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"Pedestrian tour to discover the narrow streets of the old city, its history, its baroque churches, the colourful markets, the galleries..."
The tours run on Saturday mornings from May to October plus February and cost 12 euros per adult, 6 euros per child (under 10) and free to children under 5. I do not think that this tour is particularly suitable for very young children. My nine year old daughter got a bit fed up towards to end; it is quite intensive.
The tour starts at theTourist Office at 5, promenade des Anglais at 9:30 and lasts for about 2 and a half hours finishing in Place Garibaldi, the north side of the Old Town. Our tour lasted nearer three hours. It's a good idea to pick up a free map from the Tourist Office at the start of the tour because the tour ends at Place Garibaldi, NOT back at the Tourist Office and it is easy to lose your bearings.
The tour is conducted in French and English. You do need to specify when you book if you require English commentary as some of the guides only speak French. We had a super guide in August 2004, Nathalie, who spoke excellent English and conducted the tour in both French and English as we were a mixed group that day.
Even if you are familiar with the Old Town, I would recommend this tour. In fact, there is so much information to absorb, some prior knowledge of the Old Town is quite helpful. If you only have a limited time in Nice then this tour is an excellent way to see the main sights of the Old Town in just a morning.
Not covered in the tour but close by are the Chateau Hill, Port and MAMAC. If you are short of time and need to maximise your sight-seeing opportunities in NIce, I would suggest that after the tour, have lunch in the Old Town, then visit the Chateau Hill returning via the Port would complement the tour very well.
Alternatively, after lunch, you are very close to the modern art museum of Nice, MAMAC, which is just by Place Garibaldi.
Another option after lunch, if you only have a day in Nice, would be to take the 'Grand Tour' of Nice to explore the rest of NIce from the comfort of a open-top bus with English commentary.
The walking guided tour of Old Nice takes you past the Albert Premier gardens at Place Massena, into the Cours Saleya market past the Opera House and and explores the narrow pedestrianised streets of the Old Town.
The approximate route was Rue St François de Paul, Opéra, Place du Palais Place, P. Gautier, Cours Saleya, Rue de la Poissonnerie, Rue Barillerie, Place Charles Félix, Rue J.Gilly, Place du Jésus , Rue de la Place Vieille, Place Rossetti, St Reparate, Rue Droite, Palais Lascaris, Rue St François, Rue Pairolière, St Augustin and Place Garibaldi.
Our guide made frequent stops to point out interesting features, buildings and significant events and any questions from our group were welcomed. There is a particularly good photo stop half way along the Cours Saleya.
Generally, there are many good photo opportunites and there are enough people on the tour to enable you to step back and take in the sights or listen and ask questions about the Old Town. There were about ten in our group and that size worked well, small enough to keep close and hear everything and not be in anyone's way and large enough to step back for photos and a breather.
I quite enjoyed the bi-lingual commentary; the translation helped us to pick up some of the French.
The tour also took us into several churches, including the Cathedral St Reparate, the Eglise du Gesu and St Augustin. We also visited the museum, Palais Lascaris in rue Droite.
The tour was very thorough and full of interesting detail and covered much of the history of Nice. I think it is very excellent value.
I would recommend you have a map of the Old Town to hand as you finish at Place Garibaldi and not back at the Tourist Office so you do need to have some idea of your bearings.
Also, we were asked to be at the Tourist Office for 9:00 for the 9:30 start. This was too early, I think just 10-15 minutes before 9:30 is adequate. The guide ticks off your name and collects the money for the tour in the Tourist Office. By the way, there are no loos in the Tourist Office. Pick up a free map while you wait - you may need it at the end of the tour.
Finally, don't forget to take a small bottle of water, sunglasses and a camera. There are loos in the Cours Saleya, you need 35 cents. Wear shoes you can walk in, it is quite tiring and you may want to take a small snack. Have a few euros for tipping your guide.
As the tour runs in February as well as from May to October, it would be nice to combine it with a trip to Nice to see the famous carnival which takes place in Nice every February for about two weeks.
Practical Information (2004)
In February and May - October
Saturday mornings departing from Nice Tourist Office, 5 promanade des Anglais at 9:30
Tours last approximately 2.5 hours in French/English
Reservation necessary
Tel 0 892 707 407 or in person at the Tourist Offices
Price: 12 euros / adult
6 euros / child (under 10)
free for children under 5
Further information from Nice Tourist Office, www.nicetourism.com
12 rue Benoit Bunico
Road of the former synagogue (number 18) and Jewish quarter of Nice
(use the back button on your browser to return to this site)
www.oldnice.com
This is a great site, full of of information about the Old Town including a detailed directory of all the shops, restaurants and businesses. Sadly, it does not appear to have been kept up to date, but much of the information is still relevant and accurate.
(English version)
This 'Heritage' book published in English by Gilletta, Nice Matin, Authors: Catherine Ungar and Marcelle Viale
More information about this guide and others from the Gilletta website which also indicates which other guides are also available in English.
Copies of this book can also be bought from the airport 'Relais' newsagent shops and from most book shops and tabacs in Nice.
7.50 euros
Departs from the Promenade des Anglais by the Albert Premier Gardins every half hour or so and trundles through the Old Town and up the Chateau Hill for a brief stop then back down again. An easy way to take in Old Nice but far less informative than the walking tour.
Has a pre-recorded commentary in both French and English which means that the commentary in often out of sync with the surroundings. Good fun to do once.
Children enjoy this one. I prefer the walking tour of Nice and making my own way up the Chateau Hill. Not to be confused with the double-decker open-top bus tour of Nice which is excellent.
Nice Tourist Train website
From the Nice Tourist Office website, you can download a tour map and guide on the Old Town and plan out your own tour.
Apply online too for a free map and practical guide. The free map suggests five different walks through the Old Town with a brief guide and description of the main historical points of interest en route.
Nice Tourist Office Old Town itinerary
Interactive online map of Nice
(Pop-out Maps) £3.99
for more details or to buy, please click on the map.
To see my recommended books on Nice and the Cote d'Azur, please click here.
