Arriving in Nice by train is a cinematic experience: the five-and-a-half-hour ride from Paris glides past rolling vineyards, rugged mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean. The moment the locomotive pulls into Gare de Nice-Ville, the city’s famed blue sky and pastel façades welcome you, promising a weekend where art, cuisine and sea converge.
This guide condenses the best of Nice’s historic heart, its breezy waterfront, and a handful of nearby villages that deliver authentic French charm without the crowds. It also shines a light on Auch, a Gascon capital that often hides in plain sight. With clear directions, suggested eateries and accessible transport options, you’ll leave no iconic corner unexplored.
Nice’s Old Town, markets and seaside highlights
Wandering Vieux Nice and tasting socca
The narrow lanes of Vieux Nice are a living palette of pink, yellow and orange houses. Early mornings are ideal: the streets are quiet, the air fragrant with jasmine, and the Cours Saleya market comes alive. From Tuesday to Sunday vendors display vibrant produce—fruits, olives, cheeses—and the scent of fresh herbs fills the square. Monday transforms the venue into a flea market, where antique china and vintage linens await curious hunters. While you meander, try a warm socca, the thin chickpea pancake that locals hail as the city’s street-food emblem.
Port Lympia, Le Plongeoir and Castle Hill views
Just a short stroll from the market lies Port Lympia, a bustling harbor where fishing boats mingle with sleek super-yachts. Grab a coffee on the quayside, watch ferries set sail for Corsica, then head to Le Plongeoir, a restaurant perched on a rock pillar over the water—perfect for a light lunch with a view. For a panoramic payoff, climb the 213 steps to Castle Hill (Colline du Château). Whether you take the historic lift or ascend on foot, the summit rewards you with sweeping vistas of the Bay of Angels, the old town’s rooftops, and, on clear days, the distant Alps.
Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna
The iconic Promenade des Anglais runs like a silver ribbon along the pebble beaches. Stretching from the castle hill down to the bustling Negresco hotel, the promenade is lined with the famous blue metal chairs designed by Charles Tordo—ideal spots for people-watching or a quick dip at one of the private beach clubs. At the promenade’s heart, Place Masséna offers a spacious, black-and-white tiled arena framed by ornate fountains and modern sculpture, a favorite gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
Beyond Nice: five French villages for a low-key weekend
If you crave a quieter pace, hop on a ferry or train to explore France’s Plus Beaux Villages. On the Alabaster Coast, Veules-les-Roses charms with its half-timbered houses, a 1.1-km river that winds to the sea, and oyster shacks perfect for a seaside snack. Further inland, Beuvron-en-Auge in Calvados invites you to wander its colourful streets, sample traditional galettes and follow the Cider Route that links over twenty cider producers. The Norman harbor of Barfleur offers a maritime trail highlighting its link to the 1066 Norman conquest and a climb up the Gatteville lighthouse for sweeping Atlantic views. These villages are reachable within a few hours from Nice by high-speed train to Paris followed by regional connections, making them ideal for a two-day detour.
Auch: Gascony’s compact treasure
Further north, the capital of the Gers—Auch—packs history, gastronomy and art into a walkable centre. The monumental Sainte-Marie Cathedral dominates the skyline; its soaring nave is a national monument and the seat of the archbishopric. Adjacent to the cathedral, the mairie houses an 18th-century Italian-style theatre whose ceiling frescoes celebrate poetry, eloquence, music and painting—an often-overlooked cultural gem. A leisurely wander down Rue Dessoles brings you past boutique shops, regional produce stalls and a selection of eateries where the local specialty, magret de canard, is served in its most celebrated form, a legacy of the legendary chef André Daguin.
Staying at the historic Hôtel de France places you steps away from the bustling Place de la Libération and the cathedral’s shadow. After a dinner of perfectly seared duck breast, linger at a terrace for a glass of Armagnac, reflecting on a weekend that blended Côte d’Azur glamour with rustic Gascon warmth.
