A trip to Nice absolutely must include a stroll around the Cours Saleya. This incredible area used to be the city square in the days gone by. It is now an open air market that has many different vendors available throughout the week. The sights, sounds, smells and the people are sure to be one of the highlights of any trip.

Every Monday morning is the antique market, where the perfect bit of Art Deco, or that one unique souvenir may be purchased. If you love antiques, do not miss coming on Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday, the market is devoted to fresh, colorful flowers and fruits of all kinds and descriptions. Of course, it really depends upon the time of year one visits as to what produce will be available. But whatever is being sold, it will be fresh.

Be sure to arrive early at the market, the stalls open at 6 am, so try to get there as soon as possible after that. For early birds, this place is a real treat. Reusable bags to carry home purchases are absolutely necessary, and have plenty of small bills and change. The vendors will have enough customers that they don’t need to worry about fussing with making huge amounts of change for one customer.

For those who have cooking facilities where they are staying, do not miss the fresh fish market. There is no comparison of taste in fish that went from the water to the table in just a few hours. What a delight, especially when accompanied by fresh herbs, bread, veggies and paired with an incredible wine.

During the summertime, the Cours Saleya turns in a craft market on the warm evenings. It is possible to go to the market in the morning to pick up fresh flowers, a bit of fruit, cheese, olives and bread for the day and then return in the evening to buy some delightful craft product to remember the trip by. The area is also home to several cafés and restaurants. What a way to spend a summer day in Nice.

The Place du Palais-de-Justice or the Nice court of law has recently received a well deserved face lift. The whole area has been given a bit of polish and shine, making it a delightful and picturesque neighborhood. The fountain in front of the court building is absolutely gorgeous.

The steps leading into the building lend themselves to getting an elevated picture of the surrounding area. They also are a great place to gather a large travel group to get a picture with a nice backdrop of the Neo-classical Palais.

While the building itself is very impressive, it is really the whole area that makes this attraction a must see. The colorful pavement around the square, the impressive fountain, the cafés in the area all make for a lovely ambiance. The street vendors are also a nice touch, and they may have exactly what is needed to fill out that little spot in the suitcase for a souvenir.

The Place du Palais-de Justice is also a favorite hangout of the local youth at night. It is a spot to bring a brew and gather with friends in the lovely Nice evenings. This area also hosts movies and concerts fairly frequently, so be sure and check the schedule of events.

The Cathedrale Sainte Reparate is one of the most interesting and beautiful cathedrals in Nice. It is built on the site of a small church that dates back circa 1200. Built in the middle 17th century, and dedicated in 1699, the building is magnificent. It contains 10 chapels, that were maintained by private families, and three organs.

The name comes from a young Palestinian boy who was martyred for his Christian faith. Saint Reparate was 15 when he was beheaded and his body set adrift in a small vessel. According to legend the boat floated up to the shores of Nice and he is now buried at the cathedral.

There have been additions over the years; the Baroque façade was added in the early 1800s. This hides the original cupola which is still there, but a bit hard to see. However, the cupola is covered in colored tiles and is beautiful standing guard over the transept.

The inside also carries on the Baroque theme with plentiful use of marble and gold. The barrel ceilings only add to the huge splendor of the cathedral which is built in the style of the Latin cross. This is definitely a must see when in Nice.

Colline du Château or Castle Hill is a must see while in Nice with its breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. This area is where Nice was founded in the third century BCE. From high on the hill a trading post was established and then a defensive post was maintained. A large wall was built around the city, but that was torn down in the early 1700s.

Don’t go to the hill expecting to see the “Castle”. That has long since been torn down, a few ruins still remain but that is all. The area is still intriguing none the less. Aside from the exquisite views, there is a beautiful park, the Musée Naval, stepping stones that depict the Odyssey by Homer and a beautiful old cemetery filled with gorgeous headstones.

There is also a man made waterfall along the way. This sometimes gets shutoff in the late afternoon, so be sure to visit early if you want to see this attraction. There are plenty of benches around the area to take a few minutes just to revel in the Mediterranean splendor of the park. This is a great place to pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon. There is a small café in the area too.

Getting to the hill can be accomplished several different ways depending upon time constraints and fitness. For those who like to walk, take the steps up to the observation platform. There are 213 steps but the view is spectacular along the way. For a fee there is also an elevator or a motorized train. The train does not really allow for any wandering, so for those who like to stroll and look on their own schedule, take the steps or the elevator or a combination of the two.

Do not forget the camera and a little extra cash for a snack. Plan on spending at least a couple of hours here, the area opens daily at 8:00 a.m. but the closing times vary with the seasons, so be sure to go earlier in the day. Keep in mind that some shops in the area will be closed from 12-2PM for lunch, so plan accordingly.

Palais Lascaris was built in the 1600s for the Lascaris-Vintimille family. It is one of the best representations of how the truly wealthy lived during that time period. The palace was restored during the 1940s and then was open to the public as a museum. The spectacular Baroque building is well worth the visit for anyone, but an absolute must see for those who love musical instruments.

Le Groupe AXA loaned an extensive collection of period instruments to the museum. In addition, there are also paintings that depict musical instruments, and it is not unusual to be able to hear some of the instruments being played. The palace also hosts several musical events throughout the year, so be sure to check the schedule.

Be sure to see the étage noble, the noble story, where much of the original grandeur has been restored. This was used as a gathering place and is very fitting for a rich, noble family. The palace has the obligatory Baroque staircase as well as beautiful murals and tapestries. There is also an apothecary on the ground floor that houses many original pieces from the 18th century and some beautiful delft pieces.

Hours for the place are 10am-6pm except for Tuesdays when it is closed. Admission is free.

The Place St. François used to be the home of the town hall which was built in the 16th century in Baroque style. The square is smaller than some in Nice, but it is still a beautiful place to visit. There is a wonderful fountain in the middle of the square that was built in the 1930s a gift from François Aragon that depicts dolphins.

There is a bell tower on the square that was built by the Franciscan monks who gave the name to the square- St. Francis. This area used to house a large Franciscan convent, but only the bell tower and some of the cloister remain today. Still, it is easy to imagine how busy this little spot was in its heyday when the town hall was here.

The square hosts a fish market every morning with the exception of Monday. Some of the finest and freshest catch from the Mediterranean may be purchased here, so it can still be a busy bundle of activity. It is a nice spot to check out the architecture and people watch.

The Monument á Catherine Ségurane is located at Place St.-Augustin. Catherine was a washer woman during the Turkish siege of 1543. While there is some discrepancy about what actually happened or if she even existed, it makes for an exciting story. In August of 1543 Nice was under attack by Turkish soldiers. Nice was separate from France at this time, and was fairly defenseless against invaders.

According to one legend, Catherine took up her laundry beater, a heavy paddle like object and knocked out the advancing assailants’ flag bearer and took his flag. It is this action that is depicted in bas-relief at the memorial. Another popular legend has the laundry lady lifting her skirt and showing the advancing forces her bare rear-end. That is not depicted in bas-relief but it does make for a good tale.

No matter what actually happened, this story has made Catherine a folk hero in Nice. The town was saved from the invaders, and everyone loves a heroine. A Street has been named in her honor and for those who love antiques; there are a number of great shops to browse through here. The memorial is across from the Saint Augustin Church just a few steps away. Supporters gather here on November 25 to honor her on St. Catherine’s Day.

Marzuc Workshop is a place where art, beauty and harmony are interrelated. The artist whose name is attributed to the workshop restores furniture. Different shapes, colors, materials and a lot of imagination is used to create his masterpieces. His personal style makes each piece unique.