Nice Côte d’Azur, an immersion in local culture
Local culture, the heart of the Nice Côte d’Azur experience
Discover Nice Côte d’Azur in all its splendour by taking an interest in its history, local culture and traditions. Soak up its rich culture and enjoy your stay at the Mediterranean pace.
Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera
💡 Did you know? Before it became the renowned summer destination it is today, Nice first developed around winter tourism!
From the end of the 18th century, the mild climate of Nice Côte d’Azur attracted foreign communities. First the British, then the Russians and other European nationalities looking for an escape from the winter cold fell under the charm of Nice, its light, Mediterranean countryside and health-giving coastline. Nice quickly became the winter meeting place of Europe, with crowned heads and the European aristocracy, as well as the great philosophers, writers and artists of the day. Grand hotels, palaces and sumptuous villas were built, first on the plains and then on the hills of Nice. All this heritage, still preserved today, bears witness to the beginnings of tourism and the cosmopolitan nature of the city over more than 2 centuries.
Today, 522 hectares of the city of Nice are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a ‘Winter Resort Town of the Riviera’. This listing recognises this exceptional heritage as evidence of the diverse cultural influences on the development of Nice’s architecture and town planning.
Festivals and traditions in Nice Côte d’Azur
The highlight of the year in Nice Côte d’Azur is, of course, the famous Nice Carnival! Every year in February, thousands of visitors gather around the Place Masséna to celebrate this popular festival that has become a must-see. Before becoming one of the three most famous carnivals in the world, the Nice Carnival had its origins in the Middle Ages. It expanded in the 19th century with the arrival of wintering Europeans in Nice, and has grown over the years into the modern carnival we know. Today, ever more spectacular and colourful floats parade during the 2 weeks of festivities, punctuated by the famous flower battles.
Nice Côte d’Azur is also home to events all year round that perpetuate this local culture. From traditional festivities in the villages of the mid country and high land, to summer festivals such as the renowned Nice Jazz Fest’, Beaulieu-la-Nuit, les Nuits du Sud in Vence, or the curious square ball festival in Cagnes-sur-Mer, Nice Côte d’Azur has plenty to surprise you!
Nice Côte d’Azur, the Mediterranean art of living
Staying in Nice Côte d’Azur means getting into the local spirit and making the most of what the area has to offer. Stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, shop in the city’s colourful markets and, above all, stay curious… Here, every street corner has a story, every detail a symbol and every local shopowner an anecdote to share…
⏰ Midday in Nice !
Every day, at exactly noon, the famous Nice cannon is shot. This tradition dates back to the 19th century, when the English gentleman Thomas Coventry had a cannon fired from the Colline du Château to indicate the exact time once a day. Since then, this resounding noise has marked the days of the people of Nice and still surprises visitors.
☀️ Sunday in Nice:
- Have a coffee on the Place de la Libération ☕️
- Stroll around the Libération market or down to the Cours Saleya market 💐
- Enjoy a slice of socca or a pan bagnat in Vieux-Nice (the Old Town) 🥙
- Cycle along the Promenade des Anglais to the Cap of Nice coastal path 🚲
- Admire the sunset from Cap of Nice 🌅
