The Jewel and Cultural Capital of the French Riviera
Table of Contents
A. About Nice
Nickname: The BeautifulNice, the cultural capital of the French Riviera, is situated just thirty kilometers from the border with Italy.
Therefore, particularly the old town reveals a distinct Italian flair.
The lively port city boasts various great museums, churches, and beaches to make a wonderful place for those looking for a Mediterranean lifestyle, relaxation, bathing, and culture.
âž• The Good
Standing in a magnificent bay and sheltered by the foothills of the Maritime Alps, Nice is scoring remarkably high for its scenic location and enjoys on top of that excellent weather with a mild climate year-round.Â
Moreover, the city possesses numerous pedestrian zones, mainly in the old town.
In addition, the capital of the French Riviera is a clean and safe destination with extraordinarily little crime and pulsating nightlife.
Finally, public transportation with stylish trams and numerous buses is excellent.
âž– Negative Aspects
With a score of 3 for its affordability, Nice is an expensive city.
While there is a lot to see in Nice, no sight really stands out.
B. Best Things to Do in Nice in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than forty sights in Nice. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.00/10 in this most important category:
# Promenade des Anglais 6
This legendary pedestrian seaside road runs 7 km (4 miles) along the pebbly shore of Nice's beach from the airport on the west to the Quai des États-Unis (United States Quay) on the east.
Seafront Promenade Length: 7 km / 4 miles
# Castle Hill Park (Parc de la Colline du Château) 6
Ride up a historic Castle Hill Elevator or climb the three hundred stairs to the top of Castle Hill Park to enjoy the most scenic and iconic views over Nice and the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels).
# Old Town (Vieille Ville) 6
This pedestrianized district is lively both night and day throughout the year and features cobblestoned lanes, narrow alleyways, historic churches, and a charming atmosphere reminiscent of nearby Italy.
# Marc Chagall Museum 5
Created during Chagall’s lifetime, this museum holds the largest collection of Chagall’s works in the world, including paintings, three large stained-glass windows, and sculptures.
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- Important Masterpieces: None
- Highlight: Song of Songs IV, Marc Chagall (1958)
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This is our selection of the three best artworks of the Musée Marc Chagall in Nice:
1) Song of Songs IV, Marc Chagall (1958)
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2) The Acrobat, Marc Chagall (1930)
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3) Elijah & Zodiac Mosaic, Marc Chagall (c. 1971)
74 cm Ă— 81 cm (29 in Ă— 32 in)
by worldcitiesranking.com
Interesting Artworks: 5/10
Famous Artworks: 4/10
Art Display: 6/10
Building: 5/10
Size: 3/10
🧮 Overall: 5/10
Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 15 | Artworks on Display: ca. 200 | Established: 1973
(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)
# Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) 5
After admiring the monumental sculptures of the forecourt, as well as the collections inside including numerous works by Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein, be sure to take a tour of the terraces, real lookouts offering stunning views of the city.
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- Important Masterpieces: None
- Highlight: Loch Ness Monster by Niki de Saint Phalle (1993, located in front of the museum)
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This is our selection of the 3 best paintings of the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain in Nice:
1) Loch Ness Monster, Niki de Saint Phalle (1993), located in front of the museum
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2) Square Head, Sacha Sosno (2002), located in the Jardin Sacha Sosno next to the museum, 30 m Ă— 14 m
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) Blue Venus, Yves Klein (1962)
no
Interesting Artworks: 4/10
Famous Artworks: 4/10
Art Display: 5/10
Building: 5/10
Size: 3/10
🧮 Overall: 5/10
Modern Art Museum Gallery Space: ca. 4,500 m2 | Galleries: ca. 10 | Artworks on Display: ca. 200 | Established: 1990 | Visitors (2014): 158,714
(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)
# Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux Arts Jules Chéret) 5
Established in 1928 in a magnificent villa from the late 19th century, the collections of paintings and sculptures in the Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum range from the 14th to the 20th century.
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- Important Masterpieces: None
- Highlight of the Collection: ThaĂŻs, Henri Adrien Tanoux (1920), 215 Ă— 235 cm
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This is our selection of the five best paintings of the Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum in Nice:
1) ThaĂŻs, Henri Adrien Tanoux (1920), 215 Ă— 235 cm
145 cm Ă— 115 cm (57 in Ă— 45 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) Harem Servant Girl, Paul Désiré Trouillebert (1874)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) Christ at the Cross, Agnolo Bronzino (ca. 1545)
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4) Theseus conquering the bull at Marathon, Carle Van Loo (1745), 350 x 700 cm
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5) Luncheon on the Grass, Jules Chéret (1904)
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Interesting Artworks: 4/10
Famous Artworks: 4/10
Art Display: 4/10
Building: 7/10
Size: 3/10
🧮 Overall: 5/10
Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 10 | Artworks on Display: ca. 300 | Established: 1860
(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)
# Musée Matisse (Villa des Arènes) 4
Dedicated to the artist Henri Matisse who lived in Nice until his death, the Musée Matisse is since 1963 housed in the Villa des Arénes, 2km north of the city center.
While the 17th-century Genoese-style building on the Cimiez hill is beautiful, the collection is exceedingly small and modest, therefore this museum is the one to skip if you only have limited time in Nice.
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- Important Masterpieces: 1
- Highlight of the Collection: The Rocaille Armchair by Henri Matisse (1946), 80 cm Ă— 62 cm (31.5 in Ă— 24.4 in)
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This is our selection of the three best artworks of the Musée Matisse in Nice:
1) The Rocaille Armchair, Henri Matisse (1946)
80 cm Ă— 62 cm (31.5 in Ă— 24.4 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) Fleurs et fruits, Henri Matisse (1952–1953)
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3) FenĂŞtre Ă Tahiti, Henri Matisse (1935)
no
Interesting Artworks: 2/10
Famous Artworks: 4/10
Art Display: 6/10
Building: 7/10
Size: 3/10
🧮 Overall: 4.7/10
Modern Art Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 20 | Artworks on Display: ca. 150 | Visitors (2014): 173,128 | Established: 1963
(Click on images to open in lightbox [recommended])
# Place Masséna 4
Named after French military commander Andre Massena (1758–1817) the magnificent main square of Nice contains a monumental fountain with a 7 m-high statue of Apollo, illuminated display fountains, red ochre buildings of Italian architecture.
Since 2007 the square also features a spectacular modern art installation of kneeling men on tall poles by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. They are most eye-catching at night when lit up in bright colors.
# Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas 4
Constructed in 1912 by Tsar Nicholas, the head of the Romanov family, with its typical Russian-style onion domes this cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches outside of Russia.
# Opera de Nice 4
The principal opera venue in Nice is located in the old town in a beautiful Italian-style building and offers three types of performances: operas, ballets, and classical concerts. The opulent interior includes a ceiling mural painted by Emmanuel Costa, sculptures by Raimondi, and a magnificent 600-bulb chandelier.
Historic Building | Opera House Completed: 1885 | Capacity: 1,093 Spectators
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Nice
#12 | Monastère Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez 4
Located on the hill of Cimiez, this monastery features a beautiful church with stunning frescoes by Louis Bréa, a renowned local artist.
The monastery grounds include a charming garden with panoramic views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea.
by Ferrand06700 / CC BY-SA 4.0
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Nice (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Nice for at least two entire days: