Beautiful cultured Mediterranean city in the heart of the Côte d'Azur
Nice has been attracting tourists for at least the last two centuries thanks to its lovely coastline and cultural heritage. It may lack the glamour of nearby Cannes and Monaco, but it's all the better for that, keeping its feet firmly on the ground.
It offers a fantastic experience for the visitor - the old town has been restored and much of the centre is pedestrianised. There are activities galore to enjoy throughout the year, with concerts, gallery exhibitions and festivals. Within a very short drive of Nice are the beautiful inland villages of Vence and St Paul de Vence, which makes Nice a perfect base for a holiday.
Read our Provence markets page to find out which market to visit when in Provence. From the vibrant array of local produce to the delightful scent of freshly baked delicacies, visiting a Provencal market is an absolute must for anyone exploring the charms of Provence.
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Provence is no exception.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Provence, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
Nice is an old city, and when you wander its streets you can imagine the centuries that have passed, from the Greek and Roman settlements, to the harsh Middle Ages when there was a castle on the hill and the merchants and servants, all who depended on the fortunes of the castle occupants, living in cramped quarters within a walled enclave.
Only 32km from the Italian border, it was actually part of Italy until 1860, when it was ceded to France. This Italian connection is not only evident in local dishes or baroque architecture, but there is a different kind of feeling in the air, especially in Old Nice.
In recent times Nice had fallen into complete disrepair only to be rescued by the utterly corrupt Mayor Jacques Médecin, who ruled the city for 24 years until he fled to Uruguay. When you admire the neatly restored houses and buildings in the old town you must admit that at least he did something worthwhile.
Merveilles means “marvels” and it’s hard to know whether they named the area for the stunning scenery, the beautiful old medieval villages or the archaeological findings going back 5000 years. The railway carriages are painted with designs inspired by the prehistoric rock carvings that have been discovered in the region.
There are pizza restaurants everywhere, advertising "pizza au feu du bois," made in wood-burning ovens or socca (a crêpe made of chickpeas) or pissalidière, a crusty onion-anchovy-olive specialty.
This restaurant in the village of Biot has a wonderful garden setting with a private pool, fountains and old trees with a magnificent view over the coastline. Provencal-inspired cuisine with a modern twist, the menu is renewed every month.
Located a few meters from the steep streets of the village of Biot, the restaurant is housed in an authentic pottery from the sixteenth century.
This small gourmet restaurant is located in the heart of a beautiful medieval town. Using organic and local produce, chef Julien Bousseau creates incredible dishes combining traditional French ingredients with exotic touches, picked up during his trips.
Michelin-starred La Bastide Saint-Antoine offers a refined retreat near Cannes, where chef Jacques Chibois creates inspired Provençal cuisine. Set in a stunning country house with lush gardens and panoramic sea views, it’s the perfect blend of gastronomy, elegance, and tranquillity.
Located in the centre of the rural village of Annot, this restaurant serves local and traditional dishes, while at the shop you can find a variety of produce and delicatessen grown or made in the surrounding area.
This charming restaurant is located around 30 minutes from Frejus and the French Riviera and is a must visit for lovers of truffles and gastronomic French cuisine.
The Mistral is Aix-en-Provence's answer to those looking for a trendy night out listening to the latest DJ's.
The Scat Club plays live music every night, and not just jazz the club plays pop, rock, funk and R'n'B.
This small bar has a nice seating area outside next to one of Aix's many fountains and it catches the sun late into the evening.
This place is a bar, restaurant and tabac all rolled into one, on the side of the river in the centre of Isle de la Sorgue.
This bar is located in the centre of Saint Remy de Provence. It has a good selection of wines by the glass, as well as bottles and champagne. They even serve charcuterie and cheese plates.
With a varied musical line-up, Bokao's combines good fun and great music.
Explore the town, in particular the old part, Vieux Nice.
At the foot of a hill, named La Château (though there's no longer a castle in place) lies the old part of the sprawling city. Where the newer part flaunts a mile-long promenade, palatial hotels, and parking garages, Vieux Nice offers a warren of alleys, tiny boutiques and restaurants, and no parking.
The heart of Old Nice is undoubtedly the Cours Saleya, where a daily flower and vegetable market is held, except on Monday. That's when a flea and antiques market attracts throngs of visitors, locals and tourists.
Along the Cours and behind the stalls, a range of restaurants can be found, with indoor seating as well tables in the open-air. Many of them specialise in fish and seafood, not surprising when the old port is just around the corner. Towards the end of the morning the restaurants begin setting up displays of fresh fish, lobster or mussels.
North of the Cours is the intricate network of alleys with pastel-coloured houses, broken up by a square, large or small, historic buildings, such as Palais Lacaris, a 17th century palace, now a city museum, or the Cathedral of Ste-Réparate, with its glowing dome.
Guide books and tourist office leaflets recommend walking tours. You can follow the dotted lines in the guide, even take the tourist trolley and make sure that you don't miss out on the important land marks. You soon find out that you are not alone on such a walk. But try to step into a next alley, one that is not filled with shops and other attractions, and all of a sudden you step into a world of quiet. You may even find a tiny eatery, often Italian fare. The Italian-Nice connection is no surprise if you know that Nice was in Italian hands until 1860! Nissa, as Nice is still known to locals.
Merveilles means “marvels” and it’s hard to know whether they named the area for the stunning scenery, the beautiful old medieval villages or the archaeological findings going back 5000 years. The railway carriages are painted with designs inspired by the prehistoric rock carvings that have been discovered in the region.
Jet-ski, waterskiing, wakeboard, wakesurf, parachute, canoe and paddleboard, Glisse Paradise have it all!
This company are based in Breil sur Roya and offer a huge range of outdoor sports and activities for groups and individuals.
This company offers a range of outdoor activities mostly based around canyoning and rafting white water, as well as via ferrata and mountain biking experiences and snowshoe walks in the winter.
For those looking for an adrenalin rush, Nice Rafting is the place to go to!
A lovely natural lake surrounded by the wooded landscape of the Var. The lake is perfect for a pedaloe trip rather than an adrenaline filled water sport, but it means it is perfect for families!
Cable park on Lake Rabinon (5 hectares) where you can water ski, knee board, and wake board.
Papillon is a pretty stone villa with contemporary interiors suitable for families and close to pretty villages with restaurants that are typical of this bustling part of the Cote D'Azur.
Villa Porthos is located in the small village of Le Muy, just 15 km from the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of St. Tropez.
In the small village of Le Muy, just 15 km from the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of St. Tropez and close to the cities of Sainte-Maxime, St. Tropez and Fréjus, you will find this beautiful villa at the end of a beautiful driveway lined with oleander and cypress trees.
Villa Athos is a newly built villa situated on a secure estate on a very generous plot in the hills between Sainte Maxime and Le Muy. Exclusively surrounded by large plots and villas in a very quiet location, your privacy is guaranteed.
Magnificent villa close to the famous town of Saint-Tropez and the beaches of Pampelonne.
Located in the prestigious private Golf & Country Club estate in Gassin, come and discover this beautiful bastide in a privileged location, at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet environment without vis-à-vis.
In their charming hotel in Biot, you'll find all the peace and comfort you need for a relaxing stay. Les Arcades offers 12 uniquely decorated rooms, each with its own character, right in the heart of the medieval village.
49 air-conditioned vehicles at your disposal for local transport, airport and rail station transfers, and touristic excursions.
Events-Cars offer luxury taxi and transfer services across the South of France. They also cater for special events.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
300 vehicles at your disposal. All taxi services and transfers airports and Railway stations.
All taxi services 24/7 within a 60 mile radius.
Avignon City Taxis at your disposal 24/7 for taxi services and transfers airports and railway stations in Avignon and in the entire region.
Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Terre Blanche estate, this superb property of approximately 428 m² of living space is set on one hectare of landscaped grounds, one of the largest on the estate, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hilltop villages and a rare living environment that is both luxurious and peaceful.
Set in the prestigious Domaine de Terre Blanche, Villa Augusta is the epitome of contemporary luxury.
A beautifully renovated 16th century bastide with panoramic views.
Find out all about what is happening in Provence and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this picturesque French region.
See allLatest News & ReviewsProvence has a busy calendar of events all year round featuring art exhibitions, charming markets, cultural festivals and concerts. Spring and autumn are the time to celebrate local produce while during the peak holiday times, in the summer months, you will find world-renowned music and cultural events like the Choregies d'Orange or the Avignon Festival.
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