Must-See places in Nice
The cultural center of Nice, the Place Masséna is the city’s largest square and the main gathering place for community events and seasonal festivals. Surrounded by 17th-century architecture, it links the Old Town quarter with the city’s commercial district. After rebuilding a tramway transportation system, the square was designated a pedestrian-only zone, and an art installation by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa was installed. The piece consists of sculptures atop tall pillars scattered around the plaza. A large fountain featuring a statue of Apollo stands as the centerpiece of the square.
Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill)
Little remains of the medieval fortress that once guarded Nice’s Vieux Ville from high atop a rocky hill, but the place where the Colline du Château stood still attracts visitors. Now a scenic park, Castle Hill offers spectacular views of the Old Town and shoreline below. Travelers can climb the 213 steps to the hill’s summit or can shorten the trek by taking the elevator located near the Hotel Suisse. In addition to crumbling castle walls, there’s a waterfall, several cafés, a children’s play area and a cemetery worth exploring.
Vieux Nice
Also known as Vieux Ville, Nice’s Old Town stretches from the foot of Castle Hill to the Place Masséna, the city’s main square. A maze of narrow streets punctuated with broad promenades, the medieval quarter evokes the time in history when Nice was allied with independent Italian states. Streets are lined with structures adorned with Italianate façades, faded gold paint and red-tile roofs. While many of the buildings now house shops and eateries that cater to tourists, Vieux Nice remains home to locals too. It’s one of the best areas to sample the region’s pastries and Niçois-style pizzas.