3 Fabulous Days in Nice, France
Neighborhoods
Le Carre D’Or means the golden square, and it’s the most sought-after area code in town. It’s a very chic neighborhood right by the Promenade des Anglais/the Mediterranean sea, with majestic buildings from the belle époque era, the pedestrian zone with plenty of restaurants and high-end boutique shops, and famous landmarks such as Hotel le Negresco and the Villa Massena Museum.
If you are in town for just a few days, I’d strongly recommend that you find a place to stay in the Carre D’Or. You’ll be able to walk to all the major attractions, and easily find a restaurant or café to eat and hang out at.
For first timers that are still getting oriented about the city, here’s an easy way to understand the neighborhoods in Nice: use Place Masséna as your physical reference point when exploring the town. Place Masséna is the historic square that marks the beginning of Avenue Jean Médecin, which is the central artery of Nice. To the west of Place Massena/ Ave Jean Médecin, you’ll find le Carre D’Or; to the east, it’s Vieux Nice (the Old Town); to the south and next to the SNCF train station, it’s the Libération district.
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Le Carré d'Or
Le Carre D’Or means the golden square, and it’s the most sought-after area code in town. It’s a very chic neighborhood right by the Promenade des Anglais/the Mediterranean sea, with majestic buildings from the belle époque era, the pedestrian zone with plenty of restaurants and high-end boutique shops, and famous landmarks such as Hotel le Negresco and the Villa Massena Museum.
If you are in town for just a few days, I’d strongly recommend that you find a place to stay in the Carre D’Or. You’ll be able to walk to all the major attractions, and easily find a restaurant or café to eat and hang out at.
For first timers that are still getting oriented about the city, here’s an easy way to understand the neighborhoods in Nice: use Place Masséna as your physical reference point when exploring the town. Place Masséna is the historic square that marks the beginning of Avenue Jean Médecin, which is the central artery of Nice. To the west of Place Massena/ Ave Jean Médecin, you’ll find le Carre D’Or; to the east, it’s Vieux Nice (the Old Town); to the south and next to the SNCF train station, it’s the Libération district.
It's the central district of Nice, which boasts the main avenue (Jean-Medecin), where the shops of international brands are. It also has the train station (convenient for day trips to nearby cities such as Cannes and Monaco).
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Jean-Médecin
It's the central district of Nice, which boasts the main avenue (Jean-Medecin), where the shops of international brands are. It also has the train station (convenient for day trips to nearby cities such as Cannes and Monaco).
This neighborhood will make you instantly fall in love with Nice.
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old nice
This neighborhood will make you instantly fall in love with Nice.
A beautiful place accessible by the tram line. You can also easily walk here from Place Garibaldi or the east side of the old town.
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quartier du port
A beautiful place accessible by the tram line. You can also easily walk here from Place Garibaldi or the east side of the old town.
It's a beautiful town only 20 minutes away from central Nice. You can easily take the train to get there for a lazy afternoon or dinner by the water. The beaches there are also quite calm and good for kids.
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Villefranche-sur-Mer
It's a beautiful town only 20 minutes away from central Nice. You can easily take the train to get there for a lazy afternoon or dinner by the water. The beaches there are also quite calm and good for kids.
Sightseeing
If you are looking for the most Instagram-worthy photo of Nice, climb on top of the Castle Hill! You will be able to get the most iconic view of Nice.
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I-Castle Hill
If you are looking for the most Instagram-worthy photo of Nice, climb on top of the Castle Hill! You will be able to get the most iconic view of Nice.
The most typical thing to do in Nice? Walk the promenade! The promenade runs all the way to the airport. In fact, it’s a great running/jogging route. A round trip between the Carre D’Or and the airport is about 7 miles - it’ll be a perfect morning workout with amazing views.
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Promenade des Anglais
Promenade des AnglaisThe most typical thing to do in Nice? Walk the promenade! The promenade runs all the way to the airport. In fact, it’s a great running/jogging route. A round trip between the Carre D’Or and the airport is about 7 miles - it’ll be a perfect morning workout with amazing views.
You can learn a great deal about Nice’s history here.
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Musee Massena
65 Rue de FranceYou can learn a great deal about Nice’s history here.
You will walk across this central square many times during your time in Nice
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Place Massena
Place MassenaYou will walk across this central square many times during your time in Nice
Chagall spent the last decades of his life in the Côte d'Azur, and the museum has one of the largest collections of his work.
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I-Marc Chagall National Museum
Avenue Docteur MénardChagall spent the last decades of his life in the Côte d'Azur, and the museum has one of the largest collections of his work.
Food scene
Located in the pedestrian zone, this restaurant is one of my favorites! The portions are huge and service is always fast and efficient. Personal recommendation: the egg plant pizza!
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La Pizza Cresci
34 Rue MassenaLocated in the pedestrian zone, this restaurant is one of my favorites! The portions are huge and service is always fast and efficient. Personal recommendation: the egg plant pizza!
A place for a quick lunch, a cup of coffee, or people watching! It's right in the middle of Avenue Jean Médecin.
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Le Grand Café de Lyon à Nice
33 Av. Jean MédecinA place for a quick lunch, a cup of coffee, or people watching! It's right in the middle of Avenue Jean Médecin.
When in Nice, don’t forget to try a local dish called Socca, which is a crepe/pancake made of chickpea flour. Many restaurants in the Old Town serves it.
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Lou Pilha Leva
10 Rue du ColletWhen in Nice, don’t forget to try a local dish called Socca, which is a crepe/pancake made of chickpea flour. Many restaurants in the Old Town serves it.
This is a specialty grocery store/épicerie in the old town. I’ve bought some great olive oil, truffle oil, and hazelnut spread there. The owner is very friendly and hospitable.
Olio Donato
5 Rue de la BoucherieThis is a specialty grocery store/épicerie in the old town. I’ve bought some great olive oil, truffle oil, and hazelnut spread there. The owner is very friendly and hospitable.
This is a bakery that specializes in macarons. My favorite is the macaron framboise (raspberry)!
THE DELIGHTS OF CANDICE
17 Rue de la PréfectureThis is a bakery that specializes in macarons. My favorite is the macaron framboise (raspberry)!
A well-known open market where much of the hustle and bustle of Nice can be found. You won't miss it when you are in the old town. At night, the place turns into outdoor seating for restaurants.
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Cours Saleya
Cours SaleyaA well-known open market where much of the hustle and bustle of Nice can be found. You won't miss it when you are in the old town. At night, the place turns into outdoor seating for restaurants.
If you are looking for a restaurant with killer views of the Promenade and good food, look no further. It's located in the Westminster Hotel.
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Restaurant Le Québec | Nice
43 Rue MassenaIf you are looking for a restaurant with killer views of the Promenade and good food, look no further. It's located in the Westminster Hotel.
A restaurant perched on a rock with fantastic views.
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Le Plongeoir
60 Bd Franck PilatteA restaurant perched on a rock with fantastic views.