Nice Côte d’Azur, a Christmas shopping destination
29 November 2023
Enchanting entertainment, glittering illuminations, Christmas decorations … the magic of the festive season is coming to our favourite shops! It can be found in the heart of cities along beautiful avenues, in lively shopping centres, in more exclusive and trendy boutiques in popular neighbourhoods or in local shops.
It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a magical shopping experience and to get into the Christmas atmosphere that we all love so much! You don’t have to go far, you just have to cross the street to find the perfect gift or enjoy the special atmosphere of the holidays!
1- Department stores: shopping and Christmas fun
The shopping centres and the major retailers are decked out in their finest finery to help you experience the magic of Christmas throughout the festive season. Enjoy a unique shopping experience with leisure activities and shops suitable for the whole family.
Cap 3000 – A lively and festive Christmas!
The Cap 3000 shopping centre has reinvented itself and offers its visitors an exceptional experience. Facing the sea and respecting the surrounding environment, it is modern and up to date. This year, it was awarded the “Best shopping centre in the world” prize at the MIPIM Awards.
Many events and activities await you at Cap 3000! Experience the magic of the festive season in a fun and festive atmosphere. On the programme: electric train, XXL slide, exhibition of Manga heroes in the centre, gospel concerts, creative workshops at the Capsule Concept Store. And don’t forget to take a picture of yourself in front of the Mercantour ski resorts located on the Place d’Azur: the mountain as if you were there…
As for the new shops, children (but also parents) will be delighted to discover “La Tête des Nuages” which includes arcade games and 3D animations on two levels. Food lovers will not be left out with the opening of the Le Nôtre and Les Manufactures Alain Ducasse boutiques.
Two new brands complete the shopping offer with Bershka and a Nike store focused on fitness.
NICETOILE – A musical Christmas!
Located on Avenue Jean Médecin, the Nice Etoile shopping centre is decked out in its finest decorations and illuminations. This year, you are invited to do your Christmas shopping to music.
On December 3rd, the choir and the musicians of the Nice Conservatory invite you to experience a unique moment. Come and listen to the greatest Christmas classics and let yourself be carried away by this timeless moment (Level 2 of the shopping centre) at 3pm and 4pm.
To keep the atmosphere going, on Sundays in December there will be Live Music sessions (from 3pm). We love shopping to music!
Head for Lapland and Santa’s fabulous chalet, specially created for the occasion, for the pleasure of young and old alike; on the programme is a meeting and photo with Santa!
The good news: from 12 to 23 December 2022, the Nice Etoile shopping centre changes its opening hours to offer you an even greater shopping experience: every day from 9.30am to 8pm and on Sundays from 11am to 7pm.
Polygone Riviera – Christmas Magic!
This new generation shopping centre is a must for a unique experience! More than a shopping centre, Polygone Riviera is a friendly place, ideal for family outings. A real open-air “village” surrounded by tree-lined areas and works of art installed in the four corners of the centre, it will delight the whole family!
For the end of year celebrations, Polygone Riviera will be lit up with a thousand lights, with a desire to place the festivities under the sign of the ecological transition. The illuminations will be lit later and extinguished outside opening hours. We applaud this initiative!
This will not prevent you from fully enjoying the magic of the festive season, with activities that will punctuate your Christmas shopping: a fairy-tale parade on rollerblades, illuminated acrobats, Gospel groups, a little train … there is something for all ages and all tastes.
Father Christmas is waiting for you at the Place des Arcades to immortalise these magical moments.
2- Concept stores to treat yourself in a different way
In the last few years, new shops have appeared in our favourite neighbourhoods… but not only there… (they can even be found in shopping centres!). These new type of shops are ideal for finding original gifts adapted to your personality or that of your loved ones!
We love the layout of these trendy shops, where the eye is immediately drawn to the pretty things on the shelves. You can find decoration, healthcare and fashion products and sometimes even a restaurant or tea room! Ideal for the cravings that punctuate our shopping sessions! It’s also an opportunity to discover new designers with a variety of universes. Often set up in popular neighbourhoods, these shops are perfect for isolating yourself from the crowds of department stores and finding a more intimate and tailor-made shopping experience. Many shops offer a range of eco-responsible and even 100% local products. We like to support our local artists and let our friends and family discover products that sometimes come from the end of the street!
For a more responsible shopping experience that will please the whole family, don’t hesitate to visit one of the concept stores in the Nice Côte d’Azur area.
Trésors publics – 11 rue du Pont Vieux – Vieux Nice –
100% French concept store. Dedicated to historical and emblematic brands guaranteed and made in France.
https://shop.tresorspublics.com/
Joya Lifestore – 1 Place du Pin 06300 Nice –
Eat.Work.Shop. Between crafts and encounters, it is the promise of a unique shopping experience.
https://joyalifestore.com/
Le Café du Cycliste – 16 Quai des Docks 06300 Nice –
Café, clothing shop and bike rental.
https://www.cafeducycliste.com/fr_fr/
L’Atelier Français – 3 place du Frêne 06140 Vence
Chic and relaxed concept store exclusively selling products made in France.
https://latelierfrancais.net/fr/
Capsule@Cap3000 – Centre commercial Cap3000 Saint Laurent du Var
This concept store made in Cap3000 offers constantly renewed ephemeral collections, art exhibitions and a café/bookshop. Find emerging brands on more than 700 m2. Ideal for discovering hidden treasures!
https://www.cap3000.com/boutiques/capsule
Corso Collector – Centre commercial Cap3000 Saint Laurent du Var
A luxury second-hand concept store, ideal for finding unique items! The pieces are selected by the auctioneer Gros & Delettrez.
https://www.cap3000.com/boutiques/corsocollector
Madison Avenue – Polygone Riviera Cagnes-sur-Mer
Concept store for accessories, interior decoration, jewellery…
https://www.facebook.com/Madison-Avenue-Store-100305448425337/
Madame Monsieur – Polygone Riviera Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cosmetics and perfume shop, barber, hair salon, beauty therapy and coffee shop.
https://www.madamemonsieur.com/
Pop Up Initiative Nice Côte d’Azur – NICETOILE
The Pop Up Initiative gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their project in an innovative shop in the heart of downtown Nice.
Evrlst Lifestore – 4 rue du Lycée – Nice
Sale of second-hand items: vinyl, books, decoration, small furniture, handicraft creations
https://www.facebook.com/idaikiri/+
ICI Concept Store – 24 rue Tonduti de l’Escarène – Nice
A new 100% eco-responsible concept store where you can find decoration, ready-to-wear, cosmetics and accessories with a tea room and coworking space.
https://www.instagram.com/iciconceptstore_nice/
Fanny la Boutique – 4 allée des Pins – Cagnes-sur-Mer
5 worlds to discover in this Family Store Concept: home, well-being, children, jewellery and delicatessen!
https://fannylaboutique.fr/
3- More “traditional” shopping
Christmas markets are the stars of our December! Whether they last for a weekend or several weeks, we always look forward to them! We can find our favourite stalls that smell of Christmas and awaken all our senses! Christmas markets are a guarantee of finding a seasonal gift while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Where to go for a Christmas market in Nice Côte d’Azur?
Nice
Christmas Village, from 1st December to 1st January 2023
With its 50 wooden chalets spread over the Place Masséna and the Jardin Albert 1er, the Christmas atmosphere will be in full swing. Entertainment and games will be provided throughout the format.
In the surrounding area…
Gattières – Sunday 4th December 2022 – Organised by the APE Les Amis du Rouge-Gorge.
Cagnes-sur-Mer – From 10th to 24th December – Confectionery, festive food, Christmas gifts, Santons…
Saint-Jeannet – Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December – Christmas market in the heart of the village.
Tourrette-Levens – Saturday 10th December – About thirty exhibitors with animations for children.
Aspremont – Sunday 11th December – Crafts, decoration, creative hobbies, wines, Corsican stand and a gourmet corner.
Levens – Sunday 11th December – Stands with decorations, gifts, workshops for children…
Vence – From 10th to 24th December 2022 – Traditional Christmas market – And from 16 to 23 December: Artisa’Vence, a 100% local market full of beautiful treasures.
In the valleys…
Belvédère – Sunday 3rd December – Local producers, traders, crafts and creations.
La Bolline – Valdeblore – Saturday 3rd December – Local crafts, entertainment for children, visit from Father Christmas and musical entertainment.
Roquebillière – Sunday 4th December – Local products, crafts, workshops and exhibition of Vésubie artists.
Saint-Martin-Vésubie – Saturday 10th December – Local craftsmen and producers in a musical atmosphere.
Clans – Sunday 11th December – Musical entertainment throughout the day, children’s workshops, pony rides…
Lantosque – Sunday 11th December – Musical atmosphere, photos with Father Christmas, pony rides, …
Saint-Etienne de Tinée – December 16th to 18th – Food stalls and Christmas gifts.
Isola 2000 – Tuesday 20th December – Designers, producers, winter accessories and gift ideas!
Auron – From December 23rd to January 1st, 2023 – Stands of decoration, Christmas gifts and food.
4- The local shopkeepers are waiting for you for the festive season!
In each district you will find specialised shops, independent brands and art galleries alongside local brands… Olive oil, wine, chocolate and fruit pastes will be ideal festive dishes to offer or simply to put forward for your festive evenings. Our mouths are already watering!
Maison Auer – Since 1820 – Old Nice – Candied fruit, chocolates, cocoa, marrons glacés and delicacies. For those with a sweet tooth, you can buy an advent calendar!
https://www.maison-auer.com/
Confiserie Florian – making sweets since 1921
Transforms the region’s emblematic flowers and fruits. Chocolates, candied fruits, jams, flowers, confectionery…. Christmas sweet baskets
https://www.confiserieflorian.com/
Nicolas Alziari – an exceptional company since 1868
A unique know-how in the production of great olive oils! As a producer, miller and confectioner, the house perpetuates an ancestral know-how. Christmas gift boxes
https://www.alziari.com.fr/
JP Paci -Chocolate with a difference!
Discover the chocolate ravioli, a symbol of Nice’s cuisine, or the chocolate cheeses.
http://www.paci-chocolatier.com/
Around Nice, the towns on the coast and in the hinterland of Nice also offer a very pleasant open-air shopping experience, with their more intimate town centres where independent shops rub shoulders with local businesses.
To complete your shopping experience and fully experience the magic of Christmas, don’t miss the events planned throughout the festive season in the Nice Côte d’Azur region! Illuminations, ice rinks, Christmas forests, automatons, creative workshops, fireworks, not forgetting a meeting with Father Christmas, there is something for all ages and all tastes!
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