FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Nice

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Nice each year. The main ones are listed below.

The Carnival of Nice, third largest in the world after Rio and Venice, is an opportunity for two weeks of jubilation. During that time, the city centre becomes a huge open-air venue for big parades.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues around Nice.

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Nice, the festivities take place on the Promenade des Anglais, where free concerts, activities and a spectacular fireworks display take place late in the evening.

This celebration, still very popular in Nice, is marked by the faithful with several religious processions and ceremonies through the streets.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public, such as castles and private collections. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

On this day, citizens gather at the war memorial in Nice to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Nice, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Nice

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	5/41	13/55	69/2.7	Not the best period to go
February	6/43	13/55	45/1.8	Not the best period to go
March	8/46	15/59	39/1.5	Not the best period to go
April	10/50	17/63	69/2.7	Not the best period to go
May	14/57	21/70	45/1.8	Good period to go
June	17/63	24/75	34/1.3	Good period to go
July	20/68	27/81	12/0.5	Good period to go
August	20/68	28/82	18/0.7	Good period to go
September	17/63	24/75	73/2.9	Good period to go
October	14/57	21/70	133/5.2	Good period to go
November	9/48	17/63	104/4.1	Not the best period to go
December	6/43	14/57	93/3.7	Not the best period to go

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is located about 7 kilometres (4 miles) west of the city centre.

• Two terminals:
  • Terminal 1
  • Terminal 2 (Air France)

• By car
  • Accessible via Avenue des Floralies, as well as Coste, Bellontes and Maîcon streets.
  • Parking facilities are available at each terminal (P2, P4 and G1 at Terminal 1 and P5, P6 and G2 at Terminal 2).
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport's arrivals hall.
• By bus
  • Bus 23 to the Saint-Augustin train station and to Nice Vallons des Fleurs, EUR 1.50 each way.
  • Bus 98 (airport express bus) to Place Blanqui/Riquier, fixed fare of EUR 6.00 each way.
  • Bus 99 (airport express bus) to the Nice Ville train station, fixed fare of EUR 6.00 each way.
• By Tramway
  • Two tram lines (2 and 3) can be accessed from both airport terminals. Line 2 connect the city centre and the port in 30 minutes (one train every 8 minutes on average). EUR 1.50 for a one-way ticket.
• By Taxi
  • Taxi ranks are located outside exit A1 (Terminal 1) and exit A3 (Terminal 2). Fares to the city centre are approximately EUR 32 EUR.
• By shuttle
  • Free shuttle service between the terminals and the parking facilities, every day from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, pharmacy, free Internet access (Wi-Fi), currency change and post office available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)820 423 333 (charge of a local call, EUR 0.12/minute)
• Website: https://en.nice.aeroport.fr/

GETTING AROUND Nice

The best options for getting around Nice are by bus or bicycle, or on foot. Due to often heavy vehicle traffic, works involved in the creation of a new tram line and rather expensive parking, getting around the city by car is not recommended.

By tram

Three tram lines operate in Nice from 4:25 a.m. to 1:35 a.m., covering a distance of about 27 kilometres (17 miles). Lines 1 and 2 connect the city centre, while line 3, opened in November 2019, connects the airport with the Saint-Isidore neighbourhood and the Riviera stadium.

By bus

Lignes d'Azur (https://www.lignesdazur.com/en) operates a network of bus lines that offers extensive coverage of the city as well as 23 nearby towns and is known for its reliability and efficiency. At night, you can use six routes of night buses known as "Noctambus".

Fares (also valid for tram):

• EUR 1.50 for a single ticket (EUR 10 for 10 tickets)
• EUR 5.00 for a 1-day pass
• EUR 15.00 for a 7-day pass
• EUR 6.00 each way to the airport on express bus lines 98 or 99.

By bicycle

Vélo Bleu public bike-sharing system:

• 1,550 bicycles available
• 175 stations in Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer
• Bicycles available 24/7
• Registration is EUR 1.50 for the day. The first 30 minutes of each rental are free, the next 30 minutes cost EUR 1 and then each additional hour is EUR 2. For further information, please visit https://nicecotedazur.velobleu.org

On foot

Nice and especially some of its districts, such as the maze of narrow streets in Vieux Nice and the port area, are also delightful when explored on foot.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Nice, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 5 promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice
• Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during holiday seasons
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 92 14 46 14
• Website: https://en.nicetourisme.com/

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Nice.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for France

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of some foreign countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure.

For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/requesting-a-visa/

Useful addresses

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Nice, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without 0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Rome

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Nice like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.