Nice is a delightful resort in France. Beach holidays, excursions, attractions and all kinds of entertainment - it's all here. Many adults choose Nice for relaxation and a great time. But Nice is also a city for children. For young travelers, Nice can offer many holiday options.
Beaches for everyone
Since there are a huge number of beaches in Nice, children have all the conditions for comfortable swimming and sunbathing, as well as attractions and places to play. The Neptune Plage beach has created a site with an unusual hut, and Ruhl Plage will delight the country’s youngest visitors with a seawater pool. So, parents can relax and children can play.
Holidays for the whole family
When thinking about where to go with your children so that both them and their parents will find it interesting and not troublesome, you should pay attention to:
- Phoenix Park. A place where different species of southern plants and animals were collected. After visiting such a place, many memories remain.
- Botanical Garden on Castle Hill. The garden is designed in such a way that both children and parents can relax. If the children want to play, no problem, attractions and playgrounds, carousels are at your service, and parents can have some peace of mind.
- Those with a sweet tooth should visit the Confiserie Florian confectionery. In addition to the fact that there are delicious sweets here, they also give them for tasting. It's called try and buy.
- Bay of Angels. This place is worth visiting for older children. The Bay is very beautiful, children are taught diving, but with the consent of their parents.
Museums are calling
In addition to the listed recreational places, it is worth visiting museums. Although many people think that children will not be interested, this is not so. Stories about countries, personalities, and events will immediately captivate little visitors.
- Museums of Art: Modern and Fine; Matisse Museum; Chagall's brand - such places will be to the taste of children with a love for different types of creativity.
- Museum of Napoleonic General Massena. The museum exhibits will tell about military actions and Napoleon himself.
Don't forget about shopping
Children, like adults, love to go shopping, especially if they can buy something themselves. In Nice, the markets in the old part of the city have so many pretty and colorful things that children will definitely want to visit them. You also need to remember about souvenirs.
We talked only about a small part of what to see with children in Nice. A holiday at this resort will be memorable for everyone.
Nice France - Nice... Holidays in Nice, what a wonderful and beautiful town it is! And perhaps the most popular resort of the Cote d'Azur, located on the Mediterranean coast of southern France.
Who among us, at the sound of this word, did not dream of at least a glimpse of this legendary place, even if all our information about it was limited to the stereotypical name - Nitsa (an erroneous name for a city with one letter “C”). Not everyone can afford a holiday in Nice, but what is really known about this resort?
Holidays in Nice with children and the whole family
Nice is the fifth largest port city in France, located in the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes on the shores of the bay with the romantic name “Bay of Angels”.
It received its own name in honor of Nike - the ancient goddess of victory - from its Greek founders in the fifth century BC. Today it is the largest tourist center and the most popular health resort on the French Riviera, protected from cold air currents by the Alps, and from the hot African winds by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
The favorable Mediterranean climate and weather in Nice are very conducive to improving health in case of anemia and some diseases of the respiratory and nervous system. Therefore, a holiday in Nice is very useful for people with poor health. Well, even more so for children.
All this greatly contributed to the development of the resort in the 19th century: Nice became a favorite vacation spot for the English, French and even Russian aristocracy, which, along with ancient sights, was reflected in the architectural appearance of the city.
At various times, famous artists and poets, writers and philosophers like Nietzsche, Chateaubriand, Dumas, Apollinaire, Stendhal, Flaubert, George Sand, Hugo, Picasso and Rodin rested here, recovered their health and sought inspiration.
Holidays in Nice were originally intended only for rich people, but nowadays the average person can afford to rent a hotel room at an affordable price.
Nice is located just thirty kilometers from Cannes and neighbors the famous resorts of Italy and Monaco. But unlike them, today it is more of a fashionable middle-class resort than an elite area for the elite. All this, coupled with a convenient location, its own international airport and the ability to travel from Paris by high-speed train, attracts continuous flows of tourists to the Côte d'Azur in Nice.
Relax on the beaches of Nice
The beaches in Nice are predominantly pebble and only in the vicinity of Cape Antibes gradually turn into sand. While vacationing in Nice, you can get to the main public beach not immediately, but after walking a little along the coast.
It is located just below the Promenade des Anglais and, due to its massive attendance, may not always be clean. Therefore, it is better to swim on twenty private beaches concentrated in the most picturesque eastern area of the bay, or on two rocky beaches - La Reserve and Coco Beach - located outside the city.
In general, the numerous beaches of Nice are usually free, comfortable and clean. But it is not only and not even so much that they have earned this resort the fame of the “capital” of the Cote d'Azur. We can say that beach Nice and Nice for amateur photographers are two completely different worlds and ways of spending a vacation at this interesting resort.
Over its long history, Nice has seen many rulers and celebrities, experienced siege and destruction more than once, changed citizenship and appearance. The combination of a rich history and culture with a developed tourist infrastructure makes this city so diverse and diverse that there is always something to do and see. And Nice demonstrates its sights and landscapes very willingly.
Let's take a closer look at the most famous attractions of Nice that you should visit during your holiday in such a wonderful city.
Hill Chateau
The hill, also called Chateau Rock, is called Castle Hill because it was previously home to a castle dating back to the twelfth century and demolished five centuries later. On the site of its ruins, excavations of ancient Nicaea are still being carried out, as well as the evergreen Chateau Park with exotic flowers and artificial waterfalls, the water for which is taken from a real river.
Another attraction of this place, oddly enough, is the cemetery... The largest in France and the fourth largest in Europe. Located in the northern part of the hill, the ancient tombstones of the Chateau cemetery attract the attention of tourists not only because of famous names such as Matisse or Herzen, or the age of burials belonging to the century before last: these monuments are masterpieces of art in themselves, keeping the imprint of history.
Photo and video filming on the territory of the cemetery is prohibited. And the castle that gave its name to it, the park, and the hill has long since sunk into history. However, the magnificent views and panorama of the city from the top of the hill more than make up for these historical omissions. The best photos of Nice will be taken from here.
Promenade des Anglais
A holiday in Nice should be not only beach, but also educational. Be sure to visit and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. This famous embankment is the heart of the city and is rightfully considered one of its main attractions.
Built at one time with funds that belonged to the English colony. The Promenade des Anglais stretches along the beaches for six kilometers, separating the city from the sea line.
Lined with eclectic buildings, villas and hotels from the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous museums and chic restaurants serving Marseille's signature bouillabaisse, framed by palm trees, exotic flowers and garlands of lights. This luxurious boulevard is the ideal place for leisurely strolls along the bay.
It was here that Chekhov once walked, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna gathered the Russian aristocracy, and the life of the famous dancer Isadora Duncan was tragically cut short. Thanks to its length, strolling along the promenade is a great way to get to know Nice, from the elite new districts to the narrow streets of the Old Town.
Old town and architectural monuments
Most of the buildings of old Nice were built between the eleventh and twelfth centuries and are grouped around the Château hill. Despite the intensive development of the resort, the Old Town has retained its medieval appearance with its winding streets too narrow for tourist buses, red tiled roofs, small shops and colorful cafes.
In general, Nice is an ordinary city, which means it is quite accessible to the average tourist, where people with very different levels of income live: both wealthy citizens and ragged vagabonds begging in ancient palace squares.
Luxurious restaurants and expensive boutiques coexist with laundry hanging on lines and small cafes in working-class neighborhoods. And dark, mysterious alleys can lead to the Promenade des Anglais, where the most expensive hotels in Nice are located. For example, the famous Negresco, notable for its eccentric history, ancient architecture and enchanting illumination.
Countless celebrities have stayed here, and the hotel itself, long a symbol of the French Riviera, is a historical monument of national importance. In the no less remarkable Royal Hotel, located next door, you can still see a chandelier donated by Nicholas II, the second copy of which is in the Kremlin.
In general, many architectural attractions associated with Russia are concentrated in the western part of the city. The most significant of them is the current Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where many Russian emigrants and representatives of the Romanov dynasty are buried.
This is the oldest church in Eastern Europe, also included in the list of French monuments classified as national architectural heritage.
In the central part there is a unique basilica: the Church of Notre-Dame de Nice. This is the largest and most beautiful of the existing churches of the French Riviera, without which it is impossible to imagine the appearance of the city just like Paris without the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, organ concerts are regularly held in the basilica building.
Daytime view
Museums
Along with these most famous attractions in the city, you can visit many ancient and active churches, architectural monuments, historical and archaeological museums, art galleries and art museums, including those associated with such big names as, for example, Matisse, Chagall or Chekhov.
Nice has more historical monuments and museums than any similar city in France. Without exaggeration, it can be called an open-air museum. In addition, here is the best excursion center of the Cote d'Azur.
The museums of Nice are so numerous and varied that it makes no sense to simply list their names. To be able to fully get acquainted with them when going on sightseeing tours in Nice, be sure to get a tourist pass.
This is a special card worth about 10 €, valid for a week and giving the right to visit almost all museums in Nice. Without the need to stand in line for tickets or to the exhibitions themselves, having such a card is completely unnecessary.
Another version of this pass is valid throughout the Côte d'Azur and provides unlimited access to 65 of the most important historical and art museums on the coast. You can purchase it at any tourist office in Nice.
There are also many interesting tourist sites in the area around Nice. Just look at the roads from Nice to the territory of the Principality of Monaco, laid along the picturesque slopes of the Maritime Alps and have long been an independent attraction.
From Nice International Airport you can take a bus tour of the entire Cote d'Azur and neighboring resorts like Cannes. For lovers of nightlife, the largest nightclub in Nice is the Grand Escurial, which seats about 1,500 people.
In short, in Nice you can find everything - from clubbing and vibrant nightlife to the silence of ancient ruins... from sunny beaches and luxurious nature to majestic cathedrals and various museums.
And these are only the most famous of the resort’s many attractions, of which there are more than a hundred. You need to talk about them separately, and the story will be long. Therefore, as they say, it’s better to see once...
And we ended up in Nice while vacationing in Spain. Only 8 hours by tourist bus.
Nice is one of the most popular resorts in France; thousands of travelers with children visit it every year. They have access to a full range of entertainment here, from well-equipped beaches and exciting excursions to unique amusement parks and entertainment centers. Those planning to visit Nice in the summer should definitely go to one of the local beaches. The shallow Neptune Plage beach is very attractive, where you can relax even with small children. There is a beautiful playground with an unusual hut for children, and cozy restaurants and cafes are located in the immediate vicinity of the beach.
An equally attractive beach is Ruhl Plage. On this section of the coast you can relax with children in comfort even if the sea waves are strong. The thing is that there is a special swimming pool for children on the coast, and next to it there are several excellent playgrounds. Both adults and children will find it comfortable to relax on this charming stretch of coastline.
Nature lovers will definitely love the Phoenix Zoological Garden in Nice. It is incredibly beautiful; this garden contains a rich collection of exotic plants from different parts of the world. Walking among tropical plants, visitors can see rare animals and birds, which were also brought from tropical countries; the most comfortable living conditions have been created for them here. Copyright www.site
If walking among exotic landscapes is not enough, you should go to Castle Hill. There is a magnificent Botanical Garden here, which is also sure to impress little travelers. It is strikingly different from the gardens that can be seen in other cities of France; there are wonderful playgrounds and attractions for little visitors. While children try them out in action, adults can sit on a bench in the shade of trees and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Those who want to give their children a sweet holiday should go to the Confiserie Florian confectionery. This is a real sweet museum where you can watch the process of making sweets and then try them. The confectionery shop holds various master classes for children, and many people drop in here just to buy their children’s favorite sweets or order a special sweet gift for the holiday.
Those who love modern amusement parks should check out the Castel des deux rois park; it is considered one of the best amusement parks in the city. There are attractions for children of all ages, colorful carousels for the little ones, as well as exciting rides for older children. For adults, there are cozy relaxation areas and a cafe.
There are many interesting places for walking in Nice; the Paillon promenade remains one of the most favorite among holidaymakers with children. The thing is that a few years ago a large playground for children was built here with many children's houses, swings and carousels. You can relax and have fun in this children's town completely free of charge.
We chose the north of Italy – Liguria. To be honest, we headed to this region in order to move to our beloved Nice if something happened. Having enjoyed Italian Alassio and nearby San Remo and Genoa, we bought tickets to the Cote d'Azur.
Plato tolerates trips on any transport well - plane, train, train, boat, bus, he loves his backpack-turtle and his personal suitcase-car on wheels. And also my son loves big trips and small dirty tricks :).
We went out in Nice into the morning rays of the hot Provençal sun and headed straight to the beach. Well, what words can be found to describe this Azure expanse?... Stunning turquoise sea, planes constantly flying overhead at Nice Airport Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur.
Undoubtedly, Nice has many fans and devoted travelers; we were on the Cote d'Azur last year with the same group, but in May - during the busy season of the Cannes Film Festival and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco (we visited both).
The cuisine in France is one of the most expensive and refined, this is especially noticeable in the high season, and our little gourmet loves seafood.
The best observation deck in Nice is Castle Hill (La Colline du Chateau): practically nothing remains of medieval Nice except this impressive hill. We fell in love with this place because of the well-thought-out playground, which is enclosed by a fence - it is very convenient and additional safety for fidgets. We came here many times on our first trip; our path ran past the local market Marche aux Fleurs Сours Saley, where they sold delicious berries in baskets and flowers. Plato devoured the fruit with zeal and sat obediently in the carriage.
On our short visit to Nice, we naively decided to visit a familiar park in the evening, around 18.00. We, stubborn and enthusiastic tourists, were not embarrassed by the fact that the elevator was no longer working and we had to climb the stairs up the mountain with a stroller, a son and a bunny, and I will not say anything that I had already dressed up for dinner and was raised to the height of my heels: ) Yes, I believe that motherhood adorns, and does not burden a woman :).
The child and I walked briskly, my husband, hugging the stroller, lagged behind, but climbed up. We went up to the first lookout point and looked around. I was upset that the sun had already set and the Côte d'Azur had lost its unique color without the sun's rays. But ahead was an artificial waterfall and a stunning panorama of the city, port and sea. Plato pulled his hand up the steps, but we were stopped by the annoying whistle of a policeman, who zealously whistled and said: “stop les paparazzi!” Alas, we completely forgot about the local rules and arrived too late; the park and the entire reserve are open until 19.00. We had no choice but to sadly go down to the foot of Castle Hill and return to the Promenade des Anglais. Plato and I went to the water’s edge and threw a coin into the sea, our unforgettable ritual, our favorite superstition...
Bye-bye Nice! My youthful dream, the cradle of my son and an obligatory expense item for my dear husband. :) And in the morning there was already a new city, a different country, a tiny pearl on the rocks - snow-white proud Monaco, but that’s a completely different story, which I’ll tell you next time .
For winning the competition, Ksenia receives an annual subscription to Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
And if your immediate plans include a family vacation, Condé Nast Traveler's Kids' Suite special for iPad can help you plan and organize it. It contains the best thematic articles from the Condé Nast Traveler archive, answers to questions often asked by those who are just starting to discover the world with their children, addresses of hotels and restaurants with programs and menus for little travelers, a list of the main European attractions that are interesting for kids and teenagers "Children's Number" can be downloaded for free at
