The South of France is known for its natural beauty, picturesque villages, and, of course, shopping! Whether you are looking to check out the boutiques and vintage shops or visit the brand-name stores there is an area in Nice that is perfect for you.
In Nice there are a few major sale events to keep in mind if you plan on coming to Nice to do some shopping. The first is La Grande Braderie which takes place in mid September. This is when all the independent shops are able to sell their products at cost. The other major discount events are in January and June. These last four weeks each and offer insane discounts on last season merchandise. Shops are insane but you can find some great deals.
French Fashion
As many may know, Paris is not only the capital of France but also a capital in the fashion industry. Famous for Haute Couture, unique Parisian style and the countless designers that the city has created. For centuries, Parisians have been spending their holidays in the South of France and bringing influence to French Riviera fashion.
The fashion in Paris is known as unique and effortless chic. As you wander the streets, you will notice that everyone looks so put together with their own personal twist.
Fashion in the French Riviera embodies laid-back luxury. Flowing dresses, linen trousers, neutral colors, and espadrilles are just a few of the key wardrobe must-haves in the South of France. If you plan to visit Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Monaco then you can expect to see a much more elevated style as well as the selection of places to shop.
With Nice being such a big city, you will notice a lot more diversity in the fashion compared to other Cote d’Azur destinations. Here you will find plenty of brand name shopping as well as high-end boutiques so no matter your budget or style you are sure to find plenty of places to shop.
What to Buy
When shopping in the South of France, there are some key items to shop for like perfumes, leather goods, Provencal fabrics and lavender products. All of these are unique to the region and make great souvenirs.
If you search Provence, the lavender fields are one of the first pictures you will see. This vibrant purple flowering plant is known for its beautiful scent and its many health benefits. The flowers and plant oil can be found in everything from soaps and perfumes to lotions and cosmetics.
Due to Nice’s close proximity to Italy, you can find a variety of Italian leather goods for very affordable prices. Shoes, purses and jackets are some of the main treasures that you will find. Exploring the shops in Nice’s Old Town is your best bet to find leather shops.
A popular item to shop for when visiting France is vintage designer pieces. With Paris having such a strong influence in the fashion industry, you will find various shops throughout the country selling classic pieces for a more affordable price. In Nice a great place to look for these treasures is “Mademoiselle.”
Jean Medecin
One of the most popular areas for shopping in Nice is Avenue Jean Medecin. This long pedestrian street goes from Place Massena all the way to the Liberation area. The avenue is lined on both sides with a wide range of shops, cafes and even a shopping mall. The lower part of the avenue has bigger-name stores such as Zara and H&M while the upper half has smaller boutique type shops.
If you happen to be in Nice when it rains then head to Nice Etoile to do your shopping. With four floors to explore, you are sure to find a shop for you. Whether you are looking for jewelry, shoes or home decor there’s a store for it. If you are looking to buy French beauty products then Pharmacie Nice Etoile is the perfect place! With all the leading brands available and knowledgable staff, you are sure to find some great products.
Rue de France
Located off of Place Massena is a pedestrian only street filled with restaurants and cafes; you will also find quite a bit of shopping in this area as well. If you are looking for smaller boutiques, jewelry and shoes then Rue de France is a great place to start. You will also find several souvenir shops, however, there is a lot more selection in the Old Town.
For designer shops head to Rue Paradis just off of Magenta Square. Here you will find a mix of designers like Chanel and Emporio Armani as well as Zapa and Zadig&Voltaire. If you are looking for, handbags and jewelry then just go around the corner onto Avenue de Verdun where you will find Hermes and Tiffany & Co. just to name a few.
Another area that’s great to explore is around Rue de la Liberte; also just off of Magenta Square or Avenue Jean Medecin. From wine boutiques and jewelry to home decor and clothing for the entire family, you are sure to find something for everyone in this area.
Cours Saleya
Our next shopping destination is a little different than Avenue Jean Medecin and Rue de France. Cours Saleya is one of the major market areas of the city. It used to be the original wholesale flower market until it was moved to a larger area in the city. Today, you can still buy fresh flowers, as well as local produce, soaps, lavender products and even some baked goods. You can visit this market from 6:00 a.m.-5:30p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 6:00 a.m.to 1:30p.m. on Sundays.
On Mondays the entire Cours Saleya is transformed into a very busy Antique market. Every time you visit, you never know what treasures you will find. Whether you are looking for vintage clothing and posters or unique home decor it is always interesting exploring this market. This market is open every Monday 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Since Cours Saleya is conveniently located between the Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town, it is quite easy to get here and explore more of the area. During the summer there is an Artisan Night Market that is great to check out after a day at the beach or after you’ve enjoyed a delicious meal in the area. Handmade clothing, personalized jewelry and candles are just a few of the things you will find here. You can find this market from mid May to Mid September running from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
Markets
Apart from the Cours Saleya markets, you will also find a variety of other great markets throughout the city center. Garibali Square hosts a sprawling Antique market every third Saturday of the month. Wander through and see what kind of treasures you will find. Whether you are looking to buy or not it is still interesting to see what unique items people are selling.
Another great market area is in front of the courthouse Palais de Justice in the Old Town every Saturday. On the first and third Saturdays of the month, you can explore the old book market. While on the second Saturday, you will find antique post cards. Sometimes in both these markets there is a mix of treasures so check it out and see what you find. Finally, on the fourth Saturday of the month you can check out the artisan market. All of these are open around 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Old Town
Shopping in the Old Town offers a lot more variety compared to the previously mentioned areas. As you explore the maze of colorful streets, you will discover shops selling Italian leather goods, local fabrics, shoes, linen clothing and so much more! If you are looking for souvenirs or local products to bring home then the Old Town is the perfect place to shop.
Throughout the streets you will also discover a lot of local artists selling paintings, sculptures and handmade jewelry. Most offer shipping so do not hesitate to ask if you are interested in one of the unique art pieces.
In the Old Town you will also find plenty of local shops where you can buy fresh pasta, French wines, lemon products from Menton, and many other local goodies. My favorite is Signorini Tartufi which sells a wide range of truffle products from chips and pasta sauce to tapenades and shaved traffles; perfect for cooking.
Cap 3000
For this final shopping destination we’ll go a little outside Nice to an area called St-Laurent-du-Var; I promise its worth it. This impressive shopping center has been voted one of the best in previous years. Not only does it have almost any store that you could imagine, but it also has a beach promenade lined with restaurants. Located near Nice’s airport and on a long stretch of beach it is a great place to kill time before a flight.
With over 200 stores to choose from there is definitely something for everyone. If you are looking for luxury brands then head to the area called Corso which is decorated in gold and spans 8,000 square meters. In this section of the shopping center you will have +45 premium brands to check out.
For a bite to eat I suggest heading to IT Villaggio on the top floor. Here you will be transported to Italy! With over the top decor, delicious food and Italian wines it’s a great place to relax after a day of shopping. To make it even better you can go on the terrace that overlooks the beach and watch planes fly in as you enjoy your meal.
If you are just looking to get out of Nice then this is a great area to explore. All along the beach you will find bars and restaurants that offer a different atmosphere than those in Nice’s city center. This beautiful beach is great for relaxing or even wind surfing however it is not advised to go swimming here.
No matter what you are shopping for Nice is sure to have it; from souvenirs to premium brands and everything in between. Even if you are not much into shopping these are all great areas to explore during your time in Nice.