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#1 of 345 · Things to do in Nice

Old Town

Old towns ·Nice
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#9Old towns in FranceTravelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026
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About

Nice’s Old Town is the city’s historic district, a maze of narrow lanes known locally as the vieille ville or babazouk.

Why go

  • Place Garibaldi’s broad, arcaded square, built after Nice’s ramparts were mined.
  • Place Rossetti’s view of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, opened after houses were demolished.

Walking route

  • Rue PairolièreFollow it south from near Place Garibaldi to Place Saint-François along the medieval street of cauldron-makers.

Don't miss

  • Place Charles-FelixHenri Matisse stayed here.Place Charles-Felix
  • Rue DroiteThis goods route linked Ponchettes beach in the south with the Pairolière bastion in the north.Old Town

Photo spots

  • Place RossettiPhotograph the view of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, opened after the Rossetti family donated houses for demolition.Place Rossetti

Hidden gems nearby

  • Rue du Malonat oratoryIt houses Notre-Dame du Bon-Secours, also known as Notre-Dame du Malonat.

Tips for your visit

  • Look for shops selling olives, spices, local vegetables and regional flowers, as well as clothing boutiques, tattoo shops and art galleries.

Best time to visit

  • Visit Cours Saleya in the morning, when residents shop at the market.

Interesting facts2

1/2

  1. Henri Betti and his sister Freda Betti were born in the district.

    Vieux-Nice - Wikipedia

  2. Niçois was widely spoken locally until the 1960s and is now rarely heard there.

    Vieux-Nice - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The Rue de l’Abbaye took its name from serving as the administrative center of Saint-Pons Abbey. An annual votive festival honoring Notre-Dame du Malonat has been held in the district since the oratory was established.

  1. 1824The Pont-Neuf was built. Before then, the street now called Rue du Pont-Vieux was the only drivable crossing of the Paillon toward France, apart from a few fords.
  2. 1825Boulevard Jean-Jaurès, following former Paillon levees, dates to about 1825.
  3. 1854Residents and their canon built the Oratory of Notre-Dame du Bon-Secours on Rue du Malonat after escaping a cholera epidemic. Its first celebration took place on 2 August; the oratory opened on 8 September.
  4. 1970sBusinesses shifted toward serving tourists, and traditional shops, including many tripe sellers, disappeared.
  5. 2009Nice began major renovation and beautification work in the district as part of the 150th anniversary of its joining France.

Sources: Vieux-Nice - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where
Nice

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Which civic buildings are in Nice’s Old Town?

The district contains Nice’s town hall and courthouse.

What can you shop for in Nice’s Old Town?

Shops sell olives, spices, local vegetables, regional flowers, clothing and art.

What is the view from Place Rossetti in Nice’s Old Town?

Place Rossetti opens a view of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral.

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