Spending a Perfect Day In Nice

Known as the unofficial capital of the sparkling Cote d’Azur, the charming city of Nice is the perfect place to visit. Boasting a year-round mild Mediterranean climate with many things to do, eat and see, read on to discover our suggestions for the perfect day on the French Riviera.

Start your morning at the famous Nice flower market, locally known as the Marché aux Fleurs and situated near the beautiful Old Port in Vieux Nice. Local flower vendors have sold des fleurs to market-goers for more than 100 years.

From markets to shopping to where to enjoy a cocktail at sunset, this Maison Mirabeau article and gorgeous photos have you covered.

Visiting Nice

Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice) is where it all started. Once, this was the entire city. As a result, much of Nice’s history is concentrated in this small area. An excellent place to begin your exploration of Vieux Nice is the colourful daily market on the Cours Saleya. Next, stroll along the old streets where you’ll find Baroque churches, including Cathédrale Ste-Réparate and Gésu, renaissance Palaces and attractive squares before relaxing in the colourful Place Rossetti.

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There are two parts to Nice, the old town, Vieux Nice, and the Modern Town. Vieux Nice occupies a relatively small area at the foot of Château Hill near the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais and can be explored easily in half a day.

A visit to Nice starts and ends with the Promenade des Anglais a celebrated seven (7)-kilometre coastal boulevard between the sea and palm trees that offers superb views of the Bay of Nice. The Promenade and the Baie des Anges give the city its unique identity. The openness of the uninterrupted path provides a sense of freedom and space found nowhere else in the city.  The city is pedestrian-friendly, there is good public transport, and there is much to explore in Nice.

Recipes from Nice

Petits Farcis a Nicoise Speciality

Les petits farcis may be served warm or at room temperature. Serve the petits farcis, served with the roasted vegetables, a green salad, crusty bread and a bottle of Côtes du Rhône make an excellent lunch or add some roasted chicken and call it dinner.

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Pan Bagnat (a Niçoise Tuna Sandwich)

This sandwich is often described as salad Niçoise on bread. It's delicious, quick to make and best consumed right away. (Photo by David @Cocoa&Lavender)

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Salade Niçoise

A lovely collection of fresh potatoes, tomatoes, olives, beans, herbs, and tuna on a delightful bed of crisp green lettuce dressed with a light and tangy vinaigrette and anchovy filets.

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Pissaladière tart

This combination of slow-cooked onions, anchovies, and crispy pasty is hard to resist.

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Fougasse Pissaladière (Onion, Olive and Anchovy)

If you prefer, you can make a plain version of fougasse. However, we like this variation with a Pissaladière topping (onion, olives and anchovies) as it is really typical of this region and one with rosemary & salt. And delicious with a glass of rosé.

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Ceviche Provencal with Socca

A South American idea with Provencal ingredients and a nice chickpea hummus to nicely finish the dish.

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Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence – Montagne St. Victoire: Full-day Wine tour from Marseille

Embark on a full-day wine tour from Marseille or its surrounding cities to the captivating Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, the westernmost vineyards of Provence.

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Maison Mirabeau Wine

Stephen had been in the corporate world for 15 years and in August 2008 turned down a promotion that would have meant more money but also more stress, longer hours and less time with his young family. For many years the Cronks had been dreaming and talking about moving to France to make their own wine, but the moment never seemed quite right to make the big leap.

Soon after, a good redundancy offer seemed the perfect opportunity to turn the dream into reality and after selling their beloved house, they left the leafy suburbs of south-west London in August 2009. Their worldly possessions were packed up on the back of a truck and with barely a word of French between them, the family headed south to a small village called Cotignac, in the heart of Provence.

The Cronks spent a year getting their bearings, learning to live the provençal way, as Stephen was criss-crossing the country researching and finding the best vineyards to work with. The next step was setting up a small wine business with the principle objective of making a Provence rosé that would be regarded as one of the very best from the region, while building a brand that people would grow to love. In order to achieve this aim, they put together a highly experienced winemaking team and threw their heart and soul into the brand and innovative communications with their customers. Mirabeau is now being sold in more than 30 markets, has won medals and earned acclaim from some of the world’s toughest wine critics, but what really makes Stephen happiest is that their wines are an integral part of people having a great time together.

Read more about the Mirabeau Wine story here.