Nice Old Town

Vieux Nice is the city’s picturesque Italianate district, with flower and food markets, narrow streets and piazzettas.

TravelCurious Tip

Savour some some crystallised fruit from the chocolaterie-confiserie Maison Auer, whose gorgeous façade and interior (as well as many of its recipes) date back to 1820.

The heart of Nice

Nice’s Vieille Ville is a warren of colour and atmosphere. Bars, restaurants and shops can be found round every corner of its winding streets, which are labelled in both French and the Niçois dialect.

Running through it is Le Cours Saleya, a bustling open market selling flowers as well as fruit and vegetables - bric-a-brac on Mondays. Also worth visiting is the morning fish market at Place Saint François, offering an extensive range of the very freshest seafood.


Niçois specialities

Make sure to try the local dish socca: known as farinata over the border in Italy, this is a delicious peppery pancake made from chickpea flour.

Also unmissable is the Italian-style ice cream at Fenocchio Glacier, which is the best in Nice and gets very busy in high season. A great way to cool down - though the streets of the Old Town are surprisingly shady and well-ventilated, keeping some of the Riviera scorch at bay.

The Old Town is buzzing at night, with restaurants and bars competing for custom and some hosting live music. This is the place to tantalise your tastebuds and really get to the heart of Nice’s unique Mediterranean character.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Nice
Le Cours Saleya
A busy and beautiful open-air market in the heart of Nice’s Old Town.
Cathedrale Sainte Reparate
Nice's cathedral is one of the city's architectural gems, honouring its patron saint.
Place Rossetti
Located in the heart of the Old Town, this lovely square is full of restaurants and cafes and is home to Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate.
Palace of the Kings of Sardinia
Also known as the Palace of the Prefecture, is the former Royal Palace of Nice which used to be the residence of the kings of Sardinia.
Palais Lascaris
A magnificent collection of musical instruments housed in a stunning Baroque palace.
Chapelle de la Miséricorde
Chapelle de la Miséricorde is a beautiful Baroque church inside and out, dating from the mid-18th century.

Related Tours

The Best of Nice Live Virtual Tour
Explore Nice, a 2600 years old city that became the must-go holiday spot for Royalty and celebrities from all over the world and the second home for people in search of "The French way of life". With your professional tour guide, you will virtually wander the many colourful lanes,  tall pastel buildings and marketplaces.

On this live virtual tour, you will:
  • See the Elegant Massena Square (main square),  where you can find many quaint boutique stores,
  • Explore the Old town, an Italian-influenced district that offers a distinctively Mediterranean flavour,
  • Discover Nice Town hall, an 18th-century historical building,
  • Admire the exterior of the Opera, one of the most spectacular buildings in the city, 
  • See the colourful Saleya square with famous flower market stalls and some of the many local delicacies on offer,
  • See Cathedrale Sainte Reparate,  one of the city's architectural gems, honouring its patron saint,
  • Walk the Promenade des Anglais, the waterfront to view the many historic highlights this area boasts,
  • See the Monument for WWI inaugurated in 1928
  • See The Port which is the base for cruises, excursions and leisure activities.
x

Guides

Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.

Partners

Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.