Breathtaking things to do in Nice, France
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If you ever find yourself roaming the streets of Nice, France as the sun beats down and people rush by, you may stop by an open patioed ice cream shop to find crepes or walk down the bustling streets filled with fashion, culture, and many restaurants. You may wonder, what is this city hiding? What am I not seeing that the locals do? I’m here to let you in on a few secrets, hidden gems in Nice perse. The beauty of Nice lies deeper than its winding streets and red-roofed buildings. True historic Nice, as I’ll show you, holds more beauty hidden in plain sight than the city center or popular rocky beaches. Nice is different than other French towns because of its location. Italy is only a few hours away and Turkey has a strong grip on Nice’s melting pot of cultures. It is French but it is not truly French and that is why you won’t get the expected pure rich Parisian culture because it’s not the only one there. However, some of Nice’s true French roots lie just outside the city…
1. Fort du Mont Alban
Situated at the top of Mont Alban (222 meters👼), is Fort du Mont Alban. Take Bus 33 towards Mont Boron all the way to Chemin Du Fort (the last bus going there is at 8:50pm), Saturday at and enjoy the scenic mountainside views along the way! You’ll be dropped off in the parking lot, simply follow the crowd or take a left into the parking lot and there is one road that veers right. You will have to walk about half a mile uphill but it’s an easy trek, no worries.
The Fort will be clear in sight once you round the corner of that road so keep walking towards it. Be aware of cars and bikers, but keep in mind they are very aware of you (it’s a European thing). Here on the left picture is me at the top of the road you’ll need to walk up. On the right picture is the view going back down. It will only take you maybe 15 minutes uphill and keep a look out on your right for scenic views over the Côte d’Azur!
Once you get to the top enjoy views over the bay of Rade de Villefranche-sur-Mer or simply the East coast of Nice. You can walk around the fort and get amazing views or explore its old walls. As of now you can’t go inside because they are renovating it to me an art museum (or so that’s the rumor). Here is some history on the Fort! Also, be careful because not all of the edges are blocked off! It’s not usually to busy as people come and go since it is a hiking and sport area.
My photos can’t come close to the feeling of the breathtaking view. One thing to make note of is the bus times! Since it is in a more secluded area the bus usually runs every 20 minutes versus in the city it can be every 5! To get back, take Bus 33 again towards Collège Matisse! Here is the bus schedule and click the two down arrows to see the opposite direction! Enjoy and be safe (the bus stops picking up at 9:20 pm), and always check the bus routes before you go!
2. Le Plongeoir- but not the restaurant
Port Lympia is a common place for tourists to flock, especially the renovated pirate ship and the port lined with yachts. However, this gem lies hidden amongst the popular spot. Below, the red line indicates the span of Port Lympia where most of the foot traffic is concentrated.
Of course, there is lots to see here, but hidden under the lavish Le Plongeoir restaurant is a sunset to die for. This restaurant is already a glory in itself, perched on two rocks coming off the coast (feel free to check it out if you have the pocket for it), but I believe the experience sits right below. I would recommend taking the L2 (blue) line of the Lignes d’Azur to Port Lympia and then walking, the views on the way are worth it. As the crowds of people fade away, excitement builds. Some evenings you will pass by an older man practicing his guitar, looking out at the port. As you see the restaurant, you may feel underwhelmed, but be careful not to miss the stairs right before you get to the restaurant entrance. The view on your right should look start to look something like this.
As I said, when you see the restaurant look for the stairs coming up (on your right in the foreground). As you descend the steep stairs you should see this (picture left) at the base (slightly towards the right). There’s a little beach and you’ll know it when you see it. Explore the area, but be careful when the tide comes in. Enjoy the view of people having their dinner perched on the restaurant above. There’s never many people here, if at all. If you go towards the right side, there’s a small sidewalk paved out. If you follow it forward, you can see around the bend all of your mermaid x neverland dreams. Don’t get too close to the edge! Check out the video below for a more visual reference. For the best experience go towards sunset and watch dip under the horizon as lights come up on the coast (to your right).
3. Villa Masséna Musée
Now this not may be as hidden as the other gyms but this is definitely a must see. The Villa Musée Matisse, not to be confused with the Musée Matisse, was built between 1898 and 1901 by the Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling for Victor Masséna. It is home to the Library of Victor Knight of Cessole (4th floor, and not accessible to the public), many French paintings, and lots of history of the French Riveria. To get there take L2 to Alsace Lorraine or L1 to Place Masséna. Either way you will have to walk a bit; I personally prefer the walk from Alsace Lorraine.
The Museum is open daily except for Tuesdays
- From November 1st to April 30th: open from 10 am to 5 pm
- From May 2nd to October 31st: open from 10 am to 6 pm
The best times to go are during the week near closing (typically there are no crowds). To get in, you must purchase tickets by the entrance gate. Here are the prices– generally 10 euros but if you are a student it is free with presentation of proof. Also, there are exceptions and additionally the musuem ticket will allows you entrance to other musuems in Nice owned by the city (details). Your bags will be checked upon entry and any liquids will have to be placed on the small table next to the receptionist desk.
The first level is a staged and preserved representation of Masséna’s reading room, dining room, portrait room, smoking room, office and Grand Salon. The art has many homages to Napoleon as well as the French Revolution. There is also a film that plays in the center room you can watch. It plays in both French and English at different times.
The second level is a gallery temporary exhibition as well as rooms representing the artistic life of Nice. There are many aristocratic pieces such as crowns and robes. Keep in mind all descriptions are in French! I would recommend having your translation app ready or you can use your notes app to scan the text and then translate.
The third level is artifacts from the Nice Carnaval (read more on the Nice Carnaval here), and another room is dedicated to the Casino de la Jette. The Germans tore it down for scrap metal during the WWII occupation and the only remnants are here- rare photos, artifacts and more from Nice in the Golden Age.
Keep in mind the ticket office closes 30 minutes before, more information on hours and access to other museums here. Once you leave why not head towards Le Negresco beach and catch the sunset! It’s only a few minutes’ walk away.
4. Leave
Now you’re probably confused why I only included three locations. Well, Nice is known as the capital of the Côte d’Azur because it is a great vantage point to explore the Côte d’Azur. With three train stations, the main being Nice-Ville, it is easy to access nearby cities like Menton, Monaco, Èze, Antibes, Cannes, etc. Additionally, it is an urban area where most people go to work or study, but the culture of the Côte d’Azur lies in surrounding cities. Think of it like Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the most popular, urban, and visited city and it is also where most of the population is. However, the true history and culture of Hawaii are beyond the urban limits- Nice is the same way. There are a lot of good restaurants in Nice, although the variety is limited due to the mostly homogenous culture. Check out my other articles on nearby cities and how to access them from Nice or via the SNCF trains!
– good luck and safe travels<3!
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