Top Free Things to Do in Nice

At the end of the 19th century, people began to winter into Nice from all over Europe and beyond. The grand Boulevard Cimiez was laid out in 1880 and many major hotels were built to house the crowds, like the Grand Hotel the Majestic or The Excelsior Régina Palace, which Queen Victoria loved and where she stayed twice.

The tree-lined streets of Cimiez were later home to many of Nice’s famous residents and the cemetery is a good place to pay homage to French painter, Matisse (who lived nearby in a villa that is now a museum to his life and work) and fellow painter, Raoul Dufy. Lots of British and U.S. diplomats were also buried in this wonderfully grand resting place.

When the English started to arrive to holiday in Nice, they wanted a boulevard along the coast that they could stroll along. After a particularly harsh winter, when lots of people were homeless, an English Reverand suggested funding it, and employed the homeless people to build it. The Promenade des Anglais was the result and is now one of the most famous boulevards in France. Stretching seven miles, it’s where all of Niçoise life hangs out.

From the seafront at the Promenade des Anglais, two very grand avenues (Avenue Félix Faure and Boulevard Jean Jaurès) sweep inland in a curve. The area between the two has been transformed into a green corridor (la coulée verte) where people picnic, kids play imaginatively on huge dinosaurs, and boat structures and where everyone watches the world go by.

The kooky Hotel Negresco is one of Nice’s most iconic, from the décor to the uniforms. While there isn’t anything cheap about this place, you can take a peek inside for free. The Negresco pops up a lot in movies that take place on the Côte d’Azur.

There used to be a working castle on the hill above Nice. It’s a perfect opportunity for panoramic shots of the town, a place to propose, have a picnic, or just watch the passing crowds as they climb the hill.

At the foot of Castle Hill, you’ll find this monument to local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. It’s 32 meters high and carved into the hillside. It was inaugurated in 1928 and designed by French architect, Roger Pierre Honoré Seassal. Nowadays, it’s where people meet up, where they come to reflect, and where they gaze out at the coastline.

The flower market is an institution in Nice that’s free to get into. You can wander the rows of stripy-covered awnings, smelling the flowers, organic fruits, and vegetables produced by local farmers and artisans. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday (Monday is the antique market).

If you want a little hike, head out to Mont Boron, the hill to the east of the town centre. You can swim on the way home or take the bus back.

La Réserve is a public beach that is popular with locals. It’s a fair walk out of town but worth it to watch the locals jump into the sea from dilapidated diving boards. The authority has banned it but they still do it.

Like many of the coastal towns along the French Riviera, Nice’s Old Port is a must-see and forms the lifeblood of the city. It’s where people go to look at the boats. Then take the time to wander Nice’s pastel-coloured houses and cobbled streets of Old Town. It might be touristy but it’s where you’ll find celebrated architecture and family-run restaurants that have been here for years.

Legend has it that in the 3rd century, a 15-year-old Palestinian girl refused to denounce Christianity. After her death, her body was blown by Angels across the Mediterranean Sea to Nice, where she became the patron saint. This cathedral pays homage to her and is one of the oldest and most ornate places of worship in town.