Our Nice destination guide

My colleague Natalie and I travelled to Nice for an inspection trip in February last year. We met with our partner language school while we were there and explored all the sights. I have compiled snippets of some of my favourite things I found in Nice, it is certain to say that the city is not short of something to do!

Cours Saleya

Just off the main beach promenade is the market centre of Cours Saleya.

For the best souvenirs and a chance to speak to locals about their small businesses, go check out the regular markets. The flower market is the best known and stays open most of the day, only closing on Mondays! You will also find individuals selling their art, often painting or drawing, while you browse. We spoke to a lady who was inspired by her cat to get back into painting and sketching. She now sells prints, magnets and original paintings.

Crepes

We ate an unspeakable number of crepes while in Nice! It’s hard not to when you have the opportunity of sitting on the beach with the Mediterranean backdrop and so many options for creperies! We would recommend exploring the street vendors around Place Messéna. The chain shop ‘Confiserie Ballanger’ offers so many options you’ll need a break before you’ve even start eating!

Socca

Another food favourite, try socca in Nice! It is always freshly made and piping hot. Great to take away for a sit-down snack or for lunch at a café. We tried Socca D’or in Quartier du Port after high praise from our placement coordinator. They have a sit-in restaurant that was very busy at the time we arrived, but they also have a takeaway section where you can pay for a portion or two to be made and cut in front of you! It only cost us 3€ and we took the food down to the port to sit and watch the boats.

Socca is made from chickpea flour, oil and water and seasoned with salt and pepper. It is a fantastic hot lunch and a favourite from antiquity. Some say that Socca goes as far back as the Romans, who roasted chickpea flour on their shields.

Photo of someone making Socca in Nice, France.

Colline du Chateau

After a short uphill wander, this is the best place to go for panoramic views of the old town. It is also a great place to take photos, whether that is of yourself, the view, or the waterfall. Stampie particularly shone with a short photoshoot of his own. At night, the whole waterfall glows in the colours of the French flag.

Beyond the waterfall is the 18^th century ex-military fort itself. You can explore the park, including some ruins of an ancient cathedral. If you time your visit well, you will be greeted by the ‘cannon fire’ to mark noon. This was originally installed by Sir Thomas Coventry-More, a British gentleman, as a way to remind his wife of the time while she took walks along the Promenade des Anglais. Once he left Nice, the locals missed the reminder of the time and the law ‘lou Canoun de Miejour’ was passed to maintain the tradition. It is now a large firework that is set off rather than a cannon.

Photo of Stampie at Colline du Chateau in Nice, France.

Place Garibaldi and Dolly Party

Place Garibaldi is the oldest in Nice, originally considered the gate to Nice and the end of the road from Turin, Italy. It is now a central hub for locals to meet for coffee or a meal. Within the Place Garibaldi, you will find the Dolly Party statue, which references the Dolly Party that takes place every year, commemorating the LGBTQ+ community in Nice. The sculpture was created by Patrick Moya, who is of international fame.

Eze

Now time to explore the stunning Eze! Only a short bus journey from Nice city centre, you will find a perfectly intact medieval village perched on a hill facing the Mediterranean coast. I can’t think of anywhere in the world that feels similar. It is also worth paying for a ticket to the Jardin Botanique set against the old castle ruins for both an exploration around stunning plants and see the incredible views from the so-called ‘eagles nest village’. We paid 5€ for our tickets to the garden, and it was worth every cent!