Would you like to discover Old Nice as you’ve never seen it before? Tour Azur plunges you into the heart of this vibrant, colorful district, a labyrinth of charming alleyways between the sea and the hills. From the Colline du Château to the Cours Saleya, passing by baroque buildings and Nice’s culinary specialties, let yourself be carried away.
If you only have a day and want to discover the whole city, check out our ideal itinerary for visiting Nice in 1 day.
Discover the picturesque charm of Old Nice, between Provence and Italy
Vieux Nice represents the historic soul of the city: here, every street corner has character. The Italian influence is strong: narrow streets, a checkerboard layout, colorful facades and Baroque churches.
Indeed, Nice is a frontier town, having been successively Ligurian in origin, Greek and Roman in Antiquity, Savoyard and Piedmontese until the 19th century. From the Middle Ages onwards, the old town developed in the shadow of the Château hill, in a naturally protected area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Paillon (a waterway now covered by the Promenade du Paillon).
In 1860, Nice became French. It then expanded across the Paillon, with large Parisian-style boulevards. Meanwhile, Old Nice remained on the bangs, and went through a period of decline in the post-war period.
It was in the 1980s, and especially in the run-up to the 150th anniversary of Nice’s incorporation into France in 2009, that interest in the district was revived. Facades have been restored, streets renovated and heritage sites illuminated… Vieux Nice is gradually regaining its lustre, becoming a lively, touristy area full of character.
Must-see sites in Vieux Nice
La Colline du Château: an exceptional panorama
The Colline du Château offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Nice and the Baie des Anges. The vestige of a former military fortress, it is now one of Nice’s favorite walking spots.
The site includes the ruins of the former fortress, an artificial waterfall, a wooded park, children’s play areas, a historic cemetery, a monument to the Righteous and the Bellanda Tower.
Access is possible in several ways:
- On foot, via the Lesage staircase (from quai des États-Unis), montée du Château (rue Rossetti) or montée Menica Rondelly (rue Jouan Nicola).
- By elevator (free of charge), located at the junction of rue des Ponchettes and quai des États-Unis.
- By tourist train, departing from the Promenade des Anglais.
- By car, access is via Montfort rise (Place Guynemer), with limited pay parking near the cemeteries (allée des Justes or allée François Aragon), accessible via Eberlé rise.
💡The park is free and open from 8.30am to 6pm (October to March) and until 8pm (April to September).
Cours Saleya: market, flea market and art of living
Cours Saleya is the beating heart of Vieux Nice. This long pedestrian walkway, just a stone’s throw from the sea, is home to one of the region’s most typical markets.
From Tuesday to Sunday, from 6am to 1.30pm, stalls are set up early: fresh flowers, seasonal fruit and vegetables, olives, cheeses, aromatic herbs… You’ll also find local specialities.
Mondays are devoted to second-hand goods: old books, furniture, vintage objects…
Place Saint-François and its historic architecture
Located in the heart of Vieux Nice, Place Saint-François hosts a renowned fish market every morning except Monday.
It also boasts a remarkable architectural heritage:
- The Palais Communal, a Baroque-style building that served as an administrative center until 1868. It then housed the Bourse du Travail and underwent recent renovations.
- The Franciscan church was part of a convent. After the French Revolution, it was used for a variety of purposes, including as a cinema and warehouse. Renovation work has now been undertaken to restore its original appearance.
- The Tour Saint-François, the convent’s former bell tower, is 50 metres high (288 steps) and offers an exceptional view of the town. It is listed as a historic monument.
The recently renovated Place Saint-François, with its pretty dolphin fountain, is pedestrianized. It is surrounded by traditional cafés and restaurants.
Palais Lascaris and Église du Gésu (Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur)
These two Baroque buildings, listed as historic monuments, are both located on the Sainte-Constance block, a group of old buildings in Vieux Nice. To be more precise, they are on the Rue Droite, the district’s historic thoroughfare.
The Palais Lascaris is a former residence built for the Lascaris de Ventimiglia family, one of the most influential in the region. Acquired by the city of Nice, it was opened to the public as a museum dedicated to the decorative arts and music of the 17th and 18th centuries. It houses a collection of some 500 early musical instruments, making it the second largest in France after the Musée de la Musique in Paris.
💡Practical information:
- Open daily (10 am – 6 pm) except Tuesdays.
- Price: €6.20. Free for children under 13.
- Access: the nearest streetcar station is “Cathédrale – Vieille Ville” (line 1).
As for the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, nicknamed Église du Gesù by the people of Nice, it may go unnoticed around a corner, but its bluish facade and majestic architecture are imposing as soon as you approach it.
It is directly inspired by the Gesù church in Rome, a model of Jesuit Baroque. The richly decorated interior combines gilding, twisted columns and frescoes in an atmosphere that is both solemn and warm.
However, the church is in poor condition. That’s why the Le Bethel bar, which opens in summer at the back of the church, raises money to finance some of the restoration work.
Rossetti Square and Sainte-Réparate Cathedral
This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Vieux Nice. The recently restored cathedral of Sainte-Réparate boasts a sober, elegant Baroque façade, and houses three remarkable organs inside.
It’s impossible to talk about the square without mentioning the Fenocchio ice cream parlour, a Niçoise institution for over 55 years, offering a hundred different flavours.
Itineraries for exploring Vieux Nice
Discovery walk through picturesque alleyways
Start your stroll in Place Saint-François. Continue up Rue Pairolière, a typical Niçoise street, then turn off onto Rue Droite.
Take the time to stop off at the Palais Lascaris, then continue on to Place Rossetti. Here you’ll find the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate and lively terraces. An ice cream at Fenocchio is a must!
Then head up Rue du Malonat, recognizable by its ochre hues, and follow Montée du Château for a bit of height. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for hidden little squares, discreet staircases and charming, decrepit facades that will tell you all about Nice in their own way.
📍 Allow 1h30 to 2h for this walk.
Tour of Baroque churches and religious buildings
Starting point: Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, Place Rossetti. Its interior volumes and three monumental organs are astonishing. Then take Via Droite to discover the Church of the Gesù, whose blue-grey facade contrasts with the ochre tones of the surrounding area.
Then cross the district to the Cours Saleya. On its southern flank stands the Chapelle de la Miséricorde, whose interior, with its trompe-l’œil and exuberant gilding, is well worth a visit.
Finish on a more discreet note: the Chapelle Sainte-Croix, located a few steps away, near the Rue de la Préfecture. Less well known, it is nevertheless home to the city’s oldest penitential brotherhood and retains a very special atmosphere.
📍 This tour can be completed in around 1h15, but allow more time if you wish to enter each location.
A gastronomic tour to taste the flavours of Nice
What would a visit to Vieux Nice be without sampling its flavors? Start in the eastern part of the district at Confiserie Florian, at the foot of Colline du Château. Here, candied fruits, crystallized flowers and artisanal jams have been made for decades.
Head up Rue du Collet for a savoury break at Lou Pilha Leva. There’s no fuss here: you can eat socca or pissaladière standing up or sitting on a bench. Then head to Place Rossetti for an ice cream at Fenocchio, Nice’s emblematic ice cream parlour since 1966.
Then cross the district to Cours Saleya. Fancy a real local snack? Opt for a pan bagnat. Sit out on the terrace for a glass of rosé and some zucchini flower fritters.
💡The Confiserie Florian organizes free guided tours, with commentary in 5 languages, to see how its products are made. Free tastings are also available.
Practical tips for visiting Vieux Nice
The must-haves
Here’s a list of essentials for a comfortable and enjoyable visit to Vieux Nice, taking into account the particularities of each season.
- Comfortable shoes
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Water bottle.
When should you visit Old Nice?
The number of visitors to Vieux Nice varies considerably depending on the time of day and the season. The summer period, particularly from mid-June to mid-September, sees a particularly dense concentration of tourists.
Buses, streetcars and bicycles
Take the Lignes d’Azur public transport network:
- Tramway line 1 serves Vieux Nice perfectly, with Opéra – Vieille Ville and Cathédrale – Vieille Ville stations.
- Buses also serve the area, with several stops close by.
Electric bike rental services are an interesting option.
Parking
Generally speaking, parking near Vieux Nice is difficult. We recommend using the 9 park-and-ride lots located on the outskirts of Nice, which provide tramway access to the city center, offering a total of 3,197 parking spaces, including 80 spaces for people with reduced mobility.
That said, several underground parking lots just a few minutes’ walk from the historic district:
- Parking Saleya
- Parking Sulzer
- Palais de Justice parking lot.
Accessibility and reduced mobility
Nice can be visited on foot but you’ll need to be in good physical shape, as the gradient is quite steep.
Old Nice in particular, with its maze of narrow cobbled streets, presents real challenges for people with reduced mobility. Despite these natural constraints, there are several adapted routes to discover the charms of Old Nice:
- The Place Rossetti and Cours Saleya offer easily accessible flat areas.
- The streetcars are fully accessible.
💡We recommend a tour along the Promenade des Anglais and then up through Place Masséna, offering a glimpse of the architectural gems without the difficulties of the steepest streets.
Old Nice with Tour Azur
Since 1997, Tour Azur has been inviting you to discover the treasures of the Côte d’Azur through carefully designed excursions that combine comfort, authenticity and local expertise. Whether you prefer the intimacy of a private tour or the warm atmosphere of a shared tour, each experience is designed to offer you an unforgettable immersion.
Private or shared tour?
A private tour is a tailor-made adventure, offering you and your family (maximum 8 people) a fully personalized service. Accompanied by a dedicated driver-guide, explore the region at your own pace. Whether for a half-day or a full day, itineraries are flexible and tailored to your interests.
We have designed a special private tour to discover Nive, entitled “Nice Insolite“. For half a day, visit :
- Old Nice
- the Promenade des Anglais
- the Cimiez gardens.
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.
Shared tours are ideal for those wishing to explore the region in a small group (maximum 8 people), while sharing moments of conviviality. Accompanied by an experienced driver-guide, discover must-see sites on excursions lasting from 4 to 8 hours.
Our flagship destinations include :
- Èze: a medieval hilltop village with panoramic views and a famous perfume factory.
- Monaco & Monte-Carlo: luxury, history and the famous Formula 1 circuit.
- Saint-Paul de Vence: an artistic haven with picturesque alleyways.
- Cannes: Festival glamour and a stroll along the Croisette.
- Italian Riviera: the authentic charm of the markets in San Remo and Bordighera, and Dolceacqua, a village immortalized by Monet.
Why choose Tour Azur?
These are our strengths:
- Multilingual guides: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and more.
- Free cancellation: up to 48 hours before departure.
- Personalized service: every detail is designed to meet your expectations.
- All our tours, private or shared, depart from Nice.
- We only use top-of-the-range vehicles, to ensure the best possible comfort.
- Response within 24 hours.
Our tour of Old Nice is drawing to a close, but the adventure is just beginning for you. How about extending the experience? Monaco and Grasse combine history, elegance and local traditions. Whether it’s the princely majesty of Monaco or the enchanting scents of Grasse, each city offers a unique facet of the Côte d’Azur… a must-see!
Where to shop and relax in Vieux Nice?
Its artisan boutiques offer local products and creations that reflect the true soul of the Côte d’Azur.
A visit to the heart of Vieux Nice is punctuated by moments of relaxation in its cafés and bars. These establishments, veritable local institutions, welcome you on their terraces to enjoy a coffee and contemplate the liveliness of the surrounding squares and alleyways.
Finally, don’t overlook Nice’s cultural offerings, with its many art galleries. The municipal Lou Babazouk gallery, for example, welcomes both professional and amateur artists. A few steps away, Géraldine Sadlier ‘s watercolors delicately capture the character of life on the Côte d’Azur. Ceramic workshops in Nice, such as La Diva Céramic, exhibit their original creations alongside graphic posters by local artists.
What are Nice's culinary specialities?
Among the must-sees, discover :
- Socca, a delicious golden wafer made from chickpea flour and olive oil. Go to La Socca d’Or, near the port.
- Pissaladière, a savory tart with candied onions, anchovies and black olives.
- Niçois stuffing, which you can try at l’Escalinada, on rue Pairolière.
- the round pan bagnat sandwich.
Bars and nightlife in Vieux Nice
For cocktails, the Shapko Bar offers live jazz concerts in an intimate setting. Les Distilleries Idéales, an institution nestled in Place du Marché, offers an impressive selection of spirits in a retro decor. Wayne’s Bar attracts a younger clientele with its dynamic musical program and festive atmosphere until the end of the night, while La Movida seduces with its tapas and Hispanic atmosphere.
