Things to see in Nice

The backstreets of Nice’s Old Town are filled with cosy cafés, baroque churches, charming boutiques and flâneurs (strollers). Running parallel to the seafront is the Cours Saleya, the venue for one of the most vibrant local markets in southern France.

The vast Place Masséna, recognisable by the charming arcaded buildings that flank the square’s north side, has been the centre of the city since its construction in the 1840s. The city’s tram network flows seamlessly past the innovative artwork of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, whose permanent exhibition features seven statues representing the seven continents.

This waterfront boulevard still retains a belle époque charm, with grand hotels on one flank and the Mediterranean on the other. It’s a popular haunt for everyone from strollers to in-line skaters – and wide enough to accommodate them all. Bag a blue lounger if you want to bask in the sun.

Dedicated to the works of Marc Chagall, this fantastic museum exhibits some of his most famous pieces, including the 17 Biblical Message paintings. There are also fascinating displays of sculptures, mosaics, stained glass windows, and tapestries. In all, it’s the largest collection of the Russian-French artist’s works in public hands.

This elegant 19th-century villa showcases art that tells the story of Nice during the halcyon days of the late 19th century when visitors discovered the pleasures of wintering on the French Riviera. Works date from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and the lavish gardens are worth the entry fee alone.