Many think they know many of Nice’s sights even before discovering the city: the Promenade des Anglais, the Port, the Cours Saleya, the Bay of Angels… So many jewels that live up to their promise when seen in person… But Nice, the fifth largest city in France, still harbours many other equally exceptional yet less known sites… that are definitely worth the visit and can be done with family or friends, depending on the locations.

A quick overview for your next stay?

1- The Lazaret Cave

While strolling along the edge of the Nice coastline, between the Nice Reserve and Villefranche-sur-Mer, located in the heart of a peaceful and shaded garden, you discover an incredible place frequented by humans for… 130,000 years! It’s the Lazaret Cave, not only witness to prehistoric human occupations but also to the typical fauna of different periods in our region: horses, aurochs, rhinoceroses, elephants, wolves, panthers… A sumptuous 3D reconstruction proves fascinating to discover, especially with children who gaze in wonder!

2- The Arenas, the Archaeological Museum and the archaeological remains of Nice

All located in the same place, at the top of the Cimiez hill (Cemenelum in Latin), near the splendid Cimiez monastery. A visit that allows you to stroll through the streets of ancient Nice, with very well-preserved remains. But also to admire the Cimiez Arenas, an amphitheatre dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, where ancient shows and games for the population took place. However, the highlight of the visit is the Archaeological Museum where very beautiful statues stare at us with their empty yet so present gaze. Information and visiting: https://www.musee-archeologie-nice.org/

3- The Monastery of Cimiez

The ornate cemetery and the tomb of the painter Matisse: wow, really!! The oldest Franciscan monastery in France, with its spectacular “Gothic troubadour” facade, the sumptuous yet modest setting of the cloister, and the elegant monastery gardens with their rose garden… All these accessible wonders together contribute to the wonderment of the public, as evidenced by the many photos taken in the gardens during weddings. End your walk with a visit to the cemetery where graves adorned with very impressive romantic statues stand alongside the simple and peaceful tomb of the great painter Henri Matisse.

4- The Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Nice

Unusual with its bright and lively colours, its bulbous-topped spires with glazed blue tiles was built in the 19th century on the orders of the family of the last Tsar. It can be visited, and inside, the numerous golden icons are on display, as if you were in Saint Petersburg or Moscow… Astonishing!

5 – The Nice Observatory

A magnificent Belle Epoque building located at the top of Mont Gros hill, to the east of the city, the Observatory is nestled in greenery and overlooks the city all the way to the sea. Designed by Charles Garnier, with a dome signed by Gustave Eiffel which can open spectacularly for better astronomical observation. The observatory has the 4th largest astronomical telescope in the world, and in addition to immersive animations that allow you to discover the mysteries and wonders of the universe. Guided tours all year round, Booking necessary on the website

6- The Bellet vineyards

There is a place in Nice where you feel like you are in the countryside, and yet the perimeter of the Bellet AOC vineyard is indeed located in Nice. On the western slopes of the city, several family-owned vineyards resist the sirens of property developers and prefer their vineyards, some of which have very old and exclusive grape varieties such as braquet, cinsault, folle blanche, chardonnay and clairette. They produce characterful but also quality wines, which the friendly winemakers, whether at Château de Bellet, or in more modest estates where you will be received like kings, such as Domaine des Sources, for a convivial tasting. A beautiful memory assuredly!

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7- Villa Arson

A place dedicated to contemporary art and artistic research. This former 18th-century Italian-style building, surrounded by terraced gardens, has become an establishment (dependent on the Ministry of Culture) that brings together a national higher school of art, a contemporary art centre, artists’ residences and a specialised media library. Visiting the villa is embarking on a privileged and exciting encounter with contemporary art.

8- Palais Lascaris

 In the heart of old Nice, in the middle of Rue Droite, discover the family home of the Lascaris family, a patrician family from the 17th century. At the same time, unique museum in France of ancient musical instruments and a furnished palace revealing the life of the Niçois aristocrats of the 17th century, this very beautiful place deserves your thorough visit.

9- A walk in a “pointu”, the small colourful boats of the Port of Nice.

In the high season, you can simply cross the old port of Lympia in Nice, so picturesque with its pretty yellow, orange and pink houses, in a boat with the Niçois sailors… Or try a coastal walk to discover the coast from the sea. Guaranteed poetry.

10 – Taste socca in Old Nice

This delicious pancake-like dough made from chickpeas is savoured like a pancake, after being fried on a large copper pan. Socca is a specifically Niçois tradition and is part of the local heritage. Old Nice is full of nice bistros where it is served with dignity. (Socca d’Or, Renée Socca, Chez d’Aqui… to name a few. Otherwise, on Cours Saleya, there is Chez Teresa’s stall, every day until 3 p.m. People queue up rightly for such a delight. Not to be missed!

Nice is full of incredible sights and potential discoveries waiting for you and your family. Far from the clichés, these sites will surprise you and capture your imagination. If you want to discover this luminous city and its extraordinary surroundings, the ideal is to rent a villa or an apartment. Go first to the website rivieraholidayhomes.com/fr/, the leading specialist in seasonal rentals on the French Riviera.