Campsite near Nice 
Situated between sea and mountains, just 17 kilometers from Les Pinèdes campsite, Nice is the economic and cultural capital of the Côte d’Azur. There’s plenty to do all year round, including theater, cinema, exhibitions, fairytale flower battles and carnival. Don’t forget to drop in for a drink in the old town of Nice and taste the Socca (made from chickpea flour, olive oil, salt and water), and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais with its blue chairs and mythical pebble beaches.
From the station to Place Masséna
Nice
Its famous Place Masséna, the city’s nerve centre
For those who choose to arrive by train or streetcar, the stroll can begin on Avenue Jean Médecin, a temple to shopping that became partly pedestrianized with the installation of the tramway in 2013. As you walk down the avenue towards Place Masséna and the seafront, you’ll come across numerous boutiques, a large NICETOILE shopping center or Galeries Lafayette below, several cinemas, and the Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, one of Nice’s largest churches. The Place Masséna, with its architectural arches and fountain, is the crossroads between Avenue Jean Médecin, the pedestrian shopping street, and old Nice.
Old Nice
In direct continuity with Place Masséna, you arrive in an atmosphere reminiscent of Italy, with its small, lively shopping streets and numerous restaurants where you’ll be sure to try the “Socca”, a speciality of Nice made from chickpea flour.
You’ll come across some remarkable buildings such as the town hall, the law courts, the opera house, the various chapels, churches and cathedrals, the Palais Lascaris and, of course, the squares where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll.
Don’t miss: from Tuesday to Sunday mornings, the Cours Saleya is home to a magnificent food and flower market.
The Cours Saleya is a pedestrian esplanade stretching from the base of the château hill to the Opera House. It also forms the link between the Quai des Etats Unis on the seafront and the entrance to the old town.
Castle Hill
Although the castle and its so-called impregnable citadel were completely destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV’s men, the site remains a must-see in Nice. You’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the Baie des Anges, the old town and the port of Nice, as well as a landward view of the beginning of the Alps, and in the distance the Esterel, the natural boundary between the Alpes Maritimes and the Var. You’ll be able to find your bearings thanks to an orientation table at the top of the hill.
To get there, you have two options: the most courageous will climb the stairs that start at the end of the Quai des Etats Unis and wind their way through a verdant park where you’ll discover an impressive waterfall, a haven of coolness on hot summer days. You can also take an elevator up the hill, making this lovely park accessible to all.
From April 1 to September 30, park open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Practical info
To access the city :
- By car: take the A8 freeway to the Parkazur Henri Sappia park-and-ride facility, then take the streetcar to the city center.
- By bus from the village of La Colle-sur-Loup, line 400 Vence-Nice stop in front of U Express
- By train from Cagnes-sur-Mer station, 7 km from the campsite
