Masséna Square, named in the honour of André Masséna, a Marshal of France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, was designed by Joseph Vernier in 1844. It is spacious and bordered by ochre-coloured Italianate buildings, palm trees, and stone pines.

It is a popular venue for concerts, public events, and festivals. The Carnival Parade, Bastille Day celebrations, and other traditional festivities are often held here. One of the square’s most distinctive features is the Open Sky Museum - seven sculpted Buddhist figures perched on high stilts above the square. At night, they glow in shifting colours, adding a dreamlike atmosphere.

The Open Sky Museum also includes a display of blue-green “fairy” lights arranged in a kind of poetic Morse code. Opposite the lights stands “Nine Oblique Lines”, a monumental sculpture created to mark the 150th anniversary of Nice’s annexation to France. Nearby, in the Sun Fountain, the god Apollo stands proudly, watching over the city - and the city, in turn, seems to watch him.

Beside the square lies the Paillon Promenade, a lush green park lined with palms and flowering shrubs. Its Mirror Fountain features jets of water that spray in rhythmic bursts from the ground, creating reflections on a polished stone base. Children - and often adults - delight in running through the misty water clouds.

Facing the Paillon Promenade is the Albert I Garden, a public park dating back to the 1880s. Stretching from Masséna Square toward the English Promenade and Old Nice, it hosts summer festivals, including the renowned Nice Jazz Festival. With its fountains, exotic flowers, and shaded paths, it offers a calm, green retreat.

Place Garibaldi, designed by architect Antoine Spinelli and completed in 1773, is one of the oldest and most distinguished squares in Nice. Conceived while the city was still under Sardinian rule, it served as the royal gateway along the route connecting Nice to Turin. Its harmonious proportions and classical layout make it a fine example of 18th-century urban design on the French Riviera.

The square is framed by elegant Baroque-style buildings, three storeys high, painted in warm shades of ochre and terracotta. Their graceful arcades and trompe-l’œil frescoes evoke both the Mediterranean light and the Italian influence of the House of Savoy. At its centre rises the monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the celebrated general and native of Nice, who played a defining role in the unification of Italy. The statue, installed in 1891, shows Garibaldi standing proudly atop a pedestal adorned with coats of arms and lions.

Place Garibaldi is intersected by Jean Jaurès Boulevard, Republic Avenue, and Cassini Street, placing it at a crossroads between the old town and the modern city. Around the square stand several landmarks, including the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher, the historic Turin Café, and the National Theater of Nice, each adding to the square’s rich architectural and cultural landscape.

Beneath the southern end of the square lie traces of Nice’s layered past. An archaeological crypt, accessible from Jean Jaurès Boulevard, reveals remnants of the 16th-century fortifications - including sections of the Pairoliere Tower, the Saint Sebastian Bastion, and the Augustins Suburb. These remains remind visitors that this elegant square once stood at the heart of the city’s defensive walls.

The Monument aux Morts is a very striking memorial to the people who passed away during World War I. It was erected in 1919, and was the brain child of the Mayor of Nice at that time. That was Goiran Francis. In terms of pure size, it is one of the largest tributes to the fallen to be found anywhere in the country.

The location of the memorial is set so that it faces out to the ocean. It is built into the beautiful Castle Hill in town. During the daytime, the light plays off the white stone that was used to build the structure, making the whole thing look a bit surrealistic. It is dome shaped, and has an urn in the middle. If you take time to go up to the display, you will be able to read the names of the three thousand six hundred and fifty five lost souls that are honored here. It is a great spot to stop for a moment of contemplation.

The design was done by Roger Seasal. Some of the additional work, namely the bas-reliefs was added closer to 1928 by Alfred Janniot.

Castle Hill is a must see 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 only to be torn down in the early 1700s.

Don’t go to the hill expecting to see the “Castle”, as a few ruins still remain but that is all. The area is still intriguing nonetheless. Aside from the exquisite views, there is a beautiful park, the Naval Museum, 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, which sometimes gets shutoff in the late afternoon, so be sure to visit early if you want to see it. There are plenty of benches around the area so take a few minutes 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 cafe 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.

Theatre de la Semeuse in Nice is a renowned theater that has been serving the community since 1904. It is a vibrant cultural hub that attracts theatre enthusiasts of all ages with its diverse offerings.

One of the major features of the Theatre de la Semeuse is its commitment to providing quality training with theatre lessons for children, teenagers, and adults. With around a hundred students, the theater offers a unique opportunity for aspiring artists to hone their skills and learn from experienced professionals.

The theater is also a hub for distribution, offering nearly 100 performances each year, which range from classical and contemporary theater to comedy, children's shows, and concerts. The program is designed to cater to all tastes and preferences, making it an ideal destination for families, students, and theater enthusiasts alike.

In addition to training and distribution, the Theatre de la Semeuse is also involved in the creation and production of one or more shows per year. The theater's team works tirelessly to bring innovative and exciting new productions to the stage, showcasing the best of local talent and creativity.

The Saint Reparate Cathedral is one of the most interesting and beautiful cathedrals in Nice. It sits on the site of a small church called Saint Mary of the Castle that dates back circa 1049. The current structure was built in the middle 17th century, and dedicated in 1699. The building is magnificent and contains 10 chapels 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 facade 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.

The Vieux Nice, also known as the Old Town, is in many respects the most colorful area in the whole city. There are lots of small streets that can be wondered for a very long time, most of which end in a shop, or a great place to eat, or an art exhibit. There are lots of pastels that have been used in the paint. Just to make things even more romantic in design, the locals still hang their laundry out across the street on long clotheslines.

Part of the allure of the area comes from the fact that this once was a very poor part of town, so you really get to see a piece of the real city here. There are two main attractions you will also want to check out: the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate (named after the saint of the town) and the famous Fenocchio ice-cream parlor.

You may also want to visit the Chapelle del’Annonciation, home of a famous local museum that has been built inside an exquisite old 17th-century space. Along the whole way, you will find many good cafés and coffee shops, along with places to buy lots of souvenirs. The southern end of the Old Town is home to the Cours Saleya, which is a marketplace well known for its flowers, fish and produce.

Why You Should Visit:
Almost all aspects of this historic and characterful Old Town are just superb!
Not only is it classically French but also has some unique and/or idiosyncratic features such as in Place Garribaldi.
You can spend more than a few days strolling around and visiting whichever bars take your fancy…

Tip:
It's highly likely that you'll have to book in your preferred choice(s) as the bars and restaurants throughout the area are busy during most of the evening.
Otherwise, do not plan a lot or any of it! Just immerse yourself and indulge.

The charming square known as the Courthouse Square lies quietly yet prominently between the bustling pedestrian lanes and the inviting cafés of the city. Its name is derived from the Courthouse of Nice, which has stood since the early 1890s overlooking the square. Built between 1890 and 1892, this neoclassical-style edifice features an imposing façade and broad staircase that contribute significantly to the character of the space.

The surrounding setting is also noteworthy: the square is flanked by restaurant terraces and lies just a short stroll from the picturesque flower and produce market at Cours Saleya as well as the elegant shopping zone along Avenue Jean Médecin. One of the special features of the square is its Saturday market. On the first and third Saturdays of each month, you’ll find stalls selling vintage books, rare editions, art prints and postcards.

From a tourist's perspective, the square works well as a strategic “breather” between major sights. The square’s colourful pavement, coupled with the neoclassical architecture of the court building, make for a relaxed yet scenic stop.

The Museum of Photography Charles Nègre (Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre) is located in the heart of Old Nice and is a must-see destination for photography enthusiasts. The museum, which was opened in 2016, is situated in a former electrical substation, and its industrial character and an old overhead crane serve as a testament to its history.

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions that showcase the work of some of the biggest names in photography, as well as themes that present the various trends in photography, from old photographs to digital images. Additionally, the museum has an adjoining gallery devoted to regional photographic creation.

One of the museum's missions is to compile a collection of photographs of Nice and the surrounding region by researching old documents and asking contemporary photographers to compile an inventory of the city's human, urban, historical, natural, and industrial heritage.

The museum has amassed a photographic collection of Nice and its region, and it has enriched the city's heritage with 40 original prints by the pioneering photographer Charles Nègre, made in Nice between 1863 and 1865.

These prints offer a unique glimpse into the daily life of the people of Nice during the second half of the 19th century, capturing landscapes and genre scenes that reveal a picturesque and lively city. The museum's collection serves as an important record of the city's history, and it provides visitors with a deeper appreciation of Nice's rich cultural heritage.

A trip to Nice absolutely must include a stroll around the Cours Saleya Markets. This lively stretch once served as the city’s main square, but today it’s an open-air market bursting with colour, fragrance, and energy. The sights, sounds, smells, and friendly bustle make it one of the highlights of any visit.

Every Monday morning, the area transforms into an antique market where you can hunt for the perfect piece of Art Deco design or a one-of-a-kind souvenir. From Tuesday through Sunday, the market is devoted to flowers and seasonal produce. The selection changes with the time of year, but everything sold here is fresh and full of Mediterranean flavour.

If your accommodation includes a kitchen, don’t miss the fresh fish stalls - the taste of fish caught just hours before is incomparable, especially when paired with local herbs, bread, and wine.

During summer evenings, the Cours Saleya becomes a craft market. You can shop for flowers, fruit, cheese, olives, and bread in the morning, then return after sunset to browse handmade jewellery, art, and souvenirs. The surrounding cafés and restaurants make it easy to linger - the perfect way to spend a summer day in Nice.

For early birds, this market is a delight. Bring reusable bags for your purchases, along with small bills and coins - the vendors are busy and often prefer quick transactions.

Tip: Be there around noon. You’ll hear the daily cannon fired - a long-standing tradition that began with the Duke of Nizza, who used it as a reminder for his shop-loving wife to come home for lunch.

On a sunny day in Nice, the calm of a leisurely stroll might suddenly be broken by the traditional boom of a cannon. Almost as if in response, the forecourt of the Nice Opera House comes alive with an informal burst of live music - turning the interruption into a charming reminder of Nice’s lively spirit.

The Nice Opera House is an esteemed venue for opera, housed in a massive late-19th-century theatre. It regularly presents operas, ballets and classical concerts - a rich variety of performances that trace back to the site’s earliest theatrical use. Indeed, the original wooden theatre on the location opened in 1776.

The building you see today was reconstructed under the direction of architect François Aune, a disciple of Charles Garnier, architect of Paris’s famed opera house, after a catastrophic fire in 1881. Its style has been described variously as Belle Époque or Baroque Revival, and its grandeur is balanced by surprising intimacy.

The theatre’s layout contributes to that effect: it features multiple tiers of boxes and galleries. Visitors today are greeted by congenial tour guides and can explore a historic space that invites a happy evening out.

In the late 1700s, English aristocrats developed a fondness for the city of Nice, spending their winters along the shore. During the harsh winter of 1820, English visitors found themselves surrounded by a wave of beggars. The solution? Build a walkway along the seashore-funded by the Anglican Church. A brilliant idea that benefited everyone.

The city leaders took the plan further, greatly expanding its scope. After Nice was annexed by France in 1860, the “Promenade Path” became known as the English Promenade. Today, locals simply call it La Prom, and it remains a favourite spot for walkers, families, skateboarders, and cyclists.

The Promenade stretches for about four miles around the Bay of Angels”. On the seaside, private and public beaches stand side by side, often crowded during summer months. Don’t be surprised if you have to share your patch of sand. Above the coastline, in the hills of Nice, former aristocratic villas have been transformed into grand hotels and museums.

Tip:
Restaurants along the seafront tend to be more expensive. For a more authentic experience, try the traditional eateries a little farther inland. One of the most vibrant stretches lies between Boulevard Gambetta and the Old Town, where you’ll find the grand Belle Époque hotels, elegant residences, and plenty to explore.

If you go to the part of Nice near the Albert I Garden, you will find one of the most famous outdoor works of art in the town. Named as Arc de Venet, it was built in 1988. At the time, it was considered quite controversial by the French locals, but now it is accepted as a town landmark and icon.

The piece was designed by Bernard Venet. This work represents his early carrier. He came to the town of Nice at the young age of 17 and studied at the Ville Thile. His metal works of art are currently found in places all across the world. Venet has moved to New York but is still held in high regard by the locals.

The arch reaches way into the sky above the area. It stands a full 19 meters tall. Its black metallic color is quite interesting and plays well against the sky on a clear day. It makes quite an impression. The piece is also quite popular among the locals. Often, impromptu meetings are scheduled and held at the foot of this work.

Tip:
The surrounding park is a lovely walk among palm trees and flowers, and features other highlights such as the historical monument named Triton's Fountain (it came from Greece in the 1800s), as well as fountains and basins.