The high life on a low budget: Nice

Nice is a must for anyone exploring the French Riviera. Its combination of the labyrinthine Vieille Ville and the commercial modern city posed against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea makes it very attractive to tourists. However, being nestled between the seductive luxury of Monte Carlo and the glitz and glamour of Cannes, travellers can be forgiven for believing that this city is too expensive for the meagre travelling budget. Fortunately though, travelling to Nice can be an experience that won’t leave you dreading your next bank statement, but reeling from experiencing yet another great destination.

The Sights

With an impressive range of sights, Nice has every reason to flaunt what it has to offer. Predictably, the beach attracts a lot of this attention, but the range of things to see and do in Nice spans way beyond its picture-perfect coastline.

Vieux Nice is the oldest part of the city but also the most vibrant. Its maze of lanes and jumble of cafés, bars, shops and art galleries make for a unique experience. A wander through the narrow streets or a visit to the stunning baroque church (Eglise du Gésu, Rue Droite) show the city at its finest and most traditional while costing you very little. There’s also Place Charles Félix, a square offering impressive architecture and daily markets (‘Marché des Fleurs’, Tues, Thurs and Fri 6am – 5pm; Wed and Sat, 6am-1.30pm; ‘Marché à la Brocante’, Vintage Market, Mon. 7:30am-6pm). These markets are an attractive option for those looking for some raw and lively French culture with bartering, bargain hunting and some street musicians too.

Towards the west, the city gradually becomes more commercial, and Place Masséna is where both halves overlap. Here, two of Nice’s impressive fountains can be admired (Fontaine du Soleil and Fontaine des Tritons) as well as the modern ‘Conversation in Nice’ statues, the Jardin Albert 1er and even a small outdoor concert space (Théâtre de Verdure). Although busy in the daytime, Place Masséna is best at night when the statues and fountain are lit. This is also the central shopping area, as well as Avenue Jean Medécin, for those that have some spare pennies. Most of the shops here are commercial but Rue Masséna also offers some low-key alternatives for the more budget-wary.

If you’re looking to widen your knowledge of Nice while heading indoors, the modern city is home to many museums that are kind to the funds. Musée Masséna (Promenade des Anglais; free entry) and the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle (Boulevard Risso, free entry) offer an insight into Nice and the Côte d’Azur. Alternatively, for the more artistic, the Muséé d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (Promenade des Arts; free entry) and the Musée de Beaux Arts de Nice (Avenue des Baumettes; free entry) house impressive collections. Beyond these, many others can be found dotted throughout the city at equally good prices.

Heading back towards the coastline, a wander along the Promenade des Anglais is the best way to take in the Mediterranean and the glamorous seafront casinos and hotels. It’s also the location of the ‘Colline du Château Nice’ (a hill housing the Nice Castle ruins at the eastern end of the promenade). The panoramic view from the top is definitely not to be missed, giving breathtaking views of the beach, Vieux Nice and beyond from a range of sites; such as the hilltop cemetery and park (Cimitière et Parc de la Colline du Château, free entry) and even waterfalls with no cost at all.

The ‘Colline du Château’ also overlooks the Port du Nice, a picturesque quay to the west of the hill. A wander around this area will reveal the war memorial (Quai Rauba-Capeu) and the quay itself while stretched out beyond lies the Parc du Mont Boron; the perfect place to relax with a picnic and take in the sights.