First, I've been reading through the forums, and if the commenters on here are representative of the type of folks that go on RS tours, I know who I am booking with for my next trip!
Second, and the reason for this post, I'm going to be in Nice the morning of April 10-13th and April 20-22nd (fly out on the 23rd). I'm looking for recommendations of things to do. I don't want to rent a car, and I'm not afraid of walking.
I did book a cooking class on the evening of the 11th through Viator, and I'm looking at a train tour up into the Alps, and a car tour into Monaco. I am open to any and all suggestions, especially ideas that aren't touristy, but are safe for a middle aged woman traveling alone.
I'm staying at Hotel Maurice in Old Town for the first part and by the airport for the second.
Posted by
northern CA
2766 posts
If you like charcuterie and the RS recommended L'Ovale is still there, give it a try. Go hungry.
If you like Romantic-era art the fine arts museum is worth a long walk or a short bus ride.
If you like pre-unification Italian history the musem near the Negresco has more Victor Immanual fashions and tchotckes than anyplace else.
Posted by
Denver, CO
796 posts
I will also be in Nice in April. This is my first time so can't personally vouch for any of these things, but here is what is on my list for possible museums and activities:
Chagall Museum
Castle Hill
Massena Museum
Cours Saleya Market
Jules Cheret Museum of Fine Arts
Day trips to Villefranche sur Mer (walk along Cap Ferrat and visit Villa Ephrussi), Monaco, Eze, and Menton
There seems to be so much to do in Nice and the surrounding area. I can't wait to explore. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
The airport is a ten or fifteen minute drive from the center of town. You don’t need to stay by the airport.
Posted by
104 posts
I will just add to what others have suggested:
If you like Roman ruins, take the bus to Cimiez and visit the ruins.
Take the train to either Antibes, and visit the old town, or go up to the wonderful hilltop town of Eze (you can hike down, but we didn't do that), or you can even take a train to San Remo, Italy.
If you go to Monaco, visit the Aquarium (think Jacques Cousteau) and walk around the gardens for wonderful views.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Besides those listed above, you might be interested in the Russian Cathedral, built for the late czar and restored by Putin. It's a great example of architecture and iconography you won't find elsewhere in western Europe. Also, I don't know whether the Matisse Museum has reopened but if so that might interest you too. And there are boat rides along the coast from the port area just east of the city.
Posted by
OP
Florida
3 posts
Thank you everyone!
Dawn, I'll post after or during my trip to let you know how my trip goes!
And I've added the restaurant to my to do list!
I'll definitely check out as many as everyone's suggestions as I can!
Posted by
11569 posts
We love Nice and take buses up and down the sea coast . The train route is inland. You take the bus to Monaco easy and inexpensive. No tour is needed.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
712 posts
On you return, as mention, there is no need to stay near the airport. It is quite close to the center of town and also the train now stops at a new train (St. Augustin) station that is connected to the airport by one stop from the Grand Arenas stop on a tram (or walkable to T1). Instead, you might choose another location back in Nice or perhaps Antibes or Villefranche.
Two trains to investigate: Train des Merveilles and Train des Pignes (Chemin de Fer de Provence).
Another excursion: from Cannes, a ferry to St. Honorat
Matisse Musee is open but the main exhibit is on loan, and they have a substitute instead.
The Municipal museums like Beaux Arts and Massena are on the Nice Museum pass, good for 96 hours of entry to any of the 12 for 15E. That also includes in the Old Town the Lascaris and the Charles Negre Photography Museum (which has had some good special exhibitions recently).
Another trip via tram/train and bus combo is to St. Paul de Vence. If you are to take a paid tour, the tours back into the countryside may be the best use of funds, as they are more difficult to reach via bus.
If you need restaurant recommendations, I have many