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After Paris, Nice is one of my favorite places in France. Its location on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges, makes Nice a very popular summer destination. But Nice can be as beautiful in winter as in summer.
A Brief History of Nice
In the second half of the 18 century, Nice started drawing the attention of the English upper class. An increasing number of the aristocratic families in England began spending their winters there, hence the name of the city’s main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’).
How is Nice in the Winter?
Nice is one of our favorite places to visit in Southern France. We were lucky to have visited Nice many times over the years, even in the cold winter months. The city’s glamour goes beyond the whims of the weather and its charm is not diminished one bit by the clouds. In fact I think I prefer Nice in the winter, when all the crowds are gone and the beaches are deserted.
And when it rains, you can have the the entire Promenade des Anglais and the Baie des Anges (the Bay of Angels) all to yourself!
Even in the winter the café terraces in Nice are filled with people sipping their drinks and contemplating the beautiful bay. You can walk for miles on the Promenade, or bike, or rollerblade, while gazing at the city’s amazing architecture.
Best Things to Do in Nice in the Winter
While Nice never experiences harshly cold and snowy weather, temperatures may get pretty low here in winter. Therefore, you should plan to spend more time inside then outside. There are many interesting things to do in Nice when the weather is cold.
Visit the Royal Lounge at Hotel Le Negresco
Le Negresco is one of the most noticeable landmarks in Nice, located right across the Promenade des Anglais. Built by Henry Negresco in the period of La Belle Époque, the hotel epitomizes the glamour of the lost generation of aristocrats. Its sumptuous Royal Lounge is definitely worth a visit.
The lounge features an amazing glass ceiling with a crystal chandelier commissioned by Czar Nicholas II of Russia, as well as some fabulous art work by Dali, Moretti and sculptress Niki de Saint-Phalle.
There is also a vast collection of rare antiques and historical paintings on display.
Walk Up to Castle Hill
Even if the temperatures are low, winter time may be very beautiful in Nice. If it’s a sunny day, walk up to Castle Hill for a breathtaking view of the city.
Back in the 17th century there was a castle up on this hill. The castle however has been gone since 1706. At the top of Castle Hill there is a beautiful park that offers fabulous views over the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the Port.
There is an elevator that will take you to the top of the hill, but you can also climb up the 400 steps leading to the top. This may seem like a serious hike, but it’s well worth the effort. Besides, the weather being cold you won’t sweat much.
Other Places of Interest in Nice
Old Town Nice can be really charming in winter, especially around Christmas time. You can visit some of the city’s flea markets, boutiques and art galleries.
There are also a few nice museums in Nice, like Musée Matisse, Musée Marc Chagall, and the Musée d’Art Moderne. If you are an opera fan, you can also watch a performance or take a tour of the Opéra de Nice.
Best Day Trips From Nice
Nice’s proximity to many tourist attractions on the French Riviera makes it an ideal base for day trips. The city is about 30 minutes away from Monaco and many of the perched villages on the French Riviera, like Eze Village. Winter is the best time to visit some of these places, which are swarming with tourists during the other seasons.
Some other day trips to take from Nice include visiting the famous villas on Cap Ferrat – Villa Ephrussi and Villa Kerylos.
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How to Get to Nice From Paris
Nice is easily accessible by plane, on a short flight from Paris. There are a few low budget airlines (like EasyJet) that fly between Nice and other European cities. You can also reach Nice by car from Paris. A car will be of great help if you plan to explore other towns on the French Riviera.
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I love Nice. I’ve been many times:)
I’m a huge fan of visiting places off-season. Prices are lower, places are less crowded, and it’s easier to interact with the locals. I would so love to explore the Cote d’Azur and renew my language skills along the way, especially since I’ve heard Monaco has a lot to offer beyond a beach and casino.
So you speak French Linda? That’s wonderful. Your skill will be much appreciated there, even if it’s not perfect.
Côte d’Azur was always my dream. I even had a plane ticket to visit it few years ago in May, but somehow it didn’t happen. Anyway, I’d like to see it when the orange trees bloom 🙂
Hope you’ll get to visit the French Riviera someday, Isabelle. It is beautiful year round.
Thanks for reading this, Ryan. I sometimes prefer winters too (mostly because of the crowds).
I visited Nice about 10 years ago and absolutely loved it! Such a charming city on the sea! Thanks for sharing your trip!
You are welcome, Kristi. Please join us for the blog link-up next week.
You can often get so much more out of a place if you go out of season and without the crowds.
So true, Lyn. Rubbing elbows with all the tourists sometimes makes it very hard to really savor the place.
I have yet to visit Nice, I really hope to do so one day. The Chagall museum is high on my list.
I definitely envy you for this, haha. Buuut, I’ll be nice, maybe you can put a good word for me with your friend! 😉 I’m kidding, of course. I’ve always wanted to go to Nice and explore Côte d’Azur. How expensive is it expensive though?
I would, Vlad, but he sold the place a while ago and is retired in Oregon now. After he sold it, we started looking on the internet for similar apartments to rent in Eze Vilagge (where his apartment was) and we were surprised to find very reasonable ones. You can also check the VRBO website (Vacation Rental by Owner). Their prices are usually lower than any other website. Cars and food are not more expensive than in other parts of Western Europe. If you can gather 3-4 people to go with you, the entire trip becomes way more affordable. There is so much to see on the French Riviera, that I really don’t know where to start.
Yes, I do envy you having a friend who owns a place in south of France! 😉 I’ve never been to the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), but I hope I’ll end up there some time. The beach looks really nice and long and I love beaches like that.
It’s really beautiful and not more expensive that other places in Western Europe.
I haven’t been to Nice but would love to go. It looks so glamorous and beautiful. Now, I am envious that you have friends to visit there and locals to show you around. The museums alone sound so inviting. I love that chandelier!
Nice is glamorous indeed, Mary, and surprisingly enough, not much more expensive than other places in Europe. Driving around the French Riviera though is not something easy to do.