Have you spent time in the French Rivera or anywhere in the Mediterranean? Well if you have, we now know why it’s so well loved. With the water a color unlike any other, bright blue skies and lots of sites to see, it’s a special place. In this post we are sharing our time right in the middle of the French Rivera, Nice, where we were fortunate to stay for a few warm summer days.

A Walk Through the City

Whenever we arrive in a new city, we try to set out on foot and see as much as possible. Nice is not as small as some of the other towns in the South of France, so we limited our walking to the beach and historic area. The main square (“place” in French) is “Place Masséna.” On a warm summer day it was full of tourists and locals enjoying the outdoors.

We wandered through Place Masséna and couldn’t miss the giant Apollo statue at the center of the fountain—towering, sunlit, and a little cheeky, he’s kind of the star of the square. Standing in the middle of the Fontaine du Soleil (Sun Fountain) he was sculpted by Alfred Auguste Janniot and completed in 1956.

**Place Rossetti**

Nestled near Place Rossetti, this 19th-century fountain with an obelisk has quietly overlooked the Old Town for over a century. Built to supply water and enhance the neighborhood, it stands among ochre buildings with aged shutters and stone, capturing the timeless essence of Vieux-Nice’s lively plazas and terraces.

We walked a little further and came to another very small square (place). Centered in the square was a large cathedral. We learned it was Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate (Cathedral of Saint Reparata) is the main church here, serving as the seat of the Diocese of Nice. The cathedral has been a defining feature of the square since the late 17th century and is recognized as a Historic Monument since 1906.

Soon it was time to find some lunch so we finished our walk through the city. There is so much to see in Nice, France, just walking around!

Beach Day in the South of France

If you find yourself in the South of France in the summer, a beach day is a must. There are many public beaches and public access all over Nice. But since we wanted assurance of a spot and comfort we opted to make reservations for a beach club.

One thing to know about the beaches in the French Riviera, is that they are not white and sandy. In fact, the beaches are filled with large rocks making it somewhat tricky to walk along.

So why are the rocks in some of the more beautiful beaches in the world? We learned that due to the proximity to the alps the rocks and sediment flows from the rivers and streams but not fine sand. Also, since the Mediterranean is a very gentle sea, the rocks don’t easily get broken down.

Some of the other beaches in the French Riviera actually trucks in sand, but not Nice. If you visit, just be prepared to get to the gorgeous crystal clear water, you’ll have to make your way over the very tricky rocks.

Besides lounging on the beach, there are lots of activities in and around the water. On this day, the parasailer tours went out constantly.

Later in the afternoon, we saw a very large ship pulling into Nice. We first thought it was a cruise ship. Turns out it was a ferry that goes from Nice to the island of Corsica daily. It’s about a 3 hour ride for you and your car to the island.

We enjoyed our day at the beach club. We chose Plage Beau Rivage where we had front row loungers and beach service all day long. There are lots of choices but this one was convenient and an overall great experience.

Parc de Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill Park)

After a lazy beach day, it was time to get out and explore the following morning. High above the beach in Nice sits a lush, historically rich garden. There is also the former Château de Nice, offering stunning panoramic views of the Baie des Anges, Vieux-Nice, and the Promenade des Anglais. From this vantage point, you can see the beauty of this part of the South of France.

The hill was once a fortified citadel from the 11th century until it was destroyed by French forces in 1706 under Louis XIV. There are many ways to get to the top of the hill. On this day we walked about a mile up the hill from our hotel.

Walking up the hill, we unexpectedly came across a beautiful mosaic wall—birds and other figures in arched niches and mythological scenes. We thought these were very old, as a part of the fortified wall. Turns out that they were crafted in the 1960s by local artists using recycled tiles and stones. Still pretty!

As we wandered up the winding paths of Castle Hill (Parc de la Colline du Château), we came across a quiet, shaded alcove where a small waterfall trickled gently from the remnants of an old stone wall. We learned this charming feature isn’t just for show. Built in 1885 as part of a larger decorative and functional water system, it actually channels overflow from Nice’s early modern aqueduct. Ingeniously, the city used parts of the medieval fortress ruins to disguise the plumbing—creating serene grotto-like scenes such as this one.

If you take this hike as we did, keep going to find the main attraction. It is one of the coolest surprises on Castle Hill, the big waterfall. You can hear it before you see it—rushing water spilling down over rocks and trees like something out of a jungle. It’s tucked into the hillside, but once you're there, it feels like a little hidden oasis above the city. We took a minute just to enjoy the breeze and the mist. (and cool off a bit)

One more look as this beautiful man-made waterfall. This is all part of the water system built on Castle Hill in 1885.

Photo Op From the Top

Other than the beauty of the park and waterfall, the reward for walking to the top, are the stunning views of Nice and Mediterranean Sea.

It was time to end our walk, and get on the road to our next destination. At this point, we were about 2 miles from the hotel and really did not feel like walking down all the stairs and hill. What did we come upon? An elevator! Turns out it is originally built as a WWII German goods shaft. It takes you right to the bottom of the hill, onto the promenade.

We loved our few days in Nice, France, where we walked, enjoyed a beach day and learned a bit about this part of France. We hope this inspires a journey for you too. It truly was a nice time in Nice!