Discover Nice

Enjoy an enlightening tour of Nice’s most well-known areas and then delve deeper into the bountiful charms of the capital of the French Riviera during free time.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy an immensely scenic drive to Nice, entering along the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, which was built in 1830. Sights along the way will include the ornate Negresco Hotel, which has been deemed a National Historic Monument, and the multi-domed Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, a Russian Orthodox church built in 1912 for aristocrats who vacationed in Nice before the Russian Revolution.

You will also see the hilltop neighborhood of Cimiez. Once the capital of a Roman province, Cimiez has been extensively excavated, revealing a small amphitheater and ancient baths. There is also a museum devoted to long-time resident Henri Matisse, who is buried here.

Upon reaching the Old Town, you will begin a walking tour perhaps along Cours Saleya, a promenade lined with pastel-colored architecture. Afterwards, you’ll have ample time to further explore on your own or perhaps just take the opportunity to observe a genuine slice of daily life as the locals browse the shops of Old Town for garden-fresh produce, fragrant spices and colorful flowers.

For those looking to purchase a memento of their visit, the shops here offer a variety of local goods such as honey, olive oils, fruits and handicrafts. Or perhaps you’d prefer finding a seat at a sidewalk café where you can do some people watching and sample the local cuisine. Be sure to leave room for dessert, especially if you love ice cream. The flavors often reflect locally grown herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender. Following your free time, you will rejoin your coach and travel back to the ship in Villefranche.