FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > France > Nice

Local time Nice

Currency

Shopping in Nice

Nice is a paradise for shoppers and you don’t have to have a platinum card to enjoy the experience. Yes, it helps—some of the wares on offer in the city’s boutiques fetch a small fortune—but there are plenty of independent retailers, high street brands, and markets to cater for all budgets.

 

The so-called ‘golden triangle’ of posh boutiques defied the recent global financial crisis and it seems like business as usual on the high street as well, where bag-laden consumers keep up with the latest trends. Away from the commercialism of the city centre, traditional markets and independent retailers are thriving, especially in the leafy suburbs where you can pick up anything from antiques and local crafts to fruit, and flowers. 

 

Key areas

The Avenue Jean Medecin is Nice’s equivalent of London’s Oxford Street - you’ll find most major high street brands here. However, if money is burning a hole in your Louis Vuitton bag, then head to the ‘golden triangle,’ which is home to some of the city’s most exclusive boutiques and artisan food shops.

Scattered between Rue Paradis, Rue Alphonse, and Rue De Verdun, the ‘golden triangle’ is a good spot for people watching if nothing else; here, window-shopping tourists gaze aghast at the prices, while Nice’s beautiful people flutter between boutiques like butterflies.

Those looking to take home some quality wine should head for the renowned Cave 35 at 35 Rue de la Buffa.

Markets

Between Tuesday and Sunday, check out the Flower Market on Cours Saleya, which proliferates with bright and fragrant flowers as well as fruit and veg. Flowers can be delivered to any location in France as well as abroad. In summer there is a nightly arts and crafts market geared towards tourists in the same location.

There is also a great food market north of the station along Avenue Malaussena, which specialises in fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.

Shopping centres

The two biggest shopping centres in Nice, Nicetoile and Galeries Lafayette can be found down Avenue Jean Médecin, along with a host of other mainstream retailers.

Opening hours

Generally speaking opening hours are between 0900 and 1900, but times vary depending on the retailer.

Souvenirs

If you’re looking to pick up souvenirs, head to the Old Town in the evening. Street vendors sell a variety of arts and crafts, and the quality of their wares is surprisingly high – although so are the prices, as this is where most tourists descend. Expect to see plenty of arts and antiques. Atelier Contre-Jour on Rue du Pont Vieux sells silk lampshades, furniture, and hand-painted posters. L’Atelier des Cigales on Rue du Collet offers modern versions of traditional Provencal terra cotta cups and plates.

Alternatively, the gift shops in some of the city’s museums are great for arty souvenirs. So, if you can’t afford a genuine Matisse, then comfort yourself with a fridge magnet depicting his most famous work.

Tax information

Shopping centres like the Galeries Lafayette have their own tax refund services, as do some of the boutiques.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Related Articles

City Highlight: Nice

With its sunny weather, gorgeous green spaces and handsome Old Town, Nice makes the perfect gateway for a French Riviera beach holiday

Corsica travel guide

Nicknamed the ‘Île de Beauté’ (Island of Beauty), Corsica rewards visitors with blissful beaches and spectacular underwater world, read on for travel tips

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Hotel Negresco

The most exclusive address in town is an old but not fusty place that has elegantly idled by the Promenade des Anglais since 1913. Recent major refurbishments have kept this grande dame ahead of the game, but the antiques and furniture collectables angle the atmosphere towards a bygone era.

Hôtel Le Meurice

Less than a minute away from the Promenade des Anglais, and within staggering distance of the nearby bars, Hotel Meurice offers comfortable and convenient accommodation at a reasonable price. The service is excellent—the staff goes out of their way to please guests—and while rooms are a little small, they’re finished beautifully.

Hotel Windsor

You’re as far from chain-hotel uniformity as you can get in this boutique townhouse: inside, local artists have turned each room into a work of art. To top it off, there’s an adorable garden with a pool – a godsend when the beach gets busy at the height of summer.

Westminster Hotel & Spa

This good-value 4-star is one of the more affordable grand old waterfront hotels. All the usual perks including a private beach and wonderful belle époque architecture are covered at the Westminster with minimum fuss. Be sure to book a sea-view room for breakfast on the Promenade des Anglais terrace.

Spity Hotel

On the site of the former Hi Hotel, this chic accommodation maintains the former’s emphasis on elegant and ultra-modern design. Within one of the 38 sleek, industrial bedrooms, you’ll find lava stone tubs and neon walk-in showers. Amenities include an organic breakfast buffet, private beach, day spa, lounge bar, and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of Nice.

 

Hôtel Nice Beau Rivage

At only a two-minute walk from the seafront and a three-minute walk from Opéra de Nice, its little wonder this chic hotel was once frequented by a number of famous writers and artists. Today, the refurbished building offers a private beach, a whiskey bar, and a classy outdoor lounge for reclining during the summer months.