Old Town of Nice

The Old Town is all about wandering through the streets and ducking down the alleyways. Don’t miss rue Pairolière, filled with food shops that give you the flavors of the Mediterranean, and the nearby small fish market in Place St-François which takes place from 6am to 1pm daily except Tuesdays.

Popularly known as "Babazouk," the Vieille Ville begins at the western end of the Colline du Château and is bounded by spacious boulevards, including the Jardin Albert I, Place Masséna, and Promenade du Paillon. The southern end of the Old Town borders the Ponchettes where fishmongers and grocers bring their fresh products to market on the nearby Cours Saleya. The colorful flower market, a traditional Provençal event that reflects the richness of Nice's daily life, beautifies the street every morning (except Mondays).

A few steps away from the Cours Saleya on the Quai des Etats-Unis is the Galerie des Ponchettes (Musée Dufy), a museum dedicated to the art work of Raoul Dufy. This museum displays an outstanding collection of Dufy's charming, vibrant paintings. Another noteworthy museum on the Quai des Etats-Unis is the Musée Alexis et Gustav-Adolf Mossa.

Another highlight near the Cours Saleya is the Palais Lascaris on the Rue Droite. Definitely worth visiting, this sumptuous Baroque palace from the 17th century was the home of the Lascaris-Vintimille family, the Counts of Castellar. On the ground floor, the fine entrance hall is fitting of a grand palace.