10 Things to do in Nice at Christmas

Looking for what to see and do in Nice during the Christmas season? In December, the South of France is a perfect destination for a few days getaway (or even a longer vacation). The sea in winter is fascinating and there is no shortage of events to celebrate the holidays.

In addition to the attractions of the city, you can take the opportunity to visit the nearby towns or go wine tasting in the nearby wineries. Read on and discover the best Christmas plans.

The Marche Noël is the Christmas village that animates Nice every December. It actually opens at the end of November and ends at the beginning of the new year. You will find it in the heart of the city, between Place Masséna and the Gardens of Albert I, a route that you can also visit by hiring a tour bus tour of the city.

This event brings together about 60 chalets with mulled wine, crafts, cheeses, sausages ... and also has a merry-go-round, inflatable games and a catering area that organizes afterwork with dj set. Everything is complemented by Christmas trees, Santa Claus and splendid luminaries.

In Northern Europe, the Christmas holidays are celebrated with delicious special beers. This tradition has also caught on in Nice and the person responsible has a name and a surname: Olivier Cautain. He is the owner of the distillery La Brasserie Artisanale, a place that is rightfully among the best bars in the city. You can also book a pub tour in Nice to learn more about all its curiosities.

The winter variety is made with cocoa beans and stands out for its warm and enveloping taste. Don't wait too long, they are limited edition and usually sell out soon. If you're unlucky, you can also treat your throat to a nice pint of Hopstock (Cascade hop-based red ale) or Blùna, a white ale brewed with light malt, bigarade orange peel and coriander.

It is located at 14 Avenue Villermont, not far from the Marc Chagall National Museum. I assure you it's worth it.

During the Christmas season, the Théâtre de Verdure organizes free shows, events and concerts dedicated to the youngest members of the family. It is outdoors, right next to the Albert I Gardens, and is a must-see if you are traveling to Nice with children.

You can take the opportunity to get to know the area by booking your Nice tourist bus. It is always a good option on dates when temperatures are low and it is cold in the street, especially if you go with children.

Every December, a short distance from the Fountain of the Three Graces, there is a rink that is very popular with tourists and locals alike. Skate rental is around 5 € per hour. Alternatively, you can opt for the indoor circuit of the Jean Bouin sports complex (2 rue Jean Allègre).

If you want to skate and don't mind leaving the city, I recommend you go to nearby Monte Carlo. Every year, two rinks are set up in Port Hercule (one for adults, the other dedicated to children). The price is usually around 7 €. In case you want to visit the city-state, I recommend you to book an excursion to Monaco and Èze from Nice, in which you will have the opportunity to get to know the glamorous Monte Carlo, visit its luxury boutiques, see its famous motorcycle circuit and learn all about the city from a professional guide.

In France, oysters are a real institution. You can eat them at any time of the year, but winter is the ideal time to do it. Also, if you want to know more details about the typical dishes of the city you can hire a gastronomic tour in Nice.

To try some good oysters in Nice, I recommend the following restaurants:

• Bistrot Marin, an elegant restaurant in the neighborhood of Jean Médecin. I recommend you to book in advance (11 bis Rue Grimaldi).
• Les Pêcheurs, a classic of Nice. It is located in the old port and offers a rich menu based on fish. In addition to the oysters, I recommend you try the Bouillabaisse (rock fish soup) and the sea bream in salt crust (18 Quai des Docks).
• Boccaccio, where the French and Italian cuisines meet. I advise you to order two dishes: "Les Huîtres spéciales de la Maison Gillardeau" or "Le Plateau Royal de Fruits de Mer" (7 Rue Massena).
• L'Oustaou, a simple establishment in the multicultural district of Gambetta. It is one of the few places where you can taste some huîtres without spending too much (43 Boulevard Gambetta).

Lucéram is a small medieval village in the hinterland of Nice. If you plan to rent a car, I recommend driving here. It is less than 30 kilometers from the center and the drive takes less than an hour. You can also opt for the bus (line 340 from Nice Vauban).

From late November to early January, Lucéram is filled with hundreds of nativity scenes. You will see them everywhere: in carts, on windowsills, in shop windows.... This recurrence was born by chance when a lady fond of nativity scenes had the idea to bring her creations to the street.

At Christmas time, just behind the Christmas village, a large Ferris wheel decorated with elegant Christmas lights is set up. It usually opens at the end of November and is dismantled at the beginning of January. The price is about 8 € (5 € for children's tickets) and it is well worth it.

From the top you can enjoy a very suggestive panorama. If you do not find a place, you can opt for other viewpoints:

• Skylounge Nice Bar & Rooftop, the rooftop of the Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame hotel. You will find it on the 8th floor (28 Avenue Notre Dame).
• Parc d'Estienne d'Orves, is located on top of a hill and is not usually frequented by tourists. Bus lines 64 and 75 stop nearby; just get off at the Beau Site stop and get on the relief. In winter, the park closes at 18:00.
• Castle, the best view of Nice. On clear days you can see Antibes and Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat. You can walk up or take the elevator on Rue des Ponchettes 1. It is open every day of the week from 10:00 to 17:30.

According to Christian tradition, Lucia was a girl who lived in Syracuse between 283 and 304 AD. When her mother became ill, she went to the tomb of Sant'Agata who appeared to her and asked her to dedicate her life to the help of the weakest and most persecuted. Her cult survives in Provence but also in other cities, such as Bergamo or Verona in Italy.

In folklore, the night of Saint Lucy - December 13 - is the longest night of the year and therefore the feast is linked to light. Locals leave candles on windowsills and behind windows creating a magical atmosphere. Mistletoe and holly begin to appear in homes and public spaces.

Nice is a Mediterranean city but the Alps are close by. Less than 2 hours from the pearl of the Côte d'Azur you will find winter resorts of international renown:

• Isola 2000, a destination between two natural parks: Mercantour (France) and Alpi Marittime (Italy). It is a fashionable destination where you can also practice activities such as sledging with white wolves or snowshoeing.
• Auron, 135 kilometers of slopes in the village of Saint-Etienne de Tinée. It has been awarded the "Famille +" label for its attractions adapted to the youngest members of the family.
• Roubion - Les Buisses, for skiing at any time of the year. It is one of the few places where you can go on an excursion with electric snowmobiles.
• Turini - Camp d'Argent. If it sounds familiar, maybe it's because the Col de Turini road is well known in the rally world. However, it is also a good place to learn to ski. In addition to the traditional disciplines, here you can try snooc, a mix between skiing and tobogganing.

The pleasant winter is mild enough, but rain is quite frequent. When the sky is cloudy, you have the excuse of bad weather to take refuge in a chocolaterie.

In the heart of the historic center, a stone's throw from the Palais de Justice is L'Art Gourmand, a destination not to be missed on your itinerary. Settle down in the lounge on the second floor and order a cup of hot chocolate. You won't be disappointed (21 rue du Marche).

France is known for its gourmand soul and therefore, this is not the only establishment where they make delicious chocolates. Those with a sweet tooth have plenty to choose from:

• JP Paci Chocolatier, known for creations made with 100% pure cocoa butter. They have reinvented the sweet key to a classic of the local cuisine: the Ravioli Niçois (19 avenue Notre Dame).
• Pâtisserie LAC, ranked third in the "best of the best" chocolatiers in France awarded by the prestigious Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat (18 Rue Barla).
• Les Délices de Borriglione, a boutique and tea room a few meters from the church dedicated to Joan of Arc. Also worth a try are their macarons (30 avenue Borriglione).

When illuminated by Christmas lights, the Côte d'Azur's cinematic destination is even more beautiful. In addition to the beautifully decorated pine trees and the illuminations of the old town, it is worth going to admire "La Chevauchée de la Steppe" ( a parade with elves, knights and musicians scheduled for early December) and the Canadian Christmas Village at Place du Marché.

If you want to combine the Christmas atmosphere with a visit to the city, I recommend booking a day trip to Cannes from Nice. Another destination you can explore is Saint Tropez. There are fewer tourists and it will be easier to mingle with the locals.

The smaller crowds are perfect for skating on the ice rink at Place des Lices (rental costs about 2 €) or admiring the Crèche Provençale, a large crib housed in the Chapelle de la Miséricorde (Rue Gambetta, you can visit from 14:00 to 19:00).

If you are traveling with your children, you will be pleased to know that every December 24, Santa Claus arrives in town by boat. A spectacle they will love. For more information, I advise you to read the article on day trips to Saint Tropez from Nice.

In December, the weather is dry but a bit "stiff". The minimum is around 6° but the maximum rarely exceeds 10°/12°. A good coat and a scarf solve the problem. However, rains are the number one enemy in winter and December is the least rainy month. If you are not convinced, you can always visit Nice in summer.

The buses and streetcars of the Ligne d'Azur are the cheapest public transport. A single ticket costs about 1,5 € and can be used for 74 minutes. They are open from 4:00 to 21:00.

If temperatures permit, you can also use the bike sharing service. It is called Vélobleu and has several bike racks both in the old town and in nearby towns. For your arrival, I recommend you to read the post about transfers from Nice airport.

On the Côte d'Azur, winters are not usually very cold but rain is lurking. December is a fairly dry month but you never know. If the storm gives no respite, I recommend the following options:

• Enjoy a massage. In the center of Nice there are first class spas. I recommend booking a session at L'Instant (23 rue Maréchal Joffre) or Splendid (50 Boulevard Victor Hugo).
• Visit a museum. It's always a good option to escape the bad weather. In my opinion, it is worth discovering the Villa Masséna (65 Rue de France), the Palais Lascaris (15 Rue Droite) or the Matisse Museum (164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez).

-VisitThe Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. A good plan if it rains is to book a visit to The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Take shelter in this magnificent 20th century mansion, located on the French Riviera and inspired by the Italian Renaissance. An audio guide will tell you all the details of this place and you will be able to admire every corner.

• Take part in a cooking course. Companies such as L'Atelier Cuisine Niçoise organize workshops dedicated to local cuisine.
• Gamble at the casino. It has poker, slot machines, blackjack tables and more. Find more information on the official website (1 Promenade des Anglais).
• Taste some good drinks. In Nice, you can do a tasting at the Château de Bellet (482 Chemin de Saquier) or in the cellars in the center of the city.

On the occasion of the holidays, Nice attracts a good number of tourists. Even so, the city is not as crowded as during the summer. Of course, the price of accommodation goes up a little. After all, it is still high season. If you want to find less people (and save a little), I recommend two seasons: September or the months of March and April.