A family trip to the south of France may not seem like an ideal plan with its luxury resorts and fast-paced living. But, we’re happy to say Nice offers many great things for families to do together while making wonderful memories.
Nice sees about 300 days of sunshine each year. You will enjoy fantastic, bright sunshine while exploring all Nice has to offer. The kids will love being in an exciting exotic city and you will relish being together as a family.
Make your family trip to Nice memorable by thinking outside the box and finding fun and exciting things to do and explore with the kids in tow. Drop your bags with a luggage storage service so you are not dragging your belongings with you through the city.
Vieux Ville.
While the kids may not appreciate all the old buildings that make up Vieux Ville or Old Town, you can make a fun game out of finding the oldest village in the neighborhood. Many buildings have the date marked above the doorways.
Make your way through the narrow streets to Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya, a fresh market with a little something for everyone. After visiting the market, head to Rue Droite to see how many carved faces the kids can find under the balconies of Palais Lascaris.
If you have time and the kids seem game, you can go in and explore the Musée du Palais Lascaris, which was built during the 17th century and is now a musical instrument museum.
Lounge on a Beach.
If you are visiting during the warmer months, you will definitely want to hit the beach with the kids. Just remember, many seaside locations in France are topless beaches. so you may want to do a bit of research and teach your children about the culture.
There are not many sandy beaches in Nice as rocks and pebbles are the most often seen terrain. Wear the appropriate footwear and plan accordingly. You will not be able to build a sandcastle but you can still search for sea glass, skip rocks into the water, or go for a refreshing swim.
Check out these public beaches where you can hang out for an afternoon or take an entire day to meander along the shore.
- La Réserve
Located to the east of Nice, this beach is small but is a wnderful place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. - Villefranche-sur-Mer
Located about 15 minutes outside of Nice, this beach is one of the few sandy beaches near the city. - Ruhl Plage
An excellent family beach where you can splash in the water or collect pebbles along the beach. Lifeguards are on duty, so take the kids for a dip!. - Coco Beach
This small public beach has lifeguards on duty and is a happening place where the locals prefer to hang out. - Le Voilier Plage
Part public and part private beach, you can stretch out and soak up the sun. Send the kids to play on the playground or splash in the surf. - Carras Beach
A great place for people with disabilities to come to enjoy the beach with easy access to the water. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. - Eze-sur-Mer
Offering some of the best swimming in Nice, you can also try your luck with scuba diving or sailing.
Promenade du Paillon.
There are several amusing parks where families can hang out and explore nature. One of the best kid-friendly parks in Nice is Promenade du Paillon just outside of Vieux Ville.
Younger kids will enjoy playing on a wooden pirate ship, whales, and dolphins while older kids or teens will like snapping selfies and strolling along the river. Misters will help keep you cool during the hot summer days.
Promenade des Anglais.
The promenade takes you along the Mediterranean Sea from the Nice Airport to the Quai des États-Unis. It is just over four miles long. You can rent a bike and ride along the promenade or spend time skateboarding or rollerblading at Roller Station.
The kids will love racing up and down the promenade and then watching street performers in the evening while snacking on chocolates and ice cream cones. Spend an afternoon experiencing the Promenade des Anglais.
Visit Confiserie Florian.
Sign up for a free guided tour of this adorable confectionery shop. While the tour only lasts about ten minutes, Confiserie Florian is a great place to stop with the kids and grab some goodies while learning how some treats are made.
Watch how traditional French sweets are created, including jams, crystallized flowers, and candied fruits. Encourage your kids to ask questions during your guided tour of the show.
Visit a Museum.
Museums can be a big bore for young kids but there are several interesting museums in Nice that may keep your kids attention.
Check out some of these museums while you are on your family trip to Nice.
- Le Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain
- Musée Marc Chagall
- Musée du Palais Lascaris
- Musée de Préhistoire de Terra Amata
- Musée Matisse
- Musée Océanographique de Monaco
- Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Nice
La Colline de Château.
Wear the kids out by hiking up Castle Hill and spending time at Parc de la Colline du Château. Parents will love the spectacular views of Nice down below and kids will love the wide-open spaces to run and play games.
Pack a picnic and spend the entire afternoon in the fresh air and sunshine. If walking up the hill is not your idea of fun, hop on the Petite Train where get to stop at the park for ten minutes and then chug past some of the attractions nearby.
Update your passports, book your flights, and pack your bags for a fantastic family trip. Spend a weekend, or maybe even an entire week exploring this gorgeous city with your family. Even families with small children will fall in love with Nice!
