A weekend in Nice, exploring the city’s typical markets

Nice’s Promenade des Anglais is so well-known that it can overshadow some of the many other interesting things to see and do here. Exploring the city’s many sun-drenched southern markets and hearing the sing-song voices of the stallholders and their customers is a delightful experience.

Visiting Nice’s markets is a great way to spend some time during a weekend break or a holiday in or near the city. Here is a quick look at some of them. Follow along…

A stay in Nice to visit the markets.

Wander around the streets of the old town and discover some of the city’s finest squares as you go. Buzzing with life, these paved spaces are given over to markets almost every day; and what splendid markets they are! The flower market, the market selling regional products, the fresh fruit and vegetable market, the old book market, the postcard market, the evening handicraft market, the flea market… so many opportunities to stroll around and soak up the warm ambience typical of these southern markets during your stay in Nice.

The markets are an excellent way to bring added appeal to your holiday activities in Nice and let you appreciate the local culture. Put all your senses on high alert so that you don’t miss a single thing. Breathe in the scented air at the flower market or the heady aroma of fresh basil at the vegetable market. Your eyes will be wide with wonder when they see the handicraft market, which showcases the region’s artists and artisans

Stroll around the markets during a weekend in Nice.

Nice is renowned for its markets and it will not take you long to discover why; there are lots of them and they are all different. Some are even rated among the outstanding French markets; the flower market is one of these and you will have the opportunity to explore it during your stay in Nice. Here are a few of them, to give you a glimpse of what awaits you:

The flower market

The most beautiful floral creations can be found at the Cours Saleya all day long from Tuesday to Saturday, and on Sunday mornings. This is so much more than a market; a veritable explosion of colours and fragrances awaits you. Breathe deeply and enjoy the scents mingling in the air at this colourful market. The many florists and horticulturists will be delighted to advise you and help you discover not only the well-known southern French species but lesser-known and perhaps forgotten ones too. A unique market, rated as one of the outstanding markets by the French Council for Culinary Arts.

And in the summer months, if you fancy an evening stroll, what better choice than the handicraft market? From June to September, when the flower market packs up for the day, the handicraft market takes over the Cours Saleya.

The Liberation Fruit and Vegetable Market

Every morning, from Tuesday to Sunday, find the best seasonal fruit and vegetables at the Place Général de Gaulle. Other locally-produced items are also sold here, including goat’s cheese and honey. And don’t forget that a drizzle of olive oil will make these flavours taste even better.

The Old and Second-hand Book Market

On the first and third Saturday every month, book-lovers should be sure to pay a visit to this market, held at the Place du Palais de Justice and open all day long. This outstanding market may be just the place to track down the book you wanted but couldn’t find at the bookshop.

And once you have found your old book, there could be no better place to enjoy it than one of the bedrooms in our hotel, right on the seafront of the Promenade des Anglais… the only hotel in Nice benefiting from such a prime location on the promenade. Take a look at our video and find out more about our excellent hotel and its spectacular view.