In 2009 I traveled to Nice with a girl friend and enjoyed days lounging by the beach, sipping drinks and going out for late night meals. Nine years and two kids later, I found myself back in Nice once again. Lounging on the beach was replaced by chasing a toddler around parks and late night meals were replaced with early bedtimes after sun-filled days. I enjoyed Nice before but this time, I totally fell in love. In fact, it was one of my favourite stops on our trip along the French Riviera. It had parks, not just parks but the best parks we have ever seen, and ice cream, the best we had during our trip. If you have a couple of weekend to spend in Nice and the surrounding area here are some of my top stops!
Friday evening
Get settled in your accommodation and then head to dine al fresco at Socca Tram where you can enjoy yummy pizza and sample a Nice area specialty – socca, a pancake made from chickpea flour, served hot from a wood fired oven. After dinner head next door to J. Multari to grab some dessert and wander around the General De Gaulle square and in front of the beautiful Gare du Sud.
Saturday
Is there any better way to start your day than with a pastry and coffee? Find a patisserie and grab something freshly bakes before heading to Promenade de Paillon. This incredible 30 acre park is just 5 years old and is the best urban park that we have ever seen. It starts at Place Massena, a busy square bustling with activity and buskers, including one man making massive bubbles that children were happily chasing and popping. Just inside the gate is the “Miroir D’Eau” where dozens of jets of water shoot out of the ground at random. Kids were running from fountain to fountain shrieking in delight, it was so much fun to watch and on a hot day would be the perfect place to cool off. Walking further into the park you'll find multiple paved areas with misting jets and huge playgrounds with swings, wooden marine themed creatures for climbing and a slide that exits from the mouth of a whale. There were lots of benches and grassy areas for picnics. It was a fun mix of locals and tourists and clearly a well loved and well used greenspace!
Get settled in your accommodation and then head to dine al fresco at Socca Tram where you can enjoy yummy pizza and sample a Nice area specialty – socca, a pancake made from chickpea flour, served hot from a wood fired oven. After dinner head next door to J. Multari to grab some dessert and wander around the General De Gaulle square and in front of the beautiful Gare du Sud.
Saturday
Is there any better way to start your day than with a pastry and coffee? Find a patisserie and grab something freshly bakes before heading to Promenade de Paillon. This incredible 30 acre park is just 5 years old and is the best urban park that we have ever seen. It starts at Place Massena, a busy square bustling with activity and buskers, including one man making massive bubbles that children were happily chasing and popping. Just inside the gate is the “Miroir D’Eau” where dozens of jets of water shoot out of the ground at random. Kids were running from fountain to fountain shrieking in delight, it was so much fun to watch and on a hot day would be the perfect place to cool off. Walking further into the park you'll find multiple paved areas with misting jets and huge playgrounds with swings, wooden marine themed creatures for climbing and a slide that exits from the mouth of a whale. There were lots of benches and grassy areas for picnics. It was a fun mix of locals and tourists and clearly a well loved and well used greenspace!
From Promenade du Paillon head into the Vieille Ville to the market at Cours Saleya (open Tuesday to Saturday) to grab some fresh fruit, some sandwiches and more pastries (can you ever have too many?) After you’ve eaten, head down to the Promenade Des Anglais, the perfect place to enjoy a view of the ocean, window shop and people watch the sunbathers under the blue and white umbrellas. There are multiple public beaches along Promenade Des Anglais including Voilier, Beau Rivage and Castel where you can cool off. The beach is pebbly though, not sand, so water shoes will make walking to and from the water much more comfortable. The benefit of the pebbly beach is that no sand will be creeping into your clothing or shoes while you are drying off!
As dinner time nears head back to the Old Town to wander the narrow streets behind the Palais de Justice and find a spot to enjoy a traditional salad nicoise. Make sure to save room for Fenocchio ice cream – it was the best ice cream we had during our two weeks in France, and believe me we sampled enough ice cream to say that with confidence! You can try some of their traditional flavours or if you're feeling adventurous you might want to try French classics like lavender or rose.
As dinner time nears head back to the Old Town to wander the narrow streets behind the Palais de Justice and find a spot to enjoy a traditional salad nicoise. Make sure to save room for Fenocchio ice cream – it was the best ice cream we had during our two weeks in France, and believe me we sampled enough ice cream to say that with confidence! You can try some of their traditional flavours or if you're feeling adventurous you might want to try French classics like lavender or rose.
Sunday
Head out bright and early for Monaco, a quick 45 minute drive east of the city. People watch the rich and famous at the Monte Carlo and check out the yachts at the port before walking uphill to the palace. Make sure you give yourself lots of time to be there for noon so you can watch the changing of the guard. We also loved reading the story outside the palace of Francois Grimaldi who dressed as a franciscan monk, walked right up to the castle, knocked on the door and then overtook it and claimed it as his own. You have to laugh at the boldness of that plan.
Head out bright and early for Monaco, a quick 45 minute drive east of the city. People watch the rich and famous at the Monte Carlo and check out the yachts at the port before walking uphill to the palace. Make sure you give yourself lots of time to be there for noon so you can watch the changing of the guard. We also loved reading the story outside the palace of Francois Grimaldi who dressed as a franciscan monk, walked right up to the castle, knocked on the door and then overtook it and claimed it as his own. You have to laugh at the boldness of that plan.
After the drive back to Nice, little legs might need stretching so find parking close to the port of Nice and head to the Ascenseur du Chateau. Take the free elevator ride up to the Chateau du Colline. While there's no castle to be seen there is a beautiful park area with playgrounds, wide open spaces for running and a manmade waterfall (cascades du casteu). There are beautiful views from both sides of the hill, with Promenade des Anglais on one side and the old port on the other. There is a small snack bar but it definitely lacked charm so you would be better to purchase something and bring it with you. There are public washrooms available for a small fee.
Finish off your weekend with one last dinner. We know you'll find your way back to Fenocchio's for more ice cream as well ;)
What's your favourite thing to do in Nice?
What's your favourite thing to do in Nice?
