What to do in Nice as a family

Nice has a long, rich and tumultuous history. Nice only became part of France in 1860. During the Belle Epoque, the town acquired international prestige thanks to frequent visits from Queen Victoria and numerous English and then Russian sovereigns and aristocrats. As soon as it became French, Nice and the Baie des Anges experienced their first tourist boom with the arrival of the railroads. With the development of the road network, such as the famous Nationale 7, the “vacation route”, the Côte d'Azur and several other coastal towns in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var became world-famous: Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Cannes, Menton, Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël, Villefranche-sur-Mer and also the Principality of Monaco. Today, access is even easier thanks to an international airport, the second largest in France after Paris.

The pebble beaches and blue chairs of the Promenade des Anglais, the Carnival, the Niçoise salad and pan bagnat, the hill of the Château, the Cours Saleya flower market.... These are all jewels that attract travelers from all over the world all year round. 

For a weekend or longer vacation, the South of France offers endless possibilities in Nice or in the beautiful towns and villages between the sea and the mountains. The choice is yours for a family vacation! The pleasure of a swim or an ice cream in front of the sea, the discovery of Nice's heritage as you wander through the streets of the old town, a stroll in one of the parks and gardens, a bike ride or rollerblade on the Promenade des Anglais - there's so much to do, not to mention all the other activities to awaken and entertain your children...   There's something for every age to discover, stroll and enjoy. You can stroll past the beautiful boutiques, take a break in the shade, try your hand at a drawing, music, foreign language, pastry or pottery workshop...   

On the seaside, treat yourself to a swim, a paddle, kayak or boat trip, or a diving session.

Relaxation and sunbathing, a visit to a museum, an art workshop, a sporting activity or a meeting with dolphins will make indelible memories.

In these narrow streets, you'll discover the atmosphere and flavors of the Old Town, with its colorful houses, steep staircases and teeming terraces, in this ultra-vibrant district. Here, you'll find souvenir stores selling soaps, Provencal tablecloths and olive oil. Here, an ice cream vendor with surprising flavors. Continue on your way and take a photo of the Porte Fausse, the Palais Lascaris or the small market stalls. As for tasting, socca is a specialty to be eaten on the go. Alternatively, there are numerous bistros and restaurants where you can take a shady break and watch the world go by. Summer and winter alike, you'll enjoy the ambience of this old quarter at the foot of Castle Hill. In the evening, the place is cool, lively and as charming as ever.

Relaxing and sunbathing, visiting a museum, artistic workshop or sporting activity will be indelible memories.

The Château de Nice can be reached by elevator, especially if you have a stroller and a baby! Or on foot, if you'd prefer to climb the 500 steps while admiring the panorama and telling jokes, it's your choice. The little tourist train also makes a stop here.

From the castle hill, you can stroll through a large wooded park and admire a giant, refreshing waterfall. The playground is safe and great for the little ones: turnstiles, small rocking attractions and a huge wooden castle for hide-and-seek. And for older children, there's a giant rope spider to climb and a vast lawn. A historic site with archaeological remains, perched on a rock, the former château was completely destroyed by Louis XIV's troops and transformed into a public garden in 1830. Spectacular panoramic views over the Baie des Anges, the city: from the port of Nice to the airport and beyond. Here, you can make a success of your photos and videos every time! 

Whatever the season, it's an ideal family spot on the seafront, not far from the Promenade des Anglais and Cours Saleya.

At midday, you'll hear the traditional cannon shot fired every day, echoing through the streets of the city!

The pretty hills of the hinterland, with their perched villages with pointed bell towers surrounded by fragrant vegetation, and zigzagging roads with views over valleys and mountains, are a real beauty. The fortified village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence offers a splendid view of the blue-azure horizon. No wonder it has inspired painters, sculptors, poets, writers and several famous actors and actresses. Entrevaux, stamped with the royal seal of François 1er, with its high fortress wrote a chapter in French history. The small village of Peillon also impresses from the top of its rocky spur. The streets are narrow, the staircases steep, in stark contrast to the warm-hearted locals who welcome you to this seemingly timeless village.

The hinterland is ideal for walks, hikes or family picnics in the great outdoors.

Whatever the season, it's the perfect place to spend a family day by the sea, not far from the Promenade des Anglais and Cours Saleya.

At midday, you'll hear the traditional cannon shot fired every day, echoing through the city streets!

Just a few kilometers from Nice, Cannes and the world capital of perfume, Grasse, you'll find the town known as the jewel of the Côte d'Azur. The charming town of Antibes, with its Fort Carré, narrow streets steeped in history, Picasso museum, Provencal market, sandy beaches and large marina, as well as the famous Cap d'Antibes with its umbrella pines, craggy rocks and turquoise coves. In just a few minutes, you'll be in Juan-les-Pins, with its pine forest, famous jazz festival and lively summer scene. Antibes-Juan-les-Pins has excellent rail links to all coastal towns, as well as bus, freeway and, in some cases, sea connections, making it easy to get to from Italy, Nice, Toulon or Marseille. The pleasant climate attracts thousands of holidaymakers, who can also take advantage of the opportunity to stay at the So.Blue Hôtel***.

Not far away is the Sofia-Antipolis technology park. This “French Silicon Valley” is a cluster of some 2,500 companies involved in scientific research in a wide range of innovative fields, including digital technology, connected objects, telecoms, life sciences and healthcare, all with a strong international outlook. Antibes, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne and other surrounding communities are committed to a vast program of environmental protection and education for younger generations: sorting, recycling, clean means of transport, energy saving...

You're on vacation on the Côte d'Azur and want to stay for several days? You can sleep on site at the So.Blue Hôtel in rooms decorated with the region's landscapes. Parental suites, standard and deluxe rooms with sea or hotel views are available. The hotel has a parking lot, swimming pool and rooms with all the comforts and facilities you'll need: bathroom and shower, wifi, TNT channels, wardrobe/closet...

Perhaps you've chosen the Côte d'Azur because your family loves water activities? Aquasplash is the Côte d'Azur's summer water park. Giant slides, a wave pool, refreshing water games in summer, sliding on the floats or simply relaxing in the lagoon pool. Enjoy Aquasplash and its Sea, Safe and Sun activities. There are special water activities for the little ones, such as Pirate Island, and adrenaline slides for daring teenagers, such as Triple Tour. And if you've got rhythm under your skin, you'll be able to sway to the music of Aquadance.

Other amusement parks are just a few yards. The little ones will love Adventure Golf, with its 3 mini-golf courses on the theme of Jules Verne.