Nice flower market located on the Cours Saleya, embodies the colorful soul of the Côte d’Azur. This listed Travellers’ Choice 2025 by Trip Advisor. You’ll be able to admire bouquets of flowers, of course, but also fresh local produce and handicrafts. Tour Azur takes you on a guided tour.
In a nutshell:
- Location: Cours Saleya, Rue Saint-François de Paule, 06300 Nice.
- Opening hours: year-round, Tuesday to Sunday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. on Sundays).
- Access: parking lots, bus and streetcar lines nearby.
- Nearby: the sea, Castle Hill, Lascaris Palace.
Nice flower market presentation
A market inextricably linked to Cours Saleya and Old Nice
The Nice flower market is one of the oldest flower markets in the world ! (Source: France Culture)
At the end of the 19th century, Alphonse Karr launched the very first flower shop in downtown Nice. Yes, it was the starting point for what was to become the flower market!
The Cours Saleya is a place steeped in history:
- 1861: installation of the market, which became the commercial heart of the town;
- 19th century: site of the Carnival float parade Nice Carnival (which were later moved to the Promenade des Anglais then to Place Masséna);
- 2021: the city of Nice and its heritage, including the Cours Saleya market, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Market, flea market and restaurants
The Cours Saleya looks different depending on the time of day:
- From Tuesday to Sunday morning, it’s the flower, fruit, vegetable and local produce market that brings the square to life. The food section of the market usually runs until early afternoon, while the flower stalls stay longer.
- On Mondays, it’s time for the flea market: a veritable treasure hunt featuring antiques, furniture, books and curios of all kinds.
- Visit restaurants and cafés remain open all day long. The street remains lively from the early hours of the market, with terraces where you can relax at any time.
💡The Tour Azur tip: to enjoy a panoramic panoramic view of the Cours Saleya, climb to the top of the Ponchettes stairs, opposite Place Pierre Gautier.
Practical information: opening hours, access and location
When is the flower market in Nice?
Nice’s flower market takes over the Cours Saleya from Tuesday to Sunday. Here are the detailed opening times:
| Day | Type of market | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Flea market | 7:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Tuesday to Saturday | Flower and fresh produce market | 6:00 am – 5:30 pm (flowers until 5:30 pm, food until 1:30 pm) |
| Sunday | Flower and fresh produce market | 6:30 am – 1:30 pm |
Early morning opening times guarantee freshly delivered flowers and optimum choice. According to TripAdvisor, this regularity attracts 90% of visitors wishing to capture Nice’s Provencal soul.
You wish to visit Nice in 1 day ? Make the market part of your itinerary for total immersion in local culture.
💡 Tour Azur tip: bring cash, as some traders prefer cash. Avoid peak hours, as the market attracts over 10,000 visitors every week.
Location
Here’s a map to help you find the flower market on Cours Saleya:
Access by public transport
The flower market on Cours Saleya is easily accessible by public transport.
- Bus 98: “Quai des États-Unis” stop.
- Tramway line 1, buses 8+ and 12+: “Opéra – Vieille Ville” stop.
Access by car and parking
Option one: underground parking lots
Cours Saleya is one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares in Vieux-Nice. In other words, you can park nearby, but not immediately on the lane:
- Parking Corvesy (3 rue Alexandre Mari).
- Palais de justice parking lot (19 Rue Alexandre Mari).
- Parking Saleya (36 Cour Saleya).
- Parking Sulzer (103 Quai des États-Unis).
Second option: combine Parcazur parking lot and tramway
It’s the cheapest option: park in a parking lot Parcazur also known as Parc Relais or P+R. Each is connected to a streetcar line.
What to find at the flower market
The kingdom of flowers and plants on the Riviera
The Cours Saleya flower market has preserved its authenticity despite the evolution of the trade. Today, it is mainly artisan florists who perpetuate the know-how.
The range is vast and diversified:
- Cut flowers Colorful bouquets, floral arrangements or single flowers;
- Mediterranean plants Miniature olive trees, potted shrubs and aromatic herbs such as thyme, rosemary and savory;
- Exotic plants orchids, cacti, bonsai.
Some local varieties occupy a special place:
- The lavender sold fresh, in dried bouquets or in scented sachets, remains one of the most sought-after souvenirs.
- The mimosa illuminates the stalls with its golden bunches.
- The jasmine appreciated for its delicate fragrance.
As an added bonus, the florists also share practical tips on how to care for a bouquet, an ornamental plant or a Mediterranean shrub.
Gastronomy and local specialities
The market is also a gourmet paradise, where you can sample :
- From fruit and vegetables local fish poultry meat.
- The socca a crispy chickpea pancake.
- From mature cheeses and charcuterie from the Alpes-Maritimes.
- From tapenades or green tapenades olive oils, fragrant herbes de Provence.
- Freshly baked breads and home-made pastries.
Fast-food stands allow you to enjoy these specialties of Nice in the open air, such as pissaladière a delicious tart with caramelized onions and anchovies.
Market produce inspires or accompanies the cuisine of Nice, renowned for its diversity and authenticity. Local restaurants give pride of place to market-fresh produce, making this a veritable temple to Niçois “good eating”.
💡 We often read that Nice’s flower market is ranked as one of France’s exceptional markets by the Conseil National des Arts Culinaires. This was true, but it should be noted that this institution ceased to exist in 2000.
Local crafts and authentic souvenirs
Craft stalls vie for attention: soaps lavender-scented soaps, pottery with Mediterranean motifs, fabrics fabrics embroidered with Provencal motifs.
The lotions and dried lavender dried lavender sachets are perfect for prolonging the olfactory journey at home. Fans of unique objects will appreciate the jewelry in semi-precious stones or ceramics ceramics.
💡The Tour Azur tip: give preference to “Made in Nice” labels and avoid “made in China” products scattered among the offer.
What to do in Nice near the flower market?
Here are the must-see places just a stone’s throw from the Cours Saleya:
- The castle hill accessible on foot or by elevator, offers a panoramic view of the Baie des Anges and Old Nice.
- The Old Nice with its colorful alleyways, Baroque facades and small boutiques, is a visit in itself.
Among the cultural discoveries, we recommend :
- The Palais Lascaris a museum housed in a former Baroque palace, just 5 minutes from the market.
- The Chapelle de la Miséricorde considered one of Nice’s most beautiful churches.
Of course, we also highly recommend a visit to the Place Saint-François fish market. A small, authentic market hall where fishermen sell their catch of the day directly. Don’t miss the pretty dolphin fountain.
💡Our advice: Nice is best visited on foot if you’re in good shape! Public transport networks can help if you get tired along the way.
Tour Azur introduces you to Nice and its flower market
Tours specific to Nice
Unusual Nice
Let us tell you about its main places of interest, anecdotes and legends. Get off the beaten track and discover the must-sees: meet the heroes of Nice and the people who have left their mark on history.
Flower-related tricks
And if flowers are your passion, we can also recommend a visit to the Fragonard perfumery located in Grasse. We have written a full article here.
Riviera panorama
Via the famous cornices, reach Èze, a magnificent medieval village with a Fragonard perfume factory.
Provence hinterland
Start in Cannes, then head inland to awaken your senses in Grasse, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Fragonard factory.
Booking your tour with Tour Azur is quick and easy. Our team is available 7 days a week and will get back to you within 24 hours to finalize all the details. Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Is there a link between the flower market and the Battle of Flowers in Nice?
Yes! Every winter, during the Nice Carnival the Promenade des Anglais becomes the scene of the Battle of the Flowers.
Carnival features floats richly decorated with flowers. Actresses in traditional dress take their places on these flower-decked floats, showering the audience with colorful petals.
It takes 3,000 stems of fresh flowers to decorate each float. What’s more, 80% of the flowers used come from local producers. It was in 1876 that the first flower battle took place on the Promenade des Anglais, on the advice of…Alphonse Karr, himself the originator of the flower market!
💡The show, which runs from February 11 to March 1, 2026, is offered on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons on the place Masséna and lasts about 1h30. As with any Carnival event, you’ll need to reserve your place (approx. €30 for adults and €10 for children).
What are the market days and times in Nice?
The days and locations of the Nice markets listed below are for information only. We have selected the most emblematic markets in Nice for you, but there are also other local markets:
- Cours Saleya – Fruits & vegetables: Tuesday to Sunday mornings.
- Cours Saleya – Fleurs: Tuesday to Saturday all day, Sunday morning.
- Cours Saleya – Brocante: Monday, all day.
- Place Toja – Fish market: Tuesday to Sunday mornings.
- Place du Palais de Justice – Book market: Saturday, all day.
- Place Garibaldi – Craft market: first Sunday of the month, all day.
What's the key Côte d'Azur market?
The Cours Saleya flower market remains the region’s icon, but there are other other places are well worth a visit.
- In Menton, the Marché de la Maâme is a colourful with its giant citrus trees.
- In Cannes, the Forville market Mediterranean and local produce.
- For an immersion in the Provence of Nice, the Vence market, surrounded by ramparts, delights with its organic specialties and local wines.
What's the most beautiful market in Nice?
Nice’s most beautiful market is Cours Saleya in Old Nice. Renowned for its colorful stalls of flowers, fruit, vegetables and local specialties, it is ranked as one of France’s exceptional markets. Its unique setting, a stone’s throw from the sea and surrounded by baroque facades, makes it a must-see.
Can anyone go to the flower market?
Yes, the Cours Saleya flower market is open to all: residents, visitors and tourists alike. It’s a public market, with free access, no admission tickets and no special restrictions.
Are there flower markets in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille?
Yes, there are 11 flower markets in Marseille, spread over different districts.
👉 See the full list on the Ville de Marseille website.
In Aix-en-Provence, there is only one flower market, but it is organized in two locations depending on the day:
- Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Places comtales (opposite the Palais de Justice): Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
