Working in partnership with the Nice Côte d’Azur Tourist Office, Greeters are local people in love with their city who want to share their passion and show you around Nice according to your desires, on a voluntary basis. Whether you’re on your own or with the family, you’ll be sure to find an outing to suit you.
During the summer season, the Port of Nice offers free harbour crossings on board a boat nicknamed a pointu here. The boat in question is called Lou Passagin. Get back in touch with Nice’s traditions on this short crossing, while taking some photos of the magnificent colourful facades lining the harbour. It’s an original ride that’s sure to please you and your children. Starting in spring, the Lou Passagin runs non-stop every day from 10am to 7pm.
The Church of Saint-Nicolas is the best-known Russian church in Nice, but it wasn’t the first. For the record, the first Orthodox church was located on Rue Longchamp in the heart of Nice. It was because of the importance of the Russian community in the 19th century that Saint-Nicolas Cathedral was built under the patronage of Tsar Nicolas II. Listed as a Historic Monument, the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral is considered to be the most beautiful Orthodox church in Western Europe. Free admission outside services. Guided tours every day: €10 for adults and free for under-13s.
There’s one place that deserves to be known: the grotte du Lazaret in Nice, retracing more than 70,000 years of ancient human history. Listed as a Historic Monument in 1963, the cave has been excavated and studied for over a century. The site offers a guided tour to discover the bones that have been found, in the company of a passionate and fascinating guide – you’ll come away enriched! Access is free of charge from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12.00 to 14.00. Guided tours can be booked from Wednesday to Sunday at 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Price: €3 and €1.50 for under-16s, students and senior citizens.
Among Nice’s best-known parks is the Coulée Verte and its 2 hectares of green spaces and play areas for children right in the heart of Nice. The Colline du Château, which allows you to take in the view from the top for a panoramic view of Old Nice all the way to the port. The Parc Castel des deux rois, nestling on Mont-Alban, with over 3.5 hectares of palm trees, tables for lunch with friends or family, the ideal place to organise your children’s birthday party. You can get there on foot from the Port of Nice, via Avenue de la République, and you’ll be surprised to meet some farm animals at the entrance to the park.
The Parc départemental Estienne d’Orves is very popular with Nice locals, especially at weekends for picnics with family or friends. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its richness and the 500 olive trees that cover its 15 hectares. Villa Bellevue is a former home of the Comte d’Estienne d’Orves, covered in trompe-l’œil friezes. Opposite the mansion, Villa Vicina was used as a painting studio by Félicie d’Estienne d’Orves. Discover the Parc Estienne d’Orves.
The workshop, located in the Port of Nice, has been open since 1974. By visiting the workshops free of charge, you’ll discover the artisanal methods used to make: sweets and fruit jellies, chocolates, jams or flower preserves, not to mention the famous candied fruits. All the products come from the region, which is what makes the Confiserie Florian so famous. You’re sure to fall in love with the lavender honey to caramelise a leg of lamb, the “Mielofleurs” with rose, half a teaspoon at the bottom of a glass of champagne and let the charm work, it’s a treat for the eyes and taste buds.
Ideally located at the entrance to Nice, the Parc Phoenix will offer you 7 hectares of relaxation and visual and olfactory discoveries. An ideal green setting for your family outings, the Parc Phoenix is home to more than 2,500 species of plant and over 2,000 animals: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. During your visit, head for the pyramid-shaped greenhouse where you can discover 6 reconstructions of tropical and subtropical climates. An idea for a low-cost outing: adult admission €5.5, free for under-12s.
The exhibitions transport you to India, Japan, China and Central Asia through photos, paintings and an ancestral art of living. As you will have gathered, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques offers temporary exhibitions that complement the interest of the permanent collection to take you on a journey across the Asian continent. To learn more about different Asian cultures, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques also organises origami workshops, an introduction to Japanese calligraphy as well as Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Here’s an original hike to do during your stay in Nice! The Nice Observatory organises a 2-hour guided tour on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons all year round (and on Fridays during zone B school holidays) using forest paths (a 2-kilometre route) to discover the beauty and richness of our heritage and the Mont-Gros site. The tour will give you an insight into astronomy and the history of the Nice Observatory and its buildings. The guided tour costs €10 per person, €6 for children aged 6 and over.
It’s an unusual little museum in Old Nice! Nice artist Ben Vauthier decided to give this workshop a second life, to exhibit, meet visitors, chat with them and promote Nice artists. You’ll be amazed by all the things you can find inside, including part of a staircase from the Eiffel Tower salvaged by César. It’s an independent museum run by volunteers, with no fixed opening times, so it’s all down to luck, but the shop front is well worth a stop!
10 FREE OR LITTLE PRICE ACTIVITIES
By Katou – Touristissimo.com
As a travel blogger, when I’m not wandering faraway lands, I love exploring every corner of the Côte d’Azur to share my beloved region with my readers and subscribers from a different perspective.
