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Discover Nice

Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Nice.

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Must-see attractions in Nice

From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 18 standout sights to build into your time in the city.

Located in southern France on the Mediterranean coast, Nice is a popular beach resort on the French Riviera or Côte d'Azur. It lies between Marseille and Genoa and has an old charm which mixes with the cosmopolitan feel to provide the perfect combination. It developed into a popular tourist destination in the 19th century and wealthy people from all over Europe started coming to the city. Nice is renowned for its vibrant seafront promenades. The city is a haven of culture, with many museums, bustling street cafes, a vibrant nightlife and lively festivals the whole year round.

Halal restaurants in Nice

Nice’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 20 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.

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Le Safari

The décor here is simple and the food is served in generous portions. All authentic French cuisine is available here.

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Flo Brasserie

This is one of a chain of restaurants having a lovely decor and a very good service. The oysters are a specialty here as are the fish, steaks and shellfish.

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Oliveria

This is a restaurant and an olive oil shop. It has a wonderful ambiance and a very good service. There is a constantly changing menu and you can choose from a wide variety of different olive oils which add special flavors to the food you order.

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Jouni

This is an amazing restaurant with a chef from Finland. There is an ever-changing creative menu to choose from.

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Chantecler

This is one of the most prestigious restaurants in Nice. The chef here comes up with a very creative menu which changes weekly. Some of the most well-known dishes here include the lamb and the ravioli.

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La Zucca Magica

This is a lovely vegetarian restaurant where the Italian chef creates unique dishes every day from the morning's vegetable market purchases. The waiters are friendly and explain the ingredients of each of the five courses that are served.

Where to stay in Nice

Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.

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La Pérouse

If a fabulous view is what you're looking for. then La Perouse is where you should be staying. Formerly a prison, La Perouse has undergone extensive reconstruction and is now a Riviera hotel with a difference. The fantastic view of the old city and the Baie des Anges attracts visitors to this hotel which is built in the gardens of an ancient chateau-fort. The feel of an old Provencal home is apparent in the low ceilings, white walls and antique furnishings. Provencal fabrics adorn the lovely spacious rooms. Boticino marble clad the large bathrooms which hold tubs and showers. Some of the facilities offered by the hotel include a restaurant (mid-May to mid-Sept), bar, outdoor pool, exercise room, Jacuzzi and sauna. Limited room service, baby sitting, laundry service and non-smoking rooms are also provided.

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Hôtel Négresco

Wallow in the lap of luxury in a hotel fit for a king. The Negresco, one of the Riviera's super-glamorous hotels, is situated on the seafront in the heart of Nice. Shaped like a Victorian wedding cake, the hotel is named after its founder, Henry Negresco of Romania. The 145 guest rooms are lavishly decorated with antique furnishings. In fact the antiques collected from all over Europe and elsewhere along with original paintings,tapestries, etc, make this a museum hotel a showcase of French art for international visitors. The pink dome conspicuously stands out as a landmark of the area. What better way to pay homage to the rich and famous than to outfit the rooms according to their personalities; such as the Coco Chanel room. Some rooms are modeled on literary or musical themes like the La Traviata. The suites and public areas are even more extravagant. The Louis XIV salon and the Napoleon III suite create a sense of majesty. The Mediterranean and private beach facing rooms have balconies and are the most expensive. Another unique feature of this hotel is the staff who wears 18th century costumes. The hotel offers many amenities which include two restaurants, a bar, fitness centre, secretarial services, 24 -hour room service, babysitting and laundry and dry cleaning service.Non-smoking rooms are also available.

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Palais de la Méditerranée

This 1930's ocean-front hotel has been hailed as the Queen of the Nice Riviera. Considered a seaside palace on the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel retained its popularity till 1978 after which it was shut down. During its days of success, the hotel theatre hosted many performances, from Maurice Chevalier to Josephine Baker. The interior of the hotel was gutted and redone and glamorous touches like plush hallways gave it new life. Modern amenities such as a heated outdoor swimming pool were added. Its art décor façade remained the same. Though the entire hotel was renovated, certain things were not touched and remained as before. These included massive chandeliers, stained glass windows and other architectural features. The spacious to midsize bedrooms have been tastefully refurbished in modern style. The bathrooms are lavish too and have a tub/shower combination. Sea-views can be enjoyed from 90 of the hotel's bedrooms. Some of the facilities for the guests include a restaurant, bar, casino, two pools (indoor and outdoor), fitness centre, solarium, water sports, 24 hour room service, Turkish bath and limited-mobility rooms.

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Radisson SAS Nice

Located on the sea front Promenade des Anglais, this modern, efficient hotel has had a change of names and owners like no other hotel in town. The Radisson chain took over this hotel in 1998 and went ahead with renovations to the public areas and bedrooms. Marble floors and marble panelled walls give a look of cool chic to the lobby. Soft piano music adds a touch of romanticism. The hotel is popular with business travellers who appreciate the extensive business facilities and comfort provided. The concierge is ever ready to provide useful information about attractions in Nice and help you plan your stay. The restaurant, Le Bleu Citron offers Provencal specialties for lunch and dinner from Oct to April. A buffet breakfast is served throughout the year. Other amenities include a bar, pool, health club, sauna, 24 - hour room service, babysitting, laundry service and dry cleaning.

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Hôtel Busby

Early 20th century grandeur faded with time is what you can expect at the Hotel Busby. The aura of nostalgia attached with such a place is sure to please some. Balconies and shutters on the tall windows have been retained to maintain its ornate façade referred to as ‘style Garibaldi’ by the Busby family, the original owners. The hotel is regularly renovated and with mahogany twin beds and white and gold wardrobes, the guest rooms look dignified. The bathrooms are however a bit cramped but shelf space is adequate. Some of the facilities offered include a bar, lounge, babysitting, laundry and dry cleaning service.

History and today in Nice

Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.

Visa Information

Visa Information

A valid passport or other identification document is required by foreign nationals in order to enter France. The passport must be valid for a minimum of four months at least after entry into France or the Schen

City Information

When to go

Located on the south-east coast of France, Nice is one of the most popular destinations in the country. It is the center of the French Riviera or Cote d'Azur and offers the perfect Mediterranean weather all year round. Though it is generally bustling all year round, the best time of the year to visit Nice is from June to September, when sunshine is guaranteed. Nice is overflowing with tourists especially during the summer, when the weather is at its best, with temperatures ranging from 17 degrees C to 27 degrees C on average. Tourists are fewer in number during the month of April and from the months of September to November.

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City Information

Fast Facts

Location:: South-eastern France, on the Meditteranean Coast; Area:: 72 sq km 28 sq miles; Population:: 345, 892

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Exchange Rates

The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).

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Public Holidays

January 1 - New Year's Day: March/April - Good Friday and Easter Monday May 1 - Labor Day May 8 - 1945 Victory Day Ascension Day - 10 days before Pentecost,; the seventh Sun after Easter: Whit Monday - day after Whitsunday/Pentecost July 14 - Bastille Day August 15 - Feast of the Assumption November 1 - All Saints' Day November 11 - Remembrance Day December 25 and 26 - Christmas

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Annual Temperature

January: High 13 °C(55 °F) Low 6 °C(42 °F); February: High 13 °C(55 °F) Low 6 °C(43 °F); March: High 14 °C(58 °F) Low 8 °C(46 °F)

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City Information

Nice Residents

Nice is France's fifth largest city. The city has a population of about 346,000. People are friendly, the atmosphere is cheerful and there are things to do all year round. 47% of the total population of Nice is French while 16% are of Monegasque origin. 16% are of Italian origin and 21% are of other nationalities. Apart from being a tourist hub, Nice has also become a center for research in industry, science and advanced technology.

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Nice History

The first settlements in the area which is now Nice, date back 400,000 years. Nice was created by the ancient Greeks. In the 1st century BC, the Romans made the settlement a provincial capital, which remained so until continued attacks by various invaders during the 3rd to the 10th centuries forced the settlers closer to the sea. Control of Nice passed through many hands from the French King Louis XIV to the new French Republic to the Italians and then back to the French. This constant change in powers lasted nearly 400 years during the 18th century. During the 19th century Nice started to attract artists, such as Chagall and Van Gogh; and rich holiday goers that included the aristocratic English classes who transformed Nice's seafront with a promenade and the building of huge houses. In the modern times Nice has been occupied by Italy during the Second World War too.Nowadays, Nice is a highly sought after holiday destination and is known as the capital of the French Riviera.

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Shopping in Nice

Explore 20 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.

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Chanel

This world-renowned designer house carries fashionable clothes which include suits and shirts. At this store you can also find accessories such as bags, shoes and watches.These elegant wares are naturally priced very high.

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Emporio Armani

This renowned Italian designer offers expensive men's clothing ranging from suits, and ties to trousers and shirts. Also available here are other items branded by Armani such as candles and umbrellas.

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J. C. Planet

JC Planet is a store carrying clothing and accessories from brand names such as Guess, Fornarina, Moschino and Mare. There is something for everyone but it is rather expensive.

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Comptoir des Cotonniers

This shop for women's clothing is located at rue Massena, Nice's pedestrian shopping area. The clothes are priced reasonably and you can find fashionable everyday wear clothes here.

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Popsy

This is a great place to come to for chic clothes which are priced reasonably. These fine quality clothes look expensive and are in keeping with the latest fashions making it a very popular store.

Signature sights in Nice

A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.

Festivals and events in Nice

Plan around 10 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.

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The Gourd Festival

Held in the Cimiez Gardens annually, this festival honors the gourd vegetable and marks the end of the winter season. It heralds the coming of spring and also celebrates the festival of Annunciation. Dishes with gourd as the main ingredient are served and there are exhibitions of well-decorated and artistically carved gourds.

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Nice Jazz Festival

The annual Jazz Festival in Nice goes on for eight days and is one of three main jazz festivals held in Europe. It attracts about 45,000 spectators every year. There are three stages set up with performances by famous musicians every evening from 19.00 to midnight. With over 75 concerts taking place this is one of the most happening events in Nice. Jazz music ranging over gospel, the blues, fusion and urban funk are all represented at this festival.

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La Castellada

This summer festival celebrates the summer season with musical concerts and puppet shows. The venue for this event is a chateau in the hills of Nice. There are costumed actors who walk through the gardens telling festival-goers about the city's history.

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International Festival of Military Music

This is an international military tattoo that takes place every year in Nice. There are grand military parades and concerts that take place with performances from all the participant bands. Various free concerts are held at different locations around Nice.

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Manca Music Carnival

This is an annual festival which the Centre National de Création Musicale (CIRM) in Nice arranges. It is a modern-day music festival and the concerts are held at a few chosen venues in Nice as well as in nearby Monaco. In addition to the musical concerts there are also a number of music workshops for young people.

Nice tours and experiences

Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.

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Le Grand Tour

This company offers a 1.5 hour tour of Nice on an open-top bus. The tour goes through the city and to the Cimiez hills. There is a recorded commentary which is provided individually to each passenger through personal headphones. The bus is hop-on, hop-off so you can get off at any location you wish to and take the next bus from there after looking around for as long as you like. There are eleven stops in total and these include all the main stops such as the Promenade des Anglais, Place Garibaldi, Monastère de Cimiez (Cimiez Convent) and Musee Chagall. There are 24 hour and 48 hour tickets available to choose from. Tickets can be bought on the bus, at your hotel or from the Nice Tourist Office.

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Small Tourist Train Tour

This tour takes you on board a little train and through the old town, the flower market and the Chateau Hill. The tourist train leaves every half hour from the Albert Ier gardens at the Promenade des Anglais. There is a stop at the Chateau hill where passengers can take photographs and have refreshments before the train returns to its starting point.

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Guided Walking Tour

This tour is booked through the Nice Tourist Office and is conducted in both English and French. Sights covered include the Albert Ier gardens at Place Massena, the Cours Saleya market, the Opera House and the narrow streets of old Nice. The tour also includes the sights of Place Rossetti, Cathedral St Reparate and the Palais Lascaris, amongst much more. It finally ends at the Place Garibaldi approximately three hours later.

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Nice City Tour

This tour is provided by Med Tours who organize various sightseeing tours via minibuses on the French Riviera. Their Nice City Tour takes you through the main sights of Nice which include the Chateau Hill, Cimiez, the Russian Cathedral and the Promenade des Anglais.

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Nice travel guide sections

Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.