Nice
Nice sits where the Alps meet the Mediterranean - a city with the density and sophistication of a proper urban center and the coastline of a resort, which is an unusually good combination. The Promenade des Anglais runs along the waterfront, but the real Nice is found inland: in the Cours Saleya flower and produce market, in the narrow streets of Vieux-Nice where the cooking reflects the city's Italian heritage and French identity. The Côte d'Azur spreads in both directions from here - Monaco is 20 minutes east by train, Antibes and Cannes to the west, and the mountain villages of the arrière-pays an hour inland.
Browse top-rated hotels in the area, chosen for their comfort, location, and overall guest experience.
Hôtel Negresco
The most iconic hotel on the Côte d’Azur - a Belle Époque palace on the Promenade des Anglais that has been operating since 1913, independently owned, and filled with an art collection that runs from Renaissance to contemporary. The Chantecler restaurant holds a Michelin star and reflects the Niçois culinary tradition with genuine seriousness.
Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc
Perched dramatically on the rocky tip of Cap d’Antibes, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is one of the French Riviera’s most legendary expressions of old-world glamour. The atmosphere is one of timeless Riviera sophistication: manicured lawns, shaded terraces, private cabanas perched above the sea, and the hotel’s iconic seawater pool carved into the rocks.
La Pérouse
Directly across the road from the sparkling Mediterranean, this 50-room landmark hotel, built into the rock flush with Nice’s leafy hilltop Parc du Château, has always been a favourite with the French showbiz and film crowd for its unbeatable location and relaxed, unpretentious vibe.
From local traditions to world-class celebrations, here’s what’s worth planning your trip around.
Carnaval de Nice
One of the largest carnivals in the world and the most important in France - two weeks of parades, flower battles (the Bataille de Fleurs), elaborate floats, and street performances along the Promenade des Anglais and through the city center.
February - March (dates vary by year)
Promenade des Anglais and city center, Nice
Nice Jazz Festival
One of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe, running since 1948 and held across several stages in the Jardins de Cimiez on the hill above the city. The lineup mixes established names with emerging artists across jazz, soul, and R&B, and the hillside garden setting at sunset is as good a venue as any festival in France can claim.
July
Jardins de Cimiez, Nice
Nice Open
An ATP 250 clay court tournament held in May as part of the lead-up to Roland Garros - draws a competitive field of top players using the Riviera as a warm-up for the French Open. The open-air courts in the Parc des Sports allow for close viewing and a relaxed atmosphere that larger tournaments can’t offer.
May
Parc des Sports du Séminaire, Nice
Vieux-Nice (Old Town)
Nice’s historic center is a vibrant maze of narrow streets, Baroque churches, ochre facades, and the renowned Cours Saleya market. Shaped by Piedmontese and Genoese influences, its distinctive architecture and cuisine set Nice apart from the rest of the Riviera.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Castle Hill rises above Vieux-Nice, offering sweeping views of the city, Baie des Anges, and distant Alps. The park is accessible by elevator or on foot, with golden hour providing the most spectacular light.
Musée Matisse
The Matisse Museum, housed in a 17th-century ochre villa in Cimiez, showcases Matisse’s work across his career amid olive groves and Roman ruins. It is one of France’s finest single-artist museums.
Vieux-Nice (Old Town)
Nice’s historic center is a vibrant maze of narrow streets, Baroque churches, ochre facades, and the renowned Cours Saleya market. Shaped by Piedmontese and Genoese influences, its distinctive architecture and cuisine set Nice apart from the rest of the Riviera.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Castle Hill rises above Vieux-Nice, offering sweeping views of the city, Baie des Anges, and distant Alps. The park is accessible by elevator or on foot, with golden hour providing the most spectacular light.
Musée Matisse
The Matisse Museum, housed in a 17th-century ochre villa in Cimiez, showcases Matisse’s work across his career amid olive groves and Roman ruins. It is one of France’s finest single-artist museums.
Le Chantecler
The Hôtel Negresco’s flagship restaurant offers Nice’s most formal dining experience, pairing Michelin-starred Niçois and Provençal cuisine with an elegant setting of carved wood and painted ceilings. Expect regional specialties, fresh Mediterranean seafood, and an excellent selection of Provençal wines.
Jan
South African-born chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen blends French Riviera ingredients with South African influences in this Michelin-starred restaurant near the old town. A distinctive alternative to traditional Niçois cuisine.
La Petite Maison
A Riviera institution, this casual-smart restaurant serves excellent Niçoise cooking, from grilled fish and fresh pasta to wood-fired specialties. A favorite among both locals and visitors.
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