Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview
Nice & the French Riviera (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) is one of France's most rewarding destinations: Sunlight-drenched Belle Époque seafront along the Baie des Anges, ochre-hued Vieux Nice markets, cliffside Eze, and effortless coastal TER trains.
Getting here and moving around is straightforward: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) via Tram Line 2 (25 min to Jean Médecin / Port Lympia) or SNCF TGV InOui from Paris Gare de Lyon (5h45). Once in town, rely on Lignes d'Azur tramways (Lines 1, 2, 3) and coastal SNCF TER Zou! trains linking Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, and Monaco every 20–30 min.
Neighbourhoods & areas
Vieux Nice (Old Town)
Atmospheric pedestrian lanes steps from Cours Saleya and the beach.
Carré d'Or & Jean Médecin
Elegant Belle Époque apartments near Tram Line 2 and Nice-Ville station.
Port Lympia
Trendy harborfront bistros and direct buses to Cap-Ferrat and Monaco.
Top sights & experiences
Promenade des Anglais & Colline du Château
Walk the 7 km pebble-beach bayfront and climb Castle Hill for panoramic views over Vieux Nice and Port Lympia.
Vieux Nice & Cours Saleya Market
Baroque alleys, morning flower and produce stalls (closed Mondays for antiques), and artisanal socca ovens.
Musée Matisse & Cimiez Roman Ruins
Set among olive groves on Cimiez Hill showcasing Henri Matisse's Riviera cut-outs and vibrant canvases.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat)
Pink Belle Époque palazzo surrounded by nine themed sea-view gardens.
What to eat
Socca Niçoise
Wood-fired chickpea-flour flatbread blistered in copper pans—order hot with black pepper at Chez Pipo or René Socca.
Salade Niçoise & Pan Bagnat
Sun-ripened tomatoes, Niçoise olives, anchovies, hard-boiled egg, and tuna—never cooked vegetables.
Pissaladière
Caramelized onion tart topped with anchovy fillets and black Cailletier olives.
Tourte de Blettes
Unique Niçoise sweet or savory Swiss chard pastry dusted with powdered sugar.
Where to stay by budget
Budget
€85/night — clean central hostels, 2-star family hotels, and boulangerie breakfasts.
Mid-range
€185/night — 3-to-4-star boutique hotels in walkable historic quarters (Vieux Nice (Old Town)).
Luxury
€410+/night — 5-star Palace hotels, historic hôtels particuliers, and Relais & Châteaux estates.
Rough nightly ranges: hostels and budget hotels often run €45–€95 per night; mid-range boutique hotels commonly €130–€240 per room; 5-star Palace hotels and château stays run €380+, especially in peak seasons. See our accommodation guide.
Getting there
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) via Tram Line 2 (25 min to Jean Médecin / Port Lympia) or SNCF TGV InOui from Paris Gare de Lyon (5h45).
Getting around
Lignes d'Azur tramways (Lines 1, 2, 3) and coastal SNCF TER Zou! trains linking Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, and Monaco every 20–30 min.
Day trips & side trips
Villefranche-sur-Mer & Cap-Ferrat
Easy regional excursion from Nice & the French Riviera: Villefranche-sur-Mer & Cap-Ferrat (TER 7 min).
Eze Village & Monaco
Easy regional excursion from Nice & the French Riviera: Eze Village & Monaco (Bus 82 or TER 22 min).
Antibes Picasso Museum & Cap d'Antibes
Easy regional excursion from Nice & the French Riviera: Antibes Picasso Museum & Cap d'Antibes (TER 20 min).
Menton Lemon Gardens
Easy regional excursion from Nice & the French Riviera: Menton Lemon Gardens (TER 35 min).
Best time to visit
The most pleasant months to visit Nice & the French Riviera are May–June & September–October, when café terraces are lively and sightseeing queues are manageable. Book SNCF TGV trains and timed monument entries 3–6 weeks ahead.
Local tips
- Waiting until the day of travel to book high-speed SNCF TGV tickets to Nice & the French Riviera instead of locking in early-bird fares.
- Sitting down at an unset café table for drinks or forgetting to greet staff with a polite "Bonjour" before asking a question.
- Skipping the weekday lunch "formule du midi" (2- or 3-course set menu for €18–€26), which offers the best culinary value in Nice & the French Riviera.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: