Looking to do some shopping? Then you have come to the right place! Jean Medecin is one of the main shopping streets of Nice. From home decor and shoes to beauty products and clothing, you are sure to find it here.
About the Area
The avenue of Jean Medecin was originally built to join Place Massena to the Marsailles-Ventimiglia railway. From the day it was built in the late 19th century, it had several name changes before it was finalized in 1966. The avenue is named after Jean Medecin who was the city’s mayor for thirty-three years. Today the pedestrian avenue joins together many of the other main streets of the area; most of which are also great for shopping.
Other than shopping Avenue Jean Medecin is also known for the impressive Basilique Notre-Dame. Inspired by the cathedrals in Paris, Basilique Notre-Dame was built in 1879 after the French takeover of the County of Nice. With beautiful stained glass and towers that stand 31 meters high, this beautiful basilica adds a historic charm to this bustling shopping area.
Sneak Peek
Here is a glimpse into one of the busiest Avenues in Nice and the perfect area to do some shopping!
Shopping
As soon as you arrive on Jean Medecin, you may be overwhelmed by the selection of stores and may not know where to start! The “central” point of the bustling avenue is the shopping mall of Nice Etoile which is a great option for rainy days; this is also near where the tram stops for lines 1 and 2.
From Nice Etoile you can walk north towards Liberation which will take you past a variety of boutiques, shoe stores, sporting goods and fast food chains. Or you can head south towards Place Massena which takes you past bigger-name stores, home decor and beauty products until you reach Gallerie Lafayette. This 5-floor French department store has everything you could possibly want under one roof.
If Jean Medecin doesn’t have enough shopping for you then check out the cross streets of Rue de la Liberte, Rue du Marechal Joffre and Avenue Notre Dame; just to name a few. Wander around and explore because there is no shortage of great shopping on Jean Medecin and the surrounding area.
Depending on when you’re visiting Nice you may be able to take advantage of the seasonal sales. This French tradition allows shops to sell their product for less than cost which means you can find some incredible deals! Taking place 2 times a year; in the summer and in the winter, you can find some incredible deals on everything from clothing, shoes, electronics, home decor and more!
Other Highlights
If you are looking to take a break from shopping then why not check out one of the many cafes along the busy avenue. For coffee lovers I suggest checking out Malongo. The family-owned company has been roasting beans near Nice since 1934 and now it is one of the largest names in the coffee industry in France. In the shop you can choose from a variety of beans which will be roasted fresh for you to either take home or to enjoy in the cafe.
A great escape from the busy street is to check out the rooftop “Bella Ciela” on top of the Mercure Hotel. From the top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Basilique Notre-Dame and the rooftops of Nice. This is a great location to watch the sunset while you enjoy a refreshing drink and some delicious food.
For other great restaurants and cafes, you can wander any of the cross streets which also tend to be less busy and slightly cheaper than those directly on Jean Medecin. One of my favorite patisseries, Masison Celine, is on Rue de la Liberte. Incredible pastries, croissants and sandwiches for affordable prices compared to other patisseries in the city. Be sure to get there early though because they sell out fast!
Wondering where to stay in Nice? With Jean Medecin so centrally located to the rest of the city, it is a great area to book your accommodations. I would suggest staying off the avenue though because it is such a busy area that it can be quite noisy especially during the summer.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, if you are looking to do some shopping while in the city then Avenue Jean Medecin is the place for you! No matter what you’re looking for, you are sure to find it here. You can also easily walk to the other highlights of the city such as Place Massena, Promenade des Anglais and so many more!