Nice attractions

Running along the waterfront of Nice Old Town, the Quai des Etats-Unis (Wharf of the United States) is a pedestrian pathway that divides the seafront from the shops, restaurants, and hotels of Old Town and provides access to the beach. The quai was named in honor of the United States after its decision to join the Triple Entente in World War I.

An Italian-style mansion on Cap Ferrat in the French Riviera, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the former home of socialite and banking heiress Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. The villa and its extensive gardens are now open to the public.

Fort du Mont Alban, a 16th-century hilltop fort in miraculous condition, is one of the most striking viewpoints along the French Riviera. You can walk up here from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer—once you get to the top, clear days mean views of Corsica. You’ll also get the honor of stepping foot on one of the most key landmarks of the former States of Savoy.

Originally founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks, Cimiez Monastery (Monastère de Cimiez or Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez) is now a Franciscan monastery with a small museum explaining the austere Franciscan way of life throughout the centuries, with ancient artwork, frescoes, documents, and a replica monk's cell. Its gardens have sweeping views of Nice.

Housed in an Italianate neoclassical villa fronting the Promenade des Anglais, the Massena Art and History Museum (Musée Masséna) focuses on the shared history of the city of Nice and Napoleon Bonaparte, through the personal effects, artifacts, and artwork of the Masséna family. The manicured grounds are also a high point.

Inspired by the lavish villas of ancient Greece but built in the early 20th century, Villa Kerylos is the vision of French archaeologist Théodore Reinach. Now preserved as a National Monument, it’s a striking sight, perched on the seafront of the French Riviera against a backdrop of the soaring cliffs of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Wander amidst the picturesque splendor of a ruined chateau at one of the French Riviera’s top botanical gardens, the Exotic Garden of Eze (Jardin Exotique d’Eze). Poised 1,408 feet (429 meters) above the sea, the garden’s views overlooking the Mediterrean are as much of a draw as its many succulents, cacti, and other plant species.

A modern-art gallery in Vence, near Nice, the Maeght Foundation (Fondation Maeght) has a special connection to Miró and features a wide variety of 20th-century artworks by the likes of Chagall and Kandinsky. Even the building itself is impressive, with clean-lined modern architecture and a mix of futuristic and Mediterranean elements, as well as indoor and outdoor spaces.

Villefranche Cruise Port (Port de la Santé) serves as a gateway to the French Riviera, including Villefranche-sur-Mer, a medieval village with pastel buildings and sloping streets. The port also makes a strategic jumping-off point for trips to glamorous Cote d’Azur resort towns, including Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, as well as the enchanting villages of Provence.

Just a short trip from the bustle of Nice, the hilltop Château de Bellet produces some of the Riviera’s finest wines. A historic winery, which dates to the 18th century, the château produces top-rated wines using the region’s indigenous grape varietals, including rolle, folle noire, and braquet. A tasting session and tour of its pretty grounds is a must.

A picturesque medieval town with panoramic views, St. Paul de Vence is quintessential Provence and one of the most loved hilltop villages in the South of France. Visitors come from far and wide to stroll the winding streets, relax in the charming cafés, and soak up the bright sunshine.

Appearing to float on the man-made lake of Parc Phoenix, this Kenzo Tange-designed museum gets attention for its modern marble architecture and Asian artifacts. As its name suggests, the Museum of Asian Arts of Nice shows off classical and contemporary works relating to China, India, Southeast Asia, and Japan, displayed in small, thought-provoking collections.

Carved into the pine-forested mountains along the Cote d'Azur, between Nice and Menton, are three seaside roads with some of the most dramatic scenery and views in Europe: Grande Corniche, Basse Corniche, and Moyenne Corniche. Each one is different, holding a unique perspective and set of charms.

Perched above Nice like a grand temple is the Côte d’Azur Observatory. It’s somewhat awkward to reach, but those who do are rewarded with sights like the huge refractor telescope that’s sheltered by a Gustave Eiffel–designed cupola. While clearly a treat for astronomy lovers, the observatory is also enticing for its views, which sweep from Mont Gros to the Med.

A historic landmark, Hotel Negresco is a vibrant working hotel and also one of the most visited sites in the city. Travel back to the Belle Époque, as doormen in period-perfect uniforms open the doors to the grand interior, lovingly maintained to its original, flamboyant grandeur. Highlights include the cupola designed by Gustave Eiffel and a gigantic Baccarat crystal chandelier.

Carved into a hillside on the French Riviera, the Château Saint-Martin & Spa’s first life was as a 12th-century Knights Templar fortress. Now a five-star hotel, this spectacular 34-acre property revels in offering its guests high-class serenity, from its chateau guestrooms and Provencal-style villas to caviar massages and honey-lavender spa treatments to the surrounding olive groves and landscaped terraces built for wandering.

Found inside the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, the National Sport Museum is a space where sports fans can comb through the history of French sports. Exhibits are arranged into four sporting themes—individual, one-against-one, collective, and beyond limits—offering visitors a way to view artifacts related to favorite sports such as soccer or skiing without much bother.

In the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of Southeastern France, Castellane is many things: It’s France's least populated subprefecture; it’s a registered historical site dating back to the High Middle Ages; and it’s the Gateway to the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), aka “Europe’s Grand Canyon,” a scenic area rife with hiking trails, overlooks, and rafting routes. While history lovers would be comfortable here, the town’s outdoors draw the most travelers.

For every visitor who rolls their eyes at the Promenade des Anglais establishment, there is an equal number of visitors (and locals) who are thrilled about the Hard Rock Cafe Nice. Its exterior blends in quite nicely with the facades along this famous strip, and its location ensures that it will be around for the long haul.

Nice’s enchanting old port is a lovely place to wander and find the perfect little restaurant for an authentic meal with a romantic view of the Mediterranean Sea. Soak up the atmosphere of the yacht-filled port, then stroll over to the hilly green park, Colline du Château, or the adjacent Quartier Segurane, known for its antique shops and flea market.