A multi-faceted weekend in and around Nice

Vence and its Provencal specialities

Wake up to the fragrant scents of Provence at the Vence market, with its lavender honey, sun-kissed tomatoes and bouquets of flowers. Local producers happily share, with a lilting accent, a few anecdotes about the surrounding area and their wares, ready to garnish the plates of travellers passing through for a few days.

📍 Address: Place du Grand Jardin, 06140 Vence

⏰ O pening times : 06h30 - 13h00 every day except Monday

Then set off to discover this village, which has survived the test of time and retained its essence. The curves of the old town enclose arches, statues, small squares and fountains of undeniable poetry.

One of France's smallest cathedrals stands in the centre of the steep streets of Place Clémenceau. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Nativité and its colourful porch house treasures dear to the city, including a mosaic by Chagall.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the artistic village

Perched high in the hills just a few kilometres from Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a Provencal village that attracts many tourists. As with its neighbour, it's a good idea to take a stroll through the cobbled streets, following the crowds or not.

The stone buildings decorated with greenery and flowers and adorned with charming signs are the main attraction of this village surrounded by ramparts. Stroll through this Provencal setting, between the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, Jacques Prévert 's house and the fountain on the Place de la Grande-Fontaine.

A paradise for art lovers, galleries and artists' studios are everywhere, symbolising the legacy of Picasso, Braque, Miro and Matisse, who came to stay and even live in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Shaded by a hundred-year-old lime tree, the terrace of the Le Tilleul restaurant offers an enchanted interlude to the tables that settle down there. With its panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and plates filled with fresh, local produce, this chic bistro appeals to tourists and regulars alike.

📍 Address : Place du Tilleul, 06570 Saint-Paul de Vence

⏰ O pening times : 12.00 - 14.30 / 19.00 - 23.00

Tourrettes-sur-Loup: on the southern summits

After exploring one of France's most visited villages, head for Tourrettes-sur-Loup, a few kilometres further on. Also built on a rocky outcrop, this small medieval cradle, where the violet is king, is a thriving craft centre!

All year round, the violet is harvested in Tourrettes-sur-Loup and then used in floral art, confectionery or sent to Grasse for the perfume industry. A stroll through the Village Violet is just as full of surprises and medieval discoveries as in the other picturesque villages of the Nice hinterland.

Morning walk in the baou of Saint-Jeannet

In the early morning, when temperatures are still fairly mild, put on your trainers and set off to conquer the baou of Saint-Jeannet!

This fairly accessible hike, with its fairly steep gradient, is a beautiful walk that's well worth the diversions! After a 1h30/2h climb, the scenery is breathtaking. A large part of the seafront and surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from an orientation table and a small bench on the cliffside.

Saint-Jeannet, a little-known gem

At the foot of the baou, the pretty village of Saint-Jeannet is typical of Provence, and a great place to live! Lively, colourful and very narrow, the upper, historic part of the village is great for unexpected strolls.

For a lunch break that's as enjoyable as it is tasty, La Table des Baous and its refined dishes is the ideal address for food lovers. Designed according to the day's market and the chef's inspirations, the menu is unique, bistronomic, and takes customers on a journey to the heart of Provençal flavours.

📍 Address: 42 Rue Nationale, 06640 Saint-Jeannet

⏰ O pening times: 7pm - 9pm on Thursdays, noon - 1.45pm / 7pm - 9.30pm on Fridays, noon - 2pm / 7pm - 9.30pm on Saturdays, noon - 3pm on Sundays.

The seaside and its emblems

This culinary interlude marks the end of our escapade in thehinterland of Nice, as we head for the seaside. A few mountain bends later, the hustle and bustle of the city of Nice marks a break with the gentle way of life in the small villages, giving way to a new atmosphere that is just as seductive.

Afternoon stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and its exceptional buildings, as far as the Quai des Etats-Unis, at the foot of the Château hill. All along the Mediterranean, the Promenade des Anglais is a delight for the people of Nice all year round and for tourists, especially in summer. Whether you want to sit back on the legendary blue chairs and admire the Bay of Angels or relax on the pebble beaches and enjoy the sea, there's something for everyone!

End of the day music at Movida

Nice's mild evenings mean you can sip a drink on the terrace until the middle of the night! At Movida, tapas of all kinds, platters to share, very affordable dishes and above all dozens of cocktails, each more delicious than the last, allow epicureans to enjoy themselves every day facing the sea.

In front of a sunset of piercing colours, the tonal gradation of the cocktails brightens up the end of the day... with music and a DJ! For brunch lovers, Movida also offers a sweet and savoury menu from 10am.

📍 Address: 41-43 Quai des Etats-Unis, 06300 Nice

⏰ O pening times : 10h00 - 02h00

Fragrant shopping at the Cours Saleya market

Nice's legendary morning meeting place, the Cours Saleya market is more than just a place to buy groceries. A sunny atmosphere, Provencal smells, local flavours and a floral history enliven the warm and unique atmosphere of the market stalls every day.

If you want to take home a souvenir of your trip to the city of Nice, discover a speciality dish or simply enjoy the bustle of the area, a stroll is the perfect way to start your final day.

Old Nice, its nuances and heritage

The old town and its heritage are just as full of anecdotes and traditions as the Cours Saleya. Wandering through the colourful streets, admiring the many religious buildings and the emblematic squares of Vieux Nice is a must if you want to make the most of your long weekend!

After wandering around the colourful facades and jewels of the historic centre, a lunch break in the style of a traditional Niçoise dish is most welcome. At Lou Pilha Leva, socca, courgette fritters, farcis and pissaladière are served simply, cheaply and with undeniable savoir-faire. Sit on the large wooden tables and benches in the street and discover the charm of these authentic dishes.

📍 Address: 10 Rue du Collet, 06300 Nice

⏰ O pening times : 10h00 - 22h00

Place Garibaldi: grandiose symmetry

In the north of Vieux Nice, Place Garibaldi, with its arcades and yellow shopfronts, is a grand contrast to the surrounding area. It's a great place to take a stroll around the square, or to sit down for a drink on the terrace at the end of the day and reminisce about everything you've discovered during your stay!