Shopping Areas in Nice (Self Guided), Nice
Other than being just a fashionable French Riviera destination with lively streets, leisurely atmosphere, historical sites and beautiful architecture, Nice is also a true shopper’s paradise. With more than 7,000 shopping options scattered throughout its almost 72 sq km area, the city surely knows how to offer unique and varied goods to its trendy residents and similarly stylish travelers anxious to indulge in some retail therapy.
Vieux-Nice (the historical old town) abounds in markets and stores of various sort, from old-style boutiques to top luxury names, not to mention a huge range of modish or traditional local outlets selling everything – from olive jams to evening gowns, pearl necklaces to watercolors, swatches of Provençal fabric to socca boards. Just make sure to timely tick off boxes on that shopping list of yours when out buying.
Here are some of the specific areas reflective of Nice’s retail scene:
Cours Saleya – probably the most traditional square in town, home to the daily flower market; antiques, local produce & food products are also available.
Place du Palais de Justice – the Courthouse Square market is the place to go if you want to spend hours browsing through vendor wares in open air.
Marche St. Francois (St. Francois Market) – a busy fish market, open every morning till afternoon, except Mondays; besides fish and meat, other foods are plentiful at lower prices.
Les Puces de Nice (Flea Market) – a panoply of small outdoor antique stores, each crammed to the brim with attic treasures, unique oddities, and one of a kind finds.
Shopping in Nice is a true travel adventure, particularly if you're visiting one of these locations. If you are up for a major shopping expedition in the capital of the French Riviera, take this self-guided walk!
Vieux-Nice (the historical old town) abounds in markets and stores of various sort, from old-style boutiques to top luxury names, not to mention a huge range of modish or traditional local outlets selling everything – from olive jams to evening gowns, pearl necklaces to watercolors, swatches of Provençal fabric to socca boards. Just make sure to timely tick off boxes on that shopping list of yours when out buying.
Here are some of the specific areas reflective of Nice’s retail scene:
Cours Saleya – probably the most traditional square in town, home to the daily flower market; antiques, local produce & food products are also available.
Place du Palais de Justice – the Courthouse Square market is the place to go if you want to spend hours browsing through vendor wares in open air.
Marche St. Francois (St. Francois Market) – a busy fish market, open every morning till afternoon, except Mondays; besides fish and meat, other foods are plentiful at lower prices.
Les Puces de Nice (Flea Market) – a panoply of small outdoor antique stores, each crammed to the brim with attic treasures, unique oddities, and one of a kind finds.
Shopping in Nice is a true travel adventure, particularly if you're visiting one of these locations. If you are up for a major shopping expedition in the capital of the French Riviera, take this self-guided walk!
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Shopping Areas in Nice Map
Guide Name: Shopping Areas in Nice
Guide Location: France » Nice (See other walking tours in Nice)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 4
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Author: jenny
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: France » Nice (See other walking tours in Nice)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 4
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Author: jenny
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Cours Saleya Markets
- Place du Palais de Justice (Courthouse Square)
- Marche Saint-Francois (Saint Francis Market)
- Les Puces de Nice (Flea Market)
1) Cours Saleya Markets (must see)
A trip to Nice absolutely must include a stroll around the Cours Saleya Markets. This lively stretch once served as the city’s main square, but today it’s an open-air market bursting with colour, fragrance, and energy. The sights, sounds, smells, and friendly bustle make it one of the highlights of any visit.
Every Monday morning, the area transforms into an antique market where you can hunt for the perfect piece of Art Deco design or a one-of-a-kind souvenir. From Tuesday through Sunday, the market is devoted to flowers and seasonal produce. The selection changes with the time of year, but everything sold here is fresh and full of Mediterranean flavour.
If your accommodation includes a kitchen, don’t miss the fresh fish stalls — the taste of fish caught just hours before is incomparable, especially when paired with local herbs, bread, and wine.
During summer evenings, the Cours Saleya becomes a craft market. You can shop for flowers, fruit, cheese, olives, and bread in the morning, then return after sunset to browse handmade jewellery, art, and souvenirs. The surrounding cafés and restaurants make it easy to linger — the perfect way to spend a summer day in Nice.
For early birds, this market is a delight. Bring reusable bags for your purchases, along with small bills and coins — the vendors are busy and often prefer quick transactions.
Tip: Be there around noon. You’ll hear the daily cannon fired — a long-standing tradition that began with the Duke of Nizza, who used it as a reminder for his shop-loving wife to come home for lunch.
Every Monday morning, the area transforms into an antique market where you can hunt for the perfect piece of Art Deco design or a one-of-a-kind souvenir. From Tuesday through Sunday, the market is devoted to flowers and seasonal produce. The selection changes with the time of year, but everything sold here is fresh and full of Mediterranean flavour.
If your accommodation includes a kitchen, don’t miss the fresh fish stalls — the taste of fish caught just hours before is incomparable, especially when paired with local herbs, bread, and wine.
During summer evenings, the Cours Saleya becomes a craft market. You can shop for flowers, fruit, cheese, olives, and bread in the morning, then return after sunset to browse handmade jewellery, art, and souvenirs. The surrounding cafés and restaurants make it easy to linger — the perfect way to spend a summer day in Nice.
For early birds, this market is a delight. Bring reusable bags for your purchases, along with small bills and coins — the vendors are busy and often prefer quick transactions.
Tip: Be there around noon. You’ll hear the daily cannon fired — a long-standing tradition that began with the Duke of Nizza, who used it as a reminder for his shop-loving wife to come home for lunch.
2) Place du Palais de Justice (Courthouse Square)
The charming square known as the Courthouse Square lies quietly yet prominently between the bustling pedestrian lanes and the inviting cafés of the city. Its name is derived from the Courthouse of Nice, which has stood since the early 1890s overlooking the square. Built between 1890 and 1892, this neoclassical-style edifice features an imposing façade and broad staircase that contribute significantly to the character of the space.
The surrounding setting is also noteworthy: the square is flanked by restaurant terraces and lies just a short stroll from the picturesque flower and produce market at Cours Saleya as well as the elegant shopping zone along Avenue Jean Médecin. One of the special features of the square is its Saturday market. On the first and third Saturdays of each month, you’ll find stalls selling vintage books, rare editions, art prints and postcards.
From a tourist's perspective, the square works well as a strategic “breather” between major sights. The square’s colourful pavement, coupled with the neoclassical architecture of the court building, make for a relaxed yet scenic stop.
The surrounding setting is also noteworthy: the square is flanked by restaurant terraces and lies just a short stroll from the picturesque flower and produce market at Cours Saleya as well as the elegant shopping zone along Avenue Jean Médecin. One of the special features of the square is its Saturday market. On the first and third Saturdays of each month, you’ll find stalls selling vintage books, rare editions, art prints and postcards.
From a tourist's perspective, the square works well as a strategic “breather” between major sights. The square’s colourful pavement, coupled with the neoclassical architecture of the court building, make for a relaxed yet scenic stop.
3) Marche Saint-Francois (Saint Francis Market)
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)
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)
4) Les Puces de Nice (Flea Market)
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.
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.
Walking Tours in Nice, France
Create Your Own Walk in Nice
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nice is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
The site of Nice has been inhabited since prehistoric times: archaeological evidence from nearby Terra Amata suggests human presence some 400,000 years ago.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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