Things to see in Nice
Attractions
Place Masséna
The vast Place Masséna, recognisable by the charming arcaded buildings that flank the square’s north side, has been the centre of the city since its construction in the 1840s. The city’s tram network flows seamlessly past the innovative artwork of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, whose permanent exhibition features seven statues representing the seven continents.
Address: , Place Masséna, Nice, 06000Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Parc de la Colline du Château
This lofty park, site of Castle Hill, rises above the city centre, offering a shady place to relax on hot summer days. The King Louis XIV’s soldiers may have destroyed its original castle 300 years ago, but the views of Nice and the Mediterranean are worth the uphill walk – or you can just take a free lift.
Address: , Rue des Ponchettes, Nice, 06300Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 0830-1800 (Oct-Mar); daily 0830-2000 (Apr-Sep).
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Promenade des Anglais
This waterfront boulevard still retains a belle époque charm, with grand hotels on one flank and the Mediterranean on the other. It’s a popular haunt for everyone from strollers to in-line skaters – and wide enough to accommodate them all. Bag a blue lounger if you want to bask in the sun.
Address: , Promenade des Anglais, Nice,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Plage Publique des Ponchettes
Right opposite Vieux Nice, Plage Publique des Ponchettes is a pebbly beach throngs with bronzed bodies relaxing or playing a game of beach volleyball while operators hiring out catamarans and jet skis. There are dozens of shops and cafes around the area too.
Address: , Plage Publique des Ponchettes, Nice,Telephone:
Opening times: Website:
Admission Fees: Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Old Town (Vieux Nice)
The backstreets of Nice's Old Town are filled with cosy cafés, baroque churches, charming boutiques and flâneurs (strollers). Running parallel to the seafront is the Cours Saleya, the venue for one of the most vibrant local markets in southern France.
Address: Vieille Ville, , Nice,Telephone:
Opening times: Website:
Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Musée Matisse
Housed in a stunning Genoese villa and surrounded by a peaceful olive grove, Musée Matisse showcases the diverse work of former Nice resident, Henri Matisse. Don’t expect any English explanations. Art devotees can also visit his nearby grave in the Monastère de Cimiez, a monastery in a respectable suburb just north of the city.
Address: , 164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, Nice, 06000Telephone: +33 4 9381 0808.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1100-1800.
Website: http://www.musee-matisse-nice.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Musée National Marc Chagall
Dedicated to the works of Marc Chagall, this fantastic museum exhibits some of his most famous pieces, including the 17 Biblical Message paintings. There are also fascinating displays of sculptures, mosaics, stained glass windows, and tapestries. In all, it’s the largest collection of the Russian-French artist’s works in public hands.
Address: , 36 Avenue du Docteur Ménard, Nice, 0600Telephone: +33 4 9353 8720.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800 (May-Oct); Wed-Mon 1000-1700 (Nov-Apr).
Website: http://en.musees-nationaux-alpesmaritimes.fr/chagallAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Nice
Celebrating the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean, this natural history museum has more than one million botanical, zoological, and geological specimens. Founded in 1846 by naturalist Jean Baptiste Vérany and botanist Jean-Baptiste Barla, it showcases natural marvels from around the world in a remarkable reminder of the region’s incredible flora and fauna.
Address: , 60 Boulevard Risso, Nice, 06300Telephone: +33 4 9713 4680.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.mhnnice.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Villa Masséna
This elegant 19th-century villa showcases art that tells the story of Nice during the halcyon days of the late 19th century when visitors discovered the pleasures of wintering on the French Riviera. Works date from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and the lavish gardens are worth the entry fee alone.
Address: , 65 Rue de France, Nice, 06000Telephone: +33 4 9391 1910.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800.
Website:Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC)
In a strikingly designed gallery, this exhibition features over 400 works of modern art, which document groundbreaking artistic movements from the 1960s to the present day. Big names such as Warhol, Wesselmann and Lichtenstein are displayed alongside some of France’s most celebrated avant-garde artists, with plenty of visiting exhibitions on offer too.
Address: , Place Yves Klein, Nice, 06000Telephone: +33 4 9713 4201.
Opening times:
Daily 1100-1800.
Website: http://www.mamac-nice.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice
There are a number of interesting works on display in this impressive cultural oasis, which is housed in a lavish, late 19th-century building. Sculptures by Rodin and Degas mingle with paintings by Van Loo, Fragonard, Dufy, Rodin, and Monet, with works of art ranging from the 13th to the 20th century. Well worth a visit.
Address: , 33 Avenue des Baumettes, Nice, 06000Telephone: +33 4 9215 2828.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1100-1800.
Website: http://www.musee-beaux-arts-nice.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Promenade du Paillon
Nice’s green credentials received a boost in 2013 with the construction of this 12-hectare (30-acre) urban park that swivels its way from the modern art museum all the way down to the Promenade des Anglais. In place of the old, less savoury bus station, there are beautifully landscaped exotic gardens, shimmering water fountains, a reflecting pool, and children’s playgrounds.
Address: , Place Massena, Nice, 06300Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 0700-2100 (Oct-Mar); daily 0700-2300 (Apr-Sep).
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Nice Tourist Office (Office du Tourisme et des Congrès)
Address: , 5 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, 06000Telephone: +33 4 9214 4614.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0900-1800 (Oct-May)
Website: http://en.nicetourisme.comThe city's main tourist office is located right in the city centre. The helpful staff can offer insider information as well as maps and brochures. They can also arrange tours and accommodation, as well as excursions outside of the city. Other branches of the tourist office are located in Terminal 1 of the airport and in the main railway station on Avenue Thiers.
Tourist passes
The French Riviera Pass (en.nicetourisme.com/the-french-riviera-pass), which covers 24 to 72 hours, gives you free entry to museums, guided tours and other attractions including an open-top bus tour and a tourist train. You can add a transport option too, and the pass covers attractions and tours in Antibes, Monaco, Cagnes and neighbouring villages including Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Since January 2015, Nice’s museums are no longer free, so the pass is a good option if you want to cover the cultural highlights.
