Old Nice, museums, gastronomy, beaches… and the lesser-known hinterland: first paragliding experience at 1,800 m and canyoning in the Gorges du Loup. The field guide by outdoor pros based in the Alpes-Maritimes since 2013.
Nice · Alpes-Maritimes (06)Nice is much more than a Mediterranean postcard. Located on the French Riviera, between the sea and the mountains, the capital of the Niçois region offers a multitude of activities for all types of visitors: families with children, couples seeking romance, groups of friends, or thrill-seeking adventurers.
Strolling along the famous Promenade des Anglais, exploring the colourful streets of Old Nice, admiring the panoramic view of the Bay of Angels from Castle Hill, tasting socca on the Cours Saleya… There's no shortage of must-sees. But Nice also boasts an exceptional cultural heritage with the Matisse Museum, the Marc Chagall Museum and the MAMAC, as well as local cuisine that's worth stopping for at every street corner.
What most guides forget to mention is that the Nice hinterland holds equally spectacular experiences. Just 40 minutes from the city, a first paragliding experience in Nice offers an unforgettable view of the Mediterranean and the peaks of the Mercantour, from the ridges of the Cheiron at an altitude of 1,800 metres. And for water sports enthusiasts, the canyoning in the Gorges du Loup transforms a simple stay in Nice into a day of pure sensations.
Whether you have a day, a weekend or a whole week, this guide will take you step-by-step to enjoy the best of Nice and its surroundings. Cultural visits, outdoor activities, family outings, indoor activities for rainy days or excursions into the hinterland: you'll find everything you need here to organise a stay in Nice that suits you.
It's impossible to visit Nice without taking in some of its most emblematic sites. The city is packed with treasures to discover on foot, from the seafront to historic districts and spectacular viewpoints. Here are the gems not to be missed.
This is the symbol of Nice. This famous promenade along the Mediterranean stretches for over 7 kilometres, lined with palm trees and Belle Époque facades. Whether on foot, by bike or simply sitting facing the blue, the Prom' offers a constant spectacle. Early in the morning, the light here is exceptional; at the end of the day, the sunset over the Baie des Anges is well worth the detour.
Perched above Old Nice, Castle Hill is the must-visit viewpoint. Accessible on foot or by a free lift, it offers a breathtaking view: ochre rooftops, Lympia port, Promenade des Anglais and the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. On site: remains of the old castle, an artificial waterfall and shaded areas perfect for a picnic.
The historic heart of Nice: a labyrinth of narrow streets with colourful façades, shaded squares and artisan shops. Place Rossetti, its Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and its ice cream parlours are a must-see. Every morning, the Cours Saleya hosts its famous flower market and local produce. The ideal place to wander and soak up the Nice atmosphere.
A link between the modern city and the old quarter, Place Masséna impresses with its colourful architecture and contemporary sculptures. Just behind it, the Promenade du Paillon It's a haven of greenery right in the centre: fountains, water features, reflecting pools for children and relaxation areas. An essential place to be, summer and winter alike.
Often overlooked on classic itineraries, Nice Port is well worth a visit. The Port Lympia, with its brightly coloured facades and lively terraces, offers an authentic atmosphere far from the tourist hustle. A few steps away, the Garibaldi Place renovated is the ideal starting point for exploring the neighbourhood and its best spots.
Behind the seaside image lies an exceptional artistic heritage, championed by world-renowned artists who came seeking this Mediterranean light. In case of rain or if you fancy discovering something new, Nice's museums hold wonderful surprises – and several are free.
Housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa in the heart of Cimiez, the Matisse Museum retraces the work of Henri Matisse with paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. The setting is as beautiful as the works themselves, with the Cimiez gardens, Roman arenas and a Franciscan monastery. A timeless place., Free, which is worthy of an hour of your day.
Unique in France, this national museum is entirely dedicated to the biblical works of Marc Chagall. Large colourful canvases, stained glass windows, and mosaics plunge the visitor into a poetic and spiritual universe, extended by a peaceful garden. For families, there are Workshops and guided tours child-friendly activities are regularly offered.
Place Yves Klein, just a stone's throw from the Promenade du Paillon, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art explores the movements from the 1960s to the present day: the School of Nice, New Realism, Pop Art. top floor terrace offers a panoramic view of Nice, from Old Nice to Mont Boron.
Le Palais Lascaris, a Baroque treasure from the 17th century hidden in Old Nice, houses a collection of antique musical instruments amidst frescoes and gilded stucco. Further south, the Masséna Museum, elegant villa overlooking the sea, retraces the history of Nice and the Riviera. Free entry for both.
You can't visit Nice without sampling its cuisine. Nicean gastronomy is a living heritage, passed down from generation to generation, that can be enjoyed just as much in a Michelin-starred restaurant as at a bar counter.
Every morning except Monday, Cours Saleya transforms into a festival of colours and scents. The famous flower market It's alongside fruits, vegetables, olives, spices and local specialities from Nice. A spectacle in its own right and the best starting point for understanding the local cuisine. On Mondays, it's the turn of the flea market, equally charming.
La Socca, chickpea flour crêpe golden from the wood fire, is the culinary symbol of Nice: crispy on the outside, melting on the inside, to be enjoyed piping hot with your fingers. But also Niçoise salad (the real one, without potatoes or green beans), pissaladière, stuffed Niçoise vegetables, pan bagnat… Each dish tells the story of a city turned towards the Mediterranean.
For a truly Nice experience, favour the small establishments in Old Nice and the port : around Place Garibaldi, Cours Saleya and Rue Bonaparte. A tip: always ask for the special of the day, that's often where the best is hiding. For a sweet break, stop at Place Rossetti in front of an artisan ice cream maker.
This is where Nice surprises: less than an hour from the seafront, the hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes becomes a spectacular playground. Paragliding facing the Mediterranean, canyoning in the gorges, beaches and water sports – experiences that classic guidebooks often forget to mention.
Management Gréolières, one of the most beautiful spots in the 06. Take-off at 1 800 m on the ridges of Cheiron, overlooking the Mercantour and the Mediterranean. No experience necessary, from 6 years, DEJEPS instructor at the controls. Unforgettable view over the Baie des Anges and the peaks.
Choosing my baptism
Within an hour of Nice, the Gorges du Loup is the most accessible canyoning spot: aquatic hiking, jumps (optional), natural slides and abseils in a setting of waterfalls and turquoise pools. Course from age 10 For strong swimmers, neoprene and equipment provided.
Discover our canyons
Between activities, enjoy the beaches of the Baie des Anges, the paths of Mont Boron and the panoramas of the 1-bedroom flat with a balcony. The hinterland offers hikes for all levels, river swimming and 360° viewpoints over the Alps and the Mediterranean. Ideal seasons: spring and autumn for the light.
Explore the hinterlandTo experience the two signature sensations of the Côte d'Azur in one day, the paragliding and canyoning combo is the most popular option: fly in the morning from Gréolières, then descend the Gorges du Loup in the afternoon.
Want to go further? Our paragliding school near Nice Offers courses for all levels, from introductory to independent piloting.
£190 per person · Full day · Photos included · From 5 people.
Book the combo
One of the great advantages of Nice is its geographical position. In under an hour, you can reach perched villages, secret coves, wild gorges, or even another country. Here are the excursions worth making to complement your stay.
The classic trio from Nice. Villefranche-sur-Mer, citadel and colourful harbour, one of the most beautiful coastal villages. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat houses the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its exotic gardens. Higher up, the medieval village of'Èze offers a dizzying panorama from its botanical gardens at over 400 m.
Monaco is 20 minutes from Nice by train: the Rock, the Oceanographic Museum, the Exotic Garden — half a day is enough. Further east, Menton won over by its Italian atmosphere, its remarkable gardens, and its colourful architecture. Two ideal excursions for a car-free day.
Less famous than the coast, the hinterland is a treasure. The village of Gourdon, because on its rock, it dominates the gorges and the coast. The Gorges du Loup basin and cascade alignment. And Gréolières, At the foot of the Cheiron, it's the ideal starting point for a paragliding taster session or a hike with views of the Alps.
Le Verdon is about two hours from Nice. Its gorges, its lakes (Castillon, Sainte-Croix) and its villages such as Castellane make it the perfect nature destination. Ailéments also organises outings there canyoning in Castellane. En chemin, faites escale à Grasse, world capital of perfume.
Nice suits all profiles. Whether you're travelling with young children, as a couple, or with a group of friends, the city and its surroundings offer activities for every desire. Here's how to organise your stay according to your situation.
La Promenade du Paillon (water mirrors, free games) delights the youngest visitors. The Castle Hill, accessible by lift, is an easy outing. For a fun-filled day, the Aquasplash water park. And for thrills, the paragliding is accessible from 6 years old A tandem flight with a qualified instructor that children will never forget.
A stroll along the Promenade des Anglais at sunset, dinner in Old Nice, then an excursion to Èze or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat the next day. For a shared adrenaline rush, a Tandem paragliding experience is a romantic and memorable experience, far from the usual.
Nice is a popular destination for stag and hen parties. Ailéments offers Hen party and stag do packages Paragliding and canyoning combination. For paragliding, the video is offered to the groom or bride; for canyoning, it's offered to the whole group. The combo of the two is the most popular package.
Rain is rare on the French Riviera, but it can be surprising. In this case, the free museums (Matisse, Masséna, Palais Lascaris, MAMAC) are the best option, with workshops and exhibitions all year round. Old Nice, with its galleries, artisan shops and covered cafés, remains pleasant even in the rain.
Our best-selling packages for enjoying the French Riviera’s outdoor activities. Transparent pricing, for children aged 6 and over, with DEJEPS-qualified instructors on a 1:1 basis (40 mins from Nice).
Nice is a destination that reinvents itself with every visit. Between historical heritage, vibrant culture, generous gastronomy, and nature within easy reach, the city offers a range of activities that few destinations in France can match.
But the real secret to a successful stay in Nice is not to stick solely to the coastline. The Nice hinterland, with its gorges, hilltop villages and 1,800m high peaks, transforms a simple city break into a complete adventure. It is there, between sky and mountain, that you will experience the most memorable moments of your trip to the French Riviera.
Fancy taking action? Book your first paragliding experience in Nice or your exit canyoning in the Gorges du Loup. And for an unforgettable experience for a loved one, think of the paragliding gift voucher, valid for 12 months.
Customisable, sent immediately by email. For a birthday, a hen party, a stag do or simply to delight someone. Any questions? Contact us.
Order a gift voucher
Length of stay, free visits, paragliding, canyoning, children, weather: everything you need to know before coming to Nice.
Start early with the Old Nice and the Cours Saleya market, go up to the Castle Hill For the view, have a socca for lunch, then stroll in the afternoon on the Promenade des Anglais and finish Place Masséna.
In one day, you can see the main sights of the centre on foot: everything is concentrated and accessible without a car.
The French Riviera remains mild in winter. Enjoy the Museums (Matisse, Chagall, MAMAC, Masséna), the Old Town (Vieux-Nice) and excursions to Èze or Monaco.
As for thrills, paragliding is still possible, weather permitting, from Gréolières, and the resort of Gréolières 1400 allows you to combine skiing and paragliding in the same day.
Yes. Several Municipal museums are free (Matisse, Masséna, Palais Lascaris, MAMAC). The Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill (free lift), Old Nice, Cours Saleya, Port Lympia and the Promenade du Paillon can be explored for free.
Nice is one of the most pleasant big cities to visit on a budget.
A day is enough for the essentials in the centre. Budget two days to add museums and an outdoor activity, and three days or more to reach the inland areas (Gréolières, Gourdon, Gorges du Loup) and the Riviera (Èze, Monaco, Menton).
The real advantage of a stay in Nice is often found beyond the coastline.
The reference site is Gréolières, to 40 minutes from Nice. Take-off at 1,800 m on the ridges of Cheiron, facing the Mercantour and the Mediterranean.
Le Tandem paragliding Accessible from 6 years old, no experience necessary, with a DEJEPS instructor. One of the most beautiful views on the French Riviera.
Yes. The Gorges du Loup, At less than an hour from Nice, they are the most accessible canyoning spot: waterfalls, natural slides, optional jumps and turquoise pools.
The route is accessible from age 10 For good swimmers, neoprene equipment is provided. A day of canyoning transforms a seaside stay into a pure adventure.
The Promenade du Paillon (water mirrors, free games), Castle Hill accessible by lift, the treasure hunts of Old Nice, and the nearby Aquasplash water park.
In terms of sensations, the Tandem paragliding is accessible from 6 years old, safely with a qualified instructor.
Le Spring (April-June) and the'Autumn (September-October) offer the best weather/visitor balance, with ideal light for paragliding.
Summer is perfect for canyoning and beaches, but it’s more touristy. Winter remains mild for culture and excursions. Nice can be visited all year round.
4 reasons why Nice is the most complete destination on the French Riviera.
Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice, Castle Hill, Cours Saleya: The essentials are concentrated and accessible without a car. One day is enough for the must-sees.
Museums Matisse, Chagall, MAMAC, Masséna (several free ones) and authentic Niçoise cuisine: socca, Niçoise salad, pissaladière. Ideal also for rainy weather.
First paragliding experience at 1,800m facing the Mediterranean and canyoning in the Gorges du Loup the most memorable experiences of a stay in Nice.
