Discover Nice: UNESCO heritage, markets and the Mediterranean

If you are considering Nice as a travel destination, you will encounter several clearly distinct sides of the city: its UNESCO heritage as a winter resort town on the Riviera, Baroque architecture in Vieux-Nice, markets and public spaces. Depending on your personal interests, you can shape your stay around architectural history, art, markets or walks.

World Heritage and architecture in Nice

Nice’s heritage as a winter resort town on the Riviera is inscribed on the World Heritage List under the UNESCO title “Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera”. The architecture that forms part of this heritage reflects British, Italian, French, Russian and other cultural influences. This makes architectural history a distinctive way to explore the city: it does not represent a single style, but rather the various cultural influences expressed in its architecture.

Vieux-Nice is a distinct architectural highlight. Here, an extensive and cohesive Baroque heritage brings together religious and civic buildings. Place Masséna has a striking design of its own: red façades, arcades inspired by Piedmontese architecture, an expansive black-and-white paved surface and the Fontaine du Soleil define the square. As a large pedestrian area, Place Masséna is also the setting for numerous events held there throughout the year.

Markets and public spaces

In the heart of Vieux-Nice, Cours Saleya is known for its flower market. The market stalls also offer local crafts and numerous regional culinary specialities. An antiques and flea market takes place there on Mondays, and in summer a night market for art and crafts is added. The markets therefore differ not only in their focus, but also according to the day of the week or the season. If a particular market is important to your travel plans, check the dates before your visit.

Coast, promenade and views

The Promenade des Anglais stretches for almost seven kilometres along the coast of Nice beside the Baie des Anges. Visitors and locals walk, run and cycle along the Mediterranean here. The seaside promenade was created in 1824; its construction followed a suggestion by the British clergyman Lewis Way. History and present-day use meet in the same place: the promenade is both a historic public space and a route for walking, running and cycling.

The Parc de la Colline du Château offers a different view of the city. Since the city took over the development of the park in 1882, it has been a public place for walks. From there, you can see the Baie des Anges, the old town and the harbour. The two places therefore offer different perspectives: the promenade follows the coast, while the park opens up views of three specific parts of the city.

Art and events

The Musée national Marc Chagall houses more than 800 paintings, gouaches, drawings, washes and pastels. The collection encompasses a range of artistic media and offers an art-focused experience alongside Nice’s architecture and public spaces.

The museum auditorium also has a regular programme, with concerts of modern and contemporary music, conferences and dance performances. It also hosts the chamber music seasons of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice. If you would like to include a particular concert or performance in your stay, check the dates in advance. This lets you consider the art collection, architecture, market visits and events as different ways to spend your time in Nice.

Discover more destinations: Colomars, Lucéram, Le Tignet, Auron, Èze, Peillon, Gréolières, Chateauneuf-Villevieille.

For the overview of the wider region: Alpes-Maritimes.