Shopping Areas in Nice (Self Guided), Nice

A trip to Nice absolutely must include a stroll around the Cours Saleya. This incredible area used to be the city square in the days gone by. It is now an open-air market that has many different vendors available throughout the week. The sights, sounds, smells and the people are sure to be one of the highlights of any trip.

Every Monday morning there is an antique market, where the perfect bit of Art Deco or that one unique souvenir may be purchased. If you love antiques, do not miss coming on Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday, the market is devoted to fresh, colorful flowers and fruits of all kinds. Of course, it really depends upon the time of year one visits as to what produce will be available, but whatever is being sold, it will be fresh.

Be sure to arrive early at the market; the stalls open at 6 am, so try to get there as soon as possible after that. For early birds, this place is a real treat. Reusable bags to carry home purchases are absolutely necessary as well as plenty of small bills and change. The vendors will have enough customers that they don’t need to worry about fussing with making huge amounts of change for one customer.

For those who have cooking facilities where they are staying, do not miss the fresh fish market. There is no comparison of taste in fish that went from the water to the table in just a few hours. What a delight, especially when accompanied by fresh herbs, bread, veggies and paired with an incredible wine.

During the summertime, the Cours Saleya turns into a craft market on the warm evenings. It is possible to go to the market in the morning to pick up fresh flowers, a bit of fruit, cheese, olives and bread for the day and then return in the evening to buy some delightful craft product to remember the trip by. The area is also home to several cafes and restaurants. What a way to spend a summer day in Nice!

Tip:
Be there around noon – that's when they fire a cannon after an old habit of the Duke of Nizza that tried to get his shop-a-holic wife home for lunch this way.

Courthouse Square has recently received a well-deserved facelift. The whole area has been given a bit of a polish and shine, making it a delightful and picturesque neighborhood.

The fountain in front of the courthouse is absolutely gorgeous. The steps leading into the building lend themselves to getting an elevated picture of the surrounding area. They are also a great place to gather a large travel group to snap a shot with a nice backdrop of the Neo-Classical Palace.

While the building itself is very impressive, it is really the outside area that makes it worth visiting. The colorful pavement and cafés create a lovely ambiance, not to mention the street vendors who also add a nice touch and may have exactly what you need to fill that little void in your suitcase for a souvenir.

In the Place du Palais de Justice market you can spend hours browsing through vendor wares in the open air. There is something new to rifle through every week. The 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month are for second-hand books, old posters and antiques; the 2nd Saturday is all about local arts and crafts, while the last Saturday of the month is dedicated to vintage postcards and magazines.

Why You Should Visit:
Another one of Nice's finest squares, with plenty of activity both day and night!

Saint Francis Market is located in the Saint-Francois Square in the Nice Old Town. There are some interesting old streets off the square with a few restaurants and shops. The boucherie Saint Francois is popular among the local people. The clientele is very particular about how they want their cuts prepared and they always get what they want.

Saint Francois Square is a small square. The architecture of the surrounding buildings remind one of an opera set. It has a busy fish market. It opens every morning at six am except Mondays. The market runs all morning. By afternoon, between the customers and the seagulls it is all over.

The square is being refurbished but this is still a quieter part of the Old Town. Besides fish and meat, other foods are plentiful at lower prices. There are always fresh produce and local specialities like soccar (chickpea crepe), salad nicoise with tuna and anchovy, and pissalidiere (onion, olive and anchovy pizza).

Open: Tuesday–Sunday 6 am to 1 pm (closed on Mondays)

There are several kinds of marche des puces (flea markets) in Nice, found in some of the most interesting parts of the city, where you can walk around and look for second-hand bargains for hours.

But if you are pressed for time, just head straight for Puce de Nice. Perched right near the Old Port with picturesque views of the yachts on Quai Lunel, shaded by the Chateau/Castle Hill, this professional flea market represents a cluster of (30!) little storefronts and open-air antique stalls, grouped together under the same name and crammed to the brim with attic treasures, unique oddities, and one of a kind finds. Here you can find practically anything, from genuine antiques (e.g. jugs and plates from a bygone era) to Asterix annuals to vintage clothing and costume jewellery, and more – all of good quality. "Vide grenier" ("empty the attic"), they say.

Market fans love this place and usually come away with more than they can fit in their suitcase. Antiques are openly displayed, and the owners are always friendly. You can join the hunt and ask for discount on several items, or have a coffee and watch the hunters go by.