Closest places to travel to from Nice?

I would go to Marseille and Aix-en-Provence (2.5-3 hours by train, can do both in a weekend) before a flight to Bordeaux. Of course there are lots of smaller towns along the French Riviera, most served by both train and bus.

You can fly nonstop from Nice to Rome on EasyJet. Have you been using www.skyscanner.com for flight options?

Southern Italy or Spain on the plane sounds about right architecturally, sights and weather wise.

Hi Libby- Hope you're enjoying your time in Nice! I studied there a very long time ago (1984). I remember it, even now, as being the best, consecutive four months of my life :) Regarding travel, as college students, my friends and I had fun in Munich. It looks like you could fly for a weekend in March for about $160 round trip. We also enjoyed Venice, Salzburg, etc. Paris is not listed above. Have you been there? If not, I would definitely travel there while you are in France. When the weather is warmer, it would be interesting to take the ferry to Corsica. For day trips, we enjoyed going to the market in Ventimiglia, across the border in Italy. I would also suggest exploring other Riviera towns - on the sea (Antibes, Villefranche, maybe Cannes, St Tropez) and inland (Grasse, etc.). I recall a fun experience at a nightclub in St Tropez, so would also recommend something like that. (My college friends and I befriended some French college-age boys who had cars and took us on local trips - definitely recommend that!). Skiing in the mountains near Nice was also another memorable experience. Whatever you choose, have fun!
Jennifer
P.S. I am returning to Nice this summer for the first time in 30+ years!