GAY NICE
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in NICE?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
LGBT NICE
The LGBTQ+ community in Nice is very strong and active, thanks also to the activity carried out by the Center LGBT Cote d'Azur, a real social center that provides help, support and services to LGBT people and their loved ones. The center also organizes events, activities and initiatives that make the community even stronger and more active (among these, the Pink Parade, a march for LGBT visibility, is held every year in the summer). The "Gay-Friendly label" Nice Irisée Naturellement surveys the Gay-Friendly tourist offer and constantly monitors its quality.Restaurants, hotels and bars where you saw us during our stay in Nice are all Nice Irisée Naturellement certified.Do you want some more information on Nice LGBT Friendly? click on the nicetourisme.com/gay-friendly-nice website and you will find all the information you need for a perfect holiday in Nice!
WHAT TO SEE in NICE?
10 THINGS TO SEE in NICE
Promenade des Anglais & Hotel Negresco
A 7-kilometre avenue that runs along the Baia degli Angeli beach. The name derives from the first tourists, mostly English, who took advantage of the good weather to take long walks along the avenue. As you stroll, you can admire the facades of the Belle Epoque-style buildings, among which the exclusive Negresco hotel stands out, and take a photo in the famous blue chairs, which have become a symbol of the city.
Old Nice
Losing yourself unhurriedly in the narrow streets of the old town of Nice is a real treat for the senses and one of the best things to do in this city. Narrow streets, historic buildings in ocher and yellow colours, traditional shops, markets and ancient churches will make you fall in love with this place. You cannot leave the historic center without trying a chocolate from Maison Auer, an old chocolate shop opened in 1820. In old Nice, don't miss the Cathedral of Santa Reparata, built between 1650 and 1699, one of the best examples of Baroque style Roman in Nice, and the Church of San Giacomo. Another point not to be missed is the Palais Lascaris, one of the most important palaces in Nice, built in the 17th century and famous for its permanent collections on the history of the city.
Notre Dame Basilica
This neo-Gothic church with a similar style to Notre Dame de Paris has an interior with 8 side chapels and is located along the main shopping avenue of Nice.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Cathedral is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nice. Bearing a certain resemblance to St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, it is about half an hour's walk from the center of Nice and is an architectural gem not to be missed.
Casle Hill
At the end of the Promenade des Anglais, walk (or take the lift up to Castle Hill), the best vantage point in Nice. At the top there are some remains of an ancient medieval fortress, a botanical garden and a large artificial waterfall.
Museums of Nice
Among the many museums that the city offers, do not miss the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC), the Musée Matisse, dedicated to the great French painter Henri Matisse who lived in the city for more than 30 years, the Musée National Marc Chagall and finally Villa Massena, a museum on the history of the city from its dawn to today.
Porto Lympia
Built in the 18th century, the port of Nice is one of the oldest on the French Riviera and another of the places to visit in Nice. This beautiful harbor carved into the rock at the foot of the ancient citadel of Lympia is surrounded by historic buildings in the typical colors of the city and is home to many yachts and pleasure boats.
Marché aux Fleurs
The Flower Market, located in the heart of the old town, is the most famous and beautiful market to see in Nice. In this market, which opens every day at 6 in the morning (except Mondays) you can find all kinds of flowers, groceries, spices and some souvenirs. From 6 in the afternoon, the market is dismantled and the square is filled with umbrellas and terraces that invite you to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Massena Square & Garibaldi Square
Do not miss its beautiful squares in Nice. Piazza Massena is in our opinion the most beautiful in the city, surrounded by ancient red buildings with numerous terraces of restaurants and cafés. Furthermore, this square houses one of the most striking works of art in the city, seven statues representing the seven continents. Another square not to be missed is Piazza Garibaldi, surrounded by elegant buildings with ocher-yellow facades and green shutters.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Complete Nice - Google Maps
Extra - North Area / Cimiez & Musée Matisse - Google Maps
Extra - MAMAC Museum and Villa Massena - Google Maps
Extra - Littoral Area - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from NICE
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Marseille & Calanques
Eze, Monaco & Menton
Grasse, Antibes, Cannes & Saint Tropez
Gorges du Verdon
Sanremo & Dolceacqua
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in NICE?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in NICE
Arome Hotel Nice *** ® Tested by World Mappers
Map'Hotel • AROME HOTEL NICE
Knowing how to combine elegance and refinement with courtesy and kindness, this is the magic of the Arome Hotel in Nice, a small boutique hotel in the heart of the Carré d'Or of the city. The welcome and friendliness of Fabio and his partner Fabrice immediately made us feel at home. An ancient building from the 1900s, completely renovated, which welcomes customers with a scent that envelops them throughout their stay (just think that these fragrances have been specially designed for the Arome Hotel by the Maitre Parfumeur of Grasse, the city of perfumes). There are 11 rooms (5 singles, designed specifically for solitary travellers), all different and all cared for down to the smallest detail and equipped with air conditioning, double glazed windows, bathroom with bath or shower and WC, hairdryer, fridge, coffee machine coffee and kettle, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi wired throughout the hotel and dedicated telephone for access to hotel services.
Information map and brochures on Nice are available at the Reception, but for anything Fabio, the owner, is always available to customers and happy to help and advise them to better discover the city. One thing we really liked is that breakfast is delivered directly to your room. Every morning you will find freshly baked croissants and bread outside your door, accompanied by Normandy fruit juices, strictly organic fruit compote and yoghurt. The location of the Arome Hotel Nice is perfect, behind the famous Hotel Negresco, in a very lively and central area, just 3 minutes walk from the Promenade des Anglais and all the most beautiful beaches, 10 minutes from Place Massena, 15 minutes from the historic center and 15 minutes from the railway station. What to say more? our stay in Nice would not have been the same without the magic of the Arome Hotel.
WHERE TO EAT in NICE?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in NICE Quality / Price
€€€ - Les Jardins du Capitole
€€€ - BClub Rooftop Boscolo Nice Hotel ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Sentimi ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Les Garçons ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Davisto (Italian Restaurant)
€€ - Le Millésime
€€ - Restaurant Attimi (Italian Restaurant)
€€ - C Factory
€€ - Côté Marais
€ - Creperie le 8
GAY NIGHTLIFE in NICE
10 BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in NICE
Le Glam (Gay Club & Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Malabar Station (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Le Couloir (Gay Bar)
Le Six (Gay Bar & Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
L'Oméga Club (Gay Club)
RED Kafé (Gay Bar)
Eagle Bar (Gay Bar)
Le Swing (Gay Bar)
Coco Vin (Gay Bar)
Le Klubber (Gay Club)
TRAVEL TIPS about NICE by World Mappers
To best visit Nice and the Côte d'Azur, the French Riviera Pass proposed by the Nice Côte d'Azur Convention and Tourism Office is essential. Here you will find the best of Nice and the Côte d'Azur in one complete card. You will be able to discover the most important tourist attractions and activities of Nice and the Côte d'Azur with free access, and many others at discounted prices. There are 3 types of passes depending on the length of stay: 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. You can buy the French Riviera Pass online by clicking here or at some authorized points of sale in Nice.
Between Nice and Menton are three very famous coastal roads, the Trois Corniches, which offer breathtaking panoramic views and connect the holiday resorts of this magnificent part of the French Riviera. Here are the Trois Corniches:
Corniche Inférieure - Characterized by fabulous villas on the Côte d'Azur waterfront, it passes through some towns that we advise you not to miss, such as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Moyenne Corniche - Built by cutting the rock, a scenic road passing by Eze and Beausoleil.
Grande Corniche - The view from here is spectacular, it is the highest panoramic road from which you can observe the entire part of the French Riviera between Nice and Menton.
The district of the metropolitan city of Nice (made up of 49 municipalities) offers a great variety of landscapes divided between the coast, the hills and the mountains. Villages surrounded by greenery or set in the rock, country villages and seaside towns offer different but all spectacular scenarios. Don't miss the villages of Bonson, Gilette, Tourrette-Levens, Vence, Belvédère, Lantosque, Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Venanson.
"SECRET NICE"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Nice
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Nice" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 10 Things and Places to See in Secret Nice (and Surroundings):
Château de Bellet - Not many people know that the north of Nice is famous for producing three unique varietals of wine, the Braquet, the Folle Noire and the Rolle. The vineyards of Château de Bellet have over 70 years of winemaking experience in the region and were established by the Barrons of Bellet. The rare grape varieties and sulfurous soil of this part of the French Riviera create unique and rich flavours. Just a 20-minute drive from central Nice, visitors to Château de Bellet can enjoy a tour of the beautiful vineyards, cellar and historic Bellet chapel that sits within its grounds. Tasting sessions allow guests a full exploration of Château de Bellet products, while spending a fascinating afternoon in the French countryside.
La Tete Carrée Library - Nice's main library, designed by French artist Sacha Sosno, is tucked away in a beautiful raised garden behind the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain.
Rue Bonaparte - One of the trendiest areas in the city. Just off Place Garibaldi is full of bars, restaurants and cafes and is known locally as "Le Petit Marais" (Paris' famous LGBT quarter).
Coco Beach - The favorite beach of locals and little known by tourists, just five minutes away from the most crowded beaches. Coco Beach is an almost tropical paradise. The surrounding rocks are perfect for climbing and diving, and the clear turquoise waters offer excellent opportunities for snorkelling and exploring the local marine life.
Cannonballs on the Façade of the Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre-des-Pénitents-Bleus - Here's something you don't see every day: look up above the doors of the facade of the Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre-des-Pénitents-Bleus, a 18th century chapel in the heart of the city, and you will see the three cannonballs fired by the Turkish fleet during the siege of Nice in 1543.
Giardino Légion d'Honneur - For those looking for a small oasis of peace in the heart of the city, the small garden surrounding the Musée Masséna is open to the public during daylight hours. A great place to relax, enjoy a picnic or plan your itinerary in Nice.
Small Liberty Statue - Along the Promenade des Anglais is the tiny replica of the Statue of Liberty. You can find several replicas throughout France, including that of Paris and that of Bordeaux.
Église Sainte Rita de Nice - In the heart of Nice's Old Quarter, the Baroque church of Saint Rita dates back to the 1600s. Featuring six side chapels, stunning frescoed ceilings, and ornate carvings throughout the church, this small but sumptuous ecclesiastical building can be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the narrow streets of the old town of Nice.
Cimiez Monastery - Among all the hidden gems of Nice, don't miss the Cimiez district, positioned on a hill overlooking the rest of the city. Just at the top of the hill you will discover a monastery dating back to the 1800s, with large gardens, a small attached museum and a breathtakingly beautiful church.
Arènes de Cimiez (Roman Amphitheater of Cimiez) - The Roman Amphitheater of Nice probably dates back to the 2nd century and could seat up to 5000 spectators. Nearby is the Musee D'Archeologie, the ideal place to learn about the history of the city.
Don't miss a stroll around Port Lympia, where you will find lots of colorful boats called "pointus", which have become an integral part of Nice's maritime heritage and an excellent starting point for fantastic photographs of a thousand colours.
GAY FRIENDLY TOURS
Do you want to discover the city more deeply through Nice's Best Gay Tours? We recommend the following local operators:
Gaily Tour - Tour Operator offering tours and excursions dedicated to the LGBT + community throughout Europe. Special Tours and Gay & Lesbian Friendly Guides ready to make you discover the beauties of this destination. Info & Booking: info@GailyTour.com
Nice • Gay Tour & Promenade's Secrets
Start this incredible LGBT Friendly walking tour from Nice Old Town and the Cours Saleya, then continue on the Promenade des Anglais to the Negresco Hotel and Villa Massena (which houses the excellent Massena Museum). During the tour learn more about the Gay life in the city, gay bars, the gay-friendly neighborhood and the LGBT Center of the Côte d’Azur, but also many curiosities about one of the most famous event of the city: the Carnival, originated in the Middle Ages as a festival authorized by the church, allowing anyone wearing a mask to safely ridicule those in power. While walking through the city, you’ll find brightly colored façades that reflect the colors and style of the Sardinian architecture. Rue de Bonaparte is also now considered the gay neighborhood in Nice but you’ll find gay-owned businesses throughout the city. Continue through the pedestrian zone, a good place to shop, have a drink and, at the end of the street, you will reach Place Massena, with the Sun fountain (fontaine du soleil) located at its south, in the center of which is a 7m high statue of Apollo. On your right is the Jardin Albert 1er with its monumental arch of 115.5 degrees. Continue along the Promenade du Paillon, where the Nice water mirror is located. This park leads you directly to Garibaldi Square. Afterwards walk to the Hill of the Castle where used to be the most threatened fortress of the Mediterranean bassin, walking up the stairs or using the elevator, in order to enjoy the sunset ! Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * Entrance - Massena Museum
Nice by Night • Gay Tour
Enjoy an enlightened Nice and an amazing walking tour through Nice's gay & lesbian bars and clubs to live on your skin the magic atmosphere and LGBT scene of the city. Enjoy your included drink (also alcohol free drink available) and own the night ! Included: * Gay or Lesbian Tour Guide for Night Tour (2 hours) * Drink in Gay Bar (1 Drink)
What to see near Nice ?
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