Fantastic French Riviera – 15 Places to See in Nice! 2/2

Part two of my post on what to do in The French Riviera (Nice). The following sections are included in this post (click to navigate directly to the section). Also, check out Part 1 for details on places 1-7 to see!

• Promenade des Anglais
• Musee Massena
• Place Massena
• Place Garibaldi
• La Tete Carree
• Churches of Nice
• Cimiez Park, Garden & Monastery
• Art Museums of Nice

8. PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS

Promenade des Anglais is just a few minutes’ walk from Saleya Market (the Old Town area). It stretches roughly 7 km along the seafront. However, the main tourist section of the Promenade is the first 1 – 2 km (closest to Old Nice). Indeed, the Promenade is perfect for a pleasant stroll along the beach. Also, it has a lane specifically for cyclists and skaters. Thus, you could rent skates, scooters, or bikes (see Roller Station for rentals) and take a spin along the Promenade. One of the most popular landmarks along the Promenade is the beautiful Hotel Negresco.

During a walk along this stretch of the Promenade, you will see beautiful buildings and a fantastic view of the sea. Additionally, there are plenty of benches along the walk. Here, you can stop to relax and enjoy the view. Indeed, this part of the Promenade is a great area to stay during your trip. However, accommodation can be a little expensive here! Nevertheless, there is a good selection of cafes and restaurants to stop in along the Promenade. I enjoyed people watching outside in the sun at a reasonably priced bistro here. Also, The Hard Rock is close by here too.

9. MUSEE MASSENA

Along the Promenade is the beautiful neo-classical (with an Italianate twist) building of Musee Massena. The museum has a permanent collection of artefacts from the Napoleonic Era. Also, it has special exhibits, a beautiful garden, artwork, and impressive interior decoration with stunning antique furniture and furnishings.

While I only visited the gardens, the museum itself gets fantastic reviews! Indeed, for only a small cover charge of €10, you can view the exhibitions and impressive decor within the villa. Additionally, tickets can be pre-booked online. However, the gardens are free to wander. Moreover, there is a simple (yet moving), Memorial to the victims of the July 14th, 2016 terrorist attack (close by the front gate to the gardens/villa).

10. PLACE MASSENA

Place Massena is a central area of Nice. Thus, it connects the Old and New town regions. Undoubtedly, a visit to this colourful Square is another must for any tourist to Nice! Indeed, it is the main Square of Nice. It is a pedestrian-only zone except for a tram which runs through a section of it. This area of Nice went through a long period of reconstruction and refurbishment (completed in 2007).

Architecture & What to Find Here

The beautiful Neoclassical architecture here strongly features red, orange, and pink colours. Additionally, ‘Fountain of the Sun’ is a popular spot for photographs. This fountain displays a marble statue of Apollo, it also depicts several stories from Greek mythology. There are plenty of nice cafes, restaurants, and shops here too. Also, the plaza of the Square is known for holding large events (Christmas Markets, Bastille day celebrations, etc.). There was a large jazz concert when I visited!

This area is pretty when lit up in the evening too! It has seven statues on tall polls that light up at nightfall – these statues are a modern art installation (by artist Jaume Plensa) which represent the seven continents.

Dancing Water Spouts

Furthermore, there is a nice park area just off the Square. Moreover, it is very popular for its water installation, Dancing Water Spouts. Indeed, this installation is hugely popular with kids and families. You are sure to find people playing and running across these water spouts on a hot summer day!

Avenue Jean-Medecin

Place Massena is close to Avenue Jean-Medecin, which is the main shopping street of Nice. Hence, it is part of New Nice. Therefore, the shops and eateries are mainly composed of high street shops/restaurants such as McDonald’s, Zara, H&M, etc. As you find these in most major cities, I don’t consider shopping here a fun thing to do as a tourist. However, I know others might need to feed their shopping addiction here! 😂 To be honest, I prefer wandering the quirkier shops of the Old Town area. I feel you gain more insight and feel for a city when visiting the local food/craft shops. Though one notable place along this Avenue, if you like architecture and churches, is Basilique Notre Dam. There is more to follow on this Basilica (under the ‘Churches‘ section)!

11. PLACE GARIBALDI

Place Garibaldi is another beautiful Square where you can sit and people-watch while enjoying a coffee/wine. There are many cafes and restaurants here. Place Garibaldi is found along the perimeter of the Old Nice area. Therefore, it is roughly a 12-minute walk from Place Massena/15-minute walk from the Old Port. Except for the tram running through the square, Place Garibaldi is (for the most part) pedestrianized. I found this Square to have more of a peaceful and relaxed vibe than the Main Square (Place Massena).

A large statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Nice-born Italian nationalist and military hero, sits in the centre of the Square. Also, the buildings here are beautiful colours of yellow with green shutters and baroque arcaded buildings!

The popular Modern Art Museum, Musee d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC), is very close to Place Garibaldi. I was very much hoping to visit this museum. However, there just wasn’t enough time to fit everything in during my few days in Nice! Next trip for sure!

12. LA TETE CARREE

This much photographed and popular sculpture, Square Head (“La Tête Carrée” by Sacha Sosno), is only a 5-minute walk from Place Garibaldi/MAMAC. This iconic building impressively stands at 30 meters in height and 14 meters wide. Additionally, it houses the administrative premises of the municipal library with regional vocation. The sculpture is appropriately titled “Thinking Inside the Box”. Its giant square head houses three floors of books within the central library.

The sculpture was inaugurated in 2002 and, at the time, was the first inhabited monumental sculpture in the world. At night time, you can look up towards the building and make out the floors of the library lit up inside. The sculpture looks out over Place Yves Klein, the town square, from the small but colourful Jardin Marshal Juin. This public garden is known for its multitude of various bright blooms. You will also find further sculptures on display in the gardens.

13. CHURCHES IN NICE, FRENCH RIVIERA

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

This Cathedral is a little bit outside of the main tourist areas of Nice. However, I would strongly encourage a visit to this beautiful Cathedral if you have time! To date, it is the most magnificent Cathedral that I have visited. It is roughly half an hour’s walk from Old Nice. However, it is only about a 17-minute walk from Basilique Notre-Dam.

This Russian Orthodox Cathedral, ‘St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral’, is an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. It is the property of the Russian Federation. Additionally, the Cathedral is a national monument of France. It was opened in 1912 and is the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. The structure of the Cathedral is mainly of Old Russian style. However, it also has a modern twist with the disposition of a Greek cross. It has five domes representing Jesus and the four evangelists.

History 

Indeed, the Cathedral has an interesting history. Notably, the Russian upper class grew in numbers (during the mid-1800s) visiting the French Riviera during the winter months. During a visit in 1865, the son of Alexander II died of meningitis. Sometime later, the Tsar and the Empress ordered a chapel built where his son Nicholas died. [Note that no photography is allowed inside of the Cathedral]

Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste

You will find this beautiful church only a 5-minute walk from Old Nice. It is roughly halfway between Place Massena and Place Garibaldi (an 8-minute walk from either of these to the church). Though the church is not overly impressive in size, it is still a beautiful catholic church worth walking by. Especially, seeing as it is so close to several tourist attractions. However, be aware that it is not always open to enter.

Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

This new-Gothic church is along Avenue Jean-Medecin. Moreover, it is the largest church in Nice. It was built between 1864 and 1868 according to the plans of the French architect Louis Lenormand. Furthermore, the Basilica impressively has two large square towers, a beautiful rose window, and three porches.

Nice Cathedral & Bell Tower

As previously mentioned, Nice Cathedral and Bell Tower are in the Old Town area of Nice. This Roman Catholic Cathedral is a national monument since 9 August 1906. Construction of the Cathedral started in 1650. The Bell Tower was built next to the Cathedral between 1731 and 1757. It continued until 1949 – with new structures and decorative elements added to the Cathedral over time.

14. CIMIEZ PARK, GARDEN & MONASTERY

This area is roughly a 40-minute walk from Old Nice. Therefore, Cimiez is a peaceful and tranquil place to spend an afternoon. While here, you can wander the gardens, visit the monastery, Matisse Museum, and Musee D’Archeologie. All of which are minutes apart within the park. There are plenty of spots for a picnic within Cimiez Park. Also, there is an outdoor cafe where you can also sit outside and enjoy the warm summer sun.

These Italian style gardens are just beside the monastery. Also, the monks’ former orchard and vegetable garden has preserved its original layout around a well with old pergolas and covered climbing roses. At the end of the garden are fabulous views overlooking the mountains and parts of Nice.

Musee D’Archeologie is located just off Cimiez Park. This is a Roman archaeological site that features statues, coins, and other ancient finds.

15. ART MUSEUMS: NICE, FRENCH RIVIERA

Matisse Museum (Villa des Arènes)

Matisse Museum (within Cimiez Park) is c. 40-minute walk from Old Nice. This is a beautiful ochre-coloured seventeenth-century villa that houses some 30 works of Matisse (1869-1954). Undoubtedly a must-see for Matisse lovers!

The museum offers one of the largest collections of the works of Henri Matisse! It dates back to his artistic beginnings right through to his last works. Furthermore, the work varies from paintings and gouaches, prints, drawings, photos, sculptures, books illustrated by Matisse, and objects owned by Matisse. Even if you are not a big fan of Matisse, it is worth a trip here to enjoy the beautiful and tranquil grounds of the Cimiez gardens. Especially that of the monastery gardens and/or visit the Musee D’Archeologie. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the villa.

Marc Chagall National Museum

Marc Chagall Museum receives fantastic reviews. Thus, it features highly on things to do in Nice. The Museum is almost half an hour’s walk from the Old Nice area. I walked to the Museum. However, it was quite a steep walk! Also, it was tricky to follow some of the signage along the way. Therefore, a bus or taxi may be a better option on a hot summer day! Maybe the steep walk phased me, but I was not as impressed as I expected I would be with the Museum.

It is quite a small Museum, especially considering its €10 entry. The Museum is known for its stained-glass windows. The artwork within the Museum is quite limited. However, if you are a fan of Marc Chagall, you will likely enjoy a visit here. Furthermore, there is an audio guide available for your visit. Unfortunately, to avail of this, you are required to leave your passport with the reception staff. I previously had my passport go missing from the Aer Lingus staff. Thus, I was anxious and thinking of my passport throughout my visit. Also, I have heard of cases in hotels where passports were copied when left at reception. Therefore, I tend to get quite nervous about leaving mine with strangers!

Other Art Museums

Unfortunately, one of the only things that I didn’t fit on my list was a trip to the MAMAC. Next time! Other notable art museums include:

• Musee Des Beaux-Arts
• Museum of Asian Arts
• Musee de la Photographie Charles Negre
• And of course, as mentioned earlier, Musee Massena has artwork on display.

Thanks for reading! I hope you found some useful tips! Let me know if there is anywhere else that you think should be included on this list. Plus, don’t forget to check out Part 1 for places 1-7 to visit!

Anita xx