Things to do in Nice, France

Driving in France	Events on the Cote D’Azur	More sightseeing on the Cote d'Azur	Mini Guides to southern France

Around Nice

There are dozens of scenic coastline drives around Nice and visitors are advised to get out and experience as much of the French Riviera as possible.

Drivers are should check out the trois corniches - three parallel highways which offer great rewards. The “cornice inférieure” is the slowest road, hugging the coastline and providing enjoyable drives through Monte Carlo, Villefranche, Cap-Ferrat, and Beaulieu. The “cornice moyenne” is the middle road and passes through cliff-top towns, offering shoreline views. Meanwhile, the “cornice grande” is the fastest route, but panoramic views are blocked by opulent villas.

Those dreaming of soft white sand can head for Antibes, a bastion of wealth which epitomises the good life. Its main draws are the soft, man-made beaches and its yachting scene.

Antibes Juan-les-Pins, a town within the commune of Antibes, is home to an excellent jazz festival in July and prides itself on the quality of its nightlife year-round.

Cannes is also within easy reach and is noted not only for its festivals and events, but for its soft sandy beaches. This is the glitzy star of the Côte d'Azur, according to Beyond France. Prepare for champagne by the bucket-load and more poodles than you can shake a curly haired stick at.

Meanwhile, visitors can also head to the Principality of Monaco and try their luck at the casinos. All the delights of the nautical world are on offer and this is the place to live the highlife.

Those seeking tranquillity are more likely to find it at Villefranche-sur-Mer, a picturesque fishing village east of Nice which boasts a chapel decorated by Cocteau and some of the most splendid properties on the CoteD’Azur where the world’s millionaires hide themselves away. The port is a base for both fishermen and tourists with a variety of sea trips to choose from during the summer months. The village itself is picturesque with narrow streets and ancient houses with colourful facades. No wonder this is one of the most exclusive spots along the coast.

And Saint-Paul-de-Vence makes a great day trip. It is a quaint hilltop village boasting a Matisse-designed chapel.

Many holidaymakers also use Nice as a gateway to Provence. Situated on the border with Italy, the region is framed by the majestic Alps, while the heart of the province is to be found in the luscious green hills that bind the mountains to the sea.

Nice also provides easy access for those wishing to visit the Alps, offering the rare opportunity of a beach and alpine break. Chamonix rests under the watchful gaze of Mont Blanc, offering some of the most spectacular views in the French Alps. Wherever you decide to play in the snow, the scenery is bound to be impressive and an exciting contrast to the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean.

Activities

Shopping - from boutique paradise to market heaven, Nice has it all. If you're big on designer labels, you'll need to head to Rue de Paradis, Rue Masséna and Rue de la Liberté. Or if you're into antiques art and bric-a-brac Cours Saleya, Quai Lunel and the Marché aux Puces will be more up your street. France's most beloved department store Galeries Lafayette is a few minutes walk from the Promenade des Anglais, while high street treats can be found along the bustling Avenue Jean Médecin. However, visitors beware of France's opening hours, Sunday is not a day for trading and many shops will close for lunch throughout the week.

Picnicking - something of a national pastime and with all those beautiful gardens to enjoy, it would be rude not to. Pick up your fresh fruit at Cours Saleya.

To work off the Niçoise salads and show off your showbiz beach body, you'll need to get active and Nice has plenty to offer lovers of the great outdoors.

Water sports - nautical adventure is a number one activity on the French Riviera and anything from waterskiing to fishing is on offer.

Canoeing and rafting - The rivers Siagne, Loup or Var in the valleys of the Alpes-Maritimes come highly recommended.

Sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing - Popular locations include Isles of Lérins, Bay of Cannes, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, St-Laurent-du-Var and Antibes. Useful contacts include Ligue de Voile Côte d’Azur and Comité Départemental de Voile.

Rowing and sea kayaking - Nice, Antibes, Mandelieu, St-Laurent-du-Var and Cannes all offer great rowing opportunities, while Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, Mandelieu and Monaco are the places for kayakers. For advice contact the Ligue Côte d'Azur de Canoë-Kayak (Tel : 04 92 91 45 40).

Scuba diving - a popular sport along the Mediterranean coast, there are many dive sites with artefacts dating back to Roman times. Nice Diving can be found on 26 Boulevard Stalingrad.

Fishing - check out the hundreds of mountain streams in Alpes-Maritimes for trout fishing.

Skiing - the southern French Alps offer world-class downhill skiing and two major ski stations Isola 2000 and Auron are less then two hours' drive from the coast.

Walking - whether it's an evening stroll along the Promenade de Anglais or hiking in Mercantour Park, one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery is on foot.

Stretching from the Alpes-Maritimes to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Mercantour Park is a beautifully rugged national park an hour's drive from Nice. It offers an insight into another world, according to Beyond France, so get ready for mountain streams and lakes overlooked by 3,000-metre peaks. Wildlife lovers should look out for wolves, mountain sheep, golden eagles and falcons.

The Grande Randonnée hiking trail starts in Nice and runs parallel to the coast, offering magnificent views.

General Information

France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

The currency is the euro (£1 equals approximately €1.52).

Nice has its own airport, with flight time from the UK approximately two hours.

Climate

Visitors to Nice enjoy mild and sunny weather throughout the year. The city's Mediterranean climate allows for warm summers and mild winters. Daily temperatures in the summer average at around 25°C, while winter temperatures drop to a maximum of around 12°C.

Nice has its own airport, with flight time from the UK approximately two hours. Car hire is available from Nice airport. Easy access to the Cote D’Azur can also be obtained by hiring a car from Montpellier airport, Nimes airport and Marseille airport – all of which are now popular choices with holidaymakers due to the low cost flights now available.

Car hire in Nice, France

Experience Nice and the Cote D’Azur with a hire car from Carhire3000. Hiring a car on the Cote D’Azur not only gives you easy access to the beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean coast but also means you can explore the beautiful Provencal countryside inland or the snowy peaks of the Alps.

Car hire in France starts from just £17 per day with pick up locations across the country. Carhire 3000 can provide car hire from a choice of locations in the South of France:

Car hire Nice
Car hire Montpellier
Car hire Nimes
Car hire Avignon
Car hire Cannes

For more information about resorts inthe South of France, take a look at our mini guides to:
Nimes
Aix en Provence
Avignon
Montpellier

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