Nice, France Travel Guide

When the news broke that vaccinated Americans would be allowed to travel to Europe this summer, we jumped at the chance to head overseas and quickly booked plane tickets for a summer holiday in France.

Our first stop was to the seaside town of Nice, France. As the unofficial gateway to the French Riviera, Nice is the perfect destination to begin a journey traveling down the famed Côte d’Azur. (It’s also just a quick train ride away from the glamorous and petite principality of Monaco.) We didn’t spend as time as we would have liked to in Nice, and we can’t wait to return and explore more of the city’s pebbled shores and charming streets.

If you’re planning a trip to Nice, check out some of our top things to see and do:
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-Grab a gelato and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, Nice's iconic seaside promenade. Stop for a drink at one of the many bars on the sand.
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-Visit the Musée Matisse, a beautiful museum featuring a large collection of works by French painter Henri Matisse.
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-Wander through the Cours Saleya, a bustling market featuring local produce and flowers in Nice's medieval old town. Don't miss the Marché aux Fleurs, a flower market held Tuesday through Sunday. The market is known for its striped awnings and beautiful blooms.
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-Visit the Marc Chagall National Museum, a French national museum dedicated to the work of painter Marc Chagall with beautiful gardens.
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-Swim in the tranquil blue waters of the Mediterranean and soak up le soleil on Nice's pebbled beaches.
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-Check out Hotel Negresco, the grand old lady of Nice. Have a drink in the bar at this posh establishment.
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-Visit the Castle of Nice, a hilltop park and garden with panoramic coastal views.
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-Take a train to Antibes or to the famed Rothschild Estate on Cap Ferrat.
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-Visit the spectacular perched village of Eze. You can take a taxi there and walk up to the top. Have a drink at the grand Chateau Chevre D’Or in the outside bar overlooking the entire Mediterranean.

Have you been to Nice, France? Share some of your favorite things to see, eat, and do in the comments below!