Overview

This is a general review about Nice at Christmas. It's going to cover Village de Noel, the Christmas market, the Christmas decorations and some practical information about Nice at Christmas based on my visit in December 2018. When I was planning to go, there was information about what there was to do at Christmas on the Nice Cote d' Azur website, but up to date information only appeared a few weeks before I went, plus there are some blog posts with great information but it's scattered on the internet, so I'm trying to pull it all together in this review. I hope it's helpful.

Transport & Parking

Village de Noel, Christmas market is held in Albert 1'er gardens, which is adjacent to Place Massena, Nice's main square, and Promenade du Paillon, park, where the main Christmas lights are. This area can be easily reached by accessible buses or tram, which stop very close by. In the Old Town, known as Vieux Nice, there is an animated nativity scene in the square outside the Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate in Place Rossetti. Most of Vieux Nice is pedestrianised, there is a maze of streets, and its shopping area where visitors go is mostly flat. Buses and trams stop in the vicinity but it will involve a short walk. Approaching the cathedral from the sea front is a level walk. Maison Auer, an old fashioned chocolate shop, is directly opposite Nice’s Opera House, 7 Rue Saint-François de Paule, and buses and trams stop nearby.

Access

Village de Noel is located inside Albert 1'er gardens. There are 2 entrances to the Christmas market. The main entrance is on Place Massena, which was the main entrance. There is also an entrance on Promenade des Anglais, near to Le Meridien Hotel, this was a lot less busy. Where I was staying overlooked the Christmas market, so I often walked passed even if I wasn’t going in, and at times there were quite long queues and at other times virtually no queue, so waiting times to get in varied. There is airport security and you will need to show security staff your bag and go through a metal detector. Inside there were about 40 – 50 stalls. It’s not a huge market, there’s lots to see and enjoy but it is a manageable size and doesn’t feel overwhelming. The stall counters are at standing height. There are stalls selling food and drink. The crepe and waffle stall offered a variety of fun flavours. There was a stall selling chimney cake, dough strips are put on a spit, see photo, and the exterior is coated in sugar, cinnamon, etc, and this is originally from Hungary, it was served hot and is delicious, plus it’s not messy to each as you walk around. There were stalls also selling gifts and sweets. One of the things to look out for is the Santons stalls. Stantons (or little saints) are small figures representing the nativity scene and village characters and traditional trades. They originate from Provence. There is also some rides. Grande Roue, or big wheel, has a ramp to the ticket box, which is at standing height. Then I queued up for about 10 minutes, I went on it at night, it is not step free but the staff stopped the wheel to let me get on and off with my crutch. There is a staking rink. There are a few children’s rides including a carousel and a game to fish for ducks. The main part of the market is level and there are tarmac paths. The House of Father Christmas and the toilets are down a slight slope. At night the Christmas market is lit up but some of the paths away from the stalls are not particularly well lit. There are some bench seating near a cluster of food stalls but if they are busy there are some benches dotted around where the gift stalls are, and I was always able to get a seat when I needed one. Place Massena, the main square is pedestrianised although trams drive through it, and it is level. The walls of the surrounding walls are illuminated so they are easy to see from a distance, and the square is spacious it is very comfortable and easy to enjoy the lights. There is no seating in the square unless you go to the couple of cafes that are there. Sometimes there is a street performer. Promenade du Paillon, is a park with water fountains. The fountains shoot on and off. There are paths on both sides if you want to avoid walking through the fountain area. The park is level and there are some benches. Maison Auer is on a pedestrianised street. In the shop window was a large Santon display and chocolate fountain. There is a small step into the shop. It’s a beautiful chocolate shop and if you visit remember to take a look at the ceiling in the room at the back. The animated nativity scene has step free viewing. Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate in the square, has step free entrance and is a very beautiful, historic church to visit and it also has a Santon nativity scene. Generally Nice is very festive, with Christmas lights and decorations and the main tourist area is mainly flat.

Toilets

I didn't use the toilets but there were public accessible toilets in the Christmas market and in Cours Saleya, in the flower market in Vieux Nice. The toilets were 0.5 euros. It seems where there are public toilets there are accesible toilets.

Staff

Generally I found people extremely helpful and thoughtful. Compared to living in London, I really noticed a postive difference. 3 or 4 times when I was out, either waiting for the green light to cross the road, or in a queue, someone would ask me if I needed help or wanted to go in front of them. When I went on the big wheel they automatically stopped the wheel for me, usually people jump on, and when I struggled a bit and dropped my crutch they picked it up for me. I found the holiday very relaxing because of it as I felt people would help if I needed it.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

In 2018 the Christmas market was open daily from 1st December to 1st January. Christmas Eve is the big day in France, so the market closed early, about 6pm. Christmas Day it was open as normal. Boxing Day is not at bank holiday in France so again everything was open. Generally restaurants close early on Christmas Eve and are closed Christmas Day. However, the market was fully opened and there were some restaurants near to Place Massena which was open but Vieux Nice seemed to be closed. Midnight mass is held in the cathedral. I didn't attend. Also look out in the bakeries and restuirants for La Buche de Noel, the French version of the chocolate Yule Log. Overall if you are looking for a charming, traditional Christmas market and a nice festive atmosphere Nice is a great option. I loved it as many of the Christmas attractions are adjacent to each other. The Christmas market was very family orientated, with lots of family groups and it has character and atmosphere without being loud or showy. Nice is a lovely city, with a beautiful, flat sea front, a charming old town. I'm a big fan of Nice and I loved it at Christmas. Highly recommend.

Photos