17 Secret Spots and Hidden Gems in Nice to Discover
Planning a trip to southern France and looking for some fun hidden gems in Nice? Keep reading – I’ve got a great list for you!
Over the course of my 3 different trips to the French Riviera, I’ve had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time in Nice, and it’s truly one of my favorite cities in France.
The city’s top attractions are incredible – the beautiful beaches, the charming old port, and the views from Castle Hill. These are all great spots and not to be missed.
However, Nice also harbors some unique spots that often are overlooked by the casual traveler. Beyond its famed Promenade des Anglais and vibrant Cours Saleya market are a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
In this guide, I’m sharing some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path spots in Nice, from serene gardens nestled in the heart of the city to ancient Roman ruins to authentic local experiences.
17 Hidden Gems in Nice You Need to Discover
1. Russian Cathedral
The Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice, or Russian Cathedral, offers a surprising peek into Russian heritage right in the center of Nice. Constructed to serve the significant Russian population that had made Nice their home by the early 20th century, the cathedral was finalized in 1912.
Its exterior features the distinctive onion domes characteristic of Russian Orthodox churches, while the interior is lavishly adorned with vibrant hues, gold leaf, and intricate paintings covering the walls and ceilings.
2. Molinard Perfume Making Experience
One of the most interesting day trips you can take from Nice is visiting Grasse, the perfume capital of France. Here, you can visit old perfumeries, take tours of the historic factories, visit the top perfume boutiques, and even participate in a perfume-making workshop where you get to design and create your own signature scent.
Don’t have time to visit Grasse? There’s actually a Molinard Perfumerie in Nice as well, where you can have the exact same experience of creating your own perfume. I did this experience and it was absolutely fascinating to “sample” all the different perfume essences and choose my favorites to create my custom perfume.
>>Check prices and availability for this perfume workshop in Nice here
3. Villa Massena
The Villa Massena is my favorite type of museum – where the architecture itself is as beautiful as any exhibit on display.
André Masséna, a native of Nice, rose to prominence as a distinguished military leader during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, earning Napoleon’s deep trust as one of his most reliable generals.
His grandson later acquired Villa Massena, and eventually dedicated it to the city as a tribute to the renowned French marshal.
The ground floor’s lavish historical rooms are absolutely gorgeous, including the dining area, library, entrance hall, and several lounges. These spaces are richly decorated with marble pillars, chandeliers, large paintings, intricate mosaic flooring, elaborately carved friezes, and statues.
The upper floor is a more conventional museum, with collections related to Nice’s aristocracy and displays devoted to Napoleon and Josephine, featuring their apparel, death masks, portraits, and personal belongings.
I particularly enjoyed the exhibits and numerous photographs that showcase Nice’s history and culture in the 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, the villa is surrounded by a small but beautiful park, which is free and open to the public.
The informational signs are only in French, so unless you can read museum-level French, this is a good place for Google Translate.
Helpful Tip: Consider getting the Nice Museum Pass if you’re thinking of exploring multiple museums in Nice. The pass is valid for four days, costs €15, and grants access to most of the city’s museums and galleries, making it a cost-effective option for avid museum-goers.
4. Food Tour in Old Town
Food tours are quickly becoming my favorite activity to do in a new city, and Nice is no exception. While many people pass up on a “guided tour” experience, I think the right ones can be incredibly enriching and a very fun experience.
This particular Local Foods + Wine Tasting tour is with a super friendly local guide and with a small group of travelers. You walk through Old Town, stopping at over a dozen different shops, restaurants, and stands in the market to taste some of the most delicious, traditional, unique, and local foods in Nice and the Provence region.
I’ve been to southern France multiple times, but I still was trying new things on this tour! Seriously, this is a great lesser-known activity in Nice.
>>Check prices and availability for this food tour here
5. Jardins d’Arenes in Cimiez
Cimiez is a distinguished and historically significant area located in the northern part of Nice. Known as Cemenelum in the Roman era, it featured a variety of classic Roman structures.
These days, one of the main attractions is the Arènes de Cimiez, the remnants of an ancient Roman amphitheater that once held up to 4,000 spectators and was a favored venue for gladiator contests.
Adjacent to the ruins is a large natural park filled with olive trees, where it’s common to see local residents enjoying a game of petanque, strolling through the grounds, or enjoying a picnic.
6. Monastery of Cimiez
The Monastery of Cimiez, situated right next to the Arenes de Cimiez and its surrounding gardens, offers a quiet retreat with a long past in the northern part of Nice.
The Monastery of Cimiez, was first established by the Brothers of the Abbey of Saint-Pons in the 800’s.
Throughout its existence, the monastery has witnessed significant events, including its destruction in 1543 during the siege of Nice and its subsequent restoration and transformations, from a Franciscan convent to a military barracks and hospital, before again becoming a house of worship.
Today, the monastery is a Historical Monument, with ceilings painted with colorful religious scenes, and a small museum located in the cloisters near the church entrance.
Don’t overlook the Monastery gardens, which are large, peaceful, and well-kept. At the far end of the gardens, there’s a great view over Nice that’s not to be missed.
7. Eglise Saint Jacques Le Majeur
Eglise Saint Jacques le Majeur is definitely a bit of a hidden gem church in Nice, as it’s tucked away on a small side street in Old Town.
Honestly, this church, built in 1607, deserves waaaay more attention than it gets, as its Baroque design is incredibly ornate and beautiful. Much of the ceiling is painted blue, and intricate sculptures cover the many arches and columns – it’s absolutely lovely.
8. Musee Chagall
Marc Chagall, a renowned painter, was born in Belarus but made France his home for the majority of his adult life. Known for his modernist approach, Chagall had a unique talent for using bright, expressive colors and movement in his artwork. He spent his later years in Vence, close to Nice, and was laid to rest in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Dedicated to Chagall’s Biblical series, the Chagall Museum in Nice showcases an impressive collection of his works, primarily focusing on large-scale biblical representations that stand out for their beauty and depth.
The museum also features a range of other art forms, including stained glass pieces, a painted harpsichord, and a large mural on an exterior wall.
Visiting this museum was a surprising highlight for me in Nice – I didn’t know much about Chagall before visiting, and I generally consider myself just moderately interested in art.
However, the pieces in the Chagall Museum, as well as the open-concept, airy design of the rooms created a sense of calm and tranquility for me.
Cost: 8 euro (and this museum is not included in the Nice Museum Pass)
9. Musee Matisse
Henri Matisse, an important painter and sculptor in the modern art movement, spent a considerable part of his later life in Nice and eventually passed away in the city.
The Matisse Museum in Nice is home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Matisse’s artwork and is one of the most well-known museums in the city.
Matisse was known for his adventurous use of color and variety of mediums, and the museum showcases an impressive range of his work, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and stained glass pieces.
The museum also offers a personal glimpse into Matisse’s life, with interesting exhibits like a detailed map of his travels, and his actual art cabinet, equipped with his paints and tools.
- Hours: 10am-5pm or 6pm (depending on the season), closed Tuesdays
- Price: 12 euro (or Nice Museum Pass)
10. Inside the Negresco
The Negresco, a historic, palatial hotel that opened in 1913, is a Historic Landmark along Nice’s Promenade des Anglais.
Hotel Negresco, in addition to having truly stunning architectural design, is practically a living museum, as the owners of the hotel were art lovers and collectors, and original pieces fill the walls and every detail and furnishing reflecting the grandeur of a bygone era.
Although I’m not bougie enough to actually have stayed at the Negresco, my mom and I strolled in casually and confidently and were able to admire the beautiful reception room as well as the stunning Salon Royal, with its Belle Époque skylight and crystal chandelier.
11. Eat Indian Food at Route des Indes in Old Town
Most people don’t come to France looking for the best Indian food they’ve ever eaten. However, if you’re ready for something a little bit different than the typical French/Mediterranean cuisine, Route des Indes restaurant, close to Place Rossetti, is incredible. Seriously, this is some of the best Indian food I think I’ve ever had.
12. Eat Crepes at Le Pass’Port
While the Old Port in Nice is far from a hidden gem, most people don’t make it all the way around the port to the far side. I think it’s worth walking all the way around, if only for the excellent crepes found at Le Pass’Port. I got the salted caramel and my mom got the lime + sugar, and both were absolutely fantastic.
13. Private Day Cruise on the Mediterranean
One of the most idyllic ways to spend a half day in Nice is by getting out on the water and exploring the coastline of southern France. There’s nothing like being out on the azure blue, glistening water of the Mediterranean. The Riviera coastline is gorgeous – filled with rocky coves and inlets to explore, and beautiful villas to admire as you dangle your feet in the sea.
This Half Day Private Boat Tour: is an excellent way to get out on the water and explore more of the delightful France from the sea. The cruise is private, just for your own party. From Nice you’ll sail towards Cannes or Monaco, with time to jump off the back of the boat and swim or snorkel in the Mediterranean waters.
Hidden Gems Just Outside of Nice
14. Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer, often just referred to as Villefranche, is a tiny fishing village about 10-15 minutes from Nice. This village is filled with colorful buildings that are bursting with Mediterranean hues and adorned with greenery.
Don’t miss the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, where the inside is covered in paintings by renowned French artist, Jean Cocteau.
You can also walk through the old citadel, stroll the coastal walkway that leads to the old port, discover Rue Obscure, an old military tunnel-turned-street dating back to Medieval Times, or grab dinner on the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet.
15. Sentier du Littoral Cap Ferrat
Just across the bay from Villefranche is Cap Ferrat, the large peninsula near Nice that juts out into the Mediterranean. Cap Ferrat is home to a tiny village, dozens of beautiful, luxury villas, and the Sentier du Littoral of Cap Ferrat, coastal pathway that encircles the entire peninsula.
The hike is about 10km total, but you can do smaller sections of the trail if you aren’t up for a longer walk. You’ll walk right along the sea, next to scraggly rocks and along stone pathways, past lighthouses and multiple beaches.
In fact, two of my favorite beaches on the French Riviera, Plage Cros dei Pin and the famed Plage Paloma, are located along this trail.
It’s a great way to get out in nature and escape the crowds.
16. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the luxury villas on Cap Ferrat, and is a stunning property. The villa itself is painted a delightful pink, and you can tour the interior of the property, filled with artwork and historic rooms, and eat in the beautiful cafe.
Then, come outside and be dazzled by the gardens – there are 9 of them, and each one has a unique theme and feel to it. Parts of the gardens overlook the sea (you can even see back to Villefranche from here), and the views are fantastic.
17. Villa Kerylos
Villa Kerylos is located just on the other side of Cap Ferrat, in the small village of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. This estate was designed to look like a traditional Greek villa, both in the design and architecture of the house and the Greek art that is displayed throughout the property.
The grounds are pretty small, but the villa stands right on the edge of the sea and has a very distinctive look. The interior is beautifully decorated, full of tiles, mosaics, statues, marble columns, and small courtyards. Though even less popular than Villa Ephrussi, I loved visiting Villa Kerylos.
Practical Information
Where Else to Visit on the French Riviera
The south of France is a great area to explore – there are tons and tons of little towns and coastal cities to visit and discover.
Besides Nice, I also loved visiting Antibes, a fairly large coastal port city, as well as Cannes, the glitzy city famous for luxury living and the Cannes Film Festival. Grasse is the perfume capital of France and is such a fascinating place to visit.
The charming, colorful town of Menton has long been a favorite, and Monaco is always an enticing place for visitors to the south of France. I actually really like visiting the village of La Turbie, which sits above Monaco and has a big Roman ruin and insane views over Monaco.
Finally, Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are both insanely charming villages filled with cobblestoned streets, stone buildings, and art galleries galore.
How Much Time Do I Need in Nice
You can see and do the main attractions in Nice in one day, while also having time to visit a few things on this list (depending on what places you choose). If you want to dive deeper into Nice’s many attractions and explore more of its hidden gems, I’d recommend 2-3 days total.
Hidden Gems in Nice – The Wrap Up
Nice is one of my favorite cities in France, and while the highlights deserve the hype, these hidden gems are delightful, too.
When visiting a city I love to find these types of spots, as I feel they really help build a fuller picture of a city. I’m sure that you will fall in love with Nice when you visit and getting to some of these hidden gems will only make your trip better.
