists, better deals on accommodations, and very nice weather. Our November visit allowed us to be comfortable in lightweight pants and long sleeve shirts or a t-shirt with a light jacket in the evenings.
Overall, we absolutely loved our explorations in and around Nice, from our super long walk from our Airbnb, to our visit to Port Lympia, Castle Hill, Old Town, the Promenade du Paillon, and the beach, we found so many things to enjoy. We also can’t wait to share all about our day trip to Monaco next week. Despite extending our stay, we weren’t ready to leave Nice behind. We even stopped a few times as we left town, traveling west through Antibes and Cannes. Have you ever dreamed of spending time in the South of France? What’s holding you back?
Family selfie from atop Castle Hill overlooking the coastline of Nice
