10 Things to do in Nice at Christmas

Looking for what to see and do in Nice during the Christmas season? In December, the South of France is a perfect destination for a few days' getaway (or even a longer holiday). The sea in winter is fascinating and there is no shortage of events to celebrate the festive season.

In addition to the attractions of the city, you can take the opportunity to visit the nearby towns or go wine tasting in the nearby wineries. Read on to discover the best Christmas plans.

The Marche Noël is the Christmas village that animates Nice every December. It actually opens at the end of November and ends at the beginning of the New Year. You'll find it in the heart of the city, between Place Masséna and the Albert I Gardens, a route you can also visit by hiring a tour bus tour of the city.

This event brings together some 60 chalets with mulled wine, crafts, cheeses, cold meats... and also has a merry-go-round, inflatable games and a restaurant area that organises after-work with a DJ set. Everything is complemented by Christmas trees, Santa Claus and splendid luminaires.

In Northern Europe, the Christmas holidays are celebrated with delicious special beers. This tradition has also caught on in Nice and the man responsible has a name and a surname: Olivier Cautain. He is the owner of the distillery La Brasserie Artisanale, a place that rightfully ranks among the best bars in the city. You can also book a pub crawl around Nice to find out more about all its curiosities.

The winter variety is made from cocoa beans and stands out for its warm, enveloping taste. Don't wait too long, they are limited edition and tend to sell out quickly. If you're unlucky, you can also treat your throat to a nice pint of Hopstock (red ale made with Cascade hops) or Blùna, a white ale brewed with light malt, bigarade orange peel and coriander.

It is located at 14 Avenue Villermont, not far from the Marc Chagall National Museum. I assure you it's worth it.

During the Christmas season, the Théâtre de Verdure organises free shows, events and concerts dedicated to the youngest members of the family. It's in the open air, right next to the Albert I Gardens, and is a must-visit if you're travelling to Nice with children.

You can take the opportunity to explore the area by booking your Nice sightseeing bus. It's always a good option when temperatures are low and it's cold outside, especially if you're travelling with children.

Every December, a short distance from the Fountain of the Three Graces, there is a rink that is very popular with tourists and locals alike. Skates cost around €5 per hour to rent. Alternatively, you can opt for the indoor circuit at the Jean Bouin sports complex (2 rue Jean Allègre).

If you want to skate and don't mind going out of town, I recommend a trip to nearby Monte Carlo. Every year, two rinks are set up in Port Hercule (one for adults, the other for children). The price is usually around €7. If you want to visit the city-state, I recommend booking an excursion to Monaco and Èze from Nice, which will give you the chance to see glamorous Monte Carlo, visit its luxury boutiques, check out its famous motorbike circuit and learn all about the city from a professional guide.

In France, oysters are a real institution. You can eat them at any time of the year, but winter is the ideal time to eat them. Also, if you want to know more about the typical dishes of the city, you can book a gastronomic tour in Nice.

To try some good oysters in Nice, I recommend the following restaurants:

• Bistrot Marin, an elegant restaurant in the Jean Médecin district. I recommend booking in advance (11 bis Rue Grimaldi).
• Les Pêcheurs, a classic in Nice. It is located in the old port and offers a rich fish-based menu. In addition to the oysters, I recommend you try the Bouillabaisse (rock fish soup) and the sea bream in salt crust (18 Quai des Docks).
• Boccaccio, where French and Italian cuisine meet. I recommend two dishes: "Les Huîtres spéciales de la Maison Gillardeau" or "Le Plateau Royal de Fruits de Mer" (7 Rue Massena).
• L'Oustaou, a simple establishment in the multicultural Gambetta district. One of the few places where you can taste huîtres without spending too much (43 Boulevard Gambetta).

Lucéram is a small medieval village in the hinterland of Nice. If you plan to rent a car, I recommend driving here. It's less than 30 kilometres from the centre and takes less than an hour. You can also take the bus (line 340 from Nice Vauban).

From the end of November to the beginning of January, Lucéram is filled with hundreds of cribs. You'll see them everywhere: in carts, on windowsills, in shop windows... This recurrence was born by chance when a lady who loves nativity scenes had the idea of bringing her creations out into the street.

At Christmas time, just behind the Christmas village, a big Ferris wheel decorated with elegant Christmas lights is set up. It usually opens at the end of November and is dismantled at the beginning of January. It costs about 8 € (5 € for children's tickets) and is well worth the money.

From the top of the Ferris wheel you can enjoy a very evocative view. If you can't find a spot, you can opt for other viewpoints:

• Skylounge Nice Bar & Rooftop, the rooftop of the Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame hotel. You'll find it on the 8th floor (28 Avenue Notre Dame).
• Parc d'Estienne d'Orves, located at the top of a hill and not usually frequented by tourists. Buses 64 and 75 stop nearby; just get off at the Beau Site stop and hop on the relief. In winter, the park closes at 18:00.
• Castle, the best view of Nice. On clear days you can see Antibes and Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat. You can walk up or take the lift from Rue des Ponchettes 1. It is open every day of the week from 10:00 to 17:30.

According to Christian tradition, Lucia was a girl who lived in Syracuse between 283 and 304 AD. When her mother fell ill, she went to the tomb of Sant'Agata who appeared to her and asked her to dedicate her life to the help of the weakest and most persecuted. Her cult survives in Provence but also in other cities, such as Bergamo or Verona in Italy.

In folklore, the night of Saint Lucy - 13th December - is the longest night of the year and therefore the feast is linked to light. Locals leave candles on windowsills and behind windows creating a magical atmosphere. Mistletoe and holly begin to appear in homes and public spaces.

Nice is a Mediterranean city but the Alps are close by. Less than 2 hours from the pearl of the Côte d'Azur you will find internationally renowned winter resorts:

• Isola 2000, a destination between two natural parks: Mercantour (France) and Alpi Marittime (Italy). It is a fashionable destination where you can also enjoy activities such as tobogganing with white wolves or snowshoeing.
• Auron, 135 kilometres of slopes in the village of Saint-Etienne de Tinée. It has been awarded the "Famille +" label for its attractions adapted to the youngest members of the family.
• Roubion - Les Buisses, for skiing all year round. It is one of the few places where you can go on an excursion with electric snowmobiles.
• Turini - Camp d'Argent. If this sounds familiar, it's probably because the Col de Turini road is well known in the rally world. However, it is also a good place to learn to ski. In addition to the traditional disciplines, here you can try snooc, a mixture of skiing and tobogganing.

The pleasant winter is mild enough, but rain is quite frequent. When the skies cloud over, you have the excuse of bad weather to take refuge in a chocolaterie.

In the heart of the historic centre, a stone's throw from the Palais de Justice, you'll find L'Art Gourmand, a must on your itinerary. Take a seat in the lounge on the first floor and order a cup of hot chocolate. You won't be disappointed (21 rue du Marche).

France is known for its gourmand soul, so this is not the only place where they make delicious chocolates. For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty to choose from:

• JP Paci Chocolatier, known for creations made with 100% pure cocoa butter. They have reinvented the sweet key to a local classic: Ravioli Niçois (19 avenue Notre Dame).
• Pâtisserie LAC, third in the "best of the best" chocolatiers in France, awarded by the prestigious Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat (18 Rue Barla).
• Les Délices de Borriglione, a boutique and tea room a few metres from the church dedicated to Joan of Arc. Also worth a try are the macarons (30 avenue Borriglione).

When illuminated by Christmas lights, the Côte d'Azur's cinematic destination is even more beautiful. In addition to the beautifully decorated pine trees and illuminations in the old town, it's worth going to admire "La Chevauchée de la Steppe" (a parade with elves, knights and musicians scheduled for early December) and the Canadian Christmas Village in Place du Marché.

If you want to combine the Christmas atmosphere with a visit to the city, I recommend booking a day trip to Cannes from Nice. Another destination to explore is Saint Tropez. There are fewer tourists and it will be easier to mingle with the locals.

The smaller crowds are perfect for skating on the ice rink at Place des Lices (rental costs around €2) or admiring the Crèche Provençale, a large-scale nativity scene housed in the Chapelle de la Miséricorde (Rue Gambetta, open from 14:00 to 19:00).

If you're travelling with your children, you'll be pleased to know that every 24 December , Father Christmas arrives in town by boat. They will love this spectacle. For more information, I advise you to read the article on day trips to Saint Tropez from Nice.

In December, the weather is dry but a bit "stiff". The minimum temperature is around 6° but the maximum rarely exceeds 10°/12°. A good coat and a scarf will solve the problem. However, rain is the number one enemy in winter and December is the least rainy month. If that doesn't suit you, you can always visit Nice in summer.

The Ligne d'Azur buses and trams are the cheapest form of public transport. A single ticket costs around €1.5 and can be used for 74 minutes. They are open from 4:00 to 21:00.

If temperatures permit, you can also use the bike sharing service. It is called Vélobleu and has several bike racks both in the old town and in nearby towns. For your arrival, I recommend you read the post about transfers from Nice airport.

On the Côte d'Azur, winters are not usually very cold but rain is on the prowl. December is a fairly dry month but you never know. If the storm doesn't give you any respite, I recommend the following options:

• Enjoy a massage. In the centre of Nice there are first class spas. I recommend booking a session at L'Instant (23 rue Maréchal Joffre) or Splendid (50 Boulevard Victor Hugo).
• Visit a museum. It's always a good option to escape the bad weather. In my opinion, it is worth discovering the Villa Masséna (65 Rue de France), the Palais Lascaris (15 Rue Droite) or the Matisse Museum (164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez).

-VisitThe Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. A good plan if it rains is to book a visit to The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Take shelter in this magnificent 20th century mansion, located on the French Riviera and inspired by the Italian Renaissance. An audio guide will tell you all the details of this place and you will be able to admire every corner.

• Take part in a cookery course. Companies such as L'Atelier Cuisine Niçoise organise workshops dedicated to local cuisine.
• Gamble in the casino. It has poker, slots, blackjack tables and more. Find more information on the official website (1 Promenade des Anglais).
• Enjoy a good drink. In Nice, you can do a tasting at the Château de Bellet (482 Chemin de Saquier) or in the wine cellars in the city centre.

On the occasion of the festive season, Nice attracts a good number of tourists. Even so, the city is not as crowded as during the summer. Of course, the price of accommodation goes up a little. After all, it is still high season. If you want to find less people (and save a little), I recommend two seasons: September or the months of March and April.