Working in partnership with the Nice Côte d’Azur Tourist Office, the Greeters are local people who love their city and want to share their passion with you and show you around Nice according to your wishes, on a voluntary basis. Whether you’re on your own or with the family, you’ll find an outing to suit you, whether you’re looking for a gastronomic, cultural or sporting excursion on foot or by bike.
During the summer season, the Port of Nice offers free harbour crossings aboard a boat known here as a “pointu”. 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. From spring onwards, 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, 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 children under 13.
There’s one place that deserves to be known: the Lazaret cave in Nice, retracing more than 70,000 years of mankind’s ancient 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. Admission: €3 and €1.50 for under-16s, students and senior citizens.
One of Nice’s best-known parks is the Coulée Verte, with its 2 hectares of green spaces and play areas for children right in the heart of Nice. The Colline du Château (Castle Hill), with its panoramic views from Old Nice to the port. Parc Castel des deux rois, nestling on Mont Alban, with over 3.5 hectares of palm trees and 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.
Nice’s Parc départemental Estienne d’Orves is a popular spot for picnics with family and friends, especially at weekends. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its richness and the 500 olive trees that cover its 15 hectares. A heritage discovery trail allows you to explore the park’s treasures free of charge.
Villa Bellevue is a former home of the Comte d’Estienne d’Orves, covered in trompe-l’œil friezes. Opposite the mansion, the 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. With a free tour of the workshops, you’ll discover the traditional methods used to produce sweets and fruit jellies, chocolates, jams and flower preserves, not to mention the famous candied fruits. All the products come from the region, which is what Confiserie Florian is famous for. You’re sure to fall in love with the lavender honey used to caramelise a leg of lamb, or the rose-flavoured ” Mielofleurs “, half a teaspoon at the bottom of a glass of champagne and let the charm work – it’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
Ideally located at the entrance to Nice, Parc Phoenix offers 7 hectares of relaxation and visual and olfactory discoveries. An ideal green setting for family outings, Parc Phoenix is home to over 2,500 species of plant and more than 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 sub-tropical climates. A great idea for a low-cost outing: adult admission €5.5, free for under-12s.
Its exhibitions transport you to India, Japan, China and Central Asia through photographs, paintings and an ancestral art of living. As you’ll have guessed, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques offers temporary exhibitions that complement the interest of the permanent collection, taking you on a journey across the Asian continent. To learn more about different Asian cultures, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques also organises origami workshops, introductory courses in Japanese calligraphy and 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 Observatoire de Nice organises a 2-hour guided tour on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons throughout the year (and on Fridays during zone B school holidays), taking in the 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 and talk to visitors 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 hours, so it’s all down to luck, but the shop window is well worth a stop!
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By Katou – Touristissimo.com
As a travel blogger, when I’m not wandering around faraway countries, I love exploring every corner of the Côte d’Azur to share my beloved region with my readers and subscribers from a different perspective.
