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Complete Nice: free self-guided audio tour of Nice
Complete Nice is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Nice, France: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 6.7 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Place Masséna |
| Finish | Cimiez Monastery |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Promenade and Cimiez museums
The stops, in order
- Place MassénaPlace Masséna is the modern beating heart of Nice, linking the old town to contemporary districts. Vast and elegant with its black and white checkerboard paving, it is surrounded by magnificent Piedmontese-style red buildings. The square comes alive with Jaume Plensa's work, 'The Conversation'—seven statues of scribes perched on masts that light up in different colors at night.
- Old Town NiceWelcome to Old Nice, the city's vibrant and historical heart. As you stroll through this labyrinth of narrow alleyways with ochre and red facades, you will discover the city's Italian soul. Baroque churches, like Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, stand alongside traditional craft shops and small, lively squares.
- Castle Hill ViewpointProudly overlooking the city, Castle Hill is the historical birthplace of Nice. Although the castle itself was destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV's troops, the site has become a shaded park much loved by the locals. From its 92 meters, you will enjoy a breathtaking panorama over the red roofs of Old Nice, the Bay of Angels, and the hinterland mountains, often snow-capped in winter.
- Promenade des AnglaisThe Promenade des Anglais stretches majestically for seven kilometers along the Bay of Angels. Created in the 19th century by British residents who used to spend their winters in Nice, this palm-lined avenue has become a global symbol of the French Riviera. You will see the famous blue chairs, symbols of relaxation facing the infinite azure of the Mediterranean, and legendary palaces like the Negresco with its pink facade.
- Quai des États-UnisQuai des États-Unis extends the Promenade des Anglais, running along the Old Town to the foot of Castle Hill. Its upper promenade overlooks the famous 'ponchettes'—low historical buildings once used as shelters for fishermen and merchants. Today, they house art galleries and craft shops.
- Matisse MuseumPerched on Cimiez hill, the Matisse Museum is housed in the superb Villa des Arènes, a 17th-century Genoese villa with ruby-red plaster. This museum houses one of the most complete collections of Henri Matisse, who lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954. Through paintings, cut-out gouaches, and sculptures, you can follow the artist's constant evolution and his obsession with color, light, and simplification of form.
- Cimiez MonasteryThe Cimiez Monastery is a true haven of peace founded in the 9th century by Benedictine monks. The current monastic complex, featuring a majestic cloister and a church housing works by the famous painter Louis Bréa, exudes profound serenity. Its listed garden, the oldest in the city, is a marvel of roses and Mediterranean species offering a spectacular plunging view over all of Nice to the sea.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Nice, then Complete Nice.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Place Masséna and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Nice
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Complete Nice tour in Nice free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Nice in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Complete Nice tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Complete Nice tour start and finish?
- It starts at Place Masséna and finishes at Cimiez Monastery.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.